Space flights with docked vessels

[lux7328]

In trying to design a really big space ship capable of manuvering through the solar system with out really even needing to refuel or anything and would never be used to land but instead be used like a ferry for other landers. Sorta like the ship they had in the movie "Martian".

Anywho I have already designed the ship but is in no way capable of escaping kerbals atmosphere at least without an extensive launching system that would probably melt my computer if I tried. So I've decided to build the craft in space so I downloaded the global construction mod to acomplish that.

I have tried launching the container kit but I think it is still just too big so I was thinking about cutting the ship in half with docking ports to put the to halves together once they are in space. However, In my experience, trying to fly docked ships through space never ends well. They just start wiggling around so much until the dock points seperate and usually colide.

So, in total what is the best way to get an extra large container kit into space.... Or how do I keep docked ships from falling appart during manuvers?

[Vanamonde]

I have flown some rather large assemblages to various planets and I find that if you maneuver and accelerate slowly they do not have a problem.

[HansAcker]

Struts (EVA construction), Autostruts and disabling RCS or reaction weels on docked spacecraft. I moved assembled space stations beween planets

How large is your construction kit, anyway, and what's the launcher tech available? Everything can get into orbit with enough power. And then there's Near Future Launch Vehicles with 7m parts...

Spoiler

(85t RocketParts for construction on JNSQ-Minmus)

[Kryxal]

My solution was to use a mothership in a puller configuration.  Docking ports are going to handle stresses trying to pull them apart better than lateral.  They could probably handle compression better but for one thing - off-center forces will push the docked ship MORE off-center, while a puller tends towards centered.

[s_gamer101]

• Use autostruts
• Avoid building the ship in the shape of a noodle
• Maybe use Clamp-O-Tron Sr. docking ports if you aren't already doing that