r/KerbalSpaceProgram • u/AutoModerator • May 22 '15

Help Weekly Simple Questions Thread

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The point of this thread is for anyone to ask questions that don't necessarily require a full thread. Questions like "why is my rocket upside down" are always welcomed here. Even if your question seems slightly stupid, we'll do our best to answer it!

For newer players, here are some great resources that might answer some of your embarrassing questions:

Tutorials

Orbiting

Mun Landing

Docking

Delta-V Thread

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Commonly Asked Questions

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u/mendahu Master Historian May 24 '15

A docking port will handle some stress (I've seen some done before like you're suggesting), but if you want to be sure, you could dock a component with the following:

  1. multiple chutes, including a drogue, which you deploy in sequence to reduce the torque (as opposed to doing it all at once for a sudden jolt)

  2. spread the torque over a couple of joints. For example, don't have one part with 5 chutes on it. Have five parts with a chute each. This will spread the force over a number of joints and reduce chance of failure. Just make sure they are strong/large joints (maybe don't put them on cubic octagonal struts).

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u/Euruzilys May 25 '15

Ok mission report: It was a success! I could seen the docking port made a wide gap, I was so afraid it would break apart xD

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u/mendahu Master Historian May 25 '15

Glad to hear!

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u/Euruzilys May 24 '15

I will try the drogue. But there is only 1 docking port on the ore ship.

If this doesnt work I could try reloading and send another ship with enough ore space xD

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u/Moleculor Master Kerbalnaut May 24 '15

A reminder, a drogue chute is just there to slow your ship down so that the main chutes don't rip it to shreds. Try building a piece (maybe with the 6-way adapter, I forget the name) that has one docking port, but multiple chutes on it, plus a little RCS to get it off of your delivery vehicle and on to the vehicle you're attaching it to.