Idea Mercury and Gemini add-on improvements

[Star Voyager]

If you have Photoshop or Photoshop Elements use the Nvidia dds plugin and edit and save it that way. If not use DDS Converter 2 (Google It) and convert the DDS to a BMP, edit it with your editor, save it and convert it back to DDS.

I recently got my computer fixed, so I don't have Photoshop anymore.

 

[autopilotman]

saturnv

would it be possible to change your LC14 so it dosent require the hi-res ksc? the tile really makes it lag

cheers

 

[ryan]

saturnv

would it be possible to change your LC14 so it dosent require the hi-res ksc? the tile really makes it lag

cheers

Simply use the Med-Res version.

 

[autopilotman]

the med-res version dosent work at all it crashes with that particular scenario

 

[Saturn V]

Open the scenario file and change the SYSTEM line to a Sol configuration that uses the med-res tiles.

Use the scenario editor to move the launch complex into the correct position. LC14 was configured with spacecraft3 specifically to make this possible.

If it crashes, there's something not set up properly in the Sol cfg.

 

[ryan]

If it crashes, there's something not set up properly in the Sol cfg.

When isn't there something wrong with the sol. cfg, i think personally i've had 5:lol:

 

[autopilotman]

which one is the system line? i want to use the defult tile not the hi res or the med res

EDIT: Never mind worked it out

 

[Saturn V]

When isn't there something wrong with the sol. cfg, i think personally i've had 5:lol:

No, what I mean is I usually manually define which tiles I want to show in the KSC/Canveral cfg files. That way, by changing from one Sol cfg that uses those bases in its Earth to one that doesn't, I can control the ground resolution simply by changing a few letters on the SYSTEM line in the scenario instead of screwing around with the base or the tiles everytime I want to change it.

That's why it's good to have one "base" installation of Orbiter that has all of your preferred stuff in it (surface tiles, atmospheric add-ons, etc) that you've made sure works properly. Then you copy that folder and drop your main add-ons (shuttle fleet, AMSO, NASSP, Mercury, Gemini, XR5, etc) into.

That way you're sure you've always got a working set of basic files (that you like) that you can fall back on if you make a mistake installing your new add-ons.

It also simplifies figuring out what where your glitches are.

 

[Star Voyager]

Just found something interesting that you guys might want to look at:

 

[Saturn V]

Blue Gemini was a USAF proposal after DynaSoar was cancelled. I believe at least one mock-up was built. Then again, the one I'm thinking of may have been a "Big" Gemini mock-up for the MOL program. But in either case, they never got beyond the design stage.

Truthfully, I have no interest in any of it except for the "historic" missions (the ones actually flown as part of NASA's Gemini program).

 

[Star Voyager]

Blue Gemini was just a regular Gemini, but with slightly different objectives and astronauts. Only difference is Blue Gemini had nothing to do with MOL (which used Big Gemini and Gemini B; B had a hatch on the heat shield). They were 2 different programs.

 

[Saturn V]

Yes, I'm aware they were seperate programs but the fact remains that I've got more than enough to do trying to finish the "historic" upgrades for the Gemini add-on without getting sidetracked by stuff I have no interest in.

I'm not saying the idea of making add-ons of those programs has no merit. I'm sure some folks would be very interested in them. Just not something I'd be doing.

 

[Graham2001]

I've got no idea if this has already been linked to the thread already, but I noticed that the NTRS has uploaded a down-loadable version of one of the final Mercury program reports, so I thought I'd link it through to the thread.

Project Mercury, Final Progress Report, Jul. 1959 - May 1961

 

[Star Voyager]

Yes, I'm aware they were seperate programs but the fact remains that I've got more than enough to do trying to finish the "historic" upgrades for the Gemini add-on without getting sidetracked by stuff I have no interest in.

I'm not saying the idea of making add-ons of those programs has no merit. I'm sure some folks would be very interested in them. Just not something I'd be doing.

I understand, and was not implying that you and only you do it. Just putting a suggestion out there for anyone willing to do it that's better than me.

Thanks for the PDF, Graham!

Edit: I want to correct something. Here is what Wikipedia said:

"Blue Gemini would consist of two National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) missions that would include a USAF co-pilot and would accomplish NASA objectives. These would be followed by two more NASA missions that would have USAF crews. Those missions would be devoted to NASA goals, but would include USAF experiments if possible. The final phase of Blue Gemini would consist of three dedicated USAF missions. One of these would be an Agena Target Vehicle rendezvous mission and it was possible that some of these later missions might carry only a single crew member. The other seat would be occupied by experimental equipment. Possible payloads included a Manned Maneuvering Unit that would allow an astronaut to maneuver around the spacecraft, an advanced navigation system, an erectable structure, and a large ground mapping radar. The plan was to end Blue Gemini missions approximately four months before the debut of the MODS space station."

Nevertheless, I will find a scheduled list of flights and make them.

 

[Graham2001]

I just thought I'd post the links that Star Voyager left out of his last post, this comprises all the information I know of on Blue Gemini, if there was any planning beyond this it has not yet reached the NTRS, though I do have somewhere on my computer a document which makes a very brief reference to 'Blue Apollo' missions as part of the Apollo Applications Program.

1. Blue Gemini Wikipedia Article

2. On The Shoulders of Titans, Ch 6

 

[Star Voyager]

Thanks Graham. I probably should have pu those in!

 

[Lunar_Lander]

Hey people,

it is really great to see how you are working on improving the Mercury and Gemini! It will be very cool to finally fly them, so I really hope that you will complete them!

Cheers!

 

[Saturn V]

A little preview of what I've been working on...

Gemini on the water (dye marker released)...

Carrier en route to splashdown site (variable airwings on deck of each carrier)...

Deploying the rescue diver...

Floatation collar attached and life raft inflated...

Astronaut recovery...

Return to carrier...

The recovery sequence is essentially done (just dressing up the last few carrier airwings and positioning each scenario at the historically correct site). BTW: the antenna on the carrier island are animated as well. Just to try and breathe a little life into the scenarios...

Still have to go back and finish the LC19 models, animate the LC19 & LC14 Agena gantries, finish the cfg for the Agena launch vehicle and work out the scenarios, but it's coming along.

 

[Donamy]

Very nice looking !!

 

[Saturn V]

Thank you. It wouldn't have even been possible without your help and guidance. I've learned quite a bit the past few weeks!