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Progress has been a bit slow ... but it looks like I can now generate a version of the addon for testing. All the scenarios are set-up and all seems to be working. I now have the interesting challenge of extracting all the relevant files from my Orbiter folder to make the addon package.

Hi boogabooga, Good question! I changed the radius so I could compare the simulation to the real Galileo trajectory. As you probably know the real Jupiter is a flattened sphere but in Orbiter it isn't. The original Jupiter config file was the mean radius and I wanted to use the larger radius of...

Some more progress. I now have a set of scenarios for the return journey to Canaveral which suggests everything is working ok. It seems very easy to get to Earth from Mars using IMFD. Much less hassle than from Earth to Mars. On arrival at Earth the trajectory took me over South America. I...

Yes, hope it doesn't happen in reality! :) The problem was I had the ERV parked in a circular orbit around Mars when it is supposed to be in a highly elliptical orbit.

Two new launch scenarios set up, one for loading the cargo. The other is with the cargo boxes loaded and the launch autopilot running. The launch scenario launches the spare habitat, cargo lander and Earth Return Vehicle. I need set-up a crewed habitat launch scenario which is sent at a later...

A bit of progress ... 1. Fixed launch autopilot to correct for insertion into an eccentric orbit at high inclinations. I am trying to get it into a circular orbit which it is doing now. 2. Changed the camera to outside of the rocket with a view partly occupied by the fairing and the payload...

Have been experimenting with some options before launching regarding loading the cargo and crew to speed things up a bit while testing. The spacecraft can now be bought to the crew and cargo at a press of a key, loaded up and then transported back to the launcher with another key press. This...

Was inspired from using the 2001 addon to add some sound to DRM1 ... So far have a countdown for the launcher and a NTR separation sound added.

Having a bit of fun setting up the scenarios for the mission. I have decided one of the crew lives in Pictown. Here a SST (one I borrowed from 2001 addon) is used to fly to Canaveral. I dont think the SST from 2001 is UMMU compatible but maybe that can be sorted out by attaching an invisible...

Rocket launch autopilot working and places the hab into a more or less circular orbit. Also tested the autopilot for the hab entry into Mars atmosphere and it seems to be working as expected. Next have to test the cargo lander ... Some test flight images of a launch

Started with flight tests. Today I reactivated the autopilot for landing on Mars. I had been landing it manually previously to check the animations etc. There were a couple of conflicts with the two stage autopilot I designed for landing on the Moon which I spotted ok. It was great when the...

OK so now have a very basic interior for the habitat. I can at last begin my flight tests to Mars. I have gone for the padded cell look ...

Thanks for the comments Urwumpe and Interceptor. Here is the next iteration of the habitat seating. The seats are mounted on triangular frames to keep them in place during re-entry. I think the frames might also be fixed to the front of the cabin to keep them in place because the force on the...

Progress is a bit slow at the moment I am afraid... I have been studying the interior of some Mars Analogue Research Stations to get some idea for designing the interior of the habitat. One thing I am not sure about is where the crew would sit during landing. Would they sit around the tables...

And just added a virtual cockpit to the habitat. Image shows interior view looking at the cargo lander through the window. Wanted something to look out of while I do the practice flights to Mars and while I am generating the scenarios for the new version. I will probably slap some textures...

OK another update: Cargo lander is working from launch to landing. It can pick up cargo from the launchpad and deliver it back to Earth.

Quick update: 1. Pitch autopilot for the heavy lift launcher vehicle installed and working ok 2. Launch of habitat lander working fine and now working on the cargo lander

Testing the Mars Ascent Vehicle autopilot

Quick update: Habitat lander is working from launch to landing when launched into a ballistic trajectory and returning to land on Earth. The parachute has to be used until quite a low altitude because the hover engines are only just powerful enough to slow the descent. Autopilot for controlling...

Quick update: Started on redoing the animations which were not working properly after introducing the new lander mesh into the project a while ago now. Managed to fold away the lander legs as shown here. That's Vesta in the background which I'm using as my "deep space" test landing target...