Request Arrow Docking Adaptor

[Spacethingy]

This something that really annoys me:

You've just returned to Earth after a mission with DanSteph's fantastic Arrow ship - but then you're stumped. You can't dock with any stations bigger than a DG, because the Arrow's docking port is an internal one.

Could some sort of docking adapter be made that fits in a UCGO cargo, so all the crew has to do is unpack, attach, then dock?

 

[Carmen A]

I wonder if you can use the rear EVA port and attach a docking adapter to it..

 

[Spacethingy]

I wonder if you can use the rear EVA port and attach a docking adapter to it..

Good idea! The bay dock would need a much longer (and wiggly) adapter than the EVA port.

 

[C3PO]

I wonder if you can use the rear EVA port and attach a docking adapter to it..

That's not a docking port. I'ts only an EVA hatch.
I think the Arrow is supposed to act like a station by itself. It is called a "othership"
A flexible bridge would be nice. But we would need some kind of auto station-keeping.

 

[Alexw95]

you could just put a module shaped like an L that acts and an adaptor

 

[T.Neo]

I think the Arrow is supposed to act like a station by itself. It is called a "othership"

Yes... well, what if you want to dock with a Stanford or O'Neill colony? Surely the Arrow cannot be an entire space colony within itself...

 

[Ghostrider]

Yes... well, what if you want to dock with a Stanford or O'Neill colony? Surely the Arrow cannot be an entire space colony within itself...

Why dock? Break through the habitat's walls, deploy gear, land.:thumbup:

 

[T.Neo]

Sure, that sounds practical. Only problem is:

1. You'll destroy your ship.
2. You'll get sued badly.
3. You'll cause catastrophic damage to the settlement.

It'd be a great idea if it wasn't for those three things... :shifty:

 

[Carmen A]

See, because its meant to operate with other ships in its class (hence the Arrow "18"), there must be other Arrows in Dan Steph's multiverse with a ship to ship or station docking port in place of the rear EVA hatch.

Sure, that sounds practical. Only problem is:

1. You'll destroy your ship.
2. You'll get sued badly.
3. You'll cause catastrophic damage to the settlement.

It'd be a great idea if it wasn't for those three things...

I think what may also happen is Homeworld Security puts a nuclear missile in your bridge window!

 

[C3PO]

you could just put a module shaped like an L that acts and an adaptor

One that you can pack into a UCGO crate. :thumbup:

 

[Ark]

I just use a couple of SSBB modules to make an adapter.

 

[T.Neo]

One that you can pack into a UCGO crate.

I'm failing to see how such a large, rigid structure, could be contained in a 1.3x1.3x1.3 crate... :uhh:

 

[Pinguinboy]

Well, if I want to dock my Arrow to a space station, I mostly use the standard modules in Orbiter:

module1 (hab) -> module2 (node) -> module1 -> module1, and that in an L-form.

 

[RisingFury]

I'm failing to see how such a large, rigid structure, could be contained in a 1.3x1.3x1.3 crate... :uhh:

I'm failing to see how *quite a lot of* addons fit into a 1.3x1.3x1.3 crate...

 

[Wonderer]

T.Neo, you really should brush up your knowledge of magic

 

[NukeET]

T.Neo, you really should brush up your knowledge of magic

Not magic...technology. See Arthur C. Clarke's famous quote.

I'm failing to see how *quite a lot of* addons fit into a 1.3x1.3x1.3 crate...

Yeah, me too. It helps me to think that there is a lot of space folding inside that cube.

 

[Ghostrider]

Oh, come on. Time Lords have managed to fit a lot more into a lot less. Doesn't take magic, just applied handwavium.

 

[garyw]

I'm failing to see how *quite a lot of* addons fit into a 1.3x1.3x1.3 crate...

Like this?

there was a config file posted for the arrow that added an additional docking port at the nose of the arrow but I can't find it at the moment.
I'll have another look when I'm back home tonight.

 

[T.Neo]

At least a nanobot deployment kit can make use of local materials... the Handwavium! Space! Folding! TARDIS Imitation! Magic! 1.3x1.3x1.3 box doesn't have that advantage...

Coming to think of it, it could seem pretty short-sighted of Dan not to add an external port to the Arrow, but it's very understandable considering that it is still in relatively early stages of development. A docking port on the nose would presumably have some sort of petal system (like that on the DG) to unfurl it from whatever aerodynamic surface the vehicle has. In the meantime though, adding a non-visual docking port on the nose of the Arrow might be a good idea.

I might have a crack at an L-shaped docking adaptor for the Arrow, it should be achievable with a mesh and a relatively simple config file.

 

[Ghostrider]

Maybe in the Arrow II... IMHO it should either have an extending hatch/lift in the forward upper hull (like the XR5) or a retractible umbilical under the nose, which would avoid needing a control shift like the XR5 has.