OFSS II - Project Info & Discussion Thread

[halcyon]

Manual revisions complete!

Added quite a bit. The one I just finished was the STS Flight Ops manual.
I will be making one for every vehicle we use: PTV, CTV, SpaceX Dragon, Ariane 6, XR2, and XR5.
That sounds like a lot but a lot of the information is static between manuals. The only parts that change are the spacecraft controls and keybinds, the mission objective, flightplan, and payload (as well as newly added interactive station modules on subsequent missions).

Here's a look at a *nearly* completed STS flight ops manual, namely STS-148 scheduled for next month:

Cover:

Full PDF Manual:
---> http://home.comcast.net/~ajpongress/documents/STS-148 Flight Operations.pdf <---

As always, suggestions welcome.
If there's something you want on YOUR manual, then this is the time to say so.
Because, this manual is for YOU, the pilots.

 

[Kyle]

Wow! That is REALLY cool!

Thanks for the hard work!!!

 

[C3PO]

Wahey! STS-148, my first OFSS-II mission (not counting backups)

Looking great!!!

Did you change your mind about having a 1-fits-all manual to a mission specific? In that case I'd suggest splitting it into two manuals. One with all the station info (OFSS II operation) and one with the mission specific ops.

The "initial orbit" and "orbit insertion" are only needed for FD-1. The phasing and alignment aren't needed after docking (FD-4?). We need more info on the mission objectives to sort this out.

 

[halcyon]

No it will still be a one size fits all manual.
I don't want multiple manuals, because the whole point was to make everything in one comprehensive document.

I just copied and pasted the burn data to fill in pages and show volume. I'll be revising the data tables this week.
I guess the main question I have is, will a station rendezvous ever take place past the 3rd day?
As you said C3PO, that will be up to the objectives and flight plans.

Anyway, more changes will take place, although small ones. What you see up there is basically how it will look. Just need to revise some data blocks.
I took out the pictures from the equipment section. I think you're right, it looks better without and less like a children's book or library book about space.
I did want to find a way to get a wireframe model of the station instead of a still black and white photograph of it, but I can't think of a way to do this.

Also waiting on a response from Kyle if he would be able to get me flight plans and payloads ahead of time.

 

[Kyle]

Okay guys, just wanted to say something.

I've had some personal problems crop up last week so I haven't been quick to give out scenarios, give further info on missions and feedback on problems and the excellent work some of you guys have done, like halcyon's idea for example.

I should be 100% free and dedicated to OFSS2 by Thursday. Thank you all for your patience.

 

[C3PO]

I guess the main question I have is, will a station rendezvous ever take place past the 3rd day?

I'm guessing the latest docking would be FD-4, except for special missions like the PTV-1 maiden flight.

I should be 100% free and dedicated to OFSS2 by Thursday. Thank you all for your patience.

You got it all backwards, mate. It's we who thank you for all your effort. You do all the hard work, leaving us pilots to do the flights.
Don't think for a moment that we expect you to put this voluntary hobby in front of anything in your personal life.
I just want to be crystal clear on that matter.

 

[halcyon]

Maybe I'll include the phasing and alignment data blocks up to day 5, just in case. After that I'll work in some entry interface and reentry data blocks.
It will be on every flight day up to 14. Pilots can use the data blocks that they need to. Every single one doesn't need to be filled up.

Easiest way to have the orbital burn data section be universal and not have to fit every specific mission like a glove.

 

[Wood]

I'll be flying PTV 2 sometime tonight. I'm not exactly sure how to re-programme the autopilot, so the first attempt(s) might be interesting.

 

[C3PO]

I'll be flying PTV 2 sometime tonight. I'm not exactly sure how to re-programme the autopilot, so the first attempt(s) might be interesting.

This is the guidance I used for PTV-1.

