Is docking the only way to transfer fuel between vessels?

[SpaceBikerV]

I got this mission where i have to reposition a satellite, but the satellite has no fuel or a docking port. Can i just position a vessel adjacent and transfer fuel that way?

[FourGreenFields]

No, or at least not without mods.

Depending on your difficulty settings, you can use the CLAW to "dock" and transfer fuel - however, if fuel transfer obeys crossfeed rules this will not be possible.

It should be possible to use the CLAW to move the docking vehicle and the sat into the right orbit with the docking vehicle's fuel.

Also - sats can easily be built to have several thousand Δv left once in the designated orbit (not quite as much with a mat bay perhaps, I don't usually bother with that). Few components that have high weight, and you don't need good thrust-to-weight for the last stage, giving plenty of fuel for the engine(s).

[SpaceBikerV]

Originally posted by FourGreenFields:

No, or at least not without mods.

Depending on your difficulty settings, you can use the CLAW to "dock" and transfer fuel - however, if fuel transfer obeys crossfeed rules this will not be possible.

It should be possible to use the CLAW to move the docking vehicle and the sat into the right orbit with the docking vehicle's fuel.

Also - sats can easily be built to have several thousand Δv left once in the designated orbit (not quite as much with a mat bay perhaps, I don't usually bother with that). Few components that have high weight, and you don't need good thrust-to-weight for the last stage, giving plenty of fuel for the engine(s).

Good to know, but I don't have the claw unlocked yet haha.

About that sat design, would it be best to use a single massive fuel tank, or multiple tanks that lead to one engine, or multi tank multi engine?

[FourGreenFields]

Originally posted by SpaceBikerV:

About that sat design, would it be best to use a single massive fuel tank, or multiple tanks that lead to one engine, or multi tank multi engine?

I most commonly use several tanks (as in, one or several tank-parts in the middle, and more attached radially) that can be decoupled as some of the tanks empty.

I mostly use one engine (Spark on smaller sats; depends on the size of the relay antenna, because I use the sats for contracts to put as many relays in orbit(s) as possible), but have also used one Ant on the main body, and another one each on two radial fuel tanks (because dropping below 0.05 thrust-to-weight just isn't fun).

[Chibbity]

If you are very determined to complete it and very careful; you could potentially send another vessel up with a "cage" or manual "grapple" system allowing it to hold on to said satellite and push it about. Even a big pusher plate on the front would work.

Be forewarned that you won't be able to timewarp, and that damage to the satellite is possible.

[Jupiter3927]

You can also use the klaw to grab the satellite and move it to the designated changed orbit and release it.
It should keep all of its original vessel information while you're grabbing it.

[SkiRich]

Download kerbal attachment system. (KAS)
This mod should have been part of the game to begin with.
You could EVA up to the SAT and do a fuel transfer with the attached fuel line.

[Eekhoorn]

Originally posted by SkiRich:

Download kerbal attachment system. (KAS)
This mod should have been part of the game to begin with.
You could EVA up to the SAT and do a fuel transfer with the attached fuel line.

+1
Also download KIS to go along with it

[miklkit]

Originally posted by Eekhoorn:

Originally posted by SkiRich:

Download kerbal attachment system. (KAS)
This mod should have been part of the game to begin with.
You could EVA up to the SAT and do a fuel transfer with the attached fuel line.

+1
Also download KIS to go along with it :gearthumbsup:

+1

[SpaceBikerV]

Originally posted by SkiRich:

Download kerbal attachment system. (KAS)
This mod should have been part of the game to begin with.
You could EVA up to the SAT and do a fuel transfer with the attached fuel line.

I came looking for copper but I found gold. As another feature, KAS makes for a tether system for EVAs

+1

[SpaceBikerV]

Thanks for your help, all. I just refueled my satellite in addition to learning on how to use KAS and KIS.

Unfortunately I forgot to bring a wrench so I couldn't attach a relay on the same satellite...