Idea Anyone interested in changing the docking angle of Skylab's

[richfororbit]

Hi there,

For anyone who has used the skylab addon, anyone that has just done a short approach and then docked to that station, will understand the annoying aspect of having to rotate to then dock compared to the other craft which don't require any rotation unless the craft is not in alignment. It is apparent that the dock on skylab's is from a different era, that is the reason for the slighty difference compared to the much more modern standard docking angles.

I would that somebody would be interested in trying to change that annoying bit about that addon. Afterall it may be dated, but it still has a better look than the other default station's in orbiter. I guess Salyut 6 is even smaller, but not quite the same.

Thank you for reading.

 

[Quick_Nick]

Can you specify (or link to) the addon? There's a few different Skylab addons.

 

[richfororbit]

'skylab1973' is the file it has a few scenarios, none of them worked for me, but that doesn't matter. I only wanted it as a piece of history just for short distance docking.

 

[Donamy]

What do you mean ? Can you provide a diagram of what you want ? It may just be a config issue.

 

[richfororbit]

I imagine you have used the 'skylab1973' addon?

When you approach the docking at about half a meter away from the station's dock, you must rotate whatever spacecraft you are controlling to thirty degrees or whatever it might be to get the docking MFD green.

I want that changed, so docking is exactly the same as with Salyut 6 or the International space station or the old Russian station Mir, old shuttle Atlantis, MPCV or even the farscape-module etc

Skylab has that uniqueness which I have no interest in for docking, if anything it was rather disappointing and plain damn annoying.:dry:

 

[PhantomCruiser]

Skylab's dock is "offset"(?) maybe 45 degrees or so to port (rotationally)so that the reticule in the left seat of the Apollo CSM will line up with the marker. It looks kind of odd when Skylab is docked with anything other than Apollo.

Rich, have you tried docking with Luna OBJ1? Or better yet, Station 5 from World of 2001. My first docking with a rotating station is something that I really felt a sense of a accomplishment by doing. It was very serious challenge back in my newbie days.

And, why are you waiting so long to "fix" the rotational docking alignment? You said your doing that at half a meter away? You should be lined up long before that.

 

[richfororbit]

Phantom,

I haven't clue about this, like I've typed, skylab docking needs to be changed. I don't have to go through all this crap with the other craft. And no I haven't docked with the Luna wheel.

I only have one MPCV, ISS, Module(docked always at ISS-pretend it's an escape mod) and the Skylab station. I might add Salyut 6 I liked docking with that small thing. I had it docked to ISS, undocked MPCV from ISS, then docked to Salyut 6 and undocked from ISS. And away they went.

I haven't only down short and a little long distance docking, as well one reentry using the module, now that was cool, sure was patience induring, I had to orbit the Earth five or six times, and sped up time a little to get it lower enough to touch that super hot atmosphere!!

 

[dgatsoulis]

Skylab is a spacecraft3 vessel and the docking port orientation can be changed with an edit of an ini file. No programming required.

Here is what to do:

1.Open the [Orbiter]\Config\Spacecraft\ folder and locate Skylab's .ini file
(It should be named SkylabI.ini or Skylab-I.ini or something similar.[Orbiter] is the directory where you have installed Orbiter).

1a. (Optional, but always a good practise) Make a copy of the file and rename it (the copy), so that you have a backup.

2.Double-click on the original file to open it.

3. Scroll down to locate the "DOCKING PORTS" section.

4. Locate these lines:

[DOCK_0] ;main dock
POS=(0,0,+10.26)
DIR=(0,0,1)
ROT=(-0.707107,0.707107,0)

[DOCK_1] ;side dock
POS=(0,-1.73,7.9248)
DIR=(0,-1,0)
ROT=(0.707107,0,0.707107)

5. Change them to this:

[DOCK_0] ;main dock
POS=(0,0,+10.26)
DIR=(0,0,1)
ROT=(0,-1,0)

[DOCK_1] ;side dock
POS=(0,-1.73,7.9248)
DIR=(0,-1,0)
ROT=(-1,0,0)

6. Save and exit.

There are 3 different versions of Skylab1973 in Orbiter Hangar, that's why people have aked you to provide a link to the specific one you are using.

 

[richfororbit]

I used the original skylab1973, and loaded in some realistic textures, I couldn't make out the difference, I think it may be the solar panels change.

I have done the above, how ever I found two of these config files?

 

[dgatsoulis]

Change them both, but remember to keep backups of both files.

 

[richfororbit]

Right, there doesn't seem to be any difference between the two, exact name, size etc I haven't tried Orbiter yet.

 

[sputnik]

If that's too much bother, then don't bother. Orbiter doesn't force rotational alignment for docking, so just accept the red-instead-of-white roll pointer and push it on in there. Your DeltaGlider (or whatever) will magically be rotated 45 degrees at docking, no huhu.

 

[4throck]

Indeed. Just a quick reminder to OP that Orbiter is focused on realism. So there's a reason for that docking alignment.

If that is putting you off, I suggest searching and finding spacecraft / stations that suit your needs. Otherwise you will be fighting the simulator and getting frustrated.

(and Skylab updated textures change more than the solar panels :yes: ....)

 

[IronRain]

(and Skylab updated textures change more than the solar panels :yes: ....)

:hesaid: you could make some before/after screenshots, you should definitly notice the change.

 

[PhantomCruiser]

Indeed. Just a quick reminder to OP that Orbiter is focused on realism.

Indeed, Usonian put a lot of time and effort into that add-on. The animation of the ATM rotating 90 degrees off axis and the solar panel unfolding is a work of art. The documentation is first-rate too, a lot of history that gets expanded into "what-if" when Skylab 1980 gets added in to the mix.

Skylab was one tough bird. Intentionally tumbled out of control, hit the atmosphere and still had some really big chunks survive re-entry. She didn't seem to want to go quietly.

But back to the "problem" of the docking ports, I think dgatsoulis' solution will get you what you want.

 

[richfororbit]

^ Exactly, that is what I want. None of that rotation crap!!

My primary aim is to continue short distance docking, from craft to craft. And then, turn the fuel setting on. Now that will be very challenging!! As for orbiting the planet for a target, I don't know about that yet. Reentry was okay, quite a bit of patience required!! I was reading about the next crew who will meet up with the station, they will have to orbit four times, which in total is six hours. About the same time for the moon missions, though half to get to the surface and another half to get to orbit.:uhh: