Howdy, folks!
I'm still a relative n00b here, but I'd like to make a suggestion.
I've been working on a model of the proposed Russian Kliper (pronounced: "Clipper") spacecraft (pic attached, if you are interested), and I realised that something inside me finds great appeal in the more realistic spacecraft Orbiter has to offer. I love the XR-2 as much as anyone, but I feel there is a lack of spacecraft bridging the gap between reality and fantasy. I want more than the Shuttle, but less than the XR-series!
This is why I would like to propose the Virtual Aeronautics and Space Administration. The goal:
To develop addons for Orbiter which are consistent with current or near-term (<10 years) real life technology.
For instance, when developing a new spacecraft, the time will usually come when you realise you need an engine with the thrust of an F1 and the Isp of an ion propulsion system. Or perhaps you need a hull made from unobtanium? The goal of VASA would be to resist temptation to "fudge the numbers" and insist on realistic specifications and performance.
Every nut and bolt on the spacecraft would have to be accounted for in the final mass. Every increase in Isp would have to be justified. Every bell and whistle would have to face the question: do we really need this?
People who I feel could contribute to such an effort include:
* Visionaries (to come up with ideas for stuff)
* Engineers (people with real-life experience in building stuff)
* 3D modellers (to make our stuff look purdy)
* Programmers (to make our stuff work)
* Tech gurus (to make our stuff realistic)
The main appeal to me, of this idea, is that there are times when I don't have enough knowledge or experience in a particular area to do the job properly. I feel that having a (somewhat) organised community, each with their own speciality, would benefit anyone interested in Orbiter addon development. I also think the discussions over what we can afford to include in a spacecraft would be very enlightening, especially from those who do this kind of thing for a living!
After watching "Mars Rising", I am inspired to suggest an initial goal could be, before this decade is out, to develop a spacecraft for a manned mission to Mars. This is a goal which is perhaps within reach of current technology and challenging enough, without being completely unobtainable.
Of course, there is no need to focus on only one project at a time. Different sub-groups could focus their energies on the projects which most appeal to them (VASA-JPL, anyone?).
Besides, the worst thing which could happen is it all turns into a beurocratic mess that never gets anything done. But at that point, we would be just like the real NASA, so it's a win-win!
So what does the forum think? "Hell yeah!", "not worth the effort", or "well-intentioned, but doomed to fail"?
As promised, are pics of my Kliper:
I'm still a relative n00b here, but I'd like to make a suggestion.
I've been working on a model of the proposed Russian Kliper (pronounced: "Clipper") spacecraft (pic attached, if you are interested), and I realised that something inside me finds great appeal in the more realistic spacecraft Orbiter has to offer. I love the XR-2 as much as anyone, but I feel there is a lack of spacecraft bridging the gap between reality and fantasy. I want more than the Shuttle, but less than the XR-series!
This is why I would like to propose the Virtual Aeronautics and Space Administration. The goal:
To develop addons for Orbiter which are consistent with current or near-term (<10 years) real life technology.
For instance, when developing a new spacecraft, the time will usually come when you realise you need an engine with the thrust of an F1 and the Isp of an ion propulsion system. Or perhaps you need a hull made from unobtanium? The goal of VASA would be to resist temptation to "fudge the numbers" and insist on realistic specifications and performance.
Every nut and bolt on the spacecraft would have to be accounted for in the final mass. Every increase in Isp would have to be justified. Every bell and whistle would have to face the question: do we really need this?
People who I feel could contribute to such an effort include:
* Visionaries (to come up with ideas for stuff)
* Engineers (people with real-life experience in building stuff)
* 3D modellers (to make our stuff look purdy)
* Programmers (to make our stuff work)
* Tech gurus (to make our stuff realistic)
The main appeal to me, of this idea, is that there are times when I don't have enough knowledge or experience in a particular area to do the job properly. I feel that having a (somewhat) organised community, each with their own speciality, would benefit anyone interested in Orbiter addon development. I also think the discussions over what we can afford to include in a spacecraft would be very enlightening, especially from those who do this kind of thing for a living!
After watching "Mars Rising", I am inspired to suggest an initial goal could be, before this decade is out, to develop a spacecraft for a manned mission to Mars. This is a goal which is perhaps within reach of current technology and challenging enough, without being completely unobtainable.
Of course, there is no need to focus on only one project at a time. Different sub-groups could focus their energies on the projects which most appeal to them (VASA-JPL, anyone?).
Besides, the worst thing which could happen is it all turns into a beurocratic mess that never gets anything done. But at that point, we would be just like the real NASA, so it's a win-win!
So what does the forum think? "Hell yeah!", "not worth the effort", or "well-intentioned, but doomed to fail"?
As promised, are pics of my Kliper:
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