Airlock Locating
- Thread starter Jako
- Start date
The space stations always rotate the same way; you can use this to work out which is the correct side.
Alternatively you can target it and maneuver your ship, using the image on the lower/left target display to find out where the slot is, or where it isn't, by a process of elimination.
The "door" is always on the axis (the imaginary line the station spins on), and it's always the end that turns anti-clockwise.
If you select the station as a target on your display, it'll show the "door" on the hologram.
The "door" always has illuminated billboards outside it, and there'll be more "traffic" on that end of the station that'll show up on your scanner.
If you're approaching the station from the "side" and it appears to be rotating downwards, turn to your right to find the door. If it's rotating upwards, turn left.
If you select the station as a target on your display, it'll show the "door" on the hologram.
The "door" always has illuminated billboards outside it, and there'll be more "traffic" on that end of the station that'll show up on your scanner.
If you're approaching the station from the "side" and it appears to be rotating downwards, turn to your right to find the door. If it's rotating upwards, turn left.
You can also tell the direction to docking port is in by using your right hand. Hold your right hand as if showing someone a thumbs up, rotate your hand/ wrist so your fingers follow the rotation of the station, your thumb should now be pointing in the same direction as the docking port.
The docking port should also be facing the planet, so if you are coming from behind and have the the planet in view, do a flyby fill the screen with planet cut your engines and do a 180 and you should be looking at the docking port.
That worked in all the previous Elite games and with only a few hours experience in Elite Dangerous it is amazing that flight techniques I used 30 years ago still work now. It has put a big grin on my face and I can feel the DNA of the 1984 Elite coarsing through this game!
That worked in all the previous Elite games and with only a few hours experience in Elite Dangerous it is amazing that flight techniques I used 30 years ago still work now. It has put a big grin on my face and I can feel the DNA of the 1984 Elite coarsing through this game!
On your approach, roll your ship and orient it so the station appears to rotate laterally from right to left. The door will then always be located on the bottom. I find this approach ideal since it keeps the station in view through the uppermost portion of your forward facing cockpit window. Also, this allows for easy airlock alignment, as your turn to final is a simple pitch up.
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I've noticed that as well. However I have found that if I exit frame shift between the station and planet I'm almost always somewhere in the same hemisphere as the entrance, and can see it.
Its no longer like that which is a shame because it made docking a lot easier back in 1984
Another trick to use if you can't get used to the counter-clockwise trick is to look at the image to the left of radar when you have the station targeted. It will rotate as you alter your orientation in relation to the station, kind of giving you the ability to peer around onto sides you can't yet see visually, if you see what I mean.
To be honest, the best way is to just learn to read the location from the stations rotation. Sometimes at a distance its not easy for me when the station is at an angle so I just rotate until the stations silhouette is a square then its easy, no matter how far away it is.
To be honest, the best way is to just learn to read the location from the stations rotation. Sometimes at a distance its not easy for me when the station is at an angle so I just rotate until the stations silhouette is a square then its easy, no matter how far away it is.