A Different Approach To Mk2/3 Docking

[Bomoo]

The suggestion is that the Mk2 Clamp-o-tron be converted from a full fuselage "slice" into a module that can fit inside the Mk2 payload bays. The idea is that it would help in the flexibility of spaceplane designs if you could simply yank things out of the payload bay depending on what you're doing. Just like the Space Shuttle, in fact.

Additionally, it would create uses for the payload bay other than carrying... what exactly are they meant to carry? Small satellites? I've always used them more as a utility slice, and filled them with all kinds of things like batteries, SAS modules, RTGs, KAS containers, etc., and I think an Mk2 clampo + SAS with radial batteries (and an RTG or two) would be a perfect fit for a small cargo bay.

You might even be able to re-use this proposed Mk2 fuselage-less clampo for Mk3 without it looking dumb, as it currently does when trying to create a Mk3 docking solution with the Mk2 or 1.25m fuselage slice clamp-o-trons. I'd suggest doing the same thing for the 1.25m extendable clampo, but as there's no 1.25m payload bay, so it kinda needs to stay the way it is. However, I think for Mk2 it's a legit suggestion, and would have the further benefit of freeing you from needing to design things like Mk2 SAS and battery slices, reducing part bloat. Think about it?

Thanks for reading.

Edit: might even be able to fit another 1.25m slice in there.

Edited April 9, 2015 by Bomoo

[Tex]

So I suppose this suggestion is meant for Mk3 docking? It seems like you have the solution for Mk2 right there!

As it stands, I read in the recent devblog about some "new parts from Porkjet" that I can only imagine are spaceplane parts. I think that spaceplanes are getting a big revamp in 1.0, so I think it would be wise to wait and see what they come up with for us. In the meantime, though, I don't really use many spaceplanes anyway... But of course you could probably use Mk3 cargo bays and fit in an Inline Clamp-o-Tron in there, maybe even the Mk2 Inline, and have that be your internal docking array. Dumb-looking, maybe, but it'll do the job until we do get Mk3 Inlines.

[Bomoo]

So I suppose this suggestion is meant for Mk3 docking? It seems like you have the solution for Mk2 right there!

As it stands, I read in the recent devblog about some "new parts from Porkjet" that I can only imagine are spaceplane parts. I think that spaceplanes are getting a big revamp in 1.0, so I think it would be wise to wait and see what they come up with for us. In the meantime, though, I don't really use many spaceplanes anyway... But of course you could probably use Mk3 cargo bays and fit in an Inline Clamp-o-Tron in there, maybe even the Mk2 Inline, and have that be your internal docking array. Dumb-looking, maybe, but it'll do the job until we do get Mk3 Inlines.

Well, no, that's not a solution so much as a mockup to show that the Mk2 clampo fits comfortably into the Mk2 payload bay, and with room to spare for SAS and batteries. What I'm asking for is for at least the option to remove the Mk2 fuselage casing of the clampo inside so it can be used inside the payload bay without them clipping, and so that it can be used with Mk3. Personally, I don't use Mk3 at all, but given that it lacks a docking module, this could serve in both roles if the Mk2 fuselage casing were either removed or made toggle-able, and with the side benefit of reducing part bloat.

[Wahgineer]

So, basically use the Mk1 inline clamp-o-tron in a 1/2 sized mk2 cargo bay.

[Bomoo]

So, basically use the Mk1 inline clamp-o-tron in a 1/2 sized mk2 cargo bay.

No? Did you not read the post?

[RainDreamer]

I think the idea is closer to an extendable clamp-o-tron module that can extend out of a cargo bay.

not sure how to make that look nice though.

[Bomoo]

I think the idea is closer to an extendable clamp-o-tron module that can extend out of a cargo bay.

not sure how to make that look nice though.

The suggestion is for the same extendable clampotron with 150 monoprop capacity as the Mk2 clampo slice, but without the Mk2 fuselage casing and colliders.