If you have watched a few IMFD tutorials, but are still confused, here is the simple information you need to know. I also discuss a few brief points about the Arrow itself; be assured the IMFD information works for other craft also.
Before you reach the 10 minute mark, you will have the core information you need, however, if you want to see that principle in action -- how I actually use it -- then I invite you to watch the rest of the video. It's about 50 minutes in total, but I'll take you through a complete trip from Earth orbit to Mercury (the hardest planet to get into orbit around), then a setup for the moon, and lastly, an approach to Saturn, with a diversion to Titan using a slingshot (though I actually use the Target Intercept for that maneuver).
I said a few bone headed things along the way; in my defense I was talking unscripted.
I probably said a few other stupid things in there, but I promise the core information is accurate.
Since making the tutorial I've noticed questions about traveling from the Moon to Earth. In my video when setting up for Earth to Moon, I mention that you don't do an Orbit Ejection burn because you aren't leaving Earth's orbit -- you are just changing your orbit. Coming back, however, you will want an ejection burn because you will be leaving the Moon's orbit.
There are a lot of ways I've seen people do this, and so long as the method works, who cares? My solution would be this:
While in orbit of the moon:
So, without further ado, here is my video. Hope you find it useful:
IMFD 5.7 with Arrow
You may need to manually turn up the resolution -- it tends to default to a lower res.
At the time of this posting, the maximum offered is 720p. I uploaded it in 2K, so I don't know why higher res isn't available. 720p is good enough to read all the instruments, however.
Before you reach the 10 minute mark, you will have the core information you need, however, if you want to see that principle in action -- how I actually use it -- then I invite you to watch the rest of the video. It's about 50 minutes in total, but I'll take you through a complete trip from Earth orbit to Mercury (the hardest planet to get into orbit around), then a setup for the moon, and lastly, an approach to Saturn, with a diversion to Titan using a slingshot (though I actually use the Target Intercept for that maneuver).
I said a few bone headed things along the way; in my defense I was talking unscripted.
- I said the shape of the orbits you might see may look different because I've changed my thrust values on the Arrow. In truth, timings and burn duration are the only things that will change.
- Approaching Mercury, I said my orbit prediction on the Map showed my orbit doubling back on itself -- no it didn't.
I probably said a few other stupid things in there, but I promise the core information is accurate.
Since making the tutorial I've noticed questions about traveling from the Moon to Earth. In my video when setting up for Earth to Moon, I mention that you don't do an Orbit Ejection burn because you aren't leaving Earth's orbit -- you are just changing your orbit. Coming back, however, you will want an ejection burn because you will be leaving the Moon's orbit.
There are a lot of ways I've seen people do this, and so long as the method works, who cares? My solution would be this:
While in orbit of the moon:
- Use Planet Approach
- Apply "The Rule"
- Target - Equator (or your preference)
- Source - Moon
- Ref - Earth
- Set your EqI and PeA to your desired values.
- I recommend you keep your target PeA above 200K unless you intend to deorbit right away. Then you should probably be using Base Approach instead.
- Open a second IMFD instance
- Link it to the first
- Select Orbit Ejection
- Make sure you select the "Course" option.
- Then activate AB (Auto Burn)
- Expect to have to wait for the Time to Burn to come around. You can safely time accelerate.
- Wait til you are out of it's Sphere of Influence (at least red, but better wait till it's below 0.1
- Go back to your Planet Approach program.
- The Moon is no longer gravitationally important, so re-apply The Rule.
- The Source now becomes Self.
- Do the burn.
- Wait maybe until halfway home, check if you need a correction burn -- do it if necessary.
- Switch to Orbit Insert, make sure it is set to Eccentricity mode, and activate the AB (Auto Burn)
- As with the Orbit Eject, you'll have to wait for the right time to burn. The autopilot takes care of that, so you can safely accelerate time.
So, without further ado, here is my video. Hope you find it useful:
IMFD 5.7 with Arrow
You may need to manually turn up the resolution -- it tends to default to a lower res.
At the time of this posting, the maximum offered is 720p. I uploaded it in 2K, so I don't know why higher res isn't available. 720p is good enough to read all the instruments, however.
Last edited:
