RFC: Work on a speedy release
While reading the STS-124 payload thread, I get the impression that the number of fixes and required add-ons combined with the rather old version causes problems. Maybe we can improve the situation by releasing the next version of SSU as soon as we can. What do you think?
Suggestion:
The MLP and ground infrastructure work gets moved back one release. I can also accept delaying the GLS implementation one release, though I wanted to have it in this one. It is not as important as making Don's mission packs useful, IMHO.
Instead, we finish the following tasks:
- New payload management system. Like sketched out in the thread.
- Mission definition files. Define only the payload attachment positions and the existence of ODS and RMS inside them. Any suggestion how the file format should look like is welcome. I would prefer an XML format, but any other structured format is welcome. It must be possible to extend the file contents easily. All mission related stuff gets implemented by the class mission::Mission. Including writing the mission state into the scenario file.
-Mission management dialog. Extending the main dialog of SSU (CTRL+SPACE) by a button "Mission Management" or "Mission Mngt" and a dialog displaying mission time, mission phase (PRELAUNCH, ASCENT, POST-INSERTION, ON-ORBIT, DEORBIT PREP, ENTRY, POSTLANDING, etc) and a way to progress manually to a new mission phase (correcting automatic transitions). as final section, a way to manipulate the seat states of the flight deck should exist. When we get the Mission Specialist seats in the VC, we might want to (un)seat the MS and fold/unfold the seats.
- The new ODS + panels. I am already pretty far in including it, and can estimate the time required for finishing the task at around 10-13 work hours. I will only implement the ODS panels using the new VC framework, and leave the implementation of the other panels for the future - as long as it works, why touch it now?
- VC restoration. If the MDUs and keyboards work in any thinkable dirty way, I am happy for this release. We can spent later time making it look the way, Djikstra will like it, for the sake of our immortal souls.
And additions or suggestions?
I don't want to play project lead here. First because I am the most minimal contributor to the project. Second because I am a really bad project lead.