does not dock?

[Jin' Gej]

Why does that not dock?

http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=617827518

[Evanitis]

Oucs. That -looks- close, but that's like a kilometer of distance when it comes to surface docking. Due to how docking ports and variable gravity works, it's a really tedious process to do in stock. If you are up for the challenge, @Temstar wrote an excellent tutorial on the matter, with downloadable modules.

The less patient players use the Kerbal Attachment System mod.

Edited February 6, 2016 by Evanitis

[Snark]

Welcome to the forums!

It doesn't dock because the ports aren't quite lined up.

Unfortunately, you've stumbled into a bit of a "hole" in the game's design.  In stock KSP, it's unpleasantly, stupidly difficult to dock together craft that are sitting on the surface of a planet, even if they're on a perfectly flat surface such as Minmus.  Yes, it can be done, but it's very finicky and a real pain.  (Docking in orbit is fine, because the craft are free to move around).

Basically, you have two options.

Option #1 is to spend a lot of time and energy in designing surface components that are specifically built to be dockable, trying to work around KSP's limitations.  And/or a lot of finicky, fidgety maneuvering to try to get them to connect.  Some people do this and enjoy it, personally I can't stand it-- it's just way too much trouble, IMHO.

Option #2 is to use a mod.  My personal favorite is Kerbal Attachment System.  Among other goodies, it has a "connector port" piece that you can mount radially on your ships.  Land ship #1, land ship #2 "reasonably" nearby (within a couple of dozen meters).  Send out an EVA kerbal.  Right-click on connector port 1, choose "Link".  Right-click on connector port 2, choose "Link".  Presto, the two ships are now connected by a pipe, and act as one ship now, the same as if they were docked.  When you're done and want to disconnect them, just send out an EVA kerbal again, right-click on either of the ports, and choose "Unlink."  Simple, elegant, easy to use, works great, and even looks pretty good.

[Jin' Gej]

oh ok, i lined it up, but it did not become "magnetic" like in orbit, the screenshot shows it not lined up, because i cannot make a screenshot while holding it in place

[Jin' Gej]

yay!!

i docked it

http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=617950059