Idea Mercury and Gemini add-on improvements

[Star Voyager]

Impeccable! Fantastic work, guys :speakcool:! Can't wait !

 

[the.punk]

Wow. Looks cool.
Can't wait.

 

[Star Voyager]

Hey guys. I have a serious problem with a rendezvous between Mercury and Gemini. Whenever I get close to moving in, Orbiter freezes up. For some info that might be helpful, here is the log and the scenario:

**** Orbiter.log
Build Sep 29 2006 [v.060929]
Devices enumerated: 2
Devices accepted: 2
==> RGB Emulation
==> Direct3D HAL
Found 1 joystick(s)
Module AtlantisConfig.dll [API v.060425]
Module DGConfig.dll [API v.060425]
Module OrbiterSound.dll [API v.060425]
Module ScreenCapture.dll [API v.060425]
Module TrackIR.dll [API v.060425]
TrackIR module not found.
Module ScnEditor.dll [API v.060425]
Module CustomMFD.dll [API v.060425]
Module MercIPC.dll [API v.060425]
**** Creating simulation session
DirectDraw interface OK
Direct3D interface OK
Zbuffer: 32 bit
Render device: Fullscreen 1152 x 864
Device has no hardware T&L capability
Joystick throttle: Z-AXIS
Joystick throttle control detected
Module Sun.dll [API v.050206]
VSOP87(E) Sun: Precision 1e-006, Terms 554/6634
Module Mercury.dll [API v.050206]
VSOP87(B) Mercury: Precision 1e-005, Terms 167/7123
Module Venus.dll [API v.050206]
VSOP87(B) Venus: Precision 1e-005, Terms 79/1710
Module Earth.dll [API v.050206]
VSOP87(B) Earth: Precision 1e-008, Terms 2564/2564
Module Moon.dll [API v.041022]
ELP82: Precision 1e-005, Terms 116/829
Module Mars.dll [API v.060425]
VSOP87(B) Mars: Precision 1e-008, Terms 6400/6400
Module Phobos.dll [API v.060425]
Module Deimos.dll [API v.060425]
Module Galsat.dll [API v.041022]
Module Jupiter.dll [API v.050206]
VSOP87(B) Jupiter: Precision 1e-006, Terms 1624/3625
Module Europa.dll [API v.041022]
Module Ganymede.dll [API v.041022]
Module Callisto.dll [API v.041022]
Module Satsat.dll [API v.050206]
Module Saturn.dll [API v.060425]
VSOP87(B) Saturn: Precision 1e-006, Terms 2904/6365
Module Mimas.dll [API v.050206]
SATSAT Mimas: Terms 113
Module Enceladus.dll [API v.050206]
SATSAT Enceladus: Terms 33
Module Tethys.dll [API v.050206]
SATSAT Tethys: Terms 101
Module Dione.dll [API v.050206]
SATSAT Dione: Terms 59
Module Rhea.dll [API v.050206]
SATSAT Rhea: Terms 68
Module Uranus.dll [API v.050206]
VSOP87(B) Uranus: Precision 1e-006, Terms 1827/5269
Module Miranda.dll [API v.060425]
Module Ariel.dll [API v.060425]
Module Umbriel.dll [API v.060425]
Module Titania.dll [API v.060425]
Module Oberon.dll [API v.060425]
Module Neptune.dll [API v.050206]
VSOP87(B) Neptune: Precision 1e-006, Terms 391/2024
Module Triton.dll [API v.060425]
Finished initialising world
Finished initialising status
Finished initialising camera
Finished initialising panels
OUIPC::Module Initialized
Finished setting up render state


BEGIN_DESC
Orbiter saved state at T = -7156
END_DESC
BEGIN_ENVIRONMENT
System Sol_1962
Date MJD 38599.7204969446
END_ENVIRONMENT
BEGIN_FOCUS
Ship GT-2
END_FOCUS
BEGIN_CAMERA
TARGET GT-2
MODE Extern
POS 5.78 -153.29 63.31
TRACKMODE GlobalFrame
FOV 40.00
END_CAMERA
BEGIN_HUD
TYPE Surface
END_HUD
BEGIN_MFD Left
TYPE Orbit
PROJ Target
FRAME Equator
ALT
REF Earth
TARGET MA-10
END_MFD
BEGIN_MFD Right
TYPE Map
REF Earth
OTARGET MA-10
TRACK 0.00 0.00
END_MFD

