how do you build your planetary stations?

[sierra_seven_]

Test assembly in orbit to check everything fits together nicely, then each module is loaded onto my interplanetary capital ship for transport. The whole rig then gets topped up with monoprop, flown to the system it needs to go to, and then assembled there. Then I just fly the capital ship back to Kerbin for refuelling and then ferry some more parts out there, if necessary. I like keeping my station designs modular so I can replace and move around modules as I see fit, heh!

[Skyrunner27]

Orbital stations get test-assembled in LKO, and then reassembled in a transit configuration so they don't bend all over the place. Stuff a propulsion module on and start raising apogee until there's a decent chance of escaping Kerbin ( that will take multiple orbits for a large station ) and off we go. Slowing down again is the fun bit...

Never thought about this as a way to launch I must plan my next Explanatory stations to do this.

[Mode7]

Orbital stations get test-assembled in LKO, and then reassembled in a transit configuration so they don't bend all over the place. Stuff a propulsion module on and start raising apogee until there's a decent chance of escaping Kerbin ( that will take multiple orbits for a large station ) and off we go. Slowing down again is the fun bit...

My ground stations are generally just a single pile of HOME pieces which is only one shot anyway. If there's a rover to go it can go on a seperate launch in the same window.

This.

I generally do this with my ground bases as well. I like to make everything modular and I have a few rovers that can attach and move ground base pieces around (I like to go all stock parts and just add kethane so I can refuel). Since everything is built with a repeating pattern it makes is pretty easy to get them all lined up and symmetrical for delivery to another planet. Then my orbital tug puts space stations together and my lander delivers the ground parts for assembly.

I like to build my bases very spread out, all connected but not clustered very tightly, and landing something like that is just about impossible on any body with stronger gravity than Minmus. At least it is just about impossible for a guy with my flying skills.

[RocketPilot573]

I only have one space station outside of Kerbin. Buts its only a fuel depot so it's fairly small and was send in one piece.

[AfailingHORSE]

LOL... no one answers my question...

i was asking if you do it in ONE WINDOW or MULTIPLE WINDOWS

(of cos i know multiple LAUNCHES is more feasible... but hey... i am asking about the WINDOWS: do you launch multiple ships in ONE WINDOWS or one ship per WINDOW and wait ~a year till another launch... of cos if you time warp the transit which takes roughly a few months.. multiple windows are not very bad a wait)

I don't use windows, I just slap on some extra fuel and go through the wall.

Edited July 15, 2013 by AfailingHORSE

[Sma]

Already 3 pages of responses, but I've got a station around Kerbin, not even finished due to part lag, but it was done in separate launch windows as the station orbits and passes over KSP (assuming you left it on a roughly equatorial orbit. Technically if you're doing it piece by piece I think you have to do it in more than one window, as the station orbits, at least if it's in Kerbin orbit I guess.

If you're talking about other planets then yeah, that's a different story. You could get multiple launches in one window. I started a small fuel station in Munar orbit made up of ascent stages that still had fuel in them when I took my kethane miners to the Mun. Built them with Sr docking ports where the engine attached so I could smash the engine into the Munar surface then used that to dock the two ends. They were launched in separate windows, not that far apart, maybe a few kerbin days between launches, partly because I was testing the first miner out to make sure it'd work.

I think if I were planning on a station in orbit around say Duna, I might do multiple launches, sort of put it together in kerbin orbit, maybe either as a long "space train" or maybe using some sort of + arm shaped thing to attach sections for transport, then likely use some sort of RCS or LV-N tug to position everything where it goes. Haven't gotten to the point of doing that though as I just recently decided to start Kethane mining, plus as I mentioned before my laptop doesn't handle much over 200 parts very well. lol

[Benie]

1. Build station in VAB.

2. Launch it.

3. HyperEdit it to 200M.

4. Activate Solar Panels.

5. ?

6. Profit!

I seriously would love to make a station with a working Shuttle Bay, that I can have my ships dock inside of it, but I feel the game engine will hate me.

[Masochist]

I imagine you can't make a station large enough to see...would be awesome if you made a station large enough that it could be switched to a persistent view status that allows you to see it on the ground or something