Vessel BepiColombo

[Jeremyxxx]

Now that the BepiColombo spacecraft is launched, an addon for the spacecraft has to be made ASAP.

However, there needs to be some updates to the Ariane 5 to make it compatible with Multistage2015 and Orbiter 2016, before doing so.

 

[gattispilot]

Wow there is a lot to it. 3 vessels.
http://sci.esa.int/bepicolombo/48872-spacecraft/

 

[Urwumpe]

Well, the primary problem would be meshes. Not so much the vessel configuration or DLLs.

In the worst case, it would be a good reason to make a custom DLL for the Ariane 5 (again) before it is replaced by the Ariane 6.

 

[gattispilot]

Yes. I have looked around for some good drawings. I think I could make some simple meshes.

https://www.esa.int/spaceinimages/Images/2007/02/Exploded_view_of_the_BepiColombo_cruise_configuration

https://www.raumfahrer.net/raumfahrt/raumsonden/bepicolombo.shtml

https://www.esa.int/spaceinimages/Images/2018/03/BepiColombo_image_montage

 

[4throck]

The engineering model was (is?) on display in London. It's a huge vessel!


But why not ask the ESA guys for a model?

In fact, there's one here:
ftp://spiftp.esac.esa.int/cosmographia/missions/BEPIC/models/
(linked from here https://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/spice/cosmographia)

I've never heard of Cosmographia. But if they can use the models, perhaps so do we.

 

[gattispilot]

Thanks. I will see what I can do

I think for Orbiter we might be safe:
"I want to use ESA photos/material. How should I proceed with the copyright issue?

You may freely use the images you find on our site, as long as it is not for commercial use. You may not modify the images. If you intend to use any of the images on a website, please acknowledge that it originates from ESA. For more information, see our Terms and conditions of use. "

I need to convert the texture into a bmp of jpg. But that gives the 3 base ships. Would have to redo/cut for animations,......

 

[4throck]

Just mention where the model comes from on the docs and it should be OK.

 

[gattispilot]

Sure is white.

Might add some gold to the fittings,.....

 

[Urwumpe]

Sure is white. And far less MLI than I thought:

 

[4throck]

It's white like a refrigerator, just a bit less reflective.
I'm not joking, that's the visual impression I had from viewing the test model.

With the new D3D9 plugin handling shadows and complex materials, it will look good like that.
No need to texture it, just find good material properties.

The gray parts should be like reflective metal.
D3D9 has a nice debug where you can play with material values.

 

[gattispilot]

Well of course it will need to be cut for solar animations,......

I might just put a simple one together for trial. The orginal texture was HUge. I reduced it by 4.

---------- Post added at 08:54 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:48 PM ----------

Not sure what size it should be. Did we have the rocket it would launch on for size?

 

[4throck]

Google it

Here are the dimensions:
http://www.esa.int/spaceinimages/Images/2017/07/Bepicolombo_spacecraft_facts

 

[Jeremyxxx]

the addon's development is looking good!

 

[gattispilot]

A couple of images:

So I redid the panels arms and front and rear. added more gold foil,.....

 

[gattispilot]

So I get this.

---------- Post added at 07:59 AM ---------- Previous post was at 06:02 AM ----------

Haven't found thrust amounts. It has sun tracking on the solar panels. I need to get rcs going also. I have been able to fold the panels.

I don't know if we have the rocket for it.

 

[gattispilot]

So this is what I have so far:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1ldNB7fmVVCJpenGnV927O9YF8OJ4REYI

So keys are:
1 deploy panels
2 lock solar tracking
5 selects how many ion engines.

 

[Jeremyxxx]

I have found an image of the proposed Mercury Lander that was to be included in the BepiColombo mission but was cut from the mission. I have thought of adding the lander as a bonus.

https://www.esa.int/spaceinimages/Images/2001/11/BepiColombo_s_lander

 

[Urwumpe]

About the thrust of the MTM, See here the T6 is the engine used:

https://www.qinetiq.com/what-we-do/space/electric-propulsion

The maximum thrust is limited to 290 mN though when using two thrusters, because of power limits.

 

[gattispilot]

I have RCS set at 10:

const double MAXRCSTH = 10;

and main thrust:

	th_main[0] = CreateThruster(_V(0, 0, .3), _V(0, 0, 1), 352 / 4, tank3, ISP);
	th_main[1] = CreateThruster(_V(0, 0, .3), _V(0, 0, 1), 352 / 4, tank3, ISP);
	th_main[2] = CreateThruster(_V(0, 0, .3), _V(0, 0, 1), 352 / 4, tank3, ISP);
	th_main[3] = CreateThruster(_V(0, 0, .3), _V(0, 0, 1), 352 / 4, tank3, ISP);

 

[Urwumpe]

I know SI units are not common in the USA, but its Millinewton: 1/1000th of a Newton.

The maximum thrust of one engine in Orbiter would be 0.23. And that for quite a long time. Specific impulse should be about 43000 Ns/kg.