Giant docking port - Clamp o tron Sr

[gilflo]

I try those giant docking ports on a big vessel. The upper part is docked and secure on the lower part via a center clamp o torn dock and on both side via 2 giant docking ports. 2 other ports are attached to 2 other tanks but these docks are not in use.

On the photo when I decouple the center dock and the 2 giant docks on the side tanks, using RCS then to separate the ship from the lower part, both giant docks are torn away from the tanks and stay with their opposite on the lower part. It is impossible to attach them on the upper part with struts and their magnetism seems so strong that they stay together and are torn away on decoupling on heavy ship. I tried on light ship with only one giant docking port and it works, but what use if you can't use them on multiple docking on heavy ship?

Did some of you encounter this problem?

[MaverickSawyer]

Try assigning the "Undock Node" function to an action group, and use the Tweakable Everything plugin and adjust the re-engagement range to something really high. What appears to be happening is that, as the docking ports separate, they reactivate, and there's too much force for the attachment node to withstand. So, maybe Kerbal Joint Reinforcement would help too.

Beyond that, I haven't a clue what's going on, since I've never done parallel ports like that before.

[MaverickSawyer]

EDIT: Slow connection led to a double post.

Edited January 30, 2014 by MaverickSawyer

[Xavven]

Did you remember to flip the docking ports upside down before attaching them to the bottom of your tanks? They could be facing the wrong way. This page explains which side should be facing outward: http://wiki.kerbalspaceprogram.com/wiki/Clamp-O-Tron_Sr._Docking_Port

I try those giant docking ports on a big vessel. The upper part is docked and secure on the lower part via a center clamp o torn dock and on both side via 2 giant docking ports. 2 other ports are attached to 2 other tanks but these docks are not in use.

On the photo when I decouple the center dock and the 2 giant docks on the side tanks, using RCS then to separate the ship from the lower part, both giant docks are torn away from the tanks and stay with their opposite on the lower part. It is impossible to attach them on the upper part with struts and their magnetism seems so strong that they stay together and are torn away on decoupling on heavy ship. I tried on light ship with only one giant docking port and it works, but what use if you can't use them on multiple docking on heavy ship?

Did some of you encounter this problem?

[SSSPutnik]

What's the lander for?! Seems waaay too big.

[Vanamonde]

Are you building that in the VAB as a unit rather than docking those two sections in space? If so, it appears that the docking rings were never really attached to the parts above them in the first place. There are a few ways that could happen, and it's hard to know what the problem is without seeing how it was built. Do take Xavyen's advice to make sure the ports are aligned properly.

[Bobe]

Two ships will only ever be attached by one pair of docking ports. My assumption is that the two large ports on the side were never docked, they just happened to be pushing against each other. After undocking and pushing away, it's possible that the parts were actually inside each other slightly, causing them to pull apart.

I don't know what you're planning with that thing, but you may want to rethink your design on a fundamental level. That upper section weighs about as much as one of my large rockets prior to launch.

[gilflo]

Did you remember to flip the docking ports upside down before attaching them to the bottom of your tanks? They could be facing the wrong way. This page explains which side should be facing outward: http://wiki.kerbalspaceprogram.com/wiki/Clamp-O-Tron_Sr._Docking_Port

Yes, i did did that .

[gilflo]

What's the lander for?! Seems waaay too big.

It's for EVE and the purpose of the docking ports is to dock an Atomic pusher behind to travel to EVE after launch to Orbit KERBIN

[gilflo]

Are you building that in the VAB as a unit rather than docking those two sections in space? If so, it appears that the docking rings were never really attached to the parts above them in the first place. There are a few ways that could happen, and it's hard to know what the problem is without seeing how it was built. Do take Xavyen's advice to make sure the ports are aligned properly.

I built in in the VAB this way: I add the center clamp o tron dock both part ( the top one upsidown) on the lander center tank part and the big docks, both parts, on the the mainsail side tanks of the lower part, then I joined tle lower part to the lander. I think it may be a wrong way: better add all 3 docks on the lander before joining. I remember a vid, explaining the right way to do and i am going to search it.

[ComradeGoat]

It's for EVE and the purpose of the docking ports is to dock an Atomic pusher behind to travel to EVE after launch to Orbit KERBIN

I may be going out on a limb here, not having built an Eve ascender yet, but aren't you supposed to use aerospikes for that?

[gilflo]

I don't know. The engines and design i used seems to be as effective as Aerospikes.

[ComradeGoat]

I don't know. The engines and design i used seems to be as effective as Aerospikes.

The issue is that other engine types lose specific impulse as the surrounding pressure increases. Aerospikes do not.

The pressure is very high on Eve.

[Kasuha]

The issue is that other engine types lose specific impulse as the surrounding pressure increases. Aerospikes do not.

The pressure is very high on Eve.

Engine specific impulse doesn't go below levels applicable on Kerbin surface, though - so using other engines is definitely possible. And Aerospikes have certain disadvantages - they're heavy and you can't mount a decoupler below them.

[gilflo]

The problem is that you have no vectoring range with aerospace. Vesta VR1 from KW Rocketry has a very good specific impulse in low atmosphere and is only 0,6T for 120 of max thrust and 350 specific impulse near ground.

I do not know if I can just rely on SAS for trajectory control for such a ship.

[Kasuha]

The problem is that you have no vectoring range with aerospace. Vesta VR1 from KW Rocketry has a very good specific impulse in low atmosphere and is only 0,6T for 120 of max thrust and 350 specific impulse near ground.

I do not know if I can just rely on SAS for trajectory control for such a ship.

You definitely can. For most of the ascent you need to point straight up.

Here's my lander using aerospikes. Kinda clumsy to get to Eve but pretty good when you dip it in Eve's atmosphere. I used it in the latest Reddit challenge, too.

[gilflo]

What are those part were you put the landing gears? What is the total weight and DV of the ship? design seems pretty good

[Kasuha]

What are those part were you put the landing gears? What is the total weight and DV of the ship? design seems pretty good

The landing part (legs and chutes) is made of I-beams and it stays on surface. I have no clue what dv it has as I don't use mods, I just know it can get the job done. You can download the craft file and check it yourself.

[gilflo]

Hi thank's

[gilflo]

You definitely can. For most of the ascent you need to point straight up.

Here's my lander using aerospikes. Kinda clumsy to get to Eve but pretty good when you dip it in Eve's atmosphere. I used it in the latest Reddit challenge, too.

What height do you begin the turn in your ascent from EVE?