FALCON9 for Orbiter2016
Falcon9 Block 5
Add-On for Orbiter 2016 (v. 160828)

INSTALLATION
Extract all files to the root of your Orbiter program directory, preserving the directory structure. This should NOT overwrite anything in the standard Orbiter package.
Note: If using Orbiter2024, set Texture Mipmaps to "Load As Defined"
(Orbiter Launchpad Video tab -> Advanced ->Texture MipMaps)


RECOMMENDED
LC39A SpaceX modified LC39A launchpad.
https://www.orbiter-forum.com/resources/lc39a-spacex.3092/

Orbiter2015 Hi-Res Texture Pack for West Coast USA EarthHi_11_05.zip
https://mirror.orbiter-radio.co.uk/orbiter/assets/packages/Earth/EarthHi_11_05.zip

OrbiterSound5.0
http://orbiter.dansteph.com/forum/index.php?page=download


WHAT'S IN THIS ADD-ON?
The SpaceX "Falcon9 Block 5" launcher, with recoverable 1st Stage and Fairings.
Historical OG2, NROL76, GPS3, GraceFO satellite launch scenarios and test scenarios.

Features optional Ascent-to-Orbit autopilot and 1st Stage Flyback-EDL autopilot, etc.
Optional Star48BV kick motor.
Recoverable Fairings with RCS, parafoil, autopilot guidance.
Payload "attachment" by editing scenario, or in-sim by payload name input.

Config file options: Expendable, No Fairing, Crew Dragon Adaptor, Cargo Dragon Adaptor, Custom Adaptor Mesh, Used Booster Skin, NASA Skin, Custom Fairing Logo, Fairing Recovery.

Also includes LC39A strongback, SLC40 and SLC4E launchpads, LZ landing pads.
ASDS booster recovery vessel, FRV fairing recovery vessel.
Elev_mod tiles for flat LZ areas at KSC and VAFB. 

QUICKSTART
Scenarios are in the "Falcon9 for Orbiter2016" folder on your Orbiter launch pad.
Select a scenario and press [V] at T-10 to start the ascent autopilot.

All launch parameters are set and 1st Stage Auto-Flyback-EDL to the ASDS, LZ1 or LZ2 is already enabled. Fairing recovery vessel FRV is on station.

SCENARIOS

OG2 launch - launch eleven OG-2 sats from SLC40 at 01:29 UTC, 22 Dec 2015
Target orbit 615 x 750km, 47 inc. Press [V] for ascent autopilot at T-10.

NROL76 launch  launch 10,000kg satellite from LC39A at 11:15 UTC, 01 May 2017
Target orbit 375km x 425km, 50 inc. Press [V] for ascent autopilot at T-10.

Test Scenarios
Various test-mass satellites to LEO, SSO*. 1st stage flyback to ASDS, LZ1, etc.

 *If you have the EarthHi_11_05.zip installed, use scenarios in the HiRes VAFB Scenarios sub-folder.
SCENARIOS using LC39A SpaceX add-on

If you want to use the LC39A SpaceX add-on (LC39A launch pad modified for SpaceX) please note that your scenario environment entries (between BEGIN_ENVIRONMENT and END_ENVIRONMENT) must include the line:
CONTEXT SpaceX


FALCON9 MAIN CONTROLS

Press K for Launch Control Panel display On/Off




FALCON9 COCKPIT SHORTCUTS

[K] = Open/Close Launch Control Panel
[V] = Start Launch Autopilot at T-10s
[J] = Manual jettison fairing or payload
[N] = Manual jettison 1st Stage
[E] = Set camera view +Z / -Z 
[B] = 2nd Stage Fuel Dump
[M] = Forward Lamp

Payload Management
New Payload  Enter payload name, will be attached to next available attach point.
There can be up to 20 payloads maximum.
See .cfg File Options section for attach point configuration.

Current Payload  Displays next payload for deployment.
Jettison button only available after Fairing separation.
Payloads are deployed in reverse order of attachment.

Total  Sum of payloads masses.

Target Orbit Parameters
Inclination - Enter target inclination (degrees, equatorial frame)
Use positive inclination for Northerly launch azimuth, negative inclination for Southerly azimuth. Inclination must be greater than current latitude.

Perigee - Enter target perigee (km.alt.)
Apogee - Enter target apogee (km.alt.)
If Perigee greater than Apogee, values are automatically swapped.


