Rendezvous shenanigans?

[Jodo42]

I'm in a bit of a pickle. As usual, I've come to forums for some assistance.

I've got a lander on Tylo that needs to rendezvous with a return vehicle, in a somewhat eccentric orbit. The problem is the lander has nowhere near enough fuel to reach that eccentric orbit. It can get into a very low circular stable Tylo orbit (~20km), but not much more than that. This presents a significant problem for a direct-to-rendezvous launch, as I can't get my velocities anywhere near matched.

The periapsis of the return vessel is at 21K, so it's something I can get to same altitude as, if only for a short period of time. Short of getting out and pushing (a LOT), is there anything I can do to get a temporary rendezvous? I can't control the return vessel thanks to a design oversight, so lowering its orbit is unfortunately out of the question.

I can provide more info/pictures on request.

Edited October 26, 2014 by Jodo42

[Kryxal]

I think you'd better be ready to get out and push ... or send a refuel mission for the lander, or a "control" mission (docking port, some sort of probe core, docking port) and maybe some fuel for the return vessel.

[Red Iron Crown]

I gather the orbiter has no probe core, but does it have propulsion and an empty manned pod? If so you could spend the kerbal's EVA fuel to rendezvous with the orbiter and abandon the lander. There's about 600m/s available IIRC.

Other than that, the options Kryxal lays out (GOAP, refueler, controller) are the only non-cheaty ones I see.

[Wanderfound]

Getting into the same position as the lander isn't enough, you also have to match speed. This requires exactly as much ÃŽâ€V as matching the orbit, because that's what you're doing when you match speed.

[Jodo42]

Fudging around a bit with the numbers, 600m/s looks like it'll be plenty. I never realized how much delta-v those jetpacks had. I have no way of bringing the lander back anyways, without having unlocked docking ports.

Thanks, RIC.

[Kryxal]

As long as you have an intercept, you should be able to plot the burn you'll need to match orbits. You'll just have to execute with ... somewhat less help than usual. Incidentally, what sort of acceleration does an EVA Kerbal get?

Oh, and save first!

[MarvinKitFox]

... Incidentally, what sort of acceleration does an EVA Kerbal get?

Considering you can fly an EVA on Duna, but only *just*...

It has to be a hair more than 3m/s2