BEGIN_SHIPS
GT-2:Gemini_Titan
STATUS Landed Earth
POS -80.5550280 28.4953190
HEADING 72.51
FUEL 1.000
NAVFREQ 100 500
END
MA-10:Mercury_Atlas
STATUS Orbiting Earth
RPOS 5115491.42 -2342569.13 -3548769.87
RVEL 3118.407 -2842.194 6457.536
AROT 43.18 -57.93 -141.38
VROT -0.03 -0.06 -0.18
PRPLEVEL 0:0.983 1:0.986 2:1.000 3:1.000 4:1.000 9:1.000
NAVFREQ 0 0
CONFIGURATION 4
ABORT_SEQ 0
RETRO_SALVO 0.000
ABORT_JETT 1.000
POSI_DAMP_TIMER -36448361.084
AUTO_POSIDAMP 0.000
AUTO_TURNAROUND 0.000
POSI_DONE 1.000
RETRO_ACTIVE 0.000
EMER_RETRO_ACTIVE 0.000
RETRO_JETTISON 0.000
RETRO_SEQ 0
RETRO_TIMER -36448361.084
RETRO_SEQ_TIMER -7156.151
RETRO_FIRE_TIMER -36448361.084
RETRO_JETT_TIMER -36448361.084
BEACON_JETT 0.000
DROGUE_DEP 0.000
DROGUE_JETT 0.000
DEPLOY_MAIN_CHUTE 0.000
MAIN_DEPLOY 0.000
MAIN_JETT 0.000
BACKUP_DEPLOY 0.000
BACKUP_JETT 0.000
LB_TIMER -7156.151
LB_DEPLOYED 0.000
LB_TIMER_ACTIVE 0.000
MISSION_TYPE 1
RETRO_DOAUTO 0.000
ASCS_MODE 0
INIT_ATT_TIME 36434866.330
SWITCH_AUTOPILOT 0.000
SWITCH_ABORT_JETT 0.000
SWITCH_CAPSULE_SEP 0.000
SWITCH_AUTOMODE 2
PULL_MANUAL 0
PULL_AUTO_ROLL 0
PULL_AUTO_YAW 0
PULL_AUTO_PITCH 0
PULL_DECOMP 1
PULL_REPRESS 1
PUSH_RETRO_SEQ 0
SWITCH_RETRO_DELAY 0
SWITCH_RETRO_ATT 0
SWITCH_PHOTO_LIGHTS 0.000
SWITCH_LIGHTS 2
SWITCH_TLM_FREQ 0.000
SWITCH_LIGHT_TEST 0
SWITCH_MANEUVER 0.000
PUSH_RETRO_FIRE 0
PUSH_RETRO_JETT 0
SWITCH_SQUIB 0.000
SWITCH_RETRO_AUTOJETT 0.000
PUSH_05G 0
PUSH_DROGUE 0
PUSH_TIMEZERO 1
SWITCH_SNORKEL 0.000
SWITCH_MAIN 0.000
SWITCH_RESERVE 0.000
SWITCH_LB 1
SWITCH_RSCS 0
SWITCH_RESCUE 0
HEADING_PITCH 0.323
HEADING_YAW 4.843
HEADING_ROLL 4.889
SWITCH_GYRO 0
IND_ABORTED 0.000
IND_ABORT_JETT 2
IND_CAPSULE_SEP 2
IND_RETRO_SEQ 0
IND_RETRO_ATT 0
IND_RETRO_FIRE 0
IND_RETRO_JETT 0
IND_05G 0
IND_MAIN 0
IND_LB 0
IND_RESCUE 0
TIME_CULM -36448401.561
TIME_RETRO 16380.000
CLOCK_STARTED 1.000
START_TIME 303.062
LEVER_RETRO 2
ALT_KNOB 0
VIEW_SWITCH 0
SWITCH_FILTER 0
ALT_INDICATOR 362
CAPSULE_NUMBER 15
DC_VOLTS_KNOB 0
AC_VOLTS_KNOB 0
INLET_VALVE_SWITCH 2
AUDIO_BUS_SWITCH 2
AC_BUS_SWITCH 2
AMMETER_SWITCH 2
STBY_BTRY_SWITCH 2
ISOL_BTRY_SWITCH 2
FANS_AC_BUS_SWITCH 2
COMM_SELECT_SWITCH 2
UHF_SELECT_SWITCH 2
TRANSMIT_SWITCH 2
COMM_BEACON_SWITCH 0
VOX_SWITCH 2
WARN_LIGHT_SWITCH 2
CABIN_PRESS_WARN_SWITCH 0
O2_EMER_WARN_SWITCH 2
SUIT_H2O_WARN_SWITCH 2
CABIN_H2O_WARN_SWITCH 2
FUEL_QUAN_WARN_SWITCH 2
RETRO_WARN_SWITCH 0
RETRO_RESET_WARN_SWITCH 2
SUIT_FAN_FUSE 0
INVR_CONTROL_FUSE 0
RETRO_JETT_FUSE 0
RETRO_MAN_FUSE 0
PROGRAMMER_FUSE 0
BLOOD_PRESS_FUSE 0
PHASE_SHIFTER_FUSE 0
EMER_CAP_SEP_FUSE 0
ESCAPE_RCKT_FUSE 0
TOWER_SEP_CONTRL_FUSE 0
EMER_TOWER_SEP_FUSE 0
EMER_TOWER_JETT_FUSE 0
EMER_POSGRD_FUSE 0
AUX_BCN_FUSE 0
RETRO_ONE_FUSE 0
RETRO_TWO_FUSE 0
RETRO_THREE_FUSE 0
EMER_RETRO_SEQ_FUSE 0
EMER_RETRO_JETT_FUSE 0
ASCS_05G_FUSE 0
EMER_05G_FUSE 0
EMER_DROUGE_DEPLOY_FUSE 0
EMER_MAIN_DEPLOY_FUSE 0
RESERVE_DEPLOY_FUSE 0
EMER_RESERVE_DEPLOY_FUSE 0
EMER_LAND_BAG_FUSE 0
EMER_RESCUE_AIDS_FUSE 0
PERISCOPE_FUSE 0
ANT_SWITCH_FUSE 0
COMV_RCVRA_FUSE 0
TRIM_HI_FREQ_FUSE 0
FAILURE_MODE 4
END
END_SHIPS


