One small step

[Claytsuk]

Hey just got into kerbal over the last week. Have managed to get into orbit and got my head around orbits, also managed to get to the mum and back but not ambitious enough to attempt a landing let. But oh my god I just can't dock in orbit for love nor money. I get everything perfect, circular orbit for both ships get under 1km apart and try to move them closer lining things up but it just changes my orbit on the far side and they end up even further apart. Frustrating!!!!

But fun :-)

[Capt'n Skunky]

Happy Launching!

Arrr!

Capt'n Skunky

KSP Community Manager

[Vanamonde]

How quickly are you approaching the other ship for the actual dock? Within a kilometer you should be able to just steer straight towards it, but if you are going VERY slowly, then time and orbital mechanics will draw the ships apart. Try closing the final distance at 20m/s+. That shouldn't be too fast to brake to a stop again when you get there.

[sal_vager]

Hi Claytsuk

Yeah as Vanamonde says, if you have a 1km separation just point at the target and set a target relative speed of a few m/s, you'll close the gap easily enough.

Don't forget to actually target the other craft and if your speed readout doesn't automatically change to target mode just click on it a few times

When you are really close, lower your relative speed to 0 to give yourself time to work out what you will do for the actual docking :)D

[Claytsuk]

Thanks guys will give it a shot!

[lacedemonian]

Hi Claytsuk

Yeah as Vanamonde says, if you have a 1km separation just point at the target and set a target relative speed of a few m/s, you'll close the gap easily enough.

Don't forget to actually target the other craft and if your speed readout doesn't automatically change to target mode just click on it a few times

When you are really close, lower your relative speed to 0 to give yourself time to work out what you will do for the actual docking :)D

I've already tried that, but i can't cancel my relative velocity. it always just reverses direction at 6 m/s. This is okay for LANDING but not DOCKING. I mean, this is getting frustrating. I use Lazors, Mechjeb, etc, and can't do **** in this game.