Docking issue

[technion]

Hey guys,

After repeated attempts, I've come to the conclusion that docking these two vessels is difficult because the target from one never points at the docking port on the other. I'm aware of a bug where it keep ****ting the COM, but it's not doing that. It seems to be focusing on one side engine.

I've tried repeatedly "unset target", followed by definitely "set target".

[Kasuha]

My guess would be it is focusing the root part but it looks kinda unlikely that engine would be a root part by design. I wonder what did you do with that ship before.

[technion]

I literally only just built it. The root part, is actually on another part of the ship ie "the mothership". The idea here has been to build a "moon transfer ship" that's a separate nuclear component to the "mothership" and try to make a minimal Joolean tour.

[technion]

I've got no idea what was censored in my original post.. it was meant to say "targeting".

[Kasuha]

I literally only just built it. The root part, is actually on another part of the ship ie "the mothership". The idea here has been to build a "moon transfer ship" that's a separate nuclear component to the "mothership" and try to make a minimal Joolean tour.

I see. After you decoupled it from the mothership, it acquired its own root part. So if the mothership was behind the decoupler under that engine, it's quite likely the engine is now the root.

[capi3101]

...as soon as you light that nuke the whole thing's going to go spinning about, you know. I don't mean to criticize your design, but...

unless they're not docked already. If that's the case, just ignore me.

In any event - once you get within ~50 meters or so, are you right clicking on the target docking port on the other vessel, and setting that explicit part as your target?

I'd be remiss not to at least mention NavyFish's Docking Alignment Indicator mod, if you're into mods. Otherwise, you'll have to:

1) Switch the the transfer stage

2) Set its docking port as your control point (right click on the docking port and select "Control from Here")

3) Pan over to the lander and target it

4) Turn to put the navball-v on the pink meatball indicator. Do not use RCS if you can at all help it.

5) Turn on SAS

6) Switch back to the lander

7) Set the control point on the lander's docking port

8) Pan over to the transfer stage and specifically target its docking port. (right click the transfer stage's docking port and select "Set as Target")

9) Steer to put the navball-v on the pink meatball. Again, don't use RCS to turn.

10) Use RCS to thrust ahead. Stop when you get to 50 meters and do this whole procedure again. Do it again at 20 meters. Then at 10. Then at 5 if necessary.

[Kasuha]

...as soon as you light that nuke the whole thing's going to go spinning about, you know. I don't mean to criticize your design, but...

unless they're not docked already. If that's the case, just ignore me.

Look closely, they're not docked. That nuke's docking port is sticking to an engine instead of docking port on that command pod in the middle which is selected as target. And the target marker on navball is in the center. That was the point of that screenshot.

[capi3101]

Look closely, they're not docked. That nuke's docking port is sticking to an engine instead of docking port on that command pod in the middle which is selected as target. And the target marker on navball is in the center. That was the point of that screenshot.

Gotcha; that's what I get for not looking more closely.

[Dust]

Unless I'm missing something, here's my advice... First, where are the RCS thrusters? Docking without RCS is clinically proven to be 37 times more frustrating than docking with RCS. Also, for best results select "control from here" on the docking port on your craft, then select "set as target" on the docking port on the target craft. Finally, consider adding a mod that assists in docking:

[0.23] Docking Port Alignment Indicator - http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/threads/43901

[0.23] Navball docking alignment indicator v2 - http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/threads/54303

[capi3101]

There's an RCS tank on the transfer stage...though come to think of it, I do only see one block in the screenie above. Probably two there total. Aligned with the center of mass too...what's the steering like on that transfer stage? Do you have enough with whatever probe core you're using on it? Maneuvering twelve-ish tonnes on two RCS thusters - there's an exercise in patience...

[technion]

Unless I'm missing something, here's my advice... First, where are the RCS thrusters? Docking without RCS is clinically proven to be 37 times more frustrating than docking with RCS. Also, for best results select "control from here" on the docking port on your craft, then select "set as target" on the docking port on the target craft.

The RCS thrusts are in the VAB where they have been sitting ever since I forgot them. That said, this isn't a "I don't know how to dock" thread. You can see from the screenshot I had no problems coming in at 0.1m/s with the prograde perfectly on the pink marker, with speed hitting 0 with that pink marker right in front of me when I connected with the engine. So unless more RCS actually changes where that stupid pink target marker sits it's not going to help me.

Yes, I've done the "control from here" and for any mod that's going to help me dock with a 47-8S... well it isn't going to help a lot.

[technion]

There's an RCS tank on the transfer stage...though come to think of it, I do only see one block in the screenie above. Probably two there total. Aligned with the center of mass too...what's the steering like on that transfer stage? Do you have enough with whatever probe core you're using on it? Maneuvering twelve-ish tonnes on two RCS thusters - there's an exercise in patience...

There's none. But meh... I didn't have a problem with manouevering to dock.

[arise257]

There's none. But meh... I didn't have a problem with manouevering to dock.

RCS isn't going to change the locale of the dot, but it will make it much Much MUCH easier to align to it. That said, you're actually not on the pink dot. You're sitting slightly off, and I believe it is accurately tracking the docking port you want to connect to. You need to disconnect your current docking and try again.

I would also suggest a few design improvements. You can also help yourself (in the future) by not recessing your docking ports. They need to have as much clearance around them as possible. Never put them near anything propulsion-related if you can help it. The last thing you want is to come in too hot and knock your engines clean off.

[Claw]

Unless I'm missing something, here's my advice... First, where are the RCS thrusters? Docking without RCS is clinically proven to be 37 times more frustrating than docking with RCS.

For ships this small I don't usually put on RCS either unless I have need for some other reason than docking. You can just hop between the two ships for alignment (so no translation required) and approach slowly enough for docking using the engine. Anyway, that's my personal preference.

Also, for best results select "control from here" on the docking port on your craft, then select "set as target" on the docking port on the target craft.

Yes, this. I suspect "set as target" to the docking port will fix your problem. You can do it in the visual mode once you get within range such as your picture there. You won't be able to do it from out in map mode. Click on the target docking port itself, just like when you select "control from here" on the ship you are currently controlling.

[technion]

Yes, this. I suspect "set as target" to the docking port will fix your problem. You can do it in the visual mode once you get within range such as your picture there. You won't be able to do it from out in map mode. Click on the target docking port itself, just like when you select "control from here" on the ship you are currently controlling.

I've tried repeatedly "unset target", followed by definitely "set target".

I think kasua is the only one with the right idea here.

[Claw]

I think kasua is the only one with the right idea here.

I apologize if I misunderstood. Merely saying "unset target" and "set target" is different than "set the target to the docking port." So I didn't know if that particular nuance was known.

[technion]

You're sitting slightly off, and I believe it is accurately tracking the docking port you want to connect to. You need to disconnect your current docking and try again.

.

I'm literally touching the thing it thinks my target is. If I turn and point towards the actual docking port from here, the target pointer is ~45 degrees away from where I'm pointing.

[Cerberus738]

Just my 2 cents. I had that on one of my space stations. I ended up destroying it (on purpose) because docking to it was so tedious. Dunno what the problem ever was. If I remember correctly I think it was only the radially mounted ports that it wouldn't line up to properly. It had ports snapped to the ends of a fuel tank and those worked fine. After redesign and relaunch I haven't seen the problem since. Not helpful I know but at least you aren't alone!

[Kryxal]

With that unset-set business, it DOES sound likely there's a bit of a misunderstanding ... it's a matter of setting the ship in general as the target vs. setting the specific docking port.

In any case, from THAT close in, you can probably just eyeball it if you line the pieces up in a nice plane to work with.

[DaMichel]

I ran into this bug as well. As frustrating as it may be, it is probably best to not further think about it and just use Navyfishs docking plugin ...

P.S. If anyone has doubts: Here is me docking on a complex ship

It has many docking ports and KSP almost always got it wrong.

[technion]

I ran into this bug as well. As frustrating as it may be, it is probably best to not further think about it and just use Navyfishs docking plugin ...

P.S. If anyone has doubts: Here is me docking on a complex ship

It has many docking ports and KSP almost always got it wrong.

That's one of the best pictures I've seen on this forum.

It's odd that Navyfish got it fixed - it implies they didn't just reuse any of the code that the original nav ball uses.

[DaMichel]

Lol thanks. I believe Navyfish uses his own code. In this regard i noticed also that the prograde marker in KSP it jumps around all over the place at low speeds, whereas in Navyfishes docking indicator it appears to be a lot more stable.

Morale of the story: Squad, please fix docking

P.S. Issues were reported almost a year ago http://bugs.kerbalspaceprogram.com/issues/349