The first expansion for ‘Alpha’ station around Kerbin is in orbit. This adds power, recycling and more food production and paves the way for installing Station Science modules onto the expansion nodes. I’l have to have an engineer EVA and destroy the cupola that is sitting on the 2.5m construction port before docking.

KSP: Expansion module KSP: Expansion module

Manifest:

  • MKS ‘Tundra’ Agriculture Module, configured as Agroponics
  • MKS ‘Tundra’ Kerbitat, configured as a Recycler
  • Four expansion nodes with 2.5m construction ports
  • 2.5m USI reactor
  • Lots of active thermal control system (TCS) panels and radiators
  • Machinery storage, Xenon storage

Docking was fairly easy using MechJeb’s SmartASS system. After setting my target to the docking port of choice, go to the TGT tab and use PAR- to line up parallel to the docking port, plus turn on the rotation checkbox. Now it’s just a matter of using IJKLHN keys to get around onto the proper side. I prefer to dock using DPAI, which is almost a must-have add-on as you can resize it to give you more precise information about your alignment.

  • Red lines? You’re on the wrong side of the docking plane. Use N to back up.
  • Green lines? You’re on the right side of the docking plane. Use H to move towards the plane and N to back away from the plane.
  • The CDST value is how far away you are from the docking plane. Try to keep it around 20-50m until you line up with the green lines almost in the center.
  • The CVEL is how fast you are moving towards/away from the docking plane. Keep this value below 1 m/s while moving around to the proper side of the station. Then, as you start using IJKL to line up with the docking port, you want this value to be as close to 0.00 as possible (this keeps your CDST value at a constant distance).
  • Once your green lines are in the center, move forward at about 0.25-0.50 m/s (CVEL), slowing down to 0.10-0.20 m/s under 10m (CDST) distance.
KSP: Docking the expansion module KSP: Docking the expansion module KSP: Docking the expansion module KSP: Docking the expansion module KSP: Docking the expansion module

I’m not done once I finished docking. There is post-dock work to be done:

  • Use Ship Manifest to empty out any fuel / storage tanks on the “tug” portion of the new module.
  • EVA using an engineer and disassemble excess parts (all of the “tug” module that got it into place, plus RCS ports at the front of the payload).
  • Get all kerbals into the rescue pods.
  • Save, quicksave, save again.
  • Use Compress Parts (rotate) on the outer of the two construction ports. Cross your fingers and hope the vessel does not explode.
  • EVA again to hook up KAS struts (if needed).
KSP: Making the new module a permanent part KSP: Making the new module a permanent part KSP: Making the new module a permanent part KSP: Making the new module a permanent part KSP: Making the new module a permanent part KSP: Making the new module a permanent part KSP: Making the new module a permanent part KSP: Making the new module a permanent part