Moving big heavy things in KIS/KAS.

[Sharpy]

The KIS manual mentions that very heavy parts can be moved by two or more kerbals, but it doesn't go into details on *how*. Say, I want to attach the Clampotron Sr. docking port to a returning ship, to dock it to a space station permanently. Can I?

Also, can I connect two LARGE objects - like, weld a discarded launch stage that happened to have too much delta-V to the station, to serve as a fuel storage?

[Signo]

Usually you need a kerbal per ton of weight - kerbals must be standing pretty close to the "operation".

I am not sure about your second question because I never did it myself, but I think it should be possible provided you have enough kerbals.

[Hupf]

For the first question, they just have to linger around nearby the active kerbal. They do not even need to be Engineers like the latter.

For the second one: I would use KAS for this, i.e. put some strut connector ports and a pipe connector ports (not sure about the exact names right now) on both vessels, then right-click on the port on one vessel while EVAing with an engineer and select the appropriate menu option that extens a cable/strut from the port to the Kerbal. Fly to the opposite port and select the appropriate right-click menu option again.

[Vive_moi]

Hello,

The distance is about 3m from the part center. But, you need this distance only to grab the thing. When grabbed, you do not need a number of kerbals-in-range to attach it elsewhere in the active engineer range.

See you,

Vive_moi

[psychogre]

As for the second question, your easiest option is to add a docking port at appropriate locations on each of the LARGE objects, then dock them.  Then add struts if needed.

According to what I've read about using the KAS struts, the two endpoints of the strut must be on the same craft.

I have tried to use a KAS pipe to connect two separate craft while they are in orbit - it's stable for a few seconds, and then all heck breaks loose, explosions galore, etc.  Tried it twice, same results (using v1.0.4).  I don't do that anymore.  However, when landed, I use KAS pipes to connect separate craft all the time in my mining setup.