First Base Issue

[funkcanna]

Hey

ok so today I decided to try to build a Minmus base. I managed to get the first part down ok, then the next bit was the launch the second module and try to get it near the first. I'm actually pretty happy because I got closer than expected, but also a bit sad because it's 800meters away! Is there a way (using KAS or anything else) to get the two pieces close together as they are already on the surface and I can't launch them again (no fuel, they're just habitation modules on legs!).

[celem]

With really low gravity, comes really low friction. Minmus is made of soap buddy, you might just get away with it.

KAS winches I reckon, shouldnt matter that they dont have wheels, retract the legs, let them float onto the hab bases then slide em over.

If you cant stretch a winch directly then set up a system of ground pylons between them and mount winches to those to 'ratchet' them along (like warping a barge upstream)

edit: and 800m is pretty good for a spotlanding attempt, i actually find minmus hard because although changing trajectory is cheap you fall so slowly that rotation of the moon becomes an issue so you cant just dead-stop and 'bomb' from orbit.

How are you delivering these? They are out of fuel or never had any? skycrane? staged off a lander?

Edited March 22, 2015 by celem

[xXIndestructibleEVAXx]

Get the trajectories mod. If you use FAR, it helps SO much in precision landing. And even if you don't use it or are landing on an airless body, it shows your true landing position with an X, accounting for the rotation.

[DMSP]

I back celem.

I had a problem on the Mun like this, but I got the base close using KAS winches+retracting the legs.

Make sure the modules don't flip. You can do this by attaching the winch near the Center of Mass (Make a guess).

By the way, the base was my first, and it went well. After 2 years there, the crew went home happily.

The Automatic habitat fell over when the second crew arrived (I landed too close, the exhaust pushed it off its legs).

I scraped the whole thing.

I think it's still there, actually, I should check...

Good luck, and hope I helped!

-DMSP

[JTpopcorn]

What I have actually done (stock no KAS) is use the asteroid claw to attach a skycrane to modules. This allows me to move pieces around. However with KAS I am sure there is an easier way where direct docking is non neccessary.(Winch)

[micr0wave]

if everything else fails maybe try to KAS enough RCS on it (and a roverseat if you have to), it's minmus, you can move pretty big things with rcs alone there

[LordFerret]

This is a stretch not knowing what this thing looks like (you should post a picture), but ... how about a rover? You could build and send up a sturdy rover - a mobile platform. Drive the thing underneath the module in question, and then retract the landing legs on it and have it sit down on the rover. Then, drive the rover over to where you want it and then extend the lander legs again.

I've been thinking along these lines for my own Mun/Minmus bases construction.

[stibbons]

Build a crane. Something that can get a KAS winch above your module. KAS has radial docking connectors you can attach to the module for the winch to connect to, or you can put an electromagnet on the winch. Make sure you add some pipe connectors to anchor the module in place once it's lifted.

See this guide I wrote about KAS cranes a little while ago.

[funkcanna]

Thanks guys! I tried the winch but it was too far so I sent a load of RCS and attached them and flew over to the main base and successfully docked them (after multiple load quick saves!). I'll get a pic soon but I'm not at PC now!

EDIT: Here is the pic:

Edited March 23, 2015 by funkcanna

[Shadlis]

I use small gear bays on the bottom of the module and RCA in docking mode to position the module for docking to the hub. Then use large landing legs to boost to the correct height. I took inspiration from this

.