Problem I Cannot Rendezvous the ISS

[Johan2011]

Im trying to Launch the Stock Atlantis to the ISS but Cannot Rendezvous to the ISS. Can anybody Help Please?

 

[moonheart]

This should get you started:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLirZuGIPJhSUNdOMkcEu55WlyIaHdhFjh

 

[jedidia]

The stock Atlantis is really hard to fly, because you're doing it all manually while having propellant tolerances close to an actual shuttle (i.e. next to none)...

 

[Arvil]

Yeah, I usually launch with limited fuel on until almost in orbit to eject the external tank, then turn off the limited fuel to finish orbit, rendezvous, and dock. Otherwise, I usually run out of gas.

 

[C3PO]

Capt. Obvious here.
Launching realistic craft requires precision, because the margins are small compared to sci-fi craft.
The most important thing is to launch into the correct plane. (RInc close to zero)
Secondly, you can use time instead fuel to reach the intercept point. Plan for small burns and use orbital mechanics to arrive without high closing rates.

If you don't want to do complex math or use advanced MFDs, you could practise using the Deltaglider to train your brain in the "weird" world of orbital mechanics. It can take some time (at least for me, it did), but you might enjoy it (I certainly did!!!).

 

[STS]

This should get you started:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLirZuGIPJhSUNdOMkcEu55WlyIaHdhFjh

An alternative (Orbiter 2010 but still applies to 2016):

 

[evp143]

Just read the instructions Orbiter User Manual 18.5