posted 12-17-2005 12:01 PM               

It requires Windows, a decent 3D graphics card (in general the $50 to $79 Geforce and ATI cards will cut it). It uses DirectX for graphics. Screenshots can be seen here.

In the upcoming release the level 10 textures are detailed enough to identify lakes around your hometown that are a couple of miles in size.

The most comprehensive download sites are Orbit Hangar Mods and Orbit Mods. The latter are where the really large add-ons.

Orbiter is a general purpose space simulator where you can fly a variety of historical, semi-realistic, and science fiction space craft. It is a simulator not a game.

My own addons are here and include a Project Mercury that is accurate down to the switch. And the ongoing Project Gemini which is currently be developed to be switch accurate.

Another team is also creating a switch accurate model of Apollo.

While not as detailed as the simulators that NASA uses the physics are accurate enough that we had several people successfully duplicate the mission plans of Apollo, and others down to the second.

posted 05-04-2006 09:09 PM               

• Improved planetary surface rendering: Planets can now be rendered at twice the resolution of the previous version. In low orbits and close to the surface, this provides a significant improvement in visual appearance. Other new features include "specular ripples" on ocean surfaces, and better coastline transitions.

• Flight recorder and playback function: Simulations can now be recorded and replayed. Together with the option of annotating recorded flights, this opens a new dimension for demonstrations and tutorials. Several annotated tutorial recordings are included.

• Scenario editor: A new editor module allows to create, edit and delete spacecraft in a running simulation. Creating scenarios is now much easier.

• Visual helpers: Force vectors and coordinate axes for vessels can now be shown directly in the simulation window.

• External MFDs: Multifunctional displays can now be opened in separate windows. They provide more information, and are also available in external views.

• Mouse-active Glass Cockpit: The generic "glass cockpit" view now includes buttons for MFDs and most common operations, so even ships which lack custom instrument panels can be operated without memorizing many key commands.

• Enhanced lighting effects: Spacecraft can now enter a planet's shadow. Support for light beacons has been added to help find them in the dark.

• Improved physics: Gravity-gradient torque effects are now implemented. Vessels in low orbit will now experience torques as a result of their mass distribution. Orbiter's model of angular motion has also been extensively overhauled.

Key features

• Realistic physics. Planetary motion, gravitation effects, free space and atmospheric flight are accurately modelled.
  
• You can land your ship at a space port on a planet surface, or dock to an orbital station.
  
• High resolution planetary maps provide some nice visual effects.
  
• Configurable environment. Users can add planets, space ships and space stations to the existing universe, or design a completely new solar system from scratch. The Orbiter Software Development Kit contains libraries and sample C++ code for addon developers who want to write plugins.

posted 05-10-2006 08:40 AM               

Orbiter is a realistic and accurate simulation of orbital and atmospheric physics. It is written by Dr. Martin Schweiger of London England. It a general purpose simulation in which you can setup nearly scenario you want in the Solar System or even a custom built solar system.

Most this configuration is accomplished through text files editable in Notepad. Orbiter physic engine also has an emphasis on visual beauty. High Resolution Textures, Clouds, Shadows, Sun glare, Atmospheric Shading are all supported in Orbiter.

Orbiter comes with the space shuttle, and a set of high powered spacecraft that while don't exist are plausible. The Deltaglider is similar to the Space Shuttle, the Shuttle-A is designed for use in traveling in space, and the Dragonfly is a space tug for orbital work. All three support cockpits with switches and system. Orbiter supports add-on spacecrafts, modules, and planets through the use of text config file and/or a C++ programming API.

Downloads are divided into a Base Package, a Software Development Kit package, and series of high resolution planetary textures for our solar System. The software is free to download and use for non-commerical purposes. The most comprehensive site for Orbiter Add-ons is here.

I am the maintainer and a developer of Project Mercury for Orbiter and the Project Gemini for Orbiter add-ons. In addition I support the development of Project Apollo for Orbiter (NASSP).

The goal of these add-ons is to create a highly accurate simulation of the historical NASA spacecraft of the 1960s. This includes setting up every switch, dial, and knob to work as they did in the original NASA craft. The ultimate goal is that you could use the historical flight documentation to fly the original flight themselves or create your own missions.

Currently Project Mercury for Orbiter is the most complete simulation of the three. Project Apollo for Orbiter is in the middle of a massive update that will see nearly every panel and system working. This includes a simulation of the CSM and LEM Guidance Computers running the actual code that was used during Project Apollo. Project Gemini is being updated to the level of the first two project. These three are open-source projects with the source code available for anybody to look underneath the hood or to improve.

Also recommended is Earth 1962 which setup up an alternative Earth for Orbiter that mimics the state of rocket facilities as they were in the 1960's.

There another Project Apollo called ASMO that add-on has the same physical parameters as the NASSP version but used the orbiter controls to fly the spacecraft. This makes it considerably easier to fly the craft for the novice.

I recommend you fly the more sophisticated add-ons in the same order that NASA flew them; Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo. The Mercury capsule can run any part of the mission automatically leaving it to you to decide when to take over control. Gemini and Apollo add-ons will fly into orbit automatically but they are much more hand-ons once you are there. Apollo is considerably more complex than Gemini. Gemini will allow you to practice maneuvering in orbit, rendezvous, and docking.

All of these add-ons come with extensive documentation, along with links to historical document.

posted 01-09-2008 12:54 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Jay Chladek:
You want a real thrill, try managing a landing of a shuttle from orbit down to the runway WITHOUT any of the computer aids and doing it manually.

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Gemini used a lifting capsule for it's re-entry so it had the capability to be steered within a several hundred mile foot print.

To see if I got the math right I had to fly many many re-entries.

OK roll right for 30 seconds. Now to the left for 25 seconds, now back to the right for 35 seconds. (Reaches for a sip of coke) Now heads down for 15 seconds and on and on and on.