Idea Mercury and Gemini add-on improvements

[Columbia42]

If you post them, I'll see what I can do.

 

[Saturn V]

These are set up for multistage2. The ini file is reconfigured from the Atlas/Agena. Guidance is also a conversion of the Atlas/Agena file.

Mass, fuel mass, thrust, burn times all need to be reconfigured because the ATDA had no onboard propulsion...

ini file...

[MISC]
cog=0.5
focus=1

[SOUND]
MAIN_THRUST=Sound\GATV\Atlas-ENGINE.wav

[TEXTURE_LIST]
TEX_1=Exhaust
TEX_2=Exhaust2
TEX_3=Contrail1

[PARTICLESTREAM_1]
NAME=engine
SRCSIZE=0.9
SRCRATE=500
V0=0.05
SRCSPREAD=0.3
LIFETIME=0.43
GROWTHRATE=1.0
ATMSLOWDOWN=0.0
LTYPE=EMISSIVE
LEVELMAP=LVL_SQRT
LMIN=0
LMAX=1
ATMSMAP=ATM_PLOG
AMIN=1e-1140
AMAX=1
TEX=Contrail2

[PARTICLESTREAM_2]
NAME=engine2
SRCSIZE=0.9
SRCRATE=500
V0=0.05
SRCSPREAD=0.3
LIFETIME=0.43
GROWTHRATE=-0.4
ATMSLOWDOWN=0.0
LTYPE=EMISSIVE
LEVELMAP=LVL_SQRT
LMIN=0
LMAX=1
ATMSMAP=ATM_PLOG
AMIN=1e-1140
AMAX=1
TEX=Contrail2

[PARTICLESTREAM_3]
NAME=vapor
SRCSIZE=19.3
SRCRATE=100
V0=15.0
SRCSPREAD=4.3
LIFETIME=30.6
GROWTHRATE=0.5
ATMSLOWDOWN=0.05
LTYPE=DIFFUSE
LEVELMAP=LVL_PSQRT
LMIN=0
LMAX=1
ATMSMAP=ATM_PLOG
AMIN=1e-3
AMAX=1
TEX=Contrail1

;Atlas-Agena launch exhaust
[BOOSTER_1]
N=1
MESHNAME="ATDA\Atlas-Agena_CONTRAIL"
OFF=(0,0,-10.8.)
HEIGHT=0.01
DIAMETER=0.01
THRUST=0.001
EMPTYMASS=0.01
FUELMASS=0.1
BURNTIME=1
BURNDELAY=3
ENG_DIAMETER=31.4.
ENG_TEX=Contrail1
ENG_PSTREAM1=vapor

;Atlas-Agena MA-3 Booster
[BOOSTER_2]
N=1
MeshName="ATDA\atl_boost"
Height=0.60
Diameter=4.90
EmptyMass=3174
FuelMass=0.4
Thrust=1644960
angle=180.
off=(0.,0.,-7.497)
ENG_1=(1.5,0,-2)
ENG_2=(-1.5,0,-2)
ENG_DIAMETER=0.000006
BURNDELAY=3
BurnTime=120
ENG_PSTREAM1=engine
ENG_PSTREAM2=exhaust
Speed=(0,0,-5)
Rot_Speed=0

;Atlas-Agena vernier rockets
[BOOSTER_3]
N=1
MESHNAME="ATDA\Atlas-Agena_VERNIER"
OFF=(0,0,1.85)
ENG_1=(-0,-1.9,-7.9)
ENG_2=(0,1.9,-7.9)
HEIGHT=0.01
DIAMETER=0.01
THRUST=5950
EMPTYMASS=48.1
FUELMASS=0.3
BURNTIME=289
ENG_DIAMETER=0.15
ENG_TEX=Exhaust2

[STAGE_1]
Height=20.67
Diameter=3.05
EmptyMass=2326
FuelMass=229400
Thrust=386300
BurnTime=269
off=(0.,0.,1.1)
MeshName="ATDA\atl_main"
ENG_1=(0,0,-10)
ENG_DIAMETER=0.000006
ENG_PSTREAM1=engine2
Rot_Speed=0
[SEPARATION_12]
MESHNAME="ATDA\ATDA_atl_adapt"
HEIGHT=2.5
DIAMETER=1.52
EMPTYMASS=146
OFF=(0,0,12.60)
ROT_SPEED=0

[PAYLOAD_1]
MESHNAME="ATDA\ATDA_launch"
OFF=(0,0,16.1)
Height=7.09
Diameter=1.52
Mass=673
MODULE=ATDA
NAME=ATDA
SPEED=3

Guidance file...

