Action group

Configuring an abort sequence using action groups

An action group is a group of part actions that can be triggered using certain buttons or keys. They can be configured under the Action Groups tab in the VAB or SPH.

Available action groups

Name	Triggered by	Default key	Default effect
Stage	Launch/Stages	Space	Activate all parts of next stage
Gear	Landing Gear	G	Toggle position of all landing gear
Light	Lights	U	Toggle all lights on/off
RCS	RCS Toggle	R	Toggle all RCS thrusters on/off
SAS	SAS Toggle	T	Toggle all SAS modules on/off
Brakes	Brakes	B	Hold to activate all brakes
Abort	Emergency abort	Backspace	-
Custom01	Custom action 1	Alpha1	-
Custom02	Custom action 2	Alpha2	-
Custom03	Custom action 3	Alpha3	-
Custom04	Custom action 4	Alpha4	-
Custom05	Custom action 5	Alpha5	-
Custom06	Custom action 6	Alpha6	-
Custom07	Custom action 7	Alpha7	-
Custom08	Custom action 8	Alpha8	-
Custom09	Custom action 9	Alpha9	-
Custom10	Custom action 10	Alpha0	-

Uses

An action group can cause any action that can also be triggered by right-clicking a part and making a selection from its popup menu. This makes action groups useful for coordinating the functions of multiple parts all over a spacecraft, or for making the same change to several identical parts. Action groups trigger all their parts simultaneously, allowing quick changes in situations where using the popup menus would be impractical or dangerous, such as surface landings or while the engines are throttled up during a maneuver.

Common uses of custom action groups include:

• An abort or command module ejection sequence.
• Extending ladders along with landing gear.
• Switching active engine groups on complicated craft such as VTOL planes.
• Toggling the gimbal lock of all engines.
• Deploying solar panels.
• Activating multiple environmental sensors.