Difference between revisions of "Orbital rendezvous"

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In general, an orbital rendezvous involves two steps - '''encounter''' and '''velocity matching'''.
 
In general, an orbital rendezvous involves two steps - '''encounter''' and '''velocity matching'''.
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== Usages ==
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Possible usages of orbital rendezvous include:
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* [[Docking]] two craft together
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** Assembling a [[space station]]
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** Interplanetary craft
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** In-orbit refuelling
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** Transfering a more experienced [[Scientist]] to an orbital [[Mobile Processing Lab MPL-LG-2]]
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* Grabbing an [[asteroid]] with the [[Advanced Grabbing Unit]]
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* Rescuing [[Kerbonaut|kerbonauts]] on [[EVA]] stranded in orbit
  
 
====[[Encounter]]====
 
====[[Encounter]]====
  
The process of creating an encounter with a target object requires the player to meet two conditions.  The first is that the orbit of the craft must intersect the orbit of the target (this is usually tangential for efficiency).  The second is that both craft and target must be at the intersection at the same time.
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The process of creating an encounter with a target object requires the player to meet two conditions.  The first is that the orbit of the craft must intersect the orbit of the target (this is usually tangential for efficiency).  This can be from a lower orbit where you will be travelling at a slower velocity, or from a higher and faster orbit.  The second is that both craft and target must be at the intersection at the same time.   
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Often only one craft does the orbital maneuvers and the other object is passive and does not change its orbit.
  
 
====Velocity Matching====
 
====Velocity Matching====
  
Once the craft is in close proximity to the target, a maneuver is made to match velocity with target, thus matching orbits.  When relative velocity is null, a more or less stable situation exists.  The player can then EVA to the target, dock with the target (if craft and/or target are properly equipped), or perform any task which requires the craft to remain in close proximity to the target.
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Once the craft is in close proximity to the target you must now bring your craft into the same orbital plane in a maneuver that also matches velocity with the target.  When relative velocity is null, a more or less stable situation exists.  The player can then EVA to the target, dock with the target (if craft and/or target are properly equipped), or perform any task which requires the craft to remain in close proximity to the target.  Some situations make it simpler to match orbital planes first, then either play catchup or slow down till proximity is reached (2.2k or less for EVA from or to target, or to switch control between vessels using [ or]).
  
 
====[[Tutorials#Orbital Rendezvous|Tutorials]]====
 
====[[Tutorials#Orbital Rendezvous|Tutorials]]====
  
Several tutorials exist which can help the player learn the process of orbital rendezvous.
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For low planetary orbits, it is easier to approach the target from a higher more elliptical orbit where you are initially in front of the target and your orbit slows your craft.  For higher planetary orbits it is faster to approach from a lower orbit from behind.  Your velocity will be slower but your orbital period will be shorter.  Low planetary orbits take little time and allow many trial and error attempts.  High orbits, especially solar orbits, mean days, months or years between passes, so planning is important.  With practice, your craft can come from an oblique orbit at a vastly different velocity to intercept the target, changing plane and velocity in a single manoeuvre for a spectacular rendezvous!!  Chasing asteroids, for example, or crash diving into a moon's SOI for ship to ship docking.
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Several tutorials exist which can help the player learn the process of orbital rendezvous. As of version [[1.0]], there is also an ingame tutorial.
 
* [[Tutorial:Orbital Rendezvous|Orbital Rendezvous]]
 
* [[Tutorial:Orbital Rendezvous|Orbital Rendezvous]]
 
* [[Tutorial: Orbital Docking with the Kergena Target Vehicle|Orbital Docking with the Kergena Target Vehicle]]
 
* [[Tutorial: Orbital Docking with the Kergena Target Vehicle|Orbital Docking with the Kergena Target Vehicle]]
 
* A detailed discussion on [[Tutorial: How to meet objects in orbit|how to meet objects in orbit]], including how to synchronize orbits/phases
 
* A detailed discussion on [[Tutorial: How to meet objects in orbit|how to meet objects in orbit]], including how to synchronize orbits/phases
 
* [[Tutorial: Orbital Rendezvous|In depth tutorial for an orbital rendezvous and docking]] by It's Just Rocket Science
 
* [[Tutorial: Orbital Rendezvous|In depth tutorial for an orbital rendezvous and docking]] by It's Just Rocket Science
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== Gallery ==
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<gallery>
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File:Kerbal Space Program Enhanced Edition 20220117205015.jpg|A small docking craft rendezvouing with a satellite.
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</gallery>
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[[Category:Maneuvers]]

Latest revision as of 12:48, 10 May 2022

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An Orbital Rendezvous is a series of maneuvers which result in a craft achieving a stable condition of close proximity to a target object orbiting the same parent body.

In general, an orbital rendezvous involves two steps - encounter and velocity matching.

Usages

Possible usages of orbital rendezvous include:

Encounter

The process of creating an encounter with a target object requires the player to meet two conditions. The first is that the orbit of the craft must intersect the orbit of the target (this is usually tangential for efficiency). This can be from a lower orbit where you will be travelling at a slower velocity, or from a higher and faster orbit. The second is that both craft and target must be at the intersection at the same time.

Often only one craft does the orbital maneuvers and the other object is passive and does not change its orbit.

Velocity Matching

Once the craft is in close proximity to the target you must now bring your craft into the same orbital plane in a maneuver that also matches velocity with the target. When relative velocity is null, a more or less stable situation exists. The player can then EVA to the target, dock with the target (if craft and/or target are properly equipped), or perform any task which requires the craft to remain in close proximity to the target. Some situations make it simpler to match orbital planes first, then either play catchup or slow down till proximity is reached (2.2k or less for EVA from or to target, or to switch control between vessels using [ or]).

Tutorials

For low planetary orbits, it is easier to approach the target from a higher more elliptical orbit where you are initially in front of the target and your orbit slows your craft. For higher planetary orbits it is faster to approach from a lower orbit from behind. Your velocity will be slower but your orbital period will be shorter. Low planetary orbits take little time and allow many trial and error attempts. High orbits, especially solar orbits, mean days, months or years between passes, so planning is important. With practice, your craft can come from an oblique orbit at a vastly different velocity to intercept the target, changing plane and velocity in a single manoeuvre for a spectacular rendezvous!! Chasing asteroids, for example, or crash diving into a moon's SOI for ship to ship docking.

Several tutorials exist which can help the player learn the process of orbital rendezvous. As of version 1.0, there is also an ingame tutorial.

Gallery