Landing docked craft

[tjsnh]

I'm still trying to master docking (see other thread) but have a quick question : Do docking ports (probably 'regular' clampotrons) hold up well enough to land two small craft that are docked together?

I play in career mode, so the versatility of docked craft staying together through a landing on kerbin is going to play a big role in planning my interplanetary missions beyond duna (which was a haul, but I managed to land and return a landercan and one of each science experiment without using any docking!)

Edited April 22, 2014 by tjsnh

[Red Iron Crown]

Depends on the mass of the two craft, how the docking ports are arranged, and how they're being slowed for landing. I'd recommend some testing on and around Kerbin before committing to it as part of an interplanetary mission.

[Aphobius]

Video

Not exactly what you want to achieve, but close enough.

[arise257]

Test it. If it works, then kudos, but I'd NEVER do that.

Flying them around space while docked is kinda scary because of the visible wobbling at the docking ports. With that said, I usually un-dock right at the edge of Kerbin's atmosphere and let each piece fall individually. If each ship is a similar mass, then they'll even stay close together during descent, giving you an opportunity to switch between crafts for whatever reason.

My method takes some forethought though. You really have to make sure your chutes are up to snuff.

[Vanamonde]

How strong are docking rings?

Nothing broke off of that ship until it hit the water. By the way, they are quite strong under compression and sideways torqueing, but may crush under extreme pressure. It's almost impossible to pull them apart once linked.

[Red Iron Crown]

Vanamonde, is that 0.23.5 with the joint reinforcement or an earlier version?

[Vanamonde]

That pic is from v.17 or something like that.

[arise257]

And I stand corrected. I would be Mr. Poopy-pants watching that thing drop to the ground.