Setting target to coordinate in space.

[Krist]

Hello,

Can I "target" on just a set of coordinates in space?

For example, I want to launch a few satellites in KSO, evenly spaced around the planet. It would be nice if I could just define (named) points at specific Lat/Lon/Height values, then select these as "Target", and then use the manouvre tools in Mechjeb to get there.

Is this possible?

[Murph]

Short answer: no.

What you can do, however, is launch the first one, set it as your rendezvous target for the next one, then manually pull your manoeuvre node around to give you the position of the next one. MechJeb's node editor will even let you adjust the timing of the node with some precision.

[Krist]

Short answer: no.

But wouldn't it be convenient if you could? Maybe I can suggest this to the programmers...

What you can do, however, is launch the first one, set it as your rendezvous target for the next one, then manually pull your manoeuvre node around to give you the position of the next one. MechJeb's node editor will even let you adjust the timing of the node with some precision.

The problem is of course getting the first one exactly where I want...

One idea I currently have is to put six satellites on a single craft in a five hour orbit with apoapsis at exactly the right height for a KSO. Then drop one at the apoapsis each revolution, and have it circularize its orbit. I will need to do some calculation in advance though...

[Murph]

But wouldn't it be convenient if you could? Maybe I can suggest this to the programmers...

I guess it might be handy for some situations. I don't see it as being a high priority feature, personally; but I also don't see a negative side to it, if it can be added without too much effort. You might want to suggest it in the MechJeb thread, as it's more likely to get added via a mod in the short term.

One idea I currently have is to put six satellites on a single craft in a five hour orbit with apoapsis at exactly the right height for a KSO. Then drop one at the apoapsis each revolution, and have it circularize its orbit. I will need to do some calculation in advance though...

Yeah, you can do something like that. One thing to remember is that a true KSO without any drift is only possible by editing the save. If you ever make them active (i.e. switch to them from the tracking, or get within 2.5km with another active ship), their orbit will cease to be perfect again. In the real world, sync orbits do require occasional corrections if the sync is to be maintained, so you might be happy to do that.

[Ascension Islander]

...One idea I currently have is to put six satellites on a single craft in a five hour orbit with apoapsis at exactly the right height for a KSO. Then drop one at the apoapsis each revolution, and have it circularize its orbit. I will need to do some calculation in advance though...

That's actually how I set up my COMSAT network. It's actually very easy, assuming you have mechjeb or KER:

1) Launch craft into the orbit as described

2) At the apoapsis (which should equal KSO altitude), burn prograde until your orbital period equals a time divisible into six hours. In your six satellite network, you could set your orbital period to five hours

3) At each subsequent apoapsis, release a satellite, switch to it, and circularize

4) Every apoapsis will land you one hour behind the previous, so by the time you drop your sixth, one more go-around will rendezvous you with the first one

5) Deorbit your mothership