Stop parachutes deploying when undocking ships.

[OUScooby]

I've been having this problem when I undock landers, when I undock them from their parent orbiter ship the parachutes automatically deploy. This mostly happens with small landers consisting of a command pod, small fuel tank and single engine. The parachutes are set to a different stage then the engines, but when I undock the ship they are grouped into one single stage and the parachutes instantly deploy. How do I stop this?

[creederTh]

You can change the staging of your ships in-flight (the same way you would in the VAB). Alternatively, you could activate the engine by right-clicking.

[Rage097]

Hot keys are your enemy in this case. Right-click everything and keep your hand away from the spacebar.

You can also repack the parachutes by right-clicking them on EVA.

[Johnno]

Are they deploying instantly as you undock, or when you hit spacebar to stage? If they're deploying instantly without any action from yourself to trigger them, then I'd suspect MechJeb's autostaging, there's been a lot of questions where it turns out to be MechJeb at fault.

If they're going off as you press spacebar to stage (and light the engine) then you can manually change your staging list, use the + and - marks to add new stage sequences.

[OUScooby]

You can change the staging of your ships in-flight (the same way you would in the VAB). Alternatively, you could activate the engine by right-clicking.

Hot keys are your enemy in this case. Right-click everything and keep your hand away from the spacebar.

You can also repack the parachutes by right-clicking them on EVA.

Are they deploying instantly as you undock, or when you hit spacebar to stage? If they're deploying instantly without any action from yourself to trigger them, then I'd suspect MechJeb's autostaging, there's been a lot of questions where it turns out to be MechJeb at fault.

If they're going off as you press spacebar to stage (and light the engine) then you can manually change your staging list, use the + and - marks to add new stage sequences.

I'm aware you can reorder stages when flying ships, the problem I'm having is that when I undock, it undoes the staging I previously set and lump the engine and parachutes into one stage, then when I take control of the undock ship the parachute instantly deploys, at this point it's too late to re stage things as the chute is already deployed. I've tryied EVAing Kerbanauts out to it to right click and select repack chute, but I do not get this option. I'm guessing that because its deploying in the vacuum of space where there is no atmosphere to open the parachute. You hear the sound of the chutes deploying but everything still looks normal, it's not until you enter an atmosphere and reach a density enough to open the chutes that they unfurl.

[SDIR]

You could EVA the kerbal and repack the chutes. Just eva, right click the chutes and select "Repack Chute"

[OUScooby]

You could EVA the kerbal and repack the chutes. Just eva, right click the chutes and select "Repack Chute"

This doesn't work in orbit, it only seems to work on the ground after the chutes have fully opened and you've landed.

[Johnno]

Do you or do you not have MechJeb installed?

[Tiron]

This doesn't work in orbit, it only seems to work on the ground after the chutes have fully opened and you've landed.

Presumably it does work in orbit, if you somehow manage to get into orbit after they've been pulled out of the boxes(Which is somewhere in the neighborhood of 'nearly impossible and exceptionally dangerous').

But in light blue, activated but not deployed state, there's no way to repack them.

For the OP, I suggest making sure your parachutes are on a separate stage above the engines before activating the engines. It might screw up your staging after you undock, but when you take control of the new craft, it will be sitting with the bottom (or only) stage not-yet-activated, with the stage light flashing green (rather than solid green). It's basically the same as when you're on the launchpad before launching. This gives you a chance to re-order the staging before activating anything(It works just like in the VAB), and it will activate the bottom stage first (just like at launch).

[ASnogarD]

Have you tried manually undocking ?

Right Clicking on the docking port to undock (after EVA transferring crew).

I dont think the staging was intended for performing all the needed manoeuvres in space and some manual intervention is needed at some stages, I would also think of using action groups to facilitate undocking to separate the dock/undock procedure.

[magnemoe]

Do you or do you not have MechJeb installed?

Think this is the reason, the old mechjeb only used the accent autopilot from liftoff until orbit but the new version keep settings like overheat and auto stage.

solution is to turn off autostage all time you don't need it.

[OUScooby]

Yes MechJeb is installed and on the ships, but not activated at the time.

What is everyone talking about when they say undock manually? Is there another way to undock besides right clicking?

[stupid_chris]

Yes MechJeb is installed and on the ships, but not activated at the time.

What is everyone talking about when they say undock manually? Is there another way to undock besides right clicking?

MechJeb2 doesn't care if it's activated or not.

There's a current bug with it that leaves autostage on at all times as long as you have it on your ship. The only way to solve it as of now is to unselect "autostage" from the ascent guidance once you are in orbit. Else it will keep doing it even if it isn't activated. It often triggers when you only stage a decoupler or undock and it gets really annoying.

Otherwise, you can check the forum's MechJeb thread and go download the latest dev build, The_Duck fixed this issue in it.

[Rage097]

I'm aware you can reorder stages when flying ships, the problem I'm having is that when I undock, it undoes the staging I previously set and lump the engine and parachutes into one stage, then when I take control of the undock ship the parachute instantly deploys, at this point it's too late to re stage things as the chute is already deployed. I've tryied EVAing Kerbanauts out to it to right click and select repack chute, but I do not get this option. I'm guessing that because its deploying in the vacuum of space where there is no atmosphere to open the parachute. You hear the sound of the chutes deploying but everything still looks normal, it's not until you enter an atmosphere and reach a density enough to open the chutes that they unfurl.

You have to be close to the parachutes to repack them.

[OUScooby]

You have to be close to the parachutes to repack them.

I know, i don't think you get the repack option until after they have fully deployed. If they have just been triggered but not opened you can't repack them.

[Rage097]

Any attempt is a step in the (hopefully) right direction.

[DarthJazno]

MechJeb2 doesn't care if it's activated or not.

There's a current bug with it that leaves autostage on at all times as long as you have it on your ship.

I have a similar thing I'm seeing but I don't think it's just me. My chute always deploys during re-entry heating effects are in full bloom. I was going to ask if there was anyway around that but it looks MechJeb is the problem.

[stupid_chris]

Again I'm 99% sure the problem is MechJeb. Even if it isn't activated, try putting autostage off I'm sure it'll solve your problem.

I have a similar thing I'm seeing but I don't think it's just me. My chute always deploys during re-entry heating effects are in full bloom. I was going to ask if there was anyway around that but it looks MechJeb is the problem.

It could be it, try deactivating the autostage function and see if it does any difference.

[OUScooby]

Again I'm 99% sure the problem is MechJeb. Even if it isn't activated, try putting autostage off I'm sure it'll solve your problem.

It could be it, try deactivating the autostage function and see if it does any difference.

Can I still deactivate the auto stage long after I've stopped using MechJeb?

[stupid_chris]

Can I still deactivate the auto stage long after I've stopped using MechJeb?

Yep, just open the ascent guidance panel and check it off. As I said you can also download the new dev build that fixed it.

[SDIR]

Yes MechJeb is installed and on the ships, but not activated at the time.

What is everyone talking about when they say undock manually? Is there another way to undock besides right clicking?

Yes, you can undock using custom action groups.

[Tokay Gris]

Yes MechJeb is installed and on the ships, but not activated at the time.

Like the others said: This is MechJeb autostaging. Even if inactive, it still does autostage.

(Just read that there was a fix for this problem... If not: just remember to turn off autostage everytime...)