Oolite Bulletins

Hey everyone

Sorry to ask a (probably) stupid question, but every time I try and enter a docking station I'm told I don't have docking clearance. I googled 'how to get docking clearance in oolite' and found this page (http://wiki.alioth.net/index.php/Oolite ... _or_later)), which I thought solved my problem. Following the instructions on it, I tried to target the docking station by clicking it but nothing happened. How can I request docking clearance?

Target the station then use shift+l to request clearance - and welcome aboard, Commander!

Thanks! Hopefully I won't be fined this time

EDIT: Okay, now I really do sound like an idiot, but how do I target the station? Do I click on it? Press a button? Nothing's working...

Welocme aboard. Just a little clarification here, you do not target the station by clicking on it, but by using the ID Computer ('r' key) or the Missile Target key ('t), then bringing it inside your crosshairs.

Might be worth running through the in-game tutorial.

another_commander wrote:

Welocme aboard. Just a little clarification here, you do not target the station by clicking on it, but by using the ID Computer ('r' key) or the Missile Target key ('t), then bringing it inside your crosshairs.

... Although I'd have to say the ID computer ('r' key) would be the preferred method. Accidentally launching a missile at the main station is a good way to get your docking clearance revoked (along with your right to keep breathing).

Disembodied wrote:

Accidentally launching a missile at the main station is a good way to get your docking clearance revoked (along with your right to keep breathing).

A mistake that should only ever be made once, is that.

Docking tip: a slow approach ain't necessarily the best way - speed actually helps!

It is also posible to switch off docking clearance protocol in the game options from the F2 screen if you don't want that aspect of the game.

Venator Dha wrote:

It is also posible to switch off docking clearance protocol in the game options from the F2 screen if you don't want that aspect of the game.

Though a big advantage of docking clearance when starting to learn to dock is that it makes sure the station won't launch a ship into your face at a crucial moment.

cim wrote:

Venator Dha wrote:

It is also posible to switch off docking clearance protocol in the game options from the F2 screen if you don't want that aspect of the game.

Though a big advantage of docking clearance when starting to learn to dock is that it makes sure the station won't launch a ship into your face at a crucial moment.

As a user of docking clearance I never knew that

Venator Dha wrote:

cim wrote:

Though a big advantage of docking clearance when starting to learn to dock is that it makes sure the station won't launch a ship into your face at a crucial moment.

As a user of docking clearance I never knew that

Think of all the fun you've been missing

cim wrote:

Venator Dha wrote:

It is also posible to switch off docking clearance protocol in the game options from the F2 screen if you don't want that aspect of the game.

Though a big advantage of docking clearance when starting to learn to dock is that it makes sure the station won't launch a ship into your face at a crucial moment.

Honestly, hasn't happened to me yet. Either I'm completely lucky or the probability is just too low to notice.

maik wrote:

Honestly, hasn't happened to me yet. Either I'm completely lucky or the probability is just too low to notice.

It's very unlikely to happen to an experienced pilot because they spend about two seconds in the "too close to do much about it" zone if that, and consistently approach close to straight-on so triggering the "object in launch corridor" state which suspends launching.

A new pilot approaching the dock extremely cautiously from a slightly off-angle could easily spend a minute or more slowly adjusting position while not actually blocking a launch, and a ship will launch every few minutes in most systems.

It happened to me once, and I found myself travelling backwards from the impact - quite disconcerting, watching the station recede!

And of course, we must never forget that the exact reason docking clearance exists in the first place, is because some of us became fed up with having ships on our face while trying to approach. So yeah, it is possible and the docking protocol guarantees that it won't happen again.