Build a Satelite in the Cargo bay of the Stubby Shuttle

[FrontierADX]

I have the amazing stubby shuttle, and when i try and use decouplers or even docking ports inside the bay to build a complete satellite in the bay so i can launch it once in orbit, I start losing the ability to attach parts on the nodes of the other parts of the satellite. I know it can be done but I am not sure how. Seems like there has to be some sort of trick, it seems like KSP doesn't know how to deal with 2 separate vehicles essentially. Any help would be grand.

[Javster]

I suggest making it a new craft, then make a subassembly.

[Pecan]

I suggest asking the in the support thread for "the amazing stubby shuttle", whatever that is.

[Claw]

You'll likely run into problems building directly in the bay. If it's the ship I'm thinking it is, the space is so tight that the editor has a hard time understanding which node/surface you're trying to attach to.

As Javster suggested, make it a sub-assembly.

Start a "new craft" and build your probe. Whatever you choose for the first part will be what gets connected to the shuttle.

After you've built your probe (and saved it), you can drag the whole thing into the sub-assembly tab (the right most of the parts tabs). You'll have to give it a sub-assembly name.

Reload your shuttle and go to the sub-assembly tab.

Select your probe sub-assembly and attach.

[FrontierADX]

When i try and build a full probe and then save it, then make a subassembly, it says it cannot make a sub-assembly "Part is not attachable"

[DeMatt]

When i try and build a full probe and then save it, then make a subassembly, it says it cannot make a sub-assembly "Part is not attachable"

When you want to build something for use as a subassembly, don't start with the first part in the "something". Put out a root-part, then build your "something" attached to it:

This probe was built in the standard manner, starting with the Stayputnik and working downwards. It cannot be saved as a subassembly because its root part, the Stayputnik, has no free attachment point.

Instead, start with a temporary root-part, in this case a Modular Girder Segment. Pretend that the MGS is the docking port (or whatever) on the shuttle, and build your probe up from it.

Now you can detach your subassembly-ready probe from its temporary scaffolding and save it as a subassembly, ready for use.

[SpenSpaceCorp]

Alternatively, you can build the satellite say, on top of the shuttle, or below under an engine attached through the center of the shuttle (as if the satellite were simply an extension to the vessel). The idea being you can completely build the satellite with all the symmetry and such and then move it to the cargo bay. It is similar to using sub assemblies but you need not worry about the part "not being attachable".

[Pecan]

DeMatt: nice demonstration - you might like to post that in 'tutorials' as a stand-alone.

[FrontierADX]

DeMatt: nice demonstration - you might like to post that in 'tutorials' as a stand-alone.

I agree and it works thanks