1st Stg. Apogee at MECO
Default value is automatically calculated from Apogee/Perigee.
Enter 1st Stage Apogee (km.alt.) at MECO (maximum 450km).


1st Stage Flyback-EDL
Flyback Autopilot Status - Enable or disable the 1st Stage flyback autopilot.

Flyback Target Name - Enter name of vessel(landed) or base for flyback target.
(Enter NULL for no target).

Flyback Mode - Change between the full FLYBACK-EDL sequence, and EDL ONLY which performs the targeted reentry and landing burns only (no Flyback burn).
EDL ONLY target must be located a few (20~30) km short of ballistic impact point of 1st Stage after separation. Obviously, you cannot return to launch site using EDL ONLY!

Flyback Fuel Reserve - Enter fuel reserved for 1st stage flyback (kg) (Maximum 80000kg)

Estimated Fuel Required - If the Falcon9 is on the launch pad, it will show a very aproximate estimate of the fuel required for the Flyback-EDL burns, based on current flyback target position, flyback mode and 1st stage apogee at MECO parameter.

Estimated ASDS Position - Shows aproximate position for ASDS vessel for 1st stage recovery, based on launch azimuth, flyback mode and 1st stage apogee at MECO.

NOTE: ASDS position influences the estimated fuel reserve  if you change ASDS position remember to Refresh the control panel for updated fuel reserve estimate.


Estimated FRV Position - Shows aproximate position for FRV (Fairing Recovery Vessel).

Launch Control
T-10 Launch Autopilot - Activate the Launch Autopilot at T-10 seconds. Can be stopped and re-started but this is NOT recommended, and can result in serious flight anomalies!

Launch Time UTC
Set  Enter lift-off time (UTC)
On/Off  Enable/disable launch timer (countdown is displayed and Launch Autopilot activated at T-10. Manual launch control [V] is disabled while Launch Timer is enabled)

Hardback Gantry
If Falcon9 is attached to the launch pad, you can raise or lower the Hardback.

Manual Jettison
Jettison Fairings - Manual fairing jettison.
Jettison 1st Stg. - Manual 1st stage jettison.

Refresh - Refresh the current parameters.


Launch Control Panel Notes
FLYBACK-EDL usually requires 30000kg  50000kg fuel reserve.
EDL ONLY fuel reserve is restricted to 23000kg.
The Estimated Fuel Required display is very rule of thumb and may not be reliable.
Setting a fuel reserve will reduce the maximum 1st  Stage Apogee by ~50km per 10000kg (from a maximum of 450km using no fuel reserve). Setting 1st Stage Apogee higher than current maximum will reduce fuel reserve by ~10000kg per 50km. Fuel reserve will compensate automatically for changes to apogee, and vice versa.


FALCON9 1st STAGE COCKPIT CONTROLS (post stage separation)

[K] = Enter Flyback Target
Enter name of vessel(landed) or surface base.

[M] = Set Flyback Mode
Change between the full FLYBACK-EDL sequence, and EDL ONLY mode.

[B] = Enable/Disable Flyback Autopilot
Current sequence status is shown on the HUD.

[P] = Engine Selection
Cycle through either 9, 3 or 1 engines (not available when Autopilot active)

[G] = Deploy Landing Gear

[E] = Set Camera +Z / -Z 	Set the camera view forwards or backwards.


FAIRINGS
Recoverable fairings (with parafoil) option is available via .cfg file.
If there is a recovery vessel named FRV, the fairings will try to guide themselves toward it. Parafoil deployment is automatic at 5-6km alt. Glide range ~20km, from 6km altitude.
[P] = Enable/Disable Autopilot


Launch Autopilot Sequence
T-10s ..........................................	Countdown
T -2s ........................................	Throttle-up to 100%
100m alt. .................................	Start roll to launch azimuth
57m/s vel. ................................	Start pitch down, follow gravity turn
30km alt. .................................	Start guidance steering, 4g limiter (3g for Dragon)
Flyback fuel res. limit reached.....	1st Stage MECO and separation, 2nd stage ignition
1st Stage separation +20s .......	Fairing separation
Final Orbit reached .................	2nd stage MECO



1st Stage FLYBACK-EDL Autopilot Sequence
1st Stage separation....................	Go to flyback burn attitude, perform burn (3 engines)
Burn complete..............................Go to reentry attitude
Reentry 100km - 20km alt.	 ......	Enable/perform reentry burn (3 engines)
Velocity < 2 Mach. .................	Enable aerodynamic steering
3km - 2km alt. .........................	Start landing burn, deploy landing gear (1 engine)



1st Stage EDL ONLY Autopilot Sequence
1st Stage separation....................	Go to reentry attitude
Reentry 100km - 20km alt.	 ......	Enable/perform reentry burn  (3 engines)
Velocity < 2 Mach. .................	Enable aerodynamic steering
3km - 2km alt. .........................	Start landing burn, deploy landing gear (1 engine)






PAYLOAD MANAGEMENT
You can attach any existing vessel during simulation runtime.
Press [K] for the Launch Control Panel, enter vessel name and click on [Attach] button. This will select the first available attachment point on the payload and attach it to Falcon9 at the next available attach point.

You can also edit the scenario manually by adding the ATTACHED line to the payload vessel entry. (See included scenarios for examples).

There can be up to 20 payloads.
Falcon9 payload attach points can be set in the .cfg file (see .cfg File Options section)

Payloads are jettisoned in reverse order of attachment.

Jettison speed is 1m/s along attachment direction vector.

Payload jettison is disabled while fairings are in place.



.cfg FILE OPTIONS
Config files for the Falcon9 are located in Config/Vessels/Falcon9R_V12/  folder.
Add the following lines for the required variant:

Dragon = 1					Add adaptor for Cargo Dragon, no fairing
Dragon = 2					Add adaptor for Crew Dragon, no fairing
NoFairing = 1					No fairing
FairRecovery = 1					Recoverable fairings (with parafoil)
Adaptor = Falcon9R_V12/star48bv_adaptor    		Add custom mesh to 2nd stage payload ring.
Expendable = 1					Passive 1st stage post separation.
Charred = 1 or 2					Charred or Very Charred  booster skin.
FairingTex = Falcon9R_V12/f9_fair_logo.dds		Custom fairing skin.
NASASkin = 1 or 2					NASA livery, all or upperstage only


Set the Falcon9 payload attachment points position, direction, rotation.
20 maximum (PayloadAttach0 ? PayloadAttach19) e.g.

PayloadAttach0 = 0 0 26.646 0 0 1 0 1 0	(default position)
PayloadAttach1 = 0 0 28.646 0 0 1 0 1 0
etc.

See examples: 			
f9_v12.cfg
f9_v12_charred.cfg
f9_v12_drg.cfg
f9_v12_expendable.cfg
f9_v12_nofairrecovery.cfg
f9_v12_star48.cfg
f9_v12_og2.cfg


STAR48BV KICK-MOTOR
An optional Star48BV solid rocket motor is included. It can be attached to the Falcon9R like any other payload. 

A further payload can be attached to the Star48BV during simulation by pressing [P] and entering vessel name, or edit the ATTACHED parameter in the scenario file before starting the sim.

Payload mass is added to Star48BV.

A 62" to 48" adaptor for attaching the Star48BV to the Falcon9 is included (see Fairing / Payload Adaptor Options)

[P] = Enter Payload Name
Attach any existing vessel to the Star48BV, at the payload interface ring.

[J] = Jettison Payload

Once ignited, the Star48BV will burn at full throttle until depletion.


LAUNCH PADS and LANDING PADS

Launch pads feature retractable gantry, LOX vent and liftoff smoke effects, auto night lights.

[G] = Raise / Lower Gantry	[M] = Water Deluge On/Off
[K] = Night Lights On/Off		[V] = LOX vent On/Off
[B] = Crew Access Arm Extend/Retract
[N] = Crew Access Arm Visible/Invisible
[P] = Attach Launcher to Pad (enter name, any existing vessel)

LAUNCH PAD "HOLD DOWN"
If Falcon9R is attached to launch pad (see ATTACHED parameter in scenario file), attachment is released when Falcon9 main engine reaches %95 thrust (after 2 seconds if using Launch Autopilot) 

LZ LANDING PADS and ASDS BARGE
Auto proximity night lights  illuminated when any vessel approaches within 5km.
ASDS should be placed along the launch groundtrack, some distance ahead of the 1st Stage Core at separation (or close to 1st Stage ballistic impact point if EDL ONLY flyback mode is selected)

[N] = Landing Pad Mesh Visible/Invisible (LZ pad only)

FRV FAIRING RECOVERY VESSEL
Place further along flightpath than ASDS, estimated pos. shown on Launch Control Panel.

Will collect and stow fairings if they fall within the net. 

Max speed ~30kts, data on HUD, night lights. 

Must be named FRV for fairing guidance.

MULTIPLE LAUNCHERS
If you want to use more than one Falcon9 in your scenario, you will need to do a little engineering!

Make a copy of the f9_v12.dll module (for each extra launcher) and re-name it (e.g. f9_v12_duplicate.dll).

Similarly, make a copy of f9_v12.cfg, re-name it (e.g. f9_v12_duplicate.cfg)
Open it with a text editor (e.g. Notepad) and change the Module line to point to your renamed .dll, thus:
Module = Falcon9R_V12/f9_v12_duplicate

Ensure the scenario vessel entry points to your new f9_v12_duplicate.cfg, e.g.
Falcon9_002:Falcon9R_V12\f9_v12_duplicate
FALCON 9 ADD-ON SPECS

1st Stage Empty Mass				22200 kg
1st Stage Fuel Mass				402500 kg
1st Stage Max Thrust SL				846200 N x 9
1st Stage RCS (gimballed main engines) 	38000 N (4 pairs, pitch/yaw/roll)
1st Stage ISP SL					2767 Ns/kg
1st Stage ISP Vac					3051 Ns/kg
1st Stage RCS(N) Fuel Mass			300 kg
1st Stage RCS(N) Max. Thrust 			1200 N (6 pairs)
1st Stage RCS(N) ISP SL				800 Ns/kg

2nd Stage Empty Mass				4300 kg
2nd Stage Fuel Mass				104275 kg
2nd Stage Max Thrust Vac			979800 N
2nd Stage RCS (gimballed main engine) 	13000 N (pitch/yaw)
2nd Stage ISP Vac					3433 Ns/kg
2nd Stage RCS(N) Fuel Mass			100 kg
2nd Stage RCS(N) Max. Thrust			500 N (4 pairs)
2nd Stage RCS(N) ISP Vac			800 Ns/kg
Payload Interface Ring				1.57m diameter

Fairing Mass (each)					875 kg
Fairing RCS(N) Fuel Mass	 (each)		40 kg

Star48BV Empty Mass				144.7 kg
Star48BV Fuel Mass				2011.8 kg
Star48BV Max Thrust Vac				68720 N
Star48BV ISP Vac					2865.5 Ns/kg
Star48BV RCS Fuel Mass				20 kg
Payload Interface Ring				1.05m diameter


PERFORMANCE - 1st Stage Recovery Mode / Orbit Type / Max.Payload

Expendable
ASDS (EDL only)
ASDS (Flyback EDL)
LZ(Flyback-EDL)
LEO
22500kg
18500kg
16000kg
15000kg
GTO
8300kg
6300kg
5500kg
?
SSO
Direct
?
?
7000kg
6000kg
SSO
2-burn
?
?
12500kg
?
ISS
?
15000kg
?
?

LEO 		200 x 200km				28.61 inc.	KSC
GTO		200 x 300km + 2500m/s dV	28.61 inc.	KSC
SSO direct	700 x 700km				96.00 inc.	VAFB
SSO 2-burn	200 x 700km + 150m/s dV		96.00 inc.	VAFB
ISS		313 x 333km				51.65 inc	KSC


NOTES
When main engine is off, attitude control is by cold nitrogen thrusters. RCS Nitrogen is very limited.

I've tried to make the performance of the Falcon9 as realistic as possible, given the estimates, data, information and mis-information I have managed to gather on the www.

The ascent, flyback, landing and parafoil guidance algorithms are entirely my own nonsense, just to see if and how it can be done.

Estimations of ASDS and FRV location are not always reliable, especially with high PeA, high Inc., Flyback to LZ combination.

T-10 countdown, stage separation call-out, fairing separation call-out.

Thanks as ever to Dr.S, Don, Barry, Fred18, IronRain, Kyle and everyone else.

Special thanks to Marg and francisdrake for exhaust and contrail textures, and Donamy for  grid-fins :-)

BrianJ
Nov 2022
