Tier Zero Facility Tips

[Moesly_Armlis]

NAV Ball Guidence

These are some techniques I use to get around without patched conics or maneuver nodes.

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If you have any similar tips for tier zero please post.

Edited August 8, 2015 by MoeslyArmlis

[Vanamonde]

Gameplay tips thread moved to the tutorials section.

[Moesly_Armlis]

Docking without a tracking network can be accomplished.

The orbital rings are key. Highlight only these two vessels and have different icons.

Focus on Kerbin when doing large orbital changes.

Focus in front of the vessel for every thing else.

Use the rings to make incremental burns. Observe the rings closing together.

Once in front of the target and on the outside it is just a matter of time.

The target will slowly approach and further refinements to normal (happy and angry triangles) can be made. When within 25 km double click LMB on the target vessel and it will be tracked on the NAV ball. Start reducing relative motion by burning retrograde from the target.

Using burns radial on the final approach.

Reduce engine thrust by right clicking engine. The engine gimbal could also be reduced.

Use of time warp can help to identify relative motion.

If the vessel is within range then its apoapsis/periapsis markers will appear.

Once the target is close the docking port can be selected and marked as target. Having the vessel marked as target will now be visible on the NAV ball.

For reasons the docking port cannot be selected and then switch vessels. The tag is lost when switching vessels unlike what happens with advanced tier technology. The vessel's port will need to be in view and with close to zero relative velocity. Zoom to the port and zoom out and place cursor in front and wait. Part FX highlight allows easier selection.

The final encounter is similar to advanced docking protocols. Orient the vessels in at least one direction before going further.

Video Dock Hard

This is not the ideal method but does demonstrate the procedure.

Edited September 11, 2015 by MoeslyArmlis

[Moesly_Armlis]

This list will be updated from my Mission Report experiment log to Duna without any facility upgrades. If you do not want to wait then head over to this Caveman Are From Duna to get all the latest testing and discoveries.

Fuel can flow from drop tanks connected by docking ports . The docking ports must be connected in serial.

Top or bottom of tanks only. Radial attachment does not flow rocket fuel.

Liquid fuel flows through solid rocket boosters.

Thuds And Thumpers can increase liftoff TWR and control authority when these powerful components are combined.

Without any action groups to turn engines on/off this manifold design allows forward and reverse, clockwise and anticlockwise.

Instead of turning on/off multiple engines the twin docking ports enable/disable fuel flow to one or more engines with just a single click.

Edited August 9, 2015 by MoeslyArmlis

[GoSlash27]

I guess I'll throw this in here. If it's not cool, just let me know and I'll remove it.

How to get science from the rooftop biomes the easy way using only early tech:

It should be arranged so that the CoM is below and just a bit behind the parachutes. The CoT should run right through the parachutes.

This makes an inherently stable and easy-to-fly STOL paraglider aircraft. You don't need a pilot to fly it.

Steering is controlled with yaw. Altitude is controlled with throttle. Speed is controlled with pitch.

These will fly easily at walking speed and set down gently on a dime.

After recovering science, recover the aircraft and relaunch.

Best,

-Slashy

[Moesly_Armlis]

All info on getting by without upgrading the facility is good info.

Even though I cheat and push my science experiments into the doors of the VAB/SPH this could someday change and indeed rooftops will need to become accessible.

Also every body should list any issues they have encountered.

If I did assemble an overweight ship off the pad to skirt the weight limit, I don't know how I would be able to get the pointy end up. And even if I did... no resource transfer.

Trying to lift a rocket and fuel transfer issues were mentioned by you in your challenge. The latter issue has been dealt with using docking ports and fuel ducts.

The former issue Bill is working on.

Now. Where did I put my fulcrum?

@ Slashy Thanks for contributing. You even helped by proxy in fixing the name of this thread. In a challenge I called it tier zero tech which you added correctly with the word facility. At first I was going with your name of "caveman" but chose tier zero because this tutorial is for everyone who wants to build rockets solely in barns.

That rooftop jumper is being scrutinized by Bill:huh: . The crane can lift but he says if the payload can reach the roof of the VAB so will the top of his rockets boosters where the payload components could be assembled and attached radially. He would enjoy to complete a vessel assembly using his mobile rocket support braces and the VAB rooftop and something Bill:wink: is naming Skyisthelimitcrane.

Bob:confused: of course is nervous of Bill:sticktongue: bringing down the whole building. Jebediah:) and Valentina:D are smiling.

Edited August 9, 2015 by MoeslyArmlis

[Moesly_Armlis]

After spending some time in the early tier space plane hanger (cough..barn), I take for granted that wheel alignments are done with ease.

The windows make a graph paper style background and with the camera rotated by the cursor keys, alignment can be completed all around the vessel. Wings, engines and other components that need ground clearance can be easily sighted. The windows on the ceiling and the tiles on the floor can also be utilized.

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