Docking

[paranoid android]

Ive seen mods for docking port alignment indicators but i think we need a built in one for the game. It would be  huge help. Maaybe this could be a future ksp2 feature but i would really like it to be in ksp1 too

[ColdJ]

Basically this already exists. When close enough to craft you want to dock with to be able to be switched to. Switch to it.  Click on the docking port and choose "Control from here." Click on your incoming ship and set it as target, then use the pilot option of point at target (The purple option next to the Nav Ball.) You will see the purple target symbol on the Nav Ball. Once lined up, switch back to your incoming ship then choose the ship you want to dock with as your target. As it is using its docking port as its control point, that is the part of the ship your target symbol on the nav ball is pointing at. Reduce the thrust level of your RCS so that you can make fine movements. Then just adjust till your prograde marker is over the top of the target marker on the Nav Ball. Readjust using RCS regularly to keep the overlap, be patient and keep your speed towards the target low. When getting very close make sure you are traveling towards the docking port at no more than 1m/s. If you do this then when you get close enough for magnetic attraction, the ports will snap you together. Now you are docked

[darthgently]

On 7/10/2023 at 7:08 AM, paranoid android said:

Ive seen mods for docking port alignment indicators but i think we need a built in one for the game. It would be  huge help. Maaybe this could be a future ksp2 feature but i would really like it to be in ksp1 too

While ColdJ explains a great technique, I agree that a flexible stock alignment indicator would be great.  But not just for dock port to dock port docking, but also for aligning grabber/klaw to uncontrolled part/craft central axis or the facing axis of a specific part on an uncontrollable craft (no power, no probe core, recovery contracts...)

On a related note, don't underestimate the power of an EVA'd engineer hanging onto a hatch to attach a recovery contract part to the rescue craft in place of using a grabber/klaw.  Bring extra chutes for added mass