Cargo Bays-stock

[xcorps]

Exactly how do you detach cargo? Do you need to add in docking ports?

(I did in fact search for answers to this)

Edited December 22, 2014 by xcorps

[Anquietas314]

Yup, you need docking ports or a decoupler.

EDIT: here's a spaceplane I made in 0.25 that has the cargo bay wide open:

[bdito]

Yup. You got it.

[Norpo]

Hm, now that I think about it, it may be preferable to use a docking port, so you can reuse the cargo bay.

I've always been using decouplers without really thinking about it..

But yeah, you need a decoupler/dockingport/other detachable thing to get the cargo out.

[Anquietas314]

Hm, now that I think about it, it may be preferable to use a docking port, so you can reuse the cargo bay.

I've always been using decouplers without really thinking about it..

But yeah, you need a decoupler/dockingport/other detachable thing to get the cargo out.

I used decouplers on the plane in the screenshot because it was just launching probes that were being sent to duna/eve. Those weren't coming back . The plane was designed so that you just swap out the cargo (possibly the decouplers/docking ports) to change the contents

[xcorps]

thanks everyone!

[Claw]

A little known fact is that you can also use a single docking port in the same way you use decouplers. Place the docking port in the cargo bay like you normally would, then connect your cargo to the port's "docking node." It doesn't have to be a second docking port, just make sure it connects to the stack node and doesn't surface attach.

In flight, you can Right-Click and Decouple on the docking port to release the cargo. The result is a clean disconnection with no ejection force (unlike when you use a decoupler), so you don't have to worry about small cargo striking the inside of the bay. As a bonus, you now have an available docking port in case you need to go capture something from orbit. Also, docking ports don't add staging nodes to the stage list, which is handy if you don't want to deal with shuffling around the stage to prevent accidental early separation.

Cheers,

~Claw

[Anquietas314]

Claw: it's worth mentioning that there are cases where the decoupler's ejection force (if it's quite small like with the 0.625m ones) is desirable; it helps give you some clearance for moving away without needing to use RCS fuel to do it. Plus having the cargo release as part of the staging can be convenient If you have probes in particular, then those will probably already need to be rearranged in the staging sequence, assuming you don't want to have their engines firing inside the cargo bay

[xcorps]

A little known fact is that you can also use a single docking port in the same way you use decouplers. Place the docking port in the cargo bay like you normally would, then connect your cargo to the port's "docking node." It doesn't have to be a second docking port, just make sure it connects to the stack node and doesn't surface attach.

In flight, you can Right-Click and Decouple on the docking port to release the cargo. The result is a clean disconnection with no ejection force (unlike when you use a decoupler), so you don't have to worry about small cargo striking the inside of the bay. As a bonus, you now have an available docking port in case you need to go capture something from orbit. Also, docking ports don't add staging nodes to the stage list, which is handy if you don't want to deal with shuffling around the stage to prevent accidental early separation.

Cheers,

~Claw

Great tip, thanks very much!

[Claw]

Claw: it's worth mentioning...

Oh, I didn't mean to imply that you shouldn't use decouplers, or that I think they are a bad idea. Not at all!

I'd say most people think of decouplers for doing exactly what you say (ejecting small probes). I just wanted to mention that docking ports can be used in the same way as a decoupler but with different side effects. Generally I find that many people don't know that you can use a single docking port this way. Like when you get that probe in exactly the orbit that you want, but don't want to ruin the orbit by "kicking it in the pants."

Just more options, that's all.

Cheers,

~Claw

[Red Iron Crown]

It should be pointed out that if a docking port is used in lieu of a decoupler care must be taken to avoid accidentally draining fuel/monoprop/electric charge from the payload as docking ports permit fuel crossfeed. I prefer to disable any tanks and batteries until the payload is separated, just in case.

[Anquietas314]

It should be pointed out that if a docking port is used in lieu of a decoupler care must be taken to avoid accidentally draining fuel/monoprop/electric charge from the payload as docking ports permit fuel crossfeed. I prefer to disable any tanks and batteries until the payload is separated, just in case.

That's what the "disable crossfeed" button on docking ports is for.

[Red Iron Crown]

That's what the "disable crossfeed" button on docking ports is for.

That works too for LFO, but not for monoprop, electrical charge or xenon. I think that vernors might possibly drain LFO and ignore crossfeed settings, but haven't tested it.

[Anquietas314]

But not for monoprop, electrical charge or xenon. I think that vernors might possibly drain LFO and ignore crossfeed settings, but haven't tested it.

The solution there really would just be to make that apply to everything, except possibly electric charge. If that one's a problem for you in this case it usually means you're doing something wrong. You should either make a suggestion or file a feedback issue in the bug tracker

I do have to question why you're docking things that use xenon though; with an ion drive you want as little mass as possible...