Dock Hard

[Moesly_Armlis]

Stock 1.0.x

Start default career.

Science points of 260.

Just enough to unlock Docking Port Junior and a few other basic technologies.

Do it legit and Kerbal it.

No further technology or facility upgrades allowed.

No tracking centre or Mission control to assist with the rendezvous.

Launch vessel into stable orbit.

Launch another vessel into orbit.

Rendezvous and dock the two vessels.

Return home.

Take screenshots or video.

Record the time of the first launch.

Record the time when both kerbals are standing on kerbin.

Leaderboard

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[TD]Name[/TD]

[TD]Kerbal Time[/TD]

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[TD][/TD]

[TD][/TD]

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[TR]

[TD][/TD]

[TD][/TD]

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[TR]

[TD][/TD]

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[/TABLE]

Here was my first attempt that docked.

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They landed but I forgot to take the screen shots. So I tried again and made a video.

Dock Hard Tips

The time it took to launch both vessels, rendezvous and dock was about six kerbal hours but I am horrible and just learning. I improved the time on my second attempt but cannot recall the total time. After reviewing the video the time at the end was 4h5m.

I had tried and failed several times and was taking screen shots of that horrible mess. After all that practice this video recorded what was done on the initial take without quick-save. Valentina cool as a cucumber with zero stage fright nails the launch and rendezvous. Jebediah could have docked on the first attempt but it seemed he was showing off for the camera. The Krappy video was recorded with Open Broadcast Software using my Lap-potatoe.

Edited August 28, 2015 by MoeslyArmlis

[HoloYolo]

Video? Looks like I can't compete...

[legoclone09]

Video? Looks like I can't compete...

You can, record it with Open Broadcaster Software (https://obsproject.com)

It's free and easy-to-use.

[Moesly_Armlis]

Video? Looks like I can't compete...

Screen shots are fine. The video was going to be a tutorial, but I quickly realized this is hard.

[mivanit]

Sorry if this is a stupid question, but what is so hard/unique about this challenge? docking with only engines has been done before I believe, and that is the only thing in this "challenge." Also, read the rules. what are we graded by? science points used? MET? craft size?

[Starwhip]

Sorry if this is a stupid question, but what is so hard/unique about this challenge? docking with only engines has been done before I believe, and that is the only thing in this "challenge." Also, read the rules. what are we graded by? science points used? MET? craft size?

Yep, it's been done before. I know because I've had to do it a few times in my playing experience.

It's not the easiest of tasks.

Also, yes, scoring system would be nice.

[Moesly_Armlis]

Sorry if this is a stupid question, but what is so hard/unique about this challenge? docking with only engines has been done before I believe, and that is the only thing in this "challenge." Also, read the rules. what are we graded by? science points used? MET? craft size?

The challenge is docking with limited technology, no maneuver nodes or targeting a vessel (until within visual range). This challenge is set within a tier zero facility. Mission control and the Tracking Centre offer little assistance.

As for a scoring I was thinking completing this challenge with the lowest overall time. I remember completing this in about six kerbal hours and that was including both launches.

Edited August 28, 2015 by MoeslyArmlis

[tiffanyw]

looks smashing. when i try to record my computer usually freezes maybe its time to upgrade before simultaneously record and play.

[ttnarg]

Is there any flexibility in the rule that says you have to be in stable orbit before launching the second craft? I was thinking of simultaneous launch from pad and run way. I've not done it before but seems like fun.

[Moesly_Armlis]

Is there any flexibility in the rule that says you have to be in stable orbit before launching the second craft? I was thinking of simultaneous launch from pad and run way. I've not done it before but seems like fun.

Wow that would be something to pull off.

One of the vessels would have to go to space unassisted and without SAS (not sure but it seems when I switch vessels in atmosphere the SAS gets turned off).

The "Can't switch vessels while in atmosphere" would also be a hindrance until in space.

Is it a bug or does anyone know the distance limit before that message starts to appear?

It is less than 25 km; I had that message when I split a vehicle similar to SpaceX and had to redesign to allow both vessels to reach space. Then had to return to the tracking centre instead of map view to switch vessel focus (is this a bug too?).

If you want to try this I am all for it. However to keep balance there would have to be another leaderboard for simultaneous launch pad and runway launches.

@tiffanyw Welcome to the forums.

I too was faced with the notion to upgrade my computer or switch to Linux to allow recording. The Open Broadcast Software is what I am using. My lap-potato also ran sluggish while video recording and ended up just taking screenshots with F1. However after adjusting the FPS to seven and downscaling the resolution by 1.5 I can now record improved krappy videos.

The limit is when vessels have more than 150 parts. Compared to KSP 0.90, KSP 1.0.x seems to run optimized. With the update to Unity5 and 64bit there might be even more improvements.

Another option is to buy capture hardware which is significantly less expensive than a new computer.