What's the difference between "undock" and "decouple"

[TMS]

Stock docking nodes have both of these options ("undock node" and "decouple node") available as action group settings.

What's the difference?

[Commander Jebidiah]

Unlock only works if you have another docking port attached and decouple works if you attached something to it in the vab that doesn't have a port

[Stratoroc]

used to be a time when docking ports had decouplers as well as docking functionality. I'm not sure if it's still the case.

[Claw]

You will get the undock option if you have docked two ports together in flight.

You will get the decouple option when you've attached anything to the docking side stack node of the docking port in the VAB/SPH. That includes another docking port or any other stack capable part. If you surface attach to the docking port, you will not get this option for the surface attached parts.

And yeah, if you stack attach to a docking port, it acts like a decoupler but without the explosive force.

Cheers,

-Claw

[TMS]

Got it. Just something I'd always wondered about.

Cheers guys.

[cantab]

I generally stick both in the action group, just to make sure.