Cargo Deliveries

[Tandem]

Can cargo deliveries actually be made to stations etc like the ISS? I have just docked the DG IV to the ISS with a cargo container inside it's bay. What next? Where does this cargo pod go? Is it just for show to be jettisoned into space or re-entry afterwards?

Just curiuos.

 

[TSPenguin]

The container does not have a real destination to go on the ISS.
You could roleplay that this are supplies which are offloaded through the docking port, or deliver them to another craft which then takes it to a moon base or any other destination.
If you take a bigger craft you can use it to take up space station modules and build your own station or expand an existing one. The possibilities are endless!

Happy Orbiting

 

[Tandem]

Thanks TS Penguin. I was wondering if there was a place for the container or not. It opens up a few possibilities for a continuous mission like you said. Thanks again.

 

[Eagle]

You could modify ISS's config file to put some attachment points on it. then you'd be able to load cargo onto it. Or use universal cargo deck.

And even lazier option is just to put the cargo container onto one of ISS's unused docking ports. (the cargo container needs a docking port in that case, some already have one).

and even lazier lazier option is to use your imagination.

 

[James.Denholm]

Or, using a Dragonfly with a URMS attached, you could do what is sort-of seen in games like Homeworld, not that they use Newtonian physics - an orbit very, very close to the ISS' own. The only problem is that you would need to re-adjust the orbit and position of the cargo relative to the ISS somewhat frequently.

 

[Tommy]

Most DGIV cargos have docking ports, and can be docked to the ISS by grappling with a UMMU and manuevering it into position. As a helpful hint, ensure that external MFD's are enabled in the launchpad. Use <F3> to switch to the cargo pod, open an external MFD and select DockingMFD. Select the target dock (or use the nav frequency) and then click the thumbtack icon on the external MFD. That MFD will now stay "stuck" to the cargo pod even after you switch back to the UMMU, and will help you position the pod correctly for it to dock.

 

[mjl1966]

The container does not have a real destination to go on the ISS.
You could roleplay that this are supplies which are offloaded through the docking port, or deliver them to another craft which then takes it to a moon base or any other destination.
If you take a bigger craft you can use it to take up space station modules and build your own station or expand an existing one. The possibilities are endless!

Happy Orbiting

You can build your own space station? For real? :huh:

 

[T.Neo]

You can build your own space station? For real? :huh:

Build your own station in Orbiter?

Of course!

 

[ar81]

You can build your own space station? For real? :huh:

Greg Burch made some noticeable addons so you have building blocks to make your own space station.

If you want to make your own design, you might like to make an addon with your station.

 

[MattNW]

You can also deliver fuel to the ISS. Carry a fuel tank cargo in the DGIV and dock it to the ISS like mentioned above then use Fuel Management MFD to transfer fuel to the ISS for refueling ships.

 

[Andy44]

You can also deliver fuel to the ISS. Carry a fuel tank cargo in the DGIV and dock it to the ISS like mentioned above then use Fuel Management MFD to transfer fuel to the ISS for refueling ships.

Or carry one of these up on a shuttle:

[ame="http://www.orbithangar.com/searchid.php?ID=2650"]simple tank payload 2.5[/ame]

---------- Post added at 06:48 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:46 PM ----------

Or launch one of these monsters on a Nova rocket:

[ame="http://www.orbithangar.com/searchid.php?ID=3105"]Jumbo Tanker v1.0[/ame]

 

[PriestLizard]

Hi ... bringing this old thread back to life with a small question related with the space station topic: how do I actually save a "bunch" of station blocks as a single ship? Is it possible to do that?

 

[insanity]

Yes, it is, but it can get a bit tedious. Once you get all your blocks in space and set-up all you have to do is keep the modules in the scenario file. In practice this means you have one file where you put some modules in, put them in space, edit the scenario file to add more modules (keeping the docked one's preserved) until you have a working space station. Once you're satisfied you can just copy all of the modules from one scenario to the next (or do what I do and have a scenario file with a few ships and the station that you continually fly in).

 

[Ark]

Greg Burch made some noticeable addons so you have building blocks to make your own space station.

If you want to make your own design, you might like to make an addon with your station.

Mustard's page has a lot of real-world station modules too.

 

[PhantomCruiser]

You can build your own space station? For real? :huh:

Do a search for the OFSS, it's a work-in-progress. AstroSammy is the overall coordinator/mission planner/chief architect, and has put tons of effort into it so far. Here's a few pics of earlier missions.



http://www.orbiter-forum.com/picture.php?albumid=161&pictureid=1314

 

[Andy44]

About transferring imaginary cargo between vessels; I treat Orbiter the way you treat a model railroad.

The model freight cars don't have any real freight inside them; they are just plastic shells. But you deliver a box car or a tank car to an industrial customer's siding and leave it "overnight". When the next train comes along, you consider the car to be empty or full and swap it with a car of the opposite status. In this manner, you can simulate a real railroad operation, while avoiding the tedium of unloading crates from boxcars.

Similarly, in Orbiter, I just deliver cargo modules from place to place and consider the contents "delivered" when the module is docked at its destination. My own addon series of lunar transport equipment is built with model railroad-style operations in mind.

 

[PriestLizard]

Yes, it is, but it can get a bit tedious. Once you get all your blocks in space and set-up all you have to do is keep the modules in the scenario file. In practice this means you have one file where you put some modules in, put them in space, edit the scenario file to add more modules (keeping the docked one's preserved) until you have a working space station. Once you're satisfied you can just copy all of the modules from one scenario to the next (or do what I do and have a scenario file with a few ships and the station that you continually fly in).

Hehe thanks for your reply. Actually my question was meant in a slighty different way however. The problem I have is the following: I bring all the pieces of my new space station to orbit and assemble them. Lets say its 15 pieces.

Then the first disadvantage will be: I have 15+ ships in the scenario editor when I want to edit something. But more important: my frame rate goes down because my scenario consists of SO MANY ships and my computer is busy calculating all of their orbit parameters etc. (even though they are docked together). If it could be possible to "merge" all the pieces into one station - like it is with the ISS station which is essentially just "1 ship" - it could save lots of computer ressources.

Basically I know it must be possible because you can download completely assembled stations in orbit hangar... you probably have to create a config-file or something... can anybody help?

Thanks and bye

 

[Nemoricus]

The problem is that the ISS is one ship. It's one mesh and vessel in its entirety. Space Station Building Blocks are multiple vessels with multiple meshes.

You would have to create a custom mesh with your space station exactly as it is.

I'm also fairly sure that the number of docking ports and attachment points on such a station would exceed the capabilities of spacecraft3. You would also have to create a custom .dll for your station.

However, if someone more knowledgeable would like to come up and correct me, go right ahead.

 

[RisingFury]

Also, orbit calculation is not the big reason why your computer is lagging. It's because it has to render all of the modules and display it on your screen.