Better realistic docking node system

[GBLAKEM1999]

What if we made a static docking port and then a robotic part because the. People would be free to use whatever ports they want. Ps not really sure if that would solve the problem

[CaptainKipard]

What if we made a static docking port and then a robotic part because the. People would be free to use whatever ports they want. Ps not really sure if that would solve the problem

You need to check in with the maintainers of IR about the feasibility of attaching a docking port to a robotic part. Last time I read it caused problems.

Also other questions arise with this approach, like compatibility with ConnectedLivingSpace where connections would need to be dynamic based on the animation. I don't know enough about that mod to comment on that.

Crew transfer ability would also be an issue.

[sumghai]

You need to check in with the maintainers of IR about the feasibility of attaching a docking port to a robotic part. Last time I read it caused problems.

I believe that's still the case, if I recall correctly.

Also other questions arise with this approach, like compatibility with ConnectedLivingSpace where connections would need to be dynamic based on the animation. I don't know enough about that mod to comment on that.

Crew transfer ability would also be an issue.

I don't think the CLS state would need to be dynamic for a fully-functional NDS add-on - I assume that the once the NDS on both vessel make contact, it would automatically transition from soft dock (including angular/translational alignment in all axes) to hard dock (physically pulling the visiting vessel in) with no user interaction/interruption, allowing for static crew transferability states.

[CaptainKipard]

I don't think the CLS state would need to be dynamic for a fully-functional NDS add-on - I assume that the once the NDS on both vessel make contact, it would automatically transition from soft dock (including angular/translational alignment in all axes) to hard dock (physically pulling the visiting vessel in) with no user interaction/interruption, allowing for static crew transferability states.

Yeah maybe. I'm just irked about being able to transfer crew while hard docking is in progress. It's a minor point if hard docking is automatic, and quick, though I wouldn't like it too quick. Maybe 5 seconds or so.

[sumghai]

Yeah maybe. I'm just irked about being able to transfer crew while hard docking is in progress. It's a minor point if hard docking is automatic, and quick, though I wouldn't like it too quick. Maybe 5 seconds or so.

Real-life hard docking does, unfortunately, does take a non-trivial amount of time, during which crew transfer is indeed impossible.

I think that for the purposes of KSP, the transition could automatically occur over a duration of 3~5 seconds; this compromise isn't so out of character for the KSP in-game universe, considering that the stock ports go from final approach through to bolt latching complete in less than a second.

[GBLAKEM1999]

Yeah I would say 3-5 seconds sounds right. Also does anyone know if you can make the port less magnetic or make the field smaller?

[sumghai]

Also does anyone know if you can make the port less magnetic or make the field smaller?

According to the documentation on the wiki, you would need to reduce the acquireForce, acquireTorque, acquireRange and captureRange parameters in the docking port part's CFG file.

[GBLAKEM1999]

Awesome thanks I'll meas around with that when I can