Tutorial Dummies explanation of docking ports

[Oldsalter]

A Dummies Explanation of Docking Ports.​

[DOCK_15]docking ports list (maximum 16 docking ports per vessel) •

POS=(0,2.44,10.44): the docking port position •
DIR=(0,1,0): the docking port approach direction •
ROT=(0,0,-1): the docking port longitudinal rotation alignment vector
andthe hatches ISD frequency which is important for RCS alignment.

Each of the criteria have three co-ordinates relating to the axis/.
Xaxis is positive to the right negative to the left.
Yaxis is positive upwards
Zaxis is positive forwards

So depending upon how your vessel is orientated


fwd up
Z \ | Y
\ |
\ |
\| X
-------right

Imagine a cube we have some in Orbiter.


This is my Docking ports list for Module 2.

;=== Docking ports ===

BEGIN_DOCKLIST

2.4 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 042
-2.4 0 0 -1 0 0 0 1 0 044

0 2.4 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 046
0 -2.4 0 0 -1 0 0 0 -1 047

0 0 2.4 0 0 1 1 0 0 048
0 0 -2.4 0 0 -1 -1 0 0 049

END_DOCKLIST
The docking port position's.
Using as an example the first pair of docks have a set of three location co-ordinates. The one off the x axis 2.4 meters to the right and the other 2.4 meters to the left. 0 is at the centre off the up and down axis (Y) and 0 is at the centre of the fwd and aft axis (Z).
The second pair are on the Y axis, one 2.4 meters up and one 2.4 meters down. This time the X and Z axis are in the centre.
The last pair are on the Z axis one 2.4 meters fwd and one 2.4 meters aft. This time the X and Y axis are in the centre.

The docking port approach direction.
Using the first pair as an example the approach direction for the first port is from the right and for the second port is from the left.
The second pair are on the Y axis so the first port is from above and the second port is from below.
The last pair are on the Z axis so the first port is from ahead and the second port is from astern.

The docking port longitudinal rotation alignment vector.
Using the first pair as an example the rotation alignment is on the Y axis and is upwards for both. (As you look at the face 12 o'clock ).
The second pair are on the Y axis so the first port is aligned aft the second port is aligned fwd .
The last pair are on the Z axis so the first port is aligned right the second port is aligned left .

Below we have a case where there are two approach co-ordinates.
9.4 217 9.4 1 0 1 0 1 0 518
This dock exits the space ship at 45 degrees angle between x and z axis.

You can have combinations between axis.

​

 

[Oldsalter]

IDS file. In the older configuration files for space stations the docking ports are entered individually. I have tried but so far have been unable to add the IDS information to the individual port. However as a work around. In orbiter 10. go F4 to bring down menu / then go Custom / then Scenario editor / highlight space station or vessel of choice / then go Edit / then docking / then by ticking the IDS frequency box you can apply a frequency of choice to the individual port but only to that port on a temporary basis. Think of a part of the handshake before docking.

 

[Oldsalter]

IDS File: You can also insert the IDS File in the Scenario. Here is an example for DS9;-
IDS 0:1 100 1:2 100 2:3 100 3:4 100 4:5 100 5:6 100
Insert after
DOCKINFO 0:0,TOSENTER 1:0,NCC1701E 2:0,NCC1701A 3:0,1701-2 4:0,TOSGALILEO 5:0,EA
IDS 0:1 100 1:2 100 2:3 100 3:4 100 4:5 100 5:6 100
NAVFREQ 0 0
and before Nav Freq.