Help needed understanding docking ports

[Turner]

Hi all,

My son and I are just getting into Kerbal...

Anyway, I want to understand docking ports. The first question that came up: If we want a single-seat capsule with a parachute, where to we put the docking port, and which do we use? Can't seem to find one small enough to fit on the nosecone - then, maybe the small capsule isn't meant to dock?

That being the case, in any scenario, what are the standard docking parts used? I'd like to just shoot an unmanned chunk of stuff into orbit (with a docking port of course) and then follow it up with something capable of docking to it and returing to Kerbin. I guess just knowing which ports are normally used, and where the typical mounting locations might be would be a great start.

Thanks!

Andrew

[ceauke]

Hey Andrew

I JUST submitted a similar question. But I think I can help with your issue. It seems like the only things that can dock are CLAMP-O-TRONS. If it doesn't say that then it's not a docking port.

Then, for the Mk1 capsule, there are two ones that you can use, the shielded clampotron and the (regular) clampotron.

All these are on the utilities group on the first page.

Then, because you used the nose for docking, you'll need to use a different chute. On the utilities, page two, there is a Mk2-R radial mount chute right next to the nose cone chute. I've used these successfully to save my poor kerbals after THEY failed miserable to dock with stuff that's not dockable.

Happy rocketing!

[Scarecrow88]

The jr docking clamp will fit the nose of the small capsule but, as far as I know, it will only dock with another jr port. If using a dock on the nose of a capsule, you can use a couple of side mounted parachutes instead of the one that usually goes on the nose.

[Turner]

Thanks!

I'll try it out to see what happens.

[Rune]

Or you could go for something more uncommon and put the medium (or large) docking port on the back of the rocket (radial engines then). Since you can't move kerbals around without EVA, it doesn't really matter that there are fuel tanks in the middle. The point is, go kerbal: as long as it looks right to you, and it somewhat flies, all that we can say is "MOAR boosters!"

As to docking ports in general, three sizes (Sr, normal, and jr), and they dock to each other if they are the same size as soon as you get them close (<1m), some weird magnetic force will take care of the fine adjustment.

Rune. Give you son 30 minutes to fool around, he'll come up with something that gets you thinking.

[Turner]

Nice... thanks!

[Uberick]

I usually use the medium sized docking clamps, I find they grab on pretty easily, and hold even under medium thrust. Small clamps only clamp to other smalls, so I try to standardize medium clamps on all my designs so everything can dock with everything else. Large clamps are useful when docking large, full fuel tanks to space stations, or when docking parts of a spaceship being assembled in orbit that will undergo large amount of thrust compression or torque.

If you're planning on practicing docking in LKO(Low Kerbal Orbit), I recommend a vessel like this:

The docking port is located underneath the 1 man capsule, serving as a decoupler. When it has been launched into orbit, you can decouple the launcher stage(right click docking port)(you can put a probe on it to deorbit it, or just turn off persistent debris) and voila, you have a capsule with a parachute and a docking port!

When docking, you can right click the docking port itself and click "Control from here" so that you can use it to line up your docking target on the navball. This particular design(200l of Monopropellant, and only 4 thrusters) has over 1000 Delta V just in the monopropellant stage, so you have plenty of fuel to rendezvous and to practice docking.

(tip for docking. . . before using the translation controls, make sure that your vessel is oriented with "up"(In this case, the capsule door and window) pointing to your screen's "up", or your translation controls will be reversed, turned 90 degrees sideways, etc).

Good luck docking, and welcome to Kerbal Space Program!