I hope this helps!

 

[Saturn V]

You might get a better response to your question if you posted it in the General Questions & Help thread.

This thread is discussing improvements to the Mercury & Gemini add-ons.

 

[Star Voyager]

I already did, but no one responded to it. Here is the link:

http://www.orbiter-forum.com/showthread.php?t=10021

 

[4throck]

Impressive Gemini water landing models. Hope they handle fine. The standard recovery helicopter never felt right for me, any change on that part ?

 

[Saturn V]

No, the helicopters are only reskinned. The handling & physics are stock. I find that by using the translation mode and keeping the chopper at the same altitude as the recovery operation affords more control. But of course you're free to fly it whatever way works best for you.

BTW: the Gemini recovery model is a "stand-alone" vessel...you can not fly the re-entry directly into the recovery operations. You will fly the re-entry profile (aiming for the correct splasdown site) and once the spacecraft is in the water, you will have to exit and open the appropriate recovery scenario. Short of rewriting the Gemini dll, there was no other way to do it. There is no "handling" per se.

---------- Post added at 09:55 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:20 PM ----------

I don't know why I keep allowing myself to get sidetracked...:suicide:

Anyway, this is a test shot of a (currently) very basic destroyer for Gemini 8. The model is based on the USS Leonard Mason, but if I ever get around to doing something similar with Mercury, it would also likely double as the Noa.

Color, specularity, etc are not final. I just wanted to block out the shape and see what it might look like in Orbiter...

Comments? Opinions? Worth pursuing?

 

[Donamy]

What ever floats your boat ! Make an Armada !!

 

[4throck]

Saturn V, having a separate recovery situation is fine for me. The only negative thing I can think off is that your reentry accuracy (or not) is lost. Perhaps you can include situations for "close to desired splashdown" and "far from desired point" so that we could choose which one is closer to the reentry.
The destroyer looks very very nice. The only addition I can think of is placing a camera on the bridge (no need for a detailed VC, just give the impression of a big window), so that you could try to spot the capsule in the ocean or in flight. That way recovery would be more immersive and done completely from the perspective of the recovery ship's captain.