-5=engine(0,100,2)
0=engine(100,100,0.1)
5=roll(3,90,84,88,-1)
60=pitch(88,85,15)
75=pitch(85,80,15)
90=pitch(80,75,15)
105=pitch(75,55,15)
119=disable(jettison)
120=pitch(55,50,15)
122.5=PlaySound(Sound\GATV\Atlas-SEP.wav)
123=jettison()
135=pitch(50,45,15)
150=pitch(45,40,100)
250=pitch(40,35,16)
266=pitch(35,30,5)
271=pitch(30,30,91)
302=engine(0,100,0.1)
302.1=engine(100,100,0.1)
362=pitch(30,10,20)
382=pitch(10,10,100)
482=pitch(10,0,20)
502=pitch(0,0,3000)
551=engine(100,27,0.1)
555=engine(27,0,0.1)
556=engine(0,0,300)

Thanks...

 

[4throck]

Not shure if it helps, but anyway, some data on the Augmented Target Docking Adapter's launch / orbit that might be usefull for the guidance file:



» "The spacecraft was successfully injected into a near-circular 304 km orbit"
» "292 km x 296 km, 28.8º" (lower figures... perhaps it had decayed and this is the orbit at docking?)

»
Gemini 9 Agena & ATDA Agena
GATV-5004
Mass 3,252 kg
Launch site LC-14
Launch date May 17, 1966
Launch time 15:12 UTC
Destroyed 15:19 UTC
ATDA #02186 NSSDC ID: 1966-046A
Mass 794 kg
Launch site LC-14
Launch date June 1, 1966
Launch time 15:00:02 UTC
1st perigee 298.4 km
1st apogee 309.7 km
Period 90.5 min
Inclination 28.87
Reentered June 11, 1966

 

[Saturn V]

I can't even get it into orbit...either I run out of fuel, or if I adjust the parameters to increase the burn time, it tumbles out of control just short of orbital insertion. Been messing with it for 2 days. Time for somebody else to take a fresh look at it...hence the help request.

---------- Post added at 10:56 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:23 AM ----------

Trying to set up some scenarios in the meantime. Anybody know how long prior to launch the gantry retraction sequence took place?

 

[Star Voyager]

I have a book that says it took place at T-60 minutes.

 

[Saturn V]

Yeah, for some reason, that figure kept leaping out of nowhere at me. Must've read it somewhere too...

Columbia, any luck with the files?

 

[Columbia42]

Well, I'm making some progress. The guidance file is a mystery though. I've had the same tumbling out of control problem with many vessels that I've made.

 

[Saturn V]

Yeah, the thing that was nice about the Agena was being able to use its PPS engine for the last leg of the trip into orbit. Not so with the ATDA!

 

[Columbia42]

Here's my version of the ATDA .ini file:

[MISC]
cog=0.5
focus=1

[SOUND]
MAIN_THRUST=Sound\GATV\Atlas-ENGINE.wav

[TEXTURE_LIST]
TEX_1=Exhaust
TEX_2=Exhaust2
TEX_3=Contrail1

[PARTICLESTREAM_1]
NAME=engine
SRCSIZE=0.9
SRCRATE=500
V0=0.05
SRCSPREAD=0.3
LIFETIME=0.43
GROWTHRATE=1.0
ATMSLOWDOWN=0.0
LTYPE=EMISSIVE
LEVELMAP=LVL_SQRT
LMIN=0
LMAX=1
ATMSMAP=ATM_PLOG
AMIN=1e-1140
AMAX=1
TEX=Contrail2

[PARTICLESTREAM_2]
NAME=engine2
SRCSIZE=0.9
SRCRATE=500
V0=0.05
SRCSPREAD=0.3
LIFETIME=0.43
GROWTHRATE=-0.4
ATMSLOWDOWN=0.0
LTYPE=EMISSIVE
LEVELMAP=LVL_SQRT
LMIN=0
LMAX=1
ATMSMAP=ATM_PLOG
AMIN=1e-1140
AMAX=1
TEX=Contrail2

[PARTICLESTREAM_3]
NAME=vapor
SRCSIZE=19.3
SRCRATE=100
V0=15.0
SRCSPREAD=4.3
LIFETIME=30.6
GROWTHRATE=0.5
ATMSLOWDOWN=0.05
LTYPE=DIFFUSE
LEVELMAP=LVL_PSQRT
LMIN=0
LMAX=1
ATMSMAP=ATM_PLOG
AMIN=1e-3
AMAX=1
TEX=Contrail1

;Atlas-Agena launch exhaust
[BOOSTER_1]
N=1
MESHNAME="ATDA\Atlas-Agena_CONTRAIL"
OFF=(0,0,-10.8.)
HEIGHT=0.01
DIAMETER=0.01
THRUST=0.001
EMPTYMASS=0.01
FUELMASS=0.1
BURNTIME=1
BURNDELAY=3
ENG_DIAMETER=31.4.
ENG_TEX=Contrail1
ENG_PSTREAM1=vapor

;Atlas-Agena MA-3 Booster
[BOOSTER_2]
N=1
MeshName="ATDA\atl_boost"
Height=0.60
Diameter=4.90
EmptyMass=3174
FuelMass=0.4
Thrust=1644967
angle=180.
off=(0.,0.,-7.497)
ENG_1=(1.5,0,-2)
ENG_2=(-1.5,0,-2)
ENG_DIAMETER=0.000006
BURNDELAY=3
BurnTime=120
ENG_PSTREAM1=engine
ENG_PSTREAM2=exhaust
Speed=(0,0,-5)
Rot_Speed=0

;Atlas-Agena vernier rockets
[BOOSTER_3]
N=1
MESHNAME="ATDA\Atlas-Agena_VERNIER"
OFF=(0,0,1.85)
ENG_1=(-0,-1.9,-7.9)
ENG_2=(0,1.9,-7.9)
HEIGHT=0.01
DIAMETER=0.01
THRUST=5950
EMPTYMASS=48.1
FUELMASS=0.3
BURNTIME=289
ENG_DIAMETER=0.15
ENG_TEX=Exhaust2

[STAGE_1]
Height=20.67
Diameter=3.05
EmptyMass=2326
FuelMass=114700
Thrust=386382
BurnTime=265
off=(0.,0.,1.1)
MeshName="ATDA\atl_main"
ENG_1=(0,0,-10)
ENG_DIAMETER=0.000006
ENG_PSTREAM1=engine2
Rot_Speed=0

[SEPARATION_12]
MESHNAME="ATDA\ATDA_atl_adapt"
HEIGHT=2.5
DIAMETER=1.52
EMPTYMASS=146
OFF=(0,0,12.60)
ROT_SPEED=0

[PAYLOAD_1]
MESHNAME="ATDA\ATDA_launch"
OFF=(0,0,16.1)
Height=7.09
Diameter=1.52
Mass=794
MODULE=ATDA
NAME=ATDA
SPEED=3

 

[Saturn V]

Have you successfully gotten it into orbit (I don't see a guidance file)?

The main problem I see just looking at the file is that stage 1 now carries about 1/2 the fuel with the same burn time & thrust (gonna run out of gas before the burn is complete and you won't even be 1/4 of the way into orbit). With essentially the same parameters, I couldn't even get it to go sub-orbital.

The Atlas has to provide all the thrust into orbit since the Agena was actually an upper stage with a docking collar on the other end.

The ATDA was simply a docking target with no primary propulsion of it's own.

What's missing are the 265 seconds of additional thrust/burn time provided by the Agena. There has to be way to absorb that into the Atlas and still have it fly a controlled orbital trajectory.

 

[4throck]

Perhaps this is just a dumb sugestion, but have you tried something based on the Ranger / Surveyour addons? I think one of those has a guidance file that will put the Atlas itself in orbit.

 

[Columbia42]

I looked up the figures for the Atlas SLV-3 on Astronautix.com. That's where I got my figures. Is there some other source that would be better?

 

[Saturn V]

I think the Ranger/Surveyors also used an upper stage, or they were launched onto a direct lunar transfer.

I've been fiddling around with the parameters and achieved an eliptical, stable orbit. I suppose with a bit more patience, I'll be able to get it to work, but it almost assuredly won't be "by the book."

---------- Post added at 08:08 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:25 PM ----------

I give up. Anybody know what happened to kino_astroboy? He did the majority of the setup on the Atlas launch, but he's not answering his IMs & hasn't been logged in since 1/23/10...

Or can anybody manage to get this bugger into the correct stable orbit???? It's about the only thing left delaying this release...

 

[Columbia42]

I'm out of ideas.

 

[Star Voyager]

Or can anybody manage to get this bugger into the correct stable orbit???? It's about the only thing left delaying this release...

Why can't you just release it now and say "no AP, fly manually"?

 

[4throck]

I think the Ranger/Surveyors also used an upper stage, or they were launched onto a direct lunar transfer...

Yes, the was an upperstage, but the guidance file might be usefull, up until the jetisson stage part. It's just a wild guess. The Atlas missiles might also be useful, or something from Mercury (Big Joe?).

Release it as it is, someone will fix it, and then you can re-upload it with the guidance corrected. No problem there

 

[Saturn V]

Ah, but there is a problem. I'm a stubborn bastard :lol:.

 

[Star Voyager]

Apart from the rockets, I just got done updating the coordinates for the AMR tracking stations. Should I post them on OH?

 

[Saturn V]

Finally got the ATDA into orbit, but the auto jettison does not work (I thought it was because of the booster shutdown instead of burn-out, but I've tried it both ways and it makes no difference).

Manually jettisoning the payload calls up the correct module for the ATDA, but it just lazily drifts away from the booster (sometimes through it). Apparently the jettison speed setting in multistage 2 only works if you can get the auto-jettison to work.

Any ideas?

 

[Columbia42]

In the .ini file, go to the payload section and change SPEED=3 to SPEED=(0,0,3) Also, 3 m/s is not very fast. You might want to change the speed to something like 5 or 10.
As for the auto jettison, in the guidance file make sure that next to the time you want the ATDA to jettison at, you have =jettison(). That should fix the problem.