The 100km Rendezvous Challenge

[HeadHunter67]

Ultimately, I think time to dock is the only thing that really matters. Time to rendezvous really only indicates "close enough to begin docking procedures", otherwise it's just a fly-by and speed doesn't matter.

[pebble_garden]

One reason I made Time To Dock secondary is I wanted to simplify the problem set, especially for those who aren't proficient at docking. Also, docking time is often a matter of luck (in my experience) depending on one's final rendezvous position. Mostly, though, I was curious to see how blisteringly fast people could get at that rendezvous.

Still, a low TTD is also a huge accomplishments, certainly there is more skill involved.

I agree, Jasonbail, TTR and TTD should be split out into separate awards. I'll modify the leaderboard to reflect that.

I should also put an end date for the awarding of medals. I'll think about that.

The OTHER thought I have (for a second rendezvous challenge) is to change the criteria for TTR. Maybe 20m and 0.5 m/sec isn't the best victory condition. Especially if it makes docking harder.

Can anyone suggest a more reasonable TTR condition? What about 50m and 1.0m/sec?

Edited August 19, 2013 by pebble_garden

[pebble_garden]

I have comlpleted a run that beats aphobius TTD at 5:42 but with a 5:17 TTR.

What I've noticed is that if I go for a run with a better TTR it negatively effects my TTD time because I slow down way earlier than I would normally. And this effect works inversely, if you go for a fast dock and fly past the 20M mark at higher than .5M/S

I suggest that the ranks for TTD and TTR be separated as they are not going to be proportional as the best times become more refined.

That's some fine flying, Jasonbail. I had to give you a 5:39 TTR because you didn't get below 0.5m/sec until then. But that's because -- as you say -- satisfying TTR requirements early penalizes a good TTD. I've split out the two conditions.

[Aphobius]

Here's my

for the TTD category.

PS: Nice skills you've got there Jason, it looks like you've mastered quicksave.

[Jasonbail]

Some things might want to be clarified:

1. Is quick-saving permitted? (In screenshots this will be impossible to confirm/deny if someone has used a quicksave, so, you would have to go on trust or only allow video submissions.)

2. Some minor things I have thought up that would get better times would be to dump unnecessary fuel pre-launch. You could also do this with RCS I suppose, but that would be very marginal. Would this be allowed?

In regards to the TTR condition, I don't think that 20M at .5M/s is bad. It's just that if you are trying to dock as fast as possible you won't be down to .5M/s until like 5M, ideally. I feel that once you get to the point that Aphobius and I are you either have to go for a record TTR time or a record TTD time.

Also, Aphobius becoming so adept at the game in only 3 weeks is quite impressive.

Edited August 19, 2013 by Jasonbail

[Aphobius]

I think you might have got wrong the quicksave remark, it's not against the rules and it was a compliment. Still, since everyone can copy my rendezvous method, only the maneuvering skills matter anymore and I fell that quicksave removes even that from the challenge.

Also, Aphobius becoming so adept at the game in only 3 weeks is quite impressive.

Thank you. I've played Orbiter for a long time before.

[pebble_garden]

Some things might want to be clarified:

1. Is quick-saving permitted? (In screenshots this will be impossible to confirm/deny if someone has used a quicksave, so, you would have to go on trust or only allow video submissions.)

2. Some minor things I have thought up that would get better times would be to dump unnecessary fuel pre-launch. You could also do this with RCS I suppose, but that would be very marginal. Would this be allowed?

1. I don't personally use quicksaves for this challenge, but I have no way of detecting their use, so it's up to you. I didn't prohibit their use when I wrote the rules.

2. While dumping fuel would yield better times, I think it's best to leave the challenge as it is, and have everyone compete on an even footing. It's not the absolute time that matters, it's the time with this particular spacecraft and loadout.

In regards to the TTR condition, I don't think that 20M at .5M/s is bad. It's just that if you are trying to dock as fast as possible you won't be down to .5M/s until like 5M, ideally. I feel that once you get to the point that Aphobius and I are you either have to go for a record TTR time or a record TTD time.

I think awarding two different medals (one for TTR, one for TTD) is the way to go here. I guess I'll stick with the original victory conditions for TTR, at least this time around.

Also, Aphobius becoming so adept at the game in only 3 weeks is quite impressive.

Agreed. Though he does admit to having played a lot of Orbiter I have too, but probably not as much.

[Aphobius]

It looks like Jason gave up and no one else is trying it. I was expecting more competition, I even linked it to some people on twitch.

Here's a new entry from me. I suggest you to leave only one entry from each person on the leaderboard.

EDIT:

Jasonbail rightfully points out that getting a good TTR is often detrimental to a good TTD.

I guess my last entry proved that rendezvous is optional if you go for a good TTD. =)) =))

Now seriously, you could probably change TTR to 5:20, but it doesn't really matter.

Edited August 20, 2013 by Aphobius

[Jasonbail]

I will try and get a new entry up from launch to dock up today just been busy the last 24 hours. I'm pretty sure a sub 5 minute dock is possible. I've manage to get to within rendezvous requirements in about 4:30 but getting one of those good runs to line up properly is killing me.

[YarTheBug]

If you guys are up for it. I've committed some shameless "flattery" of this challenge.

100km Munar Landing Challenge

I'd like to see how this crowd does!

Also, I haven't been able to beat any of you guys' times. Not that I've given up...

Cheers!

- Yar

[Jasonbail]

Well,l I haven't been able to beat the record TTD as of yet but here is a

. I Kinda give the station a pretty good bump but nothing breaks. I think I may have to take a break from this challenge before I get nightmares of blowing up mainsails on the way up.

The frame of time that I actually meet the TTR requirements is quite small in this entry if you end up doing another challenge that has a TTR requirement making a minimum time limit in which you need to stay under .5M/s might be a good idea as it would discourage using the station as an object to stop you.

Edited August 22, 2013 by Jasonbail

[pebble_garden]

@ YarTheBug - I plan to try out the Munar challenge this weekend, but work's being a bear and I haven't much energy left when I get home. Looks fun though.

@ Jasonbail - Your 4:34 TTR is pretty damn amazing, and you got a good camera angle on the 'rendezvous'. I belly-laughed. I hadn't prohibited physical contact, so I'll count this as a success, though it's definitely an edge case. But, as they say, fortune favors the bold.

[YarTheBug]

@ Jasonbail - I like seeing new techniques like the RCS (for weight saving more than for thrust?). Would you call that breaking braking method Statio-braking?

@ PebbleGarden - Still a few categories with 0 entries. Good Luck!

[Jasonbail]

Using the RCS as extra thust does get you there faster by a nontrivial amount. Whether that is more because of the reduction in weight or actually the increase in thrust isn't something I'm sure of.

[Aphobius]

I wasn't able to beat Jason's TTR time, but thanks to his RCS idea I was able to improve my TTR time by one second.

EDIT: Ops, didn't observed the speed dropped under 0.5m/s a few seconds before 5:00, anyway, please update my times.

Edited August 22, 2013 by Aphobius

[Jasonbail]

Seeing you use the action group as a way to do max throttle with no delay reminds me how nice a full throttle keybind would be.