OHM IMFDTuto

[OrbitHangar]

Author: salva

While learning myself to use the awesome add-on Interplanetary MFD by Jarmo Nikkanen, I tried to summarize, in a single document,  must of the manuals and tutorials availables on this subject.
Once this job finished, I thought that, this recompilation, could be of use to others orbinauts.

Unzip into your Orbiter folder.
See the Orbiter Doc folder for manuals

Get MFD 5.5 by Jarmo Nikkanen  http://koti.mbnet.fi/jarmonik/IMFD55.zip



DOWNLOAD

 

[garyw]

Just had a look and I think this is going to be invaluable on my exploration missions. The 'IMFD Examples.pdf' document is perfect for using IMFD without necessarily understanding all the intricacies. Thanks very much!

 

[Screamer]

Hi Salva

Thanks for this comprehensive manual. You sure done a lot of research about IMFD.
The manual it set up very understandable, even for a rookie. Everything is placed in a logical manner.

Thanks

Johan

 

[Ross]

Wow this is awesome. I just have two quick questions for the Earth to Mars scenario. In the Examples PDF, you say to set the target to Mars, and in parentheses, you say (set GET ipo MJD)....what does that mean?

Also, for the planet approach, are we supposed to set the left imfd target to mars?



This is my first time using IMFD (I usually use Transx), and it is very pretty. I like the user interface. I had looked at it before but didn't quite understand it, and was choosing to learn Transx first. Your guide is very helpful!

 

[jthill]

I love this. It seems the perfect summary, just enough about everything that you mostly won't need the full manual, without wasting time on anything you can easily figure out yourself. Turn your brain on and read, this is as painless as it gets.

 

[salva]

Wow this is awesome. I just have two quick questions for the Earth to Mars scenario. In the Examples PDF, you say to set the target to Mars, and in parentheses, you say (set GET ipo MJD)....what does that mean?

Also, for the planet approach, are we supposed to set the left imfd target to mars?

This is my first time using IMFD (I usually use Transx), and it is very pretty. I like the user interface. I had looked at it before but didn't quite understand it, and was choosing to learn Transx first. Your guide is very helpful!

GET vs MJD Entering MNU – Configuration you may set Mission Timer as GET ( h:m:s ) or MJD (mod. Julian date) formats for the TEJ or Tin data. Using the MJD format, you will modify faster these variables as when using the GET format

On the Planet Approach step, TGT must be set to one of the 4 orbit types g= geo, r=reference planet orbit, e = ecliptic or l = equatorial.

In this step, try to change TGT to Mars. Ref will change to Sun and Src to Mars

I am pleased to release that this add-on is useful to others orbinauts

 

[Ross]

It truly is excellent guide to this daunting MFD system. It should be called IMFD Demystified!

Thanks for the reply.

 

[Tommy]

The "Theory.pdf" is pretty handy. It is more or less a subset of the info found in "IMFD Full Manual/Playbacks" - but it is the "essential" stuff. "Full Manual" can be confusing simply because it provides "too much" information, much of which you will never need. "Theory.pdf" does a good job of filtering out the extra info. People new to IMFD will likely find this a much more understandable introduction to IMFD.

I found the "Examples.pdf" much less useful. Most of the examples provided will only work if you are using the included scenarios. Before using these examples (with the exception of the Earth - Moon and Moon - Earth) you must first be within a few days of a valid launch window AND already be in the appropriate parking orbit. It refers you to a spreadsheet to find launch windows even though there is a very simple and repeatable process to use IMFD to find launch windows regardless of the starting date of the scenario. It doesn't really tell you how to get into the correct ejection plane.

The method used for set-up in the Earth - Moon example can lead to the ejection burn taking you into the Earth's atmosphere, or even attempting to fly through the Earth. It also tells you to use Base Approach AFTER orbit insertion, when it should have been used in place of Planet Approach as soon as you entered the Moon's SOI. After you have inserted, any base alignment burns should be made using BaseSyncMFD - Base Approach will be much less efficient and can even cause you to crash into the moon if the alignment is far enough off.

The method used in Moon - Earth is OK if you are starting in orbit, but won't allow you to use Surface Launch. If you'll be launching from the surface, you should use Planet Approach (set SRC to "moon") to plan the trip, then use Surface Launch and Orbit Eject (set to use "Course" rather than "Lower Orbit") to execute the TEI. This will result in a much more efficient and accurate transfer.

 

[orbekler]

...If you'll be launching from the surface, you should use Planet Approach (set SRC to "moon") to plan the trip, then use Surface Launch and Orbit Eject (set to use "Course" rather than "Lower Orbit") to execute the TEI. This will result in a much more efficient and accurate transfer.

I used Base Approach linked to Surface Launch too, straigthly from the surface of the Moon, and it worked like a breeze.
The only issue I had ONCE (and it is depending from the time and conditions when you're ejecting) was that getting near Earth (about half way within Soi), Base Approach disrupted orbit, trying to change of 180° the orbit plane. But it was normal, considering that I was getting an Earth prograde orbit just for very few degrees (it was actually almost polar orbit and a perfect polar orbit is impossible). Due to this uncertainty zone, I got a retrograde orbit, and Base Approach forced into Prograde (top right of the MFD), thus changing 180° orbit plane. In this case you have to ignore :lol:and go to Orbit Insert program or change Prograde in Retrograde.

 

[salva]

The "Theory.pdf" is pretty handy. It is more or less a subset of the info found in "IMFD Full Manual/Playbacks" - but it is the "essential" stuff. "Full Manual" can be confusing simply because it provides "too much" information, much of which you will never need. "Theory.pdf" does a good job of filtering out the extra info. People new to IMFD will likely find this a much more understandable introduction to IMFD.

I found the "Examples.pdf" much less useful. Most of the examples provided will only work if you are using the included scenarios. Before using these examples (with the exception of the Earth - Moon and Moon - Earth) you must first be within a few days of a valid launch window AND already be in the appropriate parking orbit. It refers you to a spreadsheet to find launch windows even though there is a very simple and repeatable process to use IMFD to find launch windows regardless of the starting date of the scenario. It doesn't really tell you how to get into the correct ejection plane.

The method used for set-up in the Earth - Moon example can lead to the ejection burn taking you into the Earth's atmosphere, or even attempting to fly through the Earth. It also tells you to use Base Approach AFTER orbit insertion, when it should have been used in place of Planet Approach as soon as you entered the Moon's SOI. After you have inserted, any base alignment burns should be made using BaseSyncMFD - Base Approach will be much less efficient and can even cause you to crash into the moon if the alignment is far enough off.

The method used in Moon - Earth is OK if you are starting in orbit, but won't allow you to use Surface Launch. If you'll be launching from the surface, you should use Planet Approach (set SRC to "moon") to plan the trip, then use Surface Launch and Orbit Eject (set to use "Course" rather than "Lower Orbit") to execute the TEI. This will result in a much more efficient and accurate transfer.

I appreciate very much your instructive comments to this add-on
Certainly, new IMFD users, like myself, have to learn more, explore and experiment with the capabilities of the Jarmo Nikkanen Interplanetary MFD.

 

[Tommy]

I used Base Approach linked to Surface Launch too, straigthly from the surface of the Moon, and it worked like a breeze.

This is probably the best way to get from the Moon to Earth, but I've found that Planet Approach can be more reliable when it comes to the Jovian and Saturnian moons.

Certainly, new IMFD users, like myself, have to learn more, explore and experiment with the capabilities of the Jarmo Nikkanen Interplanetary MFD

I'm fairly experienced with IMFD, have been using it for about 5 years, and still have a lot to learn! This tool can be used in a fairly simple manner when beginning, yet is capable of "growing" with the user and can be used in a quite complex manner.

There is one place where your tutorial is much better than IMFD FM/P, and that's the Slingshot example. Due to a miscommunication, the method used in FM/P to set up the Jupiter - Saturn leg is incorrect, and the method used in your example is much closer to "correct".

The "correct" way is:

When you enter Jupiter's SOI, check your Jupiter PeT in Map (actual trajectory in green, not "Plan" in blue). The TEj in Target Intercept should be set to match. Then, as your example states, adjust the TIn (in Target Intercept) to minimize the dV shown in Slingshot. This will result in the most accurate and efficient sling.

BTW, the "process" I mentioned is found on page 30 of "Full Manual/Playbacks", in blue text. This simple 8 step process will allow you to find and optimize a window for ANY interplanetary flight, and any "moon to another-moon-of-same-planet" as well. It is a cornerstone of understanding and using IMFD.

For new users, I would recommend your "Theory.pdf", along with the playbacks from "Full Manual". Then, you could use the "Full Manual.pdf" as a reference when you are ready for more advanced usage.

 

[Eccentric]

zIP anyone?

Is there anywhere to get this file in .zip format? Can't handle .rar on my machine.

 

[Ripley]

Install this and you're good to go
http://www.7-zip.org/

 

[greyrogue715]

I finally found the IMFD doc I have been looking for. Your tutorial has helped me immensely. I learned more about the IMFD in two days than I have in 6 years on Orbiter.

 

[romanasul]

Excellent addon, the best tutorial i have ever come across.