-35.7=PlaySound(Sound\Pollux-Castor\countdown.wav)
-5=engine(0,100,5)
5=roll(5,90,90.25,89,1)
20=pitch(89,40,38)
57=pitch(40,35,94)
150=pitch(35,25,16)
165=pitch(25,25,165)
170=fairing()
330=pitch(25,10,21)
350=pitch(10,10,231)
580=pitch(10,5,6)
585=pitch(5,5,150)
645=engine(100,30,5)
668=engine(30,0,1)
670=engine(0,0,1)
685=jettison()

This will put your PeA at ~25 km, so you need to tweak it some to get into a circular orbit.

..add-on docs\multistage.pdf explains the syntax very well.

I've been planning to make the initial roll a bit more realistic. You can get away with an Alpha angle of ~10° during MaxQ in Orbiter, but it doesn't "look right". :lol:

 

[Wood]

Thanks C3PO, your autopilot worked extremely well. T'was a fun flight.

 

[halcyon]

Kyle, are you around?
Avoiding sending you a PM since you said it's full to the brim.

I'm still waiting on your answer if I would have access to flight plan and payload data before launch dates for the flight manuals.

 

[Kyle]

Kyle, are you around?
Avoiding sending you a PM since you said it's full to the brim.

I'm still waiting on your answer if I would have access to flight plan and payload data before launch dates for the flight manuals.

I'll send you one tomorrow afternoon - PM me if I forget!!

My personal problems do not have seemed to resolved themselves yet so I've been very removed from orbiter in general. Plus to make things worse - Final exams are coming up!

 

[cymrych]

Install Directions

Hey Halcyon, I can work on an installation guide for OFSS 2 required add-ons, with instructions for order of installation, what to over-write or not as you go through the list, etc. I just got me a new computer rig, so I'm currently in the process of getting my OFSS2 install up to snuff anyway, may as well help new folks out since its fresh in my mind.

 

[halcyon]

Hey Halcyon, I can work on an installation guide for OFSS 2 required add-ons, with instructions for order of installation, what to over-write or not as you go through the list, etc. I just got me a new computer rig, so I'm currently in the process of getting my OFSS2 install up to snuff anyway, may as well help new folks out since its fresh in my mind.

That would be *bleep* fantastic. :thumbup:
I'm still having issues with my install order. If you hammer something out I'll be the first one in line to try it.

Thanks!

 

[cymrych]

Give me a couple of days to get something hashed out. As you noted earlier, there are A LOT of old file/new file overwriting events with this sizeable list of add-ons, and it's going to take some time for me to do the background legwork.

Let you know what I come up soon. By Tuesday for certain, lol.

PS: I'll probably need some help "test driving" each scenario which adds a new module/vessel/etc, at least up to payload jettison/vessel creation, to verify installation stability. I'll PM you first, Halcyon, before I post anything remotely "official" on OFSS2 forum. Hopefully I can get you something later tonight after work, if I actually manage to get out at a reasonable time for once.

 

[Kyle]

I'm back full time! C3PO, did you get my PM from a few days ago regarding your mission? I still haven't seen it on the mission screenshot threat yet.

Also, given the situation that has been revolving around my personal life the last few weeks, I'm going to delay all missions +5 days, I apologize for that but its the only way we don't end up mashing the schedule and having rushed flights. So, STS-148 will be today, the next mission will be on April 14th, and so on,

 

[diogom]

C3PO, Phantom Cruiser and me, at leat for now, are having a CTD on STS-148. The scenario doesn't load, the logs are in the issues thread.
Great that your back! That's ok, personal life first, even if it includes delaying missions.

 

[Kyle]

Hmm.. I'm getting CTD's on STS-148 on my end too. I'll troubleshoot, I didn't get this earlier. Some reason also SSU has stopped working on Orbiter 2010 though completely unrelated.

EDIT: I think I found the problem, its with the PMA attached to the module in Atlantis. I have a UCargoDeck on the module inside Atlantis as well as the same module attached by a different UCargoDeck in Atlantis's bay. I just don't know exactly how to get around that yet.

 

[diogom]

Kyle, the CTD on 148 is fixed if you follow what Glider posted on the pre-flight scns thread. It's a problem with being PTV-2, