Aerocapture with FAR installed

[Cirocco]

Is this even possible? I tried to aerocapture a class E asteroid today because my fuel was running low at the end of the redirect. I pushed the periaps down to 29 kilometers and the bloody thing STILL didn't get captured inside the SOI. How low are you supposed to go to get a capture with this mod when coming in at interplanetary travel speeds? And how do you do it without getting your ship ripped to shreds?

In this case my tug got ripped from the asteroid, which I kind of expected, but I can't imagine what the atmosphere would do to capital ships...

[Eric S]

I've done aerocapture with FAR installed, so I know it's possible, I just can't remember how far down I had to go. I do remember that I had to use a lower periapsis than with stock. Part of it is that if you're coming in at higher interplanetary speeds, you'll want to aerocapture in multiple passes (I aim for the first pass to be lower than the Mun's orbit, just to avoid getting thrown out of the Kerbin system). Also, if you also have Deadly Reentry installed, you'll need a heatshield for all but the most gentle of captures.

[Taki117]

For Kerb in, depending on speed and mass (which is why your asteroid didn't slow down) 20km is sufficient. (70 km for Eve if you are wondering). The reason your asteroid didn't slow down enough was simply because its so massive. There's lots of inertia there, and quite frankly an aero capture at 29km is difficult.

[LethalDose]

Is this even possible? I tried to aerocapture a class E asteroid today because my fuel was running low at the end of the redirect. I pushed the periaps down to 29 kilometers and the bloody thing STILL didn't get captured inside the SOI. How low are you supposed to go to get a capture with this mod when coming in at interplanetary travel speeds? And how do you do it without getting your ship ripped to shreds?

In this case my tug got ripped from the asteroid, which I kind of expected, but I can't imagine what the atmosphere would do to capital ships...

29 km is probably too high. In my experience, 28-35 km is where atmospheric drag starts to be significant. If your lowest point is 29 km, your Class E asteroid isn't spending enough time in the zone needed to slow its ginormous butt to orbital velocities. Go lower.

You may also want to try some drouges to increase drag in the atmo.

Also, if you can burn against it's motion at periapsis, you'll kill more orbital energy (Oberth, etc) than higher up. You do, however, risk getting ripped off due to drag.

Also, I'd recommend quick saving (F5) as high above periapsis as possible so you can try different altitudes. If one depth doesn't cut it, quick load (F9) and try a deeper periapsis. If you can't reload to a point previous to the asteroid being above periapsis, I'd just let the asteroid go, chalk it up to a learning experience, and find a new one.

[Robotengineer]

I would recommend between 20-25Km. Also depends on if your using DRE. If you are, I would aim for 25-30.