attempting to use KAS to retro fit MechJeb on orbiting vessel

[Chris_C]

So, my delivery rocket left the core of my station up there but I later realised I forgot to put a mech jeb on it... Now I could later dock something with MJ on it but I thought this would be good practice for integrating other items into the KAS container - the fact you can retro fit stuff to an already flying vehicle adds a whole new dimension...

anyhoo I added to KAS's addModule.cfg the following stanza

///////// mechJeb ///////
GRAB
{
	stockPartName = mumech_MJ2_AR202
	evaPartPos = (0.0, -0.05, -0.2)
	evaPartDir = (0,0,-1)
	physicJoint = true
	storable = true
	storedSize = 5
	attachOnPart = True
	attachOnEva = True
	attachOnStatic = False
	attachSendMsgOnly = False
}

This works just great on my launchpad tests, however sadly in orbit as soon as a kerbal grabs a MJ part he starts continually firing his retro's and pirouettes off into the void, completely uncontrollable...

anyone any idea what I might be doing wrong?

[Javster]

I think it's because the Mechjeb unit's mass is very small and causes errors.

[BudgetHedgehog]

physicJoint = true

There's your problem. You can see the same thing happen with the stock radial parachutes - basically, the mod keeps the parts physics so it can be used as a parachute on EVA. When you grab it, the EVA jets (which are balanced around the kerbals CoM) go haywire trying to keep the kerbal upright thanks to big weight on his back. To fix it, either comment that line out with // or just delete it entirely in that code you posted and it will work.

Edited June 16, 2014 by ObsessedWithKSP

[Chris_C]

There's your problem. You can see the same thing happen with the stock radial parachutes - basically, the mod keeps the parts physics so it can be used as a parachute on EVA. When you grab it, the EVA jets (which are balanced around the kerbals CoM) go haywire trying to keep the kerbal upright thanks to big weight on his back. To fix it, either comment that line out with // or just delete it entirely in that code you posted and it will work.

I set physics to false and it works a treat, thanks...

I think KAS just became my number two favorite mod - just with how many possibilities it enables for eva missions is amazing, you could make some awesome missions with it by setting up situations where you need to "repair" sats in orbit etc...