Tutorial: The Kergena Target Vehicle (KTV): Orbital Docking Practice

The Kergena Target Vehicle (KTV): Orbital Docking Practice

This tutorial will show you how to launch the Kergena Target Vehicle (KTV) into orbit and master your docking and EVA skills. The KTV is the KSP's "training module" that is can be used to train Kerbal in orbital docking and maneuver techniques. It is a self-powered, remote managed orbital docking target designed to simulate a space station or another spacecraft. It is equipped with a docking collar, RCS and main engine for maneuvering, lights and ladders for EVA practice and solar panels and batteries to provide remote control and guidance.

Specifications

• Length: 1–2 hours
• Difficulty: Moderate
• For version: Every version

Steps

Building the Kergena Target Vehicle and Kergena Booster

• Kergena Target Vehicle (KTV) Payload Stage
  • 1x Clamp-O-Tron Shielded Docking Port
  • 2x Z-100 Rechargable Battery Pack
  • 2x Pegasus I Mobility Enhancer
  • 1x FL-R25 RCS Fuel Tank
  • 4x RV-105 RCS Thruster Block
  • 2x OX-4L 1x6 Photovoltaic Panels
  • 2x Illuminator Mk2
  • 1x FL-T400 Fuel Tank
  • 1x RC-001S Remote Guidance Unit
  • 1x Small Inline Reaction Wheel
  • 1x LV-909 Liquid Fuel Engine
  • 1x TR-18A Stack Decoupler
• Second Stage
  • 1x FL-T800 Fuel Tank
  • 1x LV-T30 Liquid Fuel Engine
  • 1x TR-18A Stack Decoupler
• First Stage
  • 1x Rockomax Brand Adapter
  • 1x Rockomax X200-16 Fuel Tank
  • 2x Rockomax X200-32 Fuel Tank
  • 1x Rockomax "Mainsail" Liquid Engine

Assemble the Kergena Target Vehicle payload with the parts in the order listed from top to bottom. You'll need to start with the Remote Guidance Unit and then place the Small Inline Reaction Wheel and LV-909 engine below it and the fuel tank, docking port and all of the attached hardware above.

Mount the four(4) RCS quads on the upper half of the KTV main fuel tank. Mount the ladders in pairs and batteries opposing them so they are clear of the RCS quads (in an "X" turned 45 degrees from the RCS quads).

Assembled Kergena Target Vehicle

Assembled Kergena Booster

Launch Your Kergena Mission

With your KTV assembled atop the Kergena booster, move it to the launch pad. The goal of your launch is to place the KTV into a low circular orbit between 110 and 150 km. The Kergena has plenty of power and finesse to allow you to place the KTV in orbit.

Activate the SAS and then launch the Kergena booster at full power. The Mainsail engine will begin to overheat shortly after liftoff so throttle back to around 80 percent. Climb straight until 12 km (12000m) and then make your gravity turn to the right on the 90 degree line on the NavBall. Hold about a 45 degree climb angle and switch to the Map View (press 'M'). Open the NavBall in that view and control your flight from there. At first stage burnout, you should be on a suborbital trajectory to an apoapsis of around 120 km. Jettison your first stage and coast up to apoapsis.

Align prograde as your approach apoapsis and ignite your second stage at a 50% throttle setting. The second stage is meant to get you into orbit. Use it to circularize your orbit. There is enough fuel in the second stage to allow you to get your orbit set up. Once done, jettison your second stage and activate the Kergena's engine. If you run out of fuel, you can use its engine to configure your orbit to suit.

Right-click on your solar panels to deploy them on the KTV to charge the batteries and turn on the lights. Congratulations, your Kergena Target Vehicle is now in orbit and ready for docking practice!

Step 3 - This is no weird?!

Exactly, this isn't any weird at all!

Finishing word

Tada! Now you've read a full tutorial. Congratulations!