I don't understand rescue missions.

[strider3]

On 9/9/2019 at 7:31 PM, Gordon Fecyk said:

This is in a spoiler because you might consider it 'cheaty.'

  Reveal hidden contents

When you accept the contract, the Astronaut Complex will identify the kerbal as on active duty, and will show you in what seat on what kind of part they reside in.

Save the game first before accepting the contract, in case you end up with a part without a hatch.

 

That doesn't seem to work? The Kerbal I am to rescue, Jamie, is listed as "missing" in the Astronaut Complex and I get no information whatsoever about the vessel she is in?

[magnemoe]

Three ways to solve crews in module without hatches.  Rescue Pod Validator. 
The claw or an engineer using KAS, you would use to use the fuel tranfer tube and put an connector on target and select docking mode. 

One tricks is that you can check the type of craft the kerbal is in looking at the crew manifest under active kerbals tab. They will have no experience and typically be at the bottom of list. 
This is also very useful then you have to return kerbal and his craft 
 

[Geonovast]

Sorry it took so long..

So we have a Hitchhiker Storage Container standing in for the hatch-less one, since stock doesn't actually have anything without a hatch.

On the rescue craft is a KIS storage container, and in that is a screwgun and a Jr. docking port.  Bill grabs the gun, equips it, but oh no!  The Jr. docking port won't fit in his inventory.  Well, I could have Val manuever the rescue ship so that the container is closer to the Hitchhiker, but where's the fun in that?  Instead I can just leapfrog the part up to where I need it.

So Bill attaches the port to the rescue ship's side, using its surface attach node.  Important to note that I am using [ H ] to attach it, not just dropping it there.  Then Bill moves between the Hitchhiker and the port, then grabs it by holding [ G ] + left click, then attaches it to the Hitchhiker.  Before attaching it, I pressed [ R ] to move to the actual stack node (green/black ball in the VAB), so that it snaps on nicely to the Hitchhiker.   This isn't necessary for a temporary rescue thing, I'm just picky.  Then attach with [ H ] + left click.

Bill gets back in, and docking goes as it normally would.

 

 

The leap frogging thing can be pretty useful, especially if you need to move it quite far and it's too big for inventory.

 

Second option: The backpack method.

The cubish KIS container in the video can also be used as a backpack.  Just grab it with [ G ], and drag it into your kerbal's inventory.  Then it can be accessed normally.

Yes I know I forgot parachutes.

Edited September 16, 2019 by Geonovast

[strider3]

On 9/15/2019 at 9:44 AM, magnemoe said:

One tricks is that you can check the type of craft the kerbal is in looking at the crew manifest under active kerbals tab. They will have no experience and typically be at the bottom of list. 
This is also very useful then you have to return kerbal and his craft 
 

That doesn't seem to work...maybe a 1.7.3 thing? The Kerbal to be rescued is listed under the "Missing" tab (not "Active") and absolutely no info is given for the type of craft they are in.

OK, update...the Kerbal to be rescued is actually listed under both the "Assigned" tab (even though it lists "0" on the tab) and the "Missing" tab. Looking at the "Assigned" tab does list the craft in which they are stranded...so that helps.

Edited September 24, 2019 by strider3
New information

[magnemoe]

On 9/16/2019 at 7:53 PM, Geonovast said:

Sorry it took so long..

So we have a Hitchhiker Storage Container standing in for the hatch-less one, since stock doesn't actually have anything without a hatch.

On the rescue craft is a KIS storage container, and in that is a screwgun and a Jr. docking port.  Bill grabs the gun, equips it, but oh no!  The Jr. docking port won't fit in his inventory.  Well, I could have Val manuever the rescue ship so that the container is closer to the Hitchhiker, but where's the fun in that?  Instead I can just leapfrog the part up to where I need it.

So Bill attaches the port to the rescue ship's side, using its surface attach node.  Important to note that I am using [ H ] to attach it, not just dropping it there.  Then Bill moves between the Hitchhiker and the port, then grabs it by holding [ G ] + left click, then attaches it to the Hitchhiker.  Before attaching it, I pressed [ R ] to move to the actual stack node (green/black ball in the VAB), so that it snaps on nicely to the Hitchhiker.   This isn't necessary for a temporary rescue thing, I'm just picky.  Then attach with [ H ] + left click.

Bill gets back in, and docking goes as it normally would.

The leap frogging thing can be pretty useful, especially if you need to move it quite far and it's too big for inventory.

 

Second option: The backpack method.

The cubish KIS container in the video can also be used as a backpack.  Just grab it with [ G ], and drag it into your kerbal's inventory.  Then it can be accessed normally.

Yes I know I forgot parachutes.

This works, you can also use the fuel hose from KIS, this allow for crew transfer. Nice for space planes or on ships outside of Kerbin.
KIS is extremely useful if you need to rescue the craft as you can add parachutes, probe core, docking ports and heat shields. 
Currently waiting for Moho return window. I will return with 3 rescued ships and Kerbals. Two from low solar and one from Moho surface. 

[Klapaucius]

Removed comment...My browser loaded showing no answers and when I pressed enter, suddenly all the other better answers appeared, so I removed mine.

 

Edited September 27, 2019 by Klapaucius