Advanced Grabbing Unit
| Advanced Grabbing Unit | ||
 | ||
| Advanced Grabbing Unit by Kerbal Motion LLC | ||
| Radial size | Small, Radial mounted | |
| Cost | (total) | 450.00 
|
| Mass | (total) | 0.075 t |
| Drag | 0.2-0.3 | |
| Max. Temp. | 2000 K | |
| Impact Tolerance | 50 m/s | |
| Research |  Actuators
| |
| Unlock cost | 5 200
| |
| Since version | 0.23.5 | |
| Part configuration | part.cfg | |
| Packed volume | None | |
The Advanced Grabbing Unit (AGU), or The Klaw, is a medium-sized docking device which can couple to any surface without the requirement of another docking device on the target to mate with. This is a virtual necessity for redirecting asteroids, though the AGU can be used to grab on to much more than just asteroids. In fact, it can grab just about anything, even Kerbals.
Description
| “ | Kerbal Motion engineers have long struggled with the problem of how to extract dropped tools from complicated machinery. After observing an intern cleaning out his shoes by turning them upside down and shaking them in the lab, our team was hit with a stroke of inspiration! Why not turn the rocket parts upside-down and shake them? The grabbing arm perfectly filled this niche, and is quite capable of lifting heavy machinery. It has since found other uses, besides delicate tool extraction operations. AKA "The Klaw!" — Kerbal Motion LLC |
” |
Use
The AGU is the primary means of capturing and redirecting asteroids. It's also useful for craft-to-craft docking or for exchanging resources with craft or debris without a docking port.
Operation is simple. Its state toggles between 'Armed' or 'Disarmed'. While disarmed, it behaves like any other part. Once armed, approach the target with moderate force and the extended claw will automatically grab anything it collides with (or that collides with it), docking the target to the current vessel. It's like a docking port, but without the complexity of aligning with a receiving port on the target.
As with docking ports, you can exchange resources (liquid fuel, electricity, etc.)) with the target. And objects connected by claws are controlled together as a single entity. Kerbals grabbed by the claw will go limp in a ragdoll state and can be carried with the craft.
An attached claw can be kept rigid, or it can be allowed to swivel by right-clicking on it and choosing Free Pivot. This is especially helpful when connected to large asteroids, as thrust must be aimed directly at the center of mass to keep the asteroid under control while moving it. While the claw is in free pivot mode, reaction wheels or RCS can be used to tilt the attached vessel. After aligning the craft, the Free Pivot command can be used again to lock the claw in place.
Changes
- Initial release
