Docking woes

[JumpsterG]

It sounds like you've nailed it, and just don't realize it!

If at any point you're under 5 km away, and you've zeroed relative velocity (or at least less than around 10 m/s), you're basically done using the map view; switch camera and move it to see both vessels at that point. Maybe you whizzed by a little and are farther than your closest predicted point, but now you are effectively close enough to ignore the orbits and move like you are in empty space.

At this point, you should Point toward target prograde and burn until you are approaching at some speed (20-40 m/s was a good estimate given earlier), then watch as you get closer. If you ever seem to be moving away instead of closer again, you can zero your velocity again (burn target retro until close to 0 m/s), then repeat pointing to target and burning. Once you're happy with how close you are (100 meters?), zero velocity again and enjoy floating next to your target.

You might be finding yourself heavy on the throttle and are overdoing your speed if you keep overshooting. Try burning only a little and time warping until you are closer rather than increasing your speed to close the distance faster. This way, it is easier to kill your velocity when you need to.

[crazyewok]

DONE!

[Fidelacchius]

If you can get within .02 km that's pretty good. The rest just takes some patience.

The below steps assume you are less than 1km away

Step One: Set Target

Set your target to the ship you want to dock with. This can be done on the map screen. (you might have to zoom in a lot)

Step Two: Nullify your relative Velocity.

Once you have your target set to the ship you want to dock with you should have new symbols on your NAV ball.

http://wiki.kerbalspaceprogram.com/wiki/Navball#Prograde_and_retrograde

The two green ones are what you are interested in right now.

Burn retro or prograde until your velocity on the NAV ball is around 0m/s

Step Three: Burn to target

Now you want to use the pink symbols

You want to burn (pink) prograde to approach your target. And (green/pink) retrograde to slowdown

You will repeat steps two and three this until you are within 50 meters or so of your target

This might take awhile your first few times! Hang in there. (i would burn slow, like 5-10m/s)

Step Four: RCS to docking port

Once you are close and your velocity is zero. Switch to RCS. You will no longer need your engines at this point. (if you use them they can kick away the other ship)

Right click on the docking port of the ship you are trying to dock to (if it is in range) and set it as the target.

Note: You can switch to the other ship and rotate it so that its docking port is facing you

Now you can use the default controls for RCS to move your ship towards the target.

I would turn your SAS on once you are aligned

Key: movement

(This is all you should use. You ship should be set at the same angle the ship is. If its not you don't need RCS to turn it)

H: Forward

N: Reverse

J: Left

L: Right

I: Up

K: Down

These you can use if you need them. (You should not)

W: Turn Down

S: Turn Up

D: Turn Right

A: Turn Left

Q: Rotate Left

E: Rotate Right

[vetrox]

Balancing your rcs is a big help too if you find using your rcs in docking mode (or hnjlik if you use those) makes your craft go a bit squiff.

[crazyewok]

Thanks for the help buts its done now. The ordeal is over......

[Max Grant]

Balancing your rcs is a big help too if you find using your rcs in docking mode (or hnjlik if you use those) makes your craft go a bit squiff.

There's a center of mass indicator I turn on. Since you can now tweak the level of a fuel tank inside the VAB, I always watch where that ball goes when I drain the tanks. I then place my RCS thrusters somewhere between the full and empty locations, to get the most out of them.

Hint: activate "center of mass" before you add your lift rockets to your payload. Place RCS, then finish your rocket.

[Superfluous J]

Thanks for the help buts its done now. The ordeal is over......

I for one am curious what was wrong and how you fixed it. Were you trying to zero your relative velocity before nearing the encounter, or something else?