Detach parts without destroying their decouplers?

[Davo7135]

My idea is this: fly a main craft/station into orbit around the Mun. Once there, detach one/many multi-stage landing pods with rovers that need only enough fuel to land and return to the orbiting carrier.

However in detaching the landing pod with a stack decoupler, it is also triggering all of the decouplers on the separated craft.

I believe this is default behaviour for decouplers and parachutes? Is there any way around this behaviour?

Thanks,

Davo7135

[Endeavour]

I think a seperated pod would count as a debris unless there is a command module attached to it. So this probably isn't possible.

[olex]

Indeed, at the moment this isn't really doable. It will be possible in a later update though (don't know if 0.17 or later), when we will have docking - you can then build the landers as separate spacecraft, dock them to the orbiter in the assembly and launch, and then un-dock and re-dock the landers as required.

[Zephram Kerman]

I've noticed this happens even if the detached assembly has a MechJeb. Also, engines fire as soon as the stage is separated. So, I think the rule is: "if separated from the crew, activate all stages". There is a setting for this, I think in the part .cfg file. It used to default the other way, with separated parts not activating.

[Davo7135]

I think a seperated pod would count as a debris unless there is a command module attached to it. So this probably isn't possible.

There is a mod for empty capsules, it's pretty cool. Also mechjeb.

I've noticed this happens even if the detached assembly has a MechJeb. Also, engines fire as soon as the stage is separated. So, I think the rule is: "if separated from the crew, activate all stages". There is a setting for this, I think in the part .cfg file. It used to default the other way, with separated parts not activating.

Thanks, I'll check that out. Also, I think the engines inherit you thrust at time of jettison, so as long as it's at 0 you're ok.

Indeed, at the moment this isn't really doable. It will be possible in a later update though (don't know if 0.17 or later), when we will have docking - you can then build the landers as separate spacecraft, dock them to the orbiter in the assembly and launch, and then un-dock and re-dock the landers as required.

Sounds interesting, pity about the waiting though.

Thanks for the help everyone.

[Ziff]

My idea is this: fly a main craft/station into orbit around the Mun. Once there, detach one/many multi-stage landing pods with rovers that need only enough fuel to land and return to the orbiting carrier.

However in detaching the landing pod with a stack decoupler, it is also triggering all of the decouplers on the separated craft.

I believe this is default behaviour for decouplers and parachutes? Is there any way around this behaviour?

Thanks,

Davo7135

.Craft file please? I have never seen that happen before, unless all the decouplers are in the same stage.

The radial decouplers and stack decouplers attached to the rest of the craft are clearly still attached even though separated from the command pod.

[Davo7135]

...

Interesting, that's the kind of thing I'm going for, but my decouplers disappear. I don't know if they play the explode animation though.

I've only tested with the 1m parts, not the newer bigger ones. I'll post craft files as soon as I get back to my computer.

[Davo7135]

Ok, so after trying a heap of different ways, here are some things I have noted:

- If mechjeb is attached to a piece of debris, all of its decouplers will blow (which was my problem)

- If mechjeb is not attached, the decouplers wont blow (which is what you found, Ziff)

- Once decoupled, everything gets put into stage 0, meaning you cant use space bar staging

- Large decouplers have the right click menu, others don't, so you could use this for multiple stages

- The empty pods I am using (http://kerbalspaceprogram.com/forum/showthread.php/15016-0-16-Crew-able-empty-pods-0-3) don't allow you to steer or thrust because they are technically crewable struts, necessitating mechjeb.

Therefore, unfortunately it seems you can have currently only have a single stage maneuverable drop ship. Perhaps RCS is enough to slow a small craft from orbit?

Thanks for your help everyone.