Docking decouplers

[I_do_robots]

Mating / coupling 2 pieces together in orbit.

Can decouplers be "Coupled" and is that the same as "Docked"?

If so, do I treat the maneuver as a docking exercise with the same functions as docking, only using the decouplers as alignment?

Of course, I built the sections ahead of me with the same decouplers on the mating ends including with the arrows on them pointing toward each other if they were mated / docked / coupled.

Just wondering if and how (How from a gameplay standpoint, key function, speed, orbit alignment all of that the same as a docking operation.that is done in orbit or if I must use docking ports only for an evolution like that.)

Thanks for your input. Flying 2nd section up right now and hoping that's not a bad gamble I took thinking I could do that.

Edited September 14, 2013 by I_do_robots
Change ot Kanswered

[Karriz]

Decouplers cannot be used like that, you have to use docking ports.

[I_do_robots]

Thank you...I figured as much...I have docking port Sr.(s) at the other ends, guess that can serve as a workable alternative.

[capi3101]

If you need to be able to break the connection between two docked sections quickly, what you can do is put a decoupler above the docking port in the stack, like this:

stack

|||

decoupler

port

(the port is facing downwards, of course).

This way, once the pieces are docked, you can just blow the decoupler to detach them. That's a permanent solution, of course - by blowing the decoupler, you blow off the docking port, so you can attach nothing there ever again...

If you're thinking about putting together a lift vehicle in space, I'll caution you about structural stability. You might want to put together a mockup on Kerbin before you launch the whole thing; if you need struts between the pieces, you'll need them when you get to where you're going and to my knowledge there's no way to put them on then.

[I_do_robots]

Actually, I lofted a major section of my space station and got it to a stable orbit at 240 km +/- about 400m between apoapsis and periapsis ( I guess that's good all in all.). I was about to launch the other half, and all along during building and flying the first half up, I was thinking (Or...never thought otherwise. Go figure, Kerbals are rubbin' off on me.) on putting them together at the decoupler I put at the top of the engine / tank stack, after I drop that away (More part count reduction too.). The front end is a capable tug, but, only has a larger decoupler at the back of the command module for reentry purposes after the station is "parked" in orbit and a standard docking port at the nose.

I think now I'm going to start over (New game, move my builds out of the save / ships folder to the default SHIPS folder ) and put the docking port Sr connectors at both ends and rig my tug with one...I want to be able to use the tug to deorbit the engine tank combos after mating the sections together. To do that and get the sections right, I'll have to go back to the VAB and redo the ends to match up with each other and the tug. I hope the docking port doesn't make the base of the rocket unstable for the launch...One way to know...

Thank you for the input. I appreciate the help.

Edited September 15, 2013 by I_do_robots
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