Author Topic: Free Space Simulator (Read 300 times)

LtHans · « **on:** March 17, 2002, 10:26:19 PM »

I don't know if this has made the rounds yet, but there is a free space flight simulator available.

http://www.orbitersim.com

The sim is a civilian sim. No military anything. It is fairly technical in nature, but I found it was easier than the old Microsoft Space Simulator.

LtHans · « **Reply #1 on:** March 17, 2002, 10:29:02 PM »

The big picture is the Russian Buran space shuttle using the European Space Agency Ariane-5 for a booster.

It is something I'm currently working on. As you can see the booster's textures are screwed up. The booster also lacks the power to actually lift the Buran into space, so the Buran model is alot lighter than it ought to be.

Tac · « **Reply #2 on:** March 18, 2002, 12:34:03 AM »

you can make models for that thing?

What are you using if so?

LtHans · « **Reply #3 on:** March 18, 2002, 03:01:32 AM »

I can't make models, though alot of the people who do use anim8tor or something like that. There is probably about 20 vehicles to fly in that game

I just delve into editing the text files of the units created already to adjust them to my liking.

That Ariane 5 and Buran are two seperate units in the game, and the Ariane 5 is unique in that you can set what it's payload is. I edited the scenario file and changed it to the Buran shuttle (which currently lacks a booster rocket).

The game itself only comes with four rockets, three of which are fantasy ships. The rest are 3rd party mods.

1. The Shuttle Atlantis.
2. The Delta Flyer. Takes off vertically with hover jets, and has enough fuel on it to reach Mars. Thats the red plane you see in a screenshot up there
3. The Shuttle A. This is similar to the Delta flyer, but is bassically an non-areodynamic "space truck". It too has very long range fuel tanks and has hover jets for take off and landing vertically like a Harrier jet.
4. The PB Shuttle. This is a tiny, single seat pod. Again, lifting rockets as well as a main thrust rocket. Vertical landing and takeoff.

Now, there are a few websites that add all sorts of new vehicles. Two of my favorites are the X-33 Venture Star carrying an X-37 as a payload (both theoretical prototypes build by NASA), and the old Dynasoar 2-man shuttle on top of a Titan-3C booster.

SageFIN · « **Reply #4 on:** March 18, 2002, 07:04:46 AM »

Well, well. Just what I have been looking for. Thanks for the info

mrfish · « **Reply #5 on:** March 18, 2002, 09:59:11 AM »

i'll have to try downloading it again -

i got it working last time with the hi res graphics option installed but it still looked like that old arcade game 'the red baron' all green and black....didnt really look like anything. and i wasnt expecting much.

the shots you have are at least something.

LtHans · « **Reply #6 on:** March 19, 2002, 02:48:25 AM »

Mr Fish, the game comes in TWO downloads. One is the game itself, the other is the textures for everything.

Did you get both?

mrfish · « **Reply #7 on:** March 19, 2002, 03:25:03 PM »

yeah i did, but its likely i set something up wrong so will try it again .

i'm studying astrodynamics right now so i'm very interested. i recently got an old book by ball/osborne (pioneers in the field) where they still hadn't decided what to use to decellerate the stages as they reentered - great stuff! too bad we aren't that devoted to space travel anymore

do they have any traditional old style multi-stage rockets available as well? i'd like to take a saturn for a spin

LtHans · « **Reply #8 on:** March 21, 2002, 04:48:43 AM »

There are quite a few old rockets. I've got the Mercury Redstone, the Mercury Atlas, the Vostok-1, the Gemini Titan, and the Ariane 5 (European Space Agency).

The Saturn V is in the works. Actually, a couple different modders are working at the same time. The Command Module and Lunar lander are already out, just no rocket to carry them.