Performing a Rendezvous and Docking maneuver in Kerbal Space Program (KSP) involves two main stages: getting your spacecraft close together in orbit (rendezvous) and then carefully aligning and connecting the two craft (docking). Below is a detailed procedure to guide you through each phase, along with additional tips for success.

Rendezvous Procedure

1. Set the Target:
– Open the map view and right-click on your target spacecraft. Select “Set as Target” to facilitate tracking its orbit.

2. Match Orbital Planes:
– To effectively rendezvous, align your orbit’s inclination with that of the target’s orbital plane. This involves making adjustments to your orbital inclination to ensure your path intersects with the target’s orbit.

3. Adjust Your Orbit to Catch the Target:
– If your spacecraft is in a lower orbit, it will move faster than the one in a higher orbit. You’ll need to catch up to the target by performing the following:
– Use burns near the ascending or descending nodes (points where your orbit crosses the target’s orbital plane).
– Execute a prograde burn if you are below the target, or a retrograde burn if you are above, adjusting your intercept trajectory accordingly.

4. Create Maneuver Nodes:
– Add maneuver nodes to your orbit in the map view to calculate the trajectory adjustments needed. Focus on minimizing the distance and relative velocity between your spacecraft and the target.

5. Execute the Maneuver and Fine-tune:
– Carry out the planned burn at the maneuver node. After the burn, utilize small engine or RCS adjustments to fine-tune your approach. Aim to reduce the closest approach distance to less than a kilometer, ideally just a few meters for safe docking.

Docking Procedure

1. Activate Docking Mode:
– Right-click on the docking port of your vessel. Select “Control From Here” to focus controls on the docking port, and then activate docking mode, which switches your controls to RCS thrusters for precision movement.

2. Face Your Docking Port Towards the Target’s Docking Port:
– Rotate your spacecraft so that its docking port is aligned with that of the target. Ensuring this alignment is crucial for a successful connection.

3. Close the Distance Slowly:
– Employ the translation controls, typically mapped to the T, G, H, and Y keys, to gently approach the target. Keep your relative velocity to nearly zero to prevent any potential collision damage during the final approach.

4. Align Your Approach Vector:
– As you close in, adjust your spacecraft’s orientation and lateral movement to maintain alignment between the two docking ports. This is key to achieving a successful dock.

5. Connect Docking Ports:
– When your ports touch, they will automatically connect and latch together. Ensure that no solar panels or other components obstruct the path to your docking port during this final maneuver.

Additional Tips

– Use Lights for Visibility: Activate docking port lights in low-light situations to enhance visibility during the docking process.

– Practice Makes Perfect: Docking can be challenging due to the precision required, so frequent practice helps improve your skills and build confidence.

– Smooth and Slow Maneuvers: Conduct slow, controlled movements near the target to avoid crashes. The greater the precision, the more likely you will achieve successful docking without damage.

This overview applies to both KSP and KSP2, with consistent core principles across both versions. Remember that effective docking requires at least one docking port on each vessel, ensuring that they can connect based on size class specifications. Happy docking!