Let me break down exactly what I do for my missions. This'll seem pedantic, but please bear with it - I'd rather leave the dumb stuff in than leave any useful stuff out. Also remember that my key bindings are very likely configured differently from yours.
1) I press 2 to bring up Starport Services.
2) I press my selection button on my joystick.
I use my mouse usually for the next few steps.
3) I move the selection from repairs to 'REFUEL ALL' (if functional, as some outposts do not have refueling - also assuming you do not have a fuel scoop), then select that to refill my fuel tanks and reservoir.
4) I move down to select 'REPAIR ALL', then select that to fix any damage I have (if functional - again, if either 'REFUEL ALL' or 'REPAIR ALL' are red and say '(UNAVAILABLE)', you either don't need it, or it's not available at the station)
5) I move back to the first column to select 'BULLETIN BOARD' to complete any missions I may be turning in, and selecting them, as they are at the top of the list.
6) I select and accept any new missions that I feel I want to take on, if there are any.
7) I then return to the first column to select 'CONTACTS,' going through all three selections there (I might have gained a bounty, a fine, bounty voucher, or combat bond voucher.)
8) I select 'BACK' to return to the 'HOME' menu, then if I'm replacing hardware on my ship, I select 'OUTFITTING', or if I'm getting a new ship, I select 'SHIPYARD' and do what people all do in there. (I know you can do this bit.
)9) I select 'UNIVERSAL CARTOGRAPHICS to sell any exploration data I picked up.
10) Lastly, I select 'COMMODITIES MARKET' to sell any cargo I intend to drop off at this station, and buy new cargo if that is my intention.
11) I then press '1' to look at my left pop-up monitor to determine my next flight path by...
12) ensuring that I am on 'NAVIGATION' (using 'W' or 'E' to move left or right through the tabs), then scrolling down to see if the next stop is in that list - if it is, I select it, or I move to the 'GALAXY MAP' to select the stop from there (if it is too far for one jump)
13) I press '2' twice, then move the selection to 'LAUNCH'
14) After my docking restraints are removed, I use my joystick POV button to move straight up, use my joystick Button 10 to retract my landing gear, then at the right height, I use my joystick throttle to start increasing my speed to leave the station.
15) Once I am far enough away from the station or outpost, I align myself with the next system I'm jumping to (whether it's a destination or the next leg of my journey) I increase my speed to 100%, then press 'J' (I use 'J' for both system jumping OR entering/leaving hyperspace).
16) Once the countdown starts, I move my joystick throttle to 0% so I don't continue moving into the star's corona when I jump into the next system.
17a) If I am moving to a different system than the one I jumped into (i.e. I'm doing a multiple jump to a specific system), I align myself with the next system, then repeat 15) and 16). If the next system is pointing on the periphery of the current system's star, I fly towards it at 100% throttle, passing the star and waiting until my temperature drops enough that I am not at 100% heat when I'm charging my Frame Shift Drive.
17b) If I am at my destination system, I press '1' to bring up my pop-up screen, then use the 'NAVIGATION' tab to select the station or outpost I want to fly to, 'LOCK DESTINATION'
18) I then press '1' again, then align myself with the selected station/outpost (this is done using the sphere to the left of the heat display - if the dot in it is hollow, it is behind me, and I flip over until it is filled in, and in the center of my sphere - this is regardless of system jumping or simply flying in the system), then increase my speed until the speed 'needle' turns blue.
19) I adjust my bearings while flying to the station, as the closer I get, the more out I might be in pointing at the station.
20) If the speed needle is blue, it will automatically adjust your speed.
21) Once I am within 1 Mm (million meters) of the station, and my speed is less than 1000 km/s, I press 'J' to jump out of hyperspace.
22) I approach the station to within 7.5 km (my preference is to wait until I am facing the entrance of the station/or am closer if it is an outpost (I NEVER know what end is up, and I like the extra time to align myself). If it is a station, I align myself so the station is at the top of my screen, so I can see it.
23) I press '1' to bring up the pop-up screen on my left, then press 'W' or 'E' to move to 'CONTACTS', then select the station/outpost, and 'REQUEST DOCKING.'
24) I recommend that you drop your landing gear now until you get used to docking. I feather my joystick throttle to enter the station, and approach the landing pad.
25) NOTE: THE LANDING PAD'S YELLOW CATWALK *MUST* BE ON YOUR RIGHT, WHICH IF YOU ARE APPROACHING THE PAD FROM WHERE THE ANGLED PLATE IS, IT WILL BE. IF IT IS *NOT*, YOU MUST COME AROUND. (This applies if you go too far in the station, or if you are landing on an outpost as, for me, nine times out of ten, I seem to be on the wrong wide of the landing pad at an outpost.)
26) When you are aligned with the blue line (it'll show up, once you are close enough to the landing pad, and aligned sorta okay), you slowly move forward and down (the down is optional at this point - kinda), until the entire section of the landing 'diagram' is blue, then you can use vertical keys/joystick buttons/whatever you set to lower the ship, which if you are horizontal, will complete the landing. Sometimes, I do it one way (gradually moving forward/down), and sometimes the other (just moving forward, aligning, then using my joystick POV button to lower.)
27) YOU ARE LANDED, AND YOU RETURN TO 1).
This took a long time to write, but I hope it helps.
Have a wonderful day!
Commander Leslie
Patient.
Canadian.
Friendly.
Still missing shields and a weapon.
