Anyone else played around with using a captured asteroid as a space station core?

[tjsnh]

Just some random thoughts while on lunchbreak at work today, havent had the chance to try it.

Has anyone played around with using a captured asteroid as a "core" or "base" for a space station? I haven't done much with asteroids yet, and was just thinking that it might provide some flexibility - just stick a claw on top of a bunch of fuel and send it up, and instant fuel-station ?

I mean, the asteroids are "parts" right? Counted like rocket parts and not celestial bodies? Can you transfer fuel between different tanks connected to one?

Just random thoughts, feel free to chime in.

[r4pt0r]

i was going to post a "you must be new here meme" but you are sorta new here, so ill answer your questions.

YES TO ALL QUESTIONS

[tjsnh]

Cool. I suspect this method might reduce the time required for "docking".

[sal_vager]

Cool. I suspect this method might reduce the time required for "docking".

Need to add a comms tower or a fuel store?

RAMMING SPEED!

[tjsnh]

RAMMING SPEED!

I suppose that begs the obvious question of how fast you can be going and still "safely" claw an asteroid vs simply crashing into it and exploding?

[Grumman]

Asteroids are very tempting for this purpose. I could imagine it turning into some sort of Ork Rok - a ramshackle spaceship which you then fling in the general direction of a planet you want to invade explore.

[SpaceSphereOfDeath]

I've built a base around a C class asteroid. It orbits at 69.118km. Yes only 70m above the atmosphere.

[Stargate525]

Yupyup. I'm currently building mine up, though I really need to get it off of a polar orbit...

[TerLoki]

Not exactly as a "core", but I do have a few asteroids I'm planning on building space stations attached to.

[pxi]

I suppose that begs the obvious question of how fast you can be going and still "safely" claw an asteroid vs simply crashing into it and exploding?

I can't give you an exact figure, but the speed is certainly faster than I'd ever consider doing a traditional docking.

[SlyReaper]

It raises the question of course: how in the name of the Flying Spaghetti Monster can you transfer fuel through rock?

[Grumman]

It raises the question of course: how in the name of the Flying Spaghetti Monster can you transfer fuel through rock?

Capillary action.

[Immashift]

Started another project so this has kind of taken a back seat. Took forever to get into a good orbit.

Need to add a comms tower or a fuel store?

RAMMING SPEED!

Edited April 22, 2014 by Immashift

[Holo]

It raises the question of course: how in the name of the Flying Spaghetti Monster can you transfer fuel through rock?

When the FL-R25 RCS Fuel Tank's description talked about "new advances in plumbing technology", it was not messing around.