Space, Ahoy!

[ZenViolence]

Howdy folks,

So I've been playing around with KSP, and it's been great so far. Though, I think I'm getting to the point where being part of the community will make things easier.

I've gone through most of the tutorials on the Wiki, and Scot Manley's Youtube vids have been great. Jeb pwned the moon, and got back alive And got my ISS replica started.

Though if you guys could give me some advice on 2 things it would be great.

1) Docking

I've made things a bit easier for myself by using ASAS. Though I'd like to be able to dock without it. Point the 2 modules in opposite directions, activate ASAS, and RCS translation doesn't change the rotation of the ship which makes it easy as pie.

I managed it without ASA during my moon landing, but it took me around 2 hours real time to get docked What I'd like to know is, what is the optimal placement of RCS thrusters in order to lose as little rotation as possible when doing translation manuevers?

2) Steering with Atomic Rockets

I want to start going to different planets, and Atomic Rockets seem to be the way to go. Is there a way to steer them other than RCS thrusters? The probe that I'm sending may be a bit overkill with a helluva lot of fuel, and I think due to the mass I don't seem to get enough torque for steering from the unmanned control module. And using monoprop for steering just seems wasteful if it can be avoided.

Cheers and happy space faring!

[Robbii6]

Welcome to the community

Docking

When docking the thruster need to be at the COM (centre of mass) and equal distances from the COM. IF they are exactly at the COM then there will be no rotation, but you can never be exact

Here is my fuel storage for my space staion

As you can see my thruster are placed on the COM and equal distances from the COM... well About equal distances

Steering

The atomic Rocket have gimbaling wich helps to turn the rocket. The standerd SAS, for everyone you put on you get an extra 5 torque and then there is RCS

Hope this helps

Rob

Edited July 15, 2013 by Robbii6

[Tw1]

-snip- The standerd SAS, for everyone you put on you get an extra 5 torque and then there is RCS

Rob

Currently, SAS modules don't actually add torque, but they will in the next update. Untill then, you want probe cores. Lots of probe cores. They do add torque.

Also, welcome to the forums!

[Robbii6]

Currently, SAS modules don't actually add torque, but they will in the next update. Untill then, you want probe cores. Lots of probe cores. They do add torque.

Also, welcome to the forums!

No way!!! ha ive been adding lots and lots of SAS modules thinking they do add torque. haaha just me to find that out days before the next update should be out XD

[ZenViolence]

Thanks for the tips. Keen to try them out!

For now I'm focusing on the campaign on the Wiki, seems there is also a lot to be learnt in a convenient way

[Capt'n Skunky]

Happy Launching!

Arrr!

Capt'n Skunky

KSP Community Manager

[ZenViolence]

Damn End Flight button... Clicked it in my absent minded mess instead of going back to the space center. Please hurry with 0.21!!