Multiple Docking Port Connection

[Vist]

Hi everybody,

Here's the situation:

- 2 ships with a pair of docking ports facing each other

- 1 pair is used to dock with each other

- The other pair incidentally faces each other and can be connected/docked

Now my question is ="> can I connect the other pair of docking ports with each other even though the 2 original ships are already docked?

Just wanted to find out if this is possible to further strengthen structural integrity when constructing big "things" in orbit/space.

Regards and thanks in advance,

Vist =)

Edited July 24, 2015 by Vist

[Starwhip]

Yes, multi-port connections are possible. They are tricky though, because you need to have the ports connect at the same time.

I think Whackjob once did 18-port docking.

[/PossibleFisherman'sTale]

[Grumman]

It is possible, but you're better off using Kerbal Attachment System's struts to do the same thing.

[Vist]

Yes, multi-port connections are possible. They are tricky though, because you need to have the ports connect at the same time.

I think Whackjob once did 18-port docking.

[/PossibleFisherman'sTale]

18 port docking???? am still trying to get a handle of it with just 1 :"> "unassisted"

It is possible, but you're better off using Kerbal Attachment System's struts to do the same thing.

Yeah, that looks like the way to do it at the moment. But it does add to the total part count though. :">

[Red Dwarf]

Believe it or not, multi-port docking was the only way to build larger ships back in the day. When the devs first implemented docking, there was only the 1 meter and .625 meter docking ports. Anything bigger, and you had to do a multiport dock using those awful tri-adaptors. Whackjob needed to do this a lot, because he's Whackjob. He tended to work on a larger scale than the rest of us...

[Vist]

Believe it or not, multi-port docking was the only way to build larger ships back in the day. When the devs first implemented docking, there was only the 1 meter and .625 meter docking ports. Anything bigger, and you had to do a multiport dock using those awful tri-adaptors. Whackjob needed to do this a lot, because he's Whackjob. He tended to work on a larger scale than the rest of us...

Wow, honestly didn't know it was like that before 1.0 :">

[Edax]

Mutiport connection are possible, but they require exacting placement, which is why is best to use bi/tri/quad-couplers to make sure the docking ports are always equidistant on any spaceship you build. I still use tri-docks even though I have the large docking port so that all my new ships will be compatible with my old ones. The station on the right is in fact two separate pieces tri-docked together, designed back when I had a 140t launch limit. The plus side, the connection is secure, the downside, the front end of your spaceships will look like electric razors.

Edited July 24, 2015 by Edax

[Norcalplanner]

I tried this precisely once. For a much better modded solution, load up Kerbal Joint Reinforcement (for a strong connection) and SpaceY, which includes 3.75m and 5m docking ports.

[Vist]

Was testing some designs for stability in LKO with between two ships using docking port sr's.

legend:

rectangular boxes - docking port sr.

I docked using the upper pair of ports then decided to re-dock with the lower pair ports. Somehow, both pairs became docked to my surprise.

Tried to recreate it but couldn't do it again after a few tries, it was getting really late and I had work the following day. :">

Has anyone experienced this? Hoping this is possible and not just some fluke my noob self did