Adjustable counterweight for an asymmetrical rotating station?

[T.C.]

I'm building an asymmetrical rotating space station. The living space will be at one end of a long radial arm, and spent delivery vehicles will be docked at the other end.

I want to be able to dock while the station is rotating, so part-way along the arm, at the center of mass, I will put a docking hub. I think that's also the logical place to put reaction wheels for control of the station's rotation and attitude.

The problem is that the center of mass doesn't correspond to any convenient attachment point -- and as the station grows and changes, the center of mass will change anyway -- so if I want my docking hub to be stationary, I need an adjustable counterweight that lets me fine-tune the center of mass.

I've sketched out a solution which involves attaching weight to secondary arms and using docking ports to adjust the angle at which those arms are attached to the radial arm. However, this seems like an unrealistic solution and I'm not sure it is feasible even in KSP.

Does anyone have a better suggestion?

-TC

Edited May 26, 2014 by T.C.

[Taki117]

As soon as the station goes on rails (either out of physics range or time warp) then It's not going to rotate anymore.

[T.C.]

Oh... That's a setback, but I still want to do it. I'd really like to know what an artifical-gravity space station might look like, even if the simulation isn't persistent.

-TC

[Taki117]

Well then, I direct you HERE for your counterweight, Also, if you don't want your Docking ports to rotate (But want everything else to) I suggest having a look at Infernal Robotics, (Claw provided a link in your other thread)

[cantab]

Put a big fuel tank at the end of each arm, part-full. Transfer fuel between them to adjust your station's centre of mass.

[T.C.]

Taki117 and Cantab, those are brilliant suggestions. Thank you!

-TC

[Taki117]

Taki117 and Cantab, those are brilliant suggestions. Thank you!

-TC

PSST Hey! I found this mod and thought it would help your situation.

[Black_Tomcat]

If you are willing to use mods you Gould try a constant counter weight in an extendable arm (from infernal robotics or sth like that).

This could change the centre of mass quite quickly and easily, if it works as I imagine it.

Using a RCS tug with a claw to dock along the rotating bekam would change CoM as well, and should work in stock.