Using RCS for thrust (NOT guidance)

[zapman987]

How do you use RCS for primary thrust, like in a lander or probe? I can only figure out how to do it for guidance.

Edited November 12, 2013 by zapman987

[SolarLiner]

The answer is: you cannot. You can use them to produce thrust (using the translation commands), but you cannot control them by the throttle gauge.

[sal_vager]

To translate using RCS, use the IJKL and HN keys

You can also use docking mode, where WASD, Shift and Control will translate your craft when in Linear mode.

[Traches]

Sal's right-- you'll get forward (same direction as your engines) thrust from your RCS with the H key. Caps lock puts you in fine control mode, which lowers your output, but beyond that you don't have much throttle control besides firing thrusters in small bursts.

Aside from docking, RCS is great for making very precise orbit adjustments, such as setting up a perfect geosynchronous orbit, or fine-tuning an aerobraking pass weeks or months before the encounter.

[SRV Ron]

RCS can be used for thrust keeping in mind that on big ships, the force of thrusters is very low. They do work great for probe size lander on the various moons and on Duna. I have even used them for return burns on single Kerbal craft. They are perfect for small precise maneuver changes even on larger craft. However, they cannot be throttled like a small liquid fueled engine. So, make sure sticky keys are disabled when using them for landing probes.

This was landed using thrusters alone for the last thousand meters.

This probe was placed in precise Mun orbit using thrusters alone

Thrusters brought this ship home from Mun when there was insufficient fuel left for the return flight.

They are excellent for docking, maneuvering, and as a emergency return for manned capsules. Just don't waste them trying to stabilize a unwieldy design being launched into orbit. It is a waste of fuel and unnecessary weight.

[zapman987]

Ok so its docking controls. Now to go find them

Thanks all!

[SolarLiner]

Insert and Delete to go through the modes