Inline Clamp-O-Tron

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Inline Clamp-O-Tron
Part image
Docking port by
Found lying by the side of the road

Radial size Small
Cost (total) 700.00 Funds
Mass (total) 0.30 t
Drag 0.08
Max. Temp. 2000 K
Volume  ?
Impact Tolerance 10 m/s
Research Composites.png Composites
Unlock cost 9 800 Funds
Since version 0.18
Part configuration dockingPortInline.cfg

The Inline Clamp-O-Tron is a docking port that can be mounted inline with a rocket stack instead of on the ends. Like the Clamp-O-Tron Shielded Docking Port, it must be opened before docking.

Product description

The Inline Clamp-O-Tron was an accidental invention, created after an engineer (who really should have been wearing his glasses) incorrectly interpreted the Shielded Clamp-O-Tron's blueprints. Still, the rest of the team very much liked the idea of a sideways-pointing docking port with its own aerodynamic shell, so he patented the design. He still refuses to admit it wasn't intentional.

Found lying by the side of the road

Usage

The Inline Clamp-O-Tron ready to dock

The Inline Clamp-O-Tron is placed inline with a rocket stack, instead of on its top or side. It allows other parts to be placed on either side. so that the craft can maintain a streamlined profile. Once opened, it can be docked with any docking port with the same size as the Mk2 Clamp-O-Tron.

It is inferior in certain aspects to the Mk2 Clamp-O-Tron - it has a lower impact and heat tolerance and doesn't come with a built in monopropellant tank. However, the ability to place the Inline Clamp-O-Tron inline with the stack can be useful in some cases, such as when aerodynamics are particularly important or the ends of a craft must be reserved for a parachute.

When docking using the Inline Clamp-O-Tron, it is generally a good idea to use the "Control From Here" function to ensure that the controls and navball are effected relative to the docking port itself.

Trivia

  • Until version 0.20, this part was named Hull-mounted Clamp-O-Tron.

Changes

0.24
  • Mass reduced from 1.0 to 0.3
  • Drag reduced from 0.25 to 0.08
0.23.5
  • Mass increased from 0.125 to 1.0
0.20
  • Part renamed to Inline Clamp-O-Tron
0.18
  • Initial Release