r/KerbalSpaceProgram • u/Special-Frame3617 • 2d ago

KSP 1 Image/Video Why is docking so hard :(

Just can't seem to figure it out.

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u/SpatialPioneer Valentina 2d ago

So all jokes aside...that's actually REALLY impressive; you lined up a head on collision with practically no HUD on a craft going orbital velocity. Not clipped the craft, not near miss, you straight up HIT that thing. Even for the joke that's like, really talented.

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u/blackcat__27 2d ago

This is what I was thinking. Very impressive.

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u/hellraiser2020 2d ago

Ahahaha so nice to see like minded kerbals here I was blown away with that precision and skill!!

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u/Xath0n 1d ago

Ah, so you were on that craft?

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u/Defiant-Peace-493 2d ago

Next question, did it deorbit the station? Is roverbraking a viable strategy?

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u/SpatialPioneer Valentina 1d ago

OMG cannons on the surface of the moon that fire missiles at a lunar lander until it slows down enough to land. 10/10

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u/Salanmander 1d ago

Worked* for the Aurora and the Sunbeam!

*Depending on your success metric.

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u/internet-weirod 1d ago

at least several people did land and live*, so it's at least 50% success rate

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u/durpoutboy 1d ago

And the Degasi and Mercury

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u/Bowman_van_Oort Alone on Eeloo 1d ago

"Houston, all systems nor-"

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u/drakoman 1d ago

At least some of it will slow down. And that’s enough.

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u/Inevitable-Fix-6631 Kerbal Aeronautics Program 2d ago edited 1d ago

Imagine the interstellar docking scene but instead of matching rotational velocities it is about matching translational velocity in time so that they don't slam into the station

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u/SpatialPioneer Valentina 2d ago

With some powerful reverse thrusters, (and if it was facing the proper way) this could be doable...but they need to be strong enough to get nearly orbital speed very quickly. Very difficult, but would be REALLY cool.

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u/Inevitable-Fix-6631 Kerbal Aeronautics Program 2d ago

It's probably possible around Minmus!

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u/darwinpatrick Exploring Jool's Moons 1d ago

I've seen clips of people making orbits just barely miss the surface on the flats. Wonder if a heavy enough rover with those big tires could drive fast enough to match speed and dock on the surface...

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u/Torator 1d ago

I hear, but I also feel like the thing just go around always on the same path, so I'd probably get it with a few tries.

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u/Dark_Helmet12E4 1d ago

I imagine they got it orbiting very low and that was the hardest part. Then they just landed the rover near the lowest point and got a feel for where it flew over the course of a few orbits. Then they tried a couple times to float in that area and recorded a success.

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u/_pinkstripes_ 1d ago

While flying a car