Rock Gardening Tips? (FAR)

[Zeroignite]

I'd like to start a rock garden around KSC.

Right now, I have one A-class and one C-class 'roid in orbit around Kerbin. I'm pretty confident in my skills shunting them around on-orbit, but don't have a good handle on how they behave in-atmo, or on the ground. Before I installed FAR I'd have used the MechJeb aerobrake predictor, but in MJ build 217 it doesn't seem to have any notion of how FAR drag works (aerobrake node shows no speed change).

Is there a good way to predict precision landings with FAR? Do dense, roundish asteroids have significantly different drag characteristics than blunt-body reentry capsules?

I have RealChutes installed, and figure that using large chutes with very slow deploy give me the best odds of a reasonable touchdown speed. Or should I plan on packing massive TWR and doing a powered soft landing?

How impossible are asteroids to move once on the ground? Has anyone tried using KAS + rocket/skycrane to drag them about?

Finally, this might seem like a ridiculous question, but this is KSP and asteroids are just a special kind of part... do 'roids float in water?

[Javster]

They sink AFAIK

[BudgetHedgehog]

How impossible are asteroids to move once on the ground? Has anyone tried using KAS + rocket/skycrane to drag them about?

and

should give you some idea and inspiration (warning: contains naughty words )

[Zeroignite]

and

should give you some idea and inspiration (warning: contains naughty words )

That was wonderful, +rep Both helpful and hilarious. Your video, or someone else's?

Also, good to know that they sink.

[BudgetHedgehog]

That was wonderful, +rep Both helpful and hilarious. Your video, or someone else's?

I'd love to say mine, but they're not. I'm afraid I haven't even gotten near an asteroid yet

[R0cketC0der]

I haven't tried landing any asteroids yet, but I'd like to quote ferram at this place(actually did a google search just to find this):

Unfortunately, the most reliable way of "predicting" is F5, aerobrake, F9 if unsatisfied.

Actually he was talking about aerobraking when he said that, but same applies to landing on atmospheric bodies.

[Rokker]

Before I installed FAR I'd have used the MechJeb aerobrake predictor, but in MJ build 217 it doesn't seem to have any notion of how FAR drag works (aerobrake node shows no speed change).

Mechjeb has never been FAR compatible, no matter the build. You can have them both installed, but it practically breaks Mechjeb as far as the atmospheric values, predictions, etc go. Supposedly, sarbian has been working on a possible fix for a good while, but Im not sure how close he is.

Basically, your best hope is to try, try, and try again.

Edited May 4, 2014 by Rokker

[Zipmafia]

Asteroids do indeed sink in water, but all you have to do is strap lots of light parts (structural panels work nicely) to increase buoyancy, then land nice and light so you don't bust off the parts, and it floats!!!

Although I have never tried dragging an asteroid myself, I have seen it done a bunch of times. It actually seems to be the easiest way to get it done. Or you could do it like I did!!

http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/threads/77318-Recover-an-asteroid-to-KSP

https://zipmafia.imgur.com/