How to match the orbit in a Fine print mission?

[Jonathan.cote]

Hi

I have install the fine Print mod and having a real hard time doing the satellites missions. Right now i'm trying to do it in map view, but it takes me for ever and my eyes are trying to aligning the orbits.

I just wonder if there is a better way of doing it. There must be a better way of doing it.

Thank you for your help.

Edited October 15, 2014 by Jonathan.cote
Answerd

[Norpo]

You could base it off the numbers the contract gives you. When you see the contract in the contract tab, press the [+] next to notes. It should give you all the detail on the orbit. Remember though, most of the time, it accepts 5% deviation, so you shouldn't worry too much about getting it COMPLETELY perfect. It gives you the apoapsis, periapsis, longtitude of ascending nodes etc. etc., all the information you'll need on the orbit to get it exactly right. As long as you get the general shape, then it should be fairly easy to just raise the apoapsis and periapsis to where they should be according to the notes.

Also keep in mind that satellites (at least in my experience) require an antenna, and a goo container. If you get it in the orbit, and it has an antenna and a goo container, all that's left is to release the controls for 10 seconds (don't press ANYTHING for 10 seconds, and I think you may need SAS off as well) and the contract should complete.

I have had a few instances where it didn't complete, or the orbit disappeared, sometimes restarting the game helps.

This is based on my own experience, and I haven't done many fineprint satellite contracts, so some of this may be incorrect. When in doubt, read the contract for more detail!

[StrandedonEarth]

Play with the maneuver node. Try to get part of your orbit just touching the target orbit, preferably not crossing too steeply. Also check your inclination at the ascending or descending node, and do a maneuver there to zero your inclination. Not necessarily in that order. Finally, where the orbits touch, play with the maneuver node until the orbits match. Hope that helps, or at least made sense

[bandi94]

Achieve a lower orbit that the required one. Place a maneuver node at the PE and mach the AP with the desired one , place a maneuver node at the AP and match the PE. IF the orbit is inclined then place a maneuver nod at the point where your orbit intersects the desired orbit and do the inclination.

[Sirrobert]

When you match the AP and PE, you will see an Accending and Decending node with the projected, desired orbit. Place a manouver node on one of those, and match orbit

[HorusKol]

Once I get my Ap (or Pe) touching part of the orbit, I plot a series of burns to then get my Ap and Pe to match the required orbit. You don't have to be perfect (3-7% deviation for most contracts I've had). Usually takes 3 separate burns, but the second two usually require only 50m/s delta-v or so.

[Jonathan.cote]

Thanks finally got it. I was just over thinking it.

[Arsonide]

The satellite contracts were designed to actually be somewhat educational without holding your hand too much. They are fairly forgiving. The general idea is to get your apoapsis and periapsis at the right distances, then you will see the AN and DN nodes pop up on the target orbit. Wherever these nodes cross your orbit, burn normal or anti-normal, which are the purple handles on maneuver nodes. This will adjust your relative inclination to match the target orbit. (It also might adjust your apoapsis and periapsis, so keep an eye on that.) It's very similar to rendezvousing with something. With this method you should be able to eyeball any orbit, even the trickiest Molniya orbit, without using any other tools.

Happy to see that you're enjoying the mod!