 

[Saturn V]

What ever floats your boat !

Wow! :rofl:I here-by knight thee, "Sir King of Bad Puns!!!"

4throck, if you follow the docs in the Gemini 4.5 add-on, there are pretty specific instructions on flying the re-entry profile. You want the Orbit & Surface MFDs, and your HUD should be Surface mode.The Gemini also does generate lift as in reality. A steerable re-entry (Roll, Pitch & Yaw) takes a little practice, but landing within sight of the carrier is fairly easy once you get the hang of it...

No worries in any case...Gemini 3 & 5 (maybe a few others, but those were the 2 that came to mind) were a considerable distance off target anyway. The time it takes to switch scenarios could simulate the time they had to wait for the recovery force to arrive. Use your imagination!

The one thing I did note is that if you have the EVA upgrade installed, when you drop to the 2-point landing orientation, the new cockpit doesn't rotate with the spacecraft. I should've realized that modifying the mesh would have an impact somewhere, but at this stage, I don't know how to fix it unless you dis-allow the cockpit upgrade. Just have to live with it otherwise...

 

[kino_astroboy]

Probably the best and most interesting cancelled Gemini variant is the Gemini Lunar Rescue. It would rescue the Apollo crews if they were stranded on the lunar surface or in lunar orbit.

More info:
http://www.astronautix.com/craft/gemcraft.htm

IMHO, it really is worthy enough to make an add-on out of it.

Some really neat pics:

 

[Saturn V]

A lot more detail in this shot (guard rails in place, radio masts and transformers corrected, new upper decks and rails, etc)...it won't have the detail the carrier does, but it doesn't look too bad...

 

[4throck]

Looks good! :speakcool:

---------- Post added at 01:16 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:17 AM ----------

Probably the best and most interesting cancelled Gemini variant is the Gemini Lunar Rescue. ...

I think that those Gemini variants are based on the Gemini B capsule. Perhaps you could open a new thread about it, as It is different from the historical Gemini that we are discussing here.
I agree that the all the Gemini based proposals could be nice addons (some already exist), but I'd prefer to discuss on a separate thready. Just my opinion!

 

[kino_astroboy]

FIVE DG's Saturn V!!! You have done a wonderful job to improve Gemini!

For Mercury, improved aerodynamics and contrails (smoke) for the capsule during re-entry would be a major improvement. I also noticed that the re-entry spoiler is not implemented.

From Wikipedia:

There was a small metal flap at the nose of the spacecraft called the "spoiler". If the spacecraft started to reenter nose first (another stable reentry attitude for the spacecraft), airflow over the "spoiler" would flip the spacecraft around to the proper, heatshield-first reentry attitude, a technique called 'Shuttlecocking'.

 

[MJR]

It is looking really good. I haven't been active on the forums, but I forgot how great this was becoming.

 

[Saturn V]

I can tell you this...if you're looking for a challenge, try landing the recovery chopper on that tiny little helipad on the back of the destroyer!

 

[Starshipexplorer]

Hi Saturn V. Looking great

 

[4throck]

...For Mercury, improved aerodynamics and contrails (smoke) for the capsule during re-entry would be a major improvement. I also noticed that the re-entry spoiler is not implemented...

That's a good idea to try to implement to some extent on my Mercury boiler plate capsule, part of the Little and Big Joe addons.
But to do that it's necessary to have the actual aerodynamic parameters. You can't just guess the values, real data is needed, unless you are an expert and can figure it out by yourself (building a wind tunnel at home or something ).

 

[autopilotman]

From http://www.spaceflighthistory.com/mercuryprogram.htm

Interesting Fact: Under the FAI rules for spaceflight, a pilot must ride all the way to landing inside of the spacecraft in order for the flight to be official. On Vostok 1, Yuri Gagarin was ejected from his capsule after reentering Earth's atmosphere and landed seperate from his spacecraft. All Vostok flights ended in this manner. This fact makes U.S. astronaut Alan Shepard the first person to complete an official space flight.​

 

[Star Voyager]

YYYYYYYYEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Thank God!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1