My Tutorial for meeting up with your SpaceStation - A Newbie's perspective

[Sublight]

This may not be the most fuel efficient way to dock, but its a step by step method to docking.  If you finish one step then go to the next, then you will dock.  It looks like a lot of instructions, but I assume you know nothing about docking.
This Tutorial is for the dummies like me.  The elitist in here will probably not like it.  If you are new, then this will help.  I couldn't make sense of so much stuff that I read, and videos that I watched.  This is what I came up with.
 

-----------Instructions---------

1.  The numbered entries are the topic for that step.
       A - The lettered entries are the steps that are required, just in case you don't know how.
                 A1 - The Lettered+Numbered entries are just notes that may make it a little easier.
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The hardest part for me was not using RCS to dock, it was getting close to the space station to begin with.  This is what I do

(SS Means SpaceStation)
(NavBall Screen is the little screen that sits just above the Navball)

1.  Launch into orbit.
2.  Click on the SS, and "Set as Target".
3.  Point curser at the little Green arrow (decline/incline node), and warp to it, and burn to make the node say 0.0. (Click on your orbit and you will have 2 options, one of them will be warp here)
           A - Use SAS here.  If the node says .01 then use your purple SAS Triangle that points down.  If it says -.01 use the Purple SAS triangle that points up.  Burn for a second or 2.
           B - Check the arrow again and see if it says 0.0  This is what you want.  If it does not say 0.0 then burn a little more.  You will know you are really close, because when it gets close to 0.0 then the arrow will start running away from you.

4.  Pick one side of your orbit, and make it touch as closely as you can to the orbit of the SS. (Burn prograde)
          A - Only do this to one side of your orbit, leave the other side alone.

5.  Wait, and make a orbit or 2.  Note that every time you make a complete orbit you will be a closer to catching up with the SS.  The bigger the gap between the SS orbit, and your orbit (on one side with the gap), the faster your catch up, careful not to overshoot it.
          A - Keep making laps and you will notice you are catching up to the SS. 
                    A1 - I like to start each orbit where the 2 orbits touch.  Make a complete lap and return there and evaluate your progress each lap.
          B - When you get so close, that you think that you MAY pass the SS on the next lap, then simply go to where the 2 orbits touch, and burn prograde some(use map view, and warp here.  Make sure to use SAS when burning).  Perhaps take out half, or more of the gap that you left. (quicksave before you do this)
          C - Make a lap.  You will catch up with the space station a little slower this time, and get close.
          D - Rinse and repeat until you get with in 30 KM (or less) of the space station.
                  D1 - I like this distance because it gives me plenty of time to make mistakes, and then to correct them.  Too little distance and you cant do this.

6.  You are close, now lets get closer.  Its time to fine tune the orbit, and close in on the SS.
          A - Go into map mode, and point your curser at the SS, it will tell you your distance from it.  Make sure you are getting closer to the station.  If you change the screen above the navball to "Target" you will find out how much faster/slower you are going in relationship to the SS.  
                  A1 - If you need to speed up, or slow down, then change the Navball Screen to Orbit, and burn Prograde (to speed up), or Retrograde (if you are going to fast).
          B - Once you are comfortable with your speed, its time to just wait, and make small changes to your orbit.
         C - Go to map mode, and Change your little screen above the navball to "Surface". You will use Radial IN, or Radial Out to adjust where the 2 orbits come together. 
                 C1 - You don't want to end up where they come together, because you will then start moving away from each other because of the orbit difference).  You want to keep the point that the 2 orbits intersect in front of you.  This is not a exact science.  
                 C2 - This takes minimal fuel.   Just keep burning periodically as you approach the SS while trying not to ever fully reach the "Intersect Point" (Most of my burns are 5-6 seconds tops).  You will continue catching up with the SS without having to speed up and slow down.
          D - When you get within 1-2 KM, set your Navball Screen to "Orbit, and burn retrograde.  Try to get your speed within 1 MPS.    Now you move to the next section.
                 D1 - All of this can be done in the Map View.

----------  This is where it gets a little tricky.  I watch the little diamond, which is around the target that you chose (the SS).
---------   As you get get experience doing this, it will become easier.  The hard part is getting close.  Just navigating towards the SS isn't quite so hard.
---------  As I have gotten more experience doing this, I try to use my engines instead of my thrusters as much as I can to stabilize my orbit in relationship to the SS.  I do this with larger ships as they take more energy (Dv)to make them move a little.
---------  The bigger your ship the harder it is to dock, and to move (speed up/slow down).  Start with something very small, and get the hang of it there.  Its easier to adjust for errors when your ship doesn't weigh 50 tons.

7. Prepare to dock. (You may find your own way to do this.  Ill share how I do it)

         A - Press Y, and change your mode to Docking mode.  Then make sure your RCS is on, and press A to change from Linear, to Rotation mode.  You want to be on Linear mode here.
         B - You want to make the diamond stop moving in relationship to your screen.  If it appears still, then you are moving towards it.  I don't use the nav ball until this is done.  You will have to use RCS thrusters to get this done.
         C - After it is still, then set SAS to point at your target, and set your little screen above the navball to "Target".  
         D - Burn for a while and get your speed to something you are comfortable with.  I am cautious so I stay under 50 MPS faster then the SS.  (The little screen will tell you the difference in speed between you and your target)
         E - Start using the NAV BALL here.  Try to line up the Prograde marker with the target marker.  If the SS is not moving in the background, then this should be easy.  A little trial and error will make this easy.  Just make sure that you are in Linear mode, and not rotation mode.  The Prograde marker, and target marker should already be close to each other.
                    e1 - It makes it easier for me to use the RCS thrusters IF I press A to change to Rotation mode.  Now look at your navball and orient the ship so the 90 Degree mark is on the left, and the 270 mark is on the right of the nav ball.  This makes it level, and easier to move left, right, up and down.  Otherwise its a PAIN in the you-know-what (you use your joystick trying to move the ship to the left, and the thrusters make it go down).
        F-   Approach, and dock using your clamp, or docking port.

 

Edited August 28, 2016 by Sublight