Brand new Orbiter player (user?) here. Rumor has it that the DGIV is the best way to learn the program. (And uMMU and UCGO seem to be necessary for maximal enjoyment of the simulation? The amount of information here is a little overwhelming; I feel like the odd in-law at a close-knit family reunion
I never saw the old Dan's Orbiter Page, but the new one looks very nice.
Don't forget Orbitsound 4.0, hosted and created(I think?) by Dan as well.
I would also highly recommend the XR series.
http://www.alteaaerospace.com/
The DG-IV is a very fine craft, and I really like how it simulates life support and power management systems. It really adds to the immersion and cozy sense of "being" in space, protected from the elements - or maybe lack of elements is more accurate :lol:
But the XR-2 is my go-to SSTO. I love piloting it, and I especially love the scram system. Doesn't hurt that it resembles the SR-71
P.S. It can feel very overwhelming at first. My advice, depending on what your goals are, would be to take it one step at a time. Don't worry about the advanced stuff until you get there.
My list went something like this:
[0.5] Take off, circle, and land without leaving the atmosphere if you have little real or simulated flight experience.
1. Get into stable orbit. Then learn how to adjust your orbit in height and plane.
2. Re-entry. (The DGIV and XR will burn up if you come in too hot, so you can start off learning good habits. aka, not coming in landing gear down @ 8km/s with a slope of 20:thumbup
3. Re-entry with targeted base landing.
4. Rendezvous with ISS.
5. Go to, land, and return from the moon.
6. Mars (now you should be learning how to use transX - which is great for learning as it allows you to visualize what it is you are doing in transferring orbits.)
7. Sling shots.
8. ????????
9. Fly directly into the Sun. (First thing I wanted to do, but it took time to make it there.)
10. Profit.
Maybe throw in some non-SSTO stuff.
