XR5 Vanguard - Modern NASA liveryUpdated 18 March 2012. FINAL update.
Overview:
This is a top-skin remake of the XR5, in the form of NASA's current livery. The intention is to present a realistic-looking vehicle.
Change Log (V2.2):
* Rendered texture using the correct procedure. Result guaranteed to improve crew morale: Cockpit-rear overhead windows now exhibit transparency.
* Added representation of PIVRO and SIVRO. These are cameras built into the tips of the winglets on either side of the ship. The Port / Starboard Infra-red / Visual Spectra Re-entry Observatory was, operationally speaking, employed most heavily during orbiter development and spaceworthiness trials to determine the effectiveness of the vehicle's thermal protection system during re-entry.
* Solar panels inside of cargo bay doors now half-and-halved with system radiators. Proof of concept is to share redundancy with legacy radiator system (in case of micrometeroid impact, equipment failure, etc).Change Log (V2.1):
* Solar panels appended to inside of cargo bay doors. Meant as a backup power supply.
* Crew ejection system depicted by caution taping around upper deck head.
* Slot antennas for kU-band communications. These antennas are mounted flush with the hull skin for constant communications with the TDRS and ground networks.Change Log (V2.0):
* United States Flag borne on starboard side of hull is now in correct orientation. Oops.
* Minor concealment to 'frame' layer done at the cargo bay doors. This was done to improve cohesiveness of the amalgamated texture-work.
* Minor rotation of broadside decals done to improve appearance.
* Moved and enlarged bow-side 'Constitution' placards from just behind the flight deck to just over the nose-side TPS. Change was necessary to improve interpolation of the text; whether this was a good idea or not is still up to debate.