Fluffy bunnies

[RocketScientistsSon]

So I decided to try and build a space station. What I didn't try before that is docking. It is such a pain in the ass. What is the best way to try and practice docking? I suck so bad at it I think I might be missing something.

Also, is there no way to move Kerbals from one module to another without getting them out? Becuase, you guessed it, I suck at manuevering Kerbals in orbit. Sigh.

[KasperVld]

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[astropapi1]

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Nice alternative.

[capi3101]

Good basic tutorial on docking here: http://wiki.kerbalspaceprogram.com/wiki/Tutorial:_Gemini_6A_and_7

The process goes faster if you shoot for rendezvous with liquid fuel engines, but RCS is pretty much essential for the final docking process.

If you really have problems with docking and don't mind mods, try NavyFish's Docking Alignment Indicator mod. I use it and have yet to screw up a docking with it.

And no, you have to go EVA to transfer Kerbals; there is no other way to do it in the stock game (and couldn't say whether or not there's a mod for that).

[blizzy78]

For docking, I have written an in-game interactive docking tutorial mod (see signature.) Perhaps you might want to try this out.

Moving crew between vessel modules without going EVA can be done using the Kerbal Crew Manifest mod.

[Captain Sierra]

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Haha very funny. Okay fine, I did chuckle a bit when I realized how it came to be.

As for the OP, may I suggest using something like Lazor docking cam or NavyFish's docking alignment indicator. BOth of those make docking super easy as soon as you learn the UI, which is pretty straight forward with both.

[Dkmdlb]

Build a couple of small orbiters - 3 man capsule, docking port a little fuel, a large RCS tank, and 4 RCS thrusters at the center of mass. Send them up to 300x300 orbits and follow some docking tutorials to get them docked. They should be easy enough to maneuver due to their small size, and the large RCS tank will give you lots of time to play around different maneuvers. It's a lot easier to dock smaller ships than it is to dock big ones.

And don't forget to use Chase view.

[Tokay Gris]

What is the best way to try and practice docking?

Ehm, just doing it?

Build a simple craft. Docking port and RCS system required. Get two of them in orbit. Some fuel left to do orbital maneuvers to get actually close to the target.

Practise.

OR: Get MechJeb and see what it does, then try to reproduce it by hand.

[toolofdarkness]

try docking in a over watch orbit then go to where you want yess its anoying but all you have to do is wait for the lanch site to line up with the other part and line up and ram

[Vanamonde]

If it's the final stages of docking you need to practice, here's a trainer that brings its own target ship with it in the same launch: http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/threads/25425-Help-with-Docking-A-Trainer-Ship-for-Newbies You could separate them and then bring them together again from longer and longer distances.

[Sirine]

Practice make perfect. More practice. Do it more, slowly, patiently. Save with F5, Load with F9. Repeat it.

My 1st docking take me 4 hrs (real time)., now about 5 mis or less.

[JiWint]

Everything you have to do is to switch to the target mode,and *magnetise* your prograde vector to your target vector (approach with >3m/s).Use balanced RCS too

Docking is a candy

[Nibb31]

The best way to learn how to dock is to do a Gemini 6-7. Build 2 small identical craft, with lots of RCS fuel and use those to learn how to dock. It's much easier to practice on small vessels that with a space station or a large interplanetary ship.