Either user error or docking problem

speedysteve1980 · Dec 23, 2014

Hi All,

After being a long term backer I've finally found some time to play!

I took on a mission in my Eagle to deliver a package to a nearby starport (Hillarys Starport). Managed to get there fine. Requested docking clearance....proceed to landing pad 3......landing gear extended.....lined up properly....descended onto pad and nothing happened. It just sat there with the docking timer clicking down ......

I used vertical thruster.....tried again and nothing once more. I cancelled the docking request and tried again. This time to landing pad 2. Got there and exactly the same....I'd land on the pad but it would not dock.

Grrr. I can only assume a user error but any ideas?

Thanks

Whiterose · Dec 23, 2014

I take it this is an outpost. Do you have the docking aim graphic that comes up? if not after landing, set speed to zero and turn your ship around, it may be facing the wrong way.

speedysteve1980 · Dec 23, 2014

Thanks. Yes it's an outpost.

The first time (landing pad 3) the docking aim graphic appeared. Could well have been that. Thanks

The 2nd time (landing pad 2) no docking aim graphic appeared at all.

Whiterose · Dec 23, 2014

Its a bit glitchy on the outposts. landing and spinning round usually works.

SpartanBeef · Dec 23, 2014

speedysteve1980 said:
Thanks. Yes it's an outpost.
The 2nd time (landing pad 2) no docking aim graphic appeared at all.

This happened to me as well yesterday. If I remember correctly it was a persistent bug in beta and early gamma but I thought it had been squashed. It only seems to happen at outposts.
As far as I know the only way to fix it is to move at least 1km away from the station and request docking permission again. If you request docking permission closer to the station it just happens again and again.

Not sure about the first time though. Hope this helps in some way.

speedysteve1980 · Dec 23, 2014

Thanks Guys,

Appreciate the info.

Ironic that my first trip out in my Eagle led to a failed mission (ran out of time) and to cap it off a 300cr fine for loitering too long around a Landing Zone. *Guffaaw*

Guess I'll be avoiding Outposts for now then.

Cmdr Cali · Dec 23, 2014

I've experienced it several times, mostly on outposts. Never get the docking aim graphic. Only solution is to back off, cancel docking, and rerequest it in order to land properly. And YES I am facing the right direction.

I've tried to document it using some capture software, but haven't been able to get a good recording yet.

Oh, by the way. If you're inside a station DON'T cancel the request, fly out first and then cancel ;-) - Otherwise you only get 5 mins to leave the station.

Lucas Kell · Dec 23, 2014

At an outpost, a good thing to remember is that you should always be facing the control tower, and when you arrive and see the orange highlight, the bay number should be on that side too, so if the bay number is on the side closest to you, you are the wrong way round.

Once that's all figured out, sometimes landing o nthe pad doesn't give the graphic. Try to get as close to the middle of the pad as you can, with the landing gear down and drop down to the ground. Then wiggle yourself back and forward a bit and you'll usually get docked.

Docking criteria appears to be:
- Landing Gear (down)
- Rotation (facing tower)
- Position (about centre)
- Height (on the ground)
- Speed (nil)
You need to be within a magic threshold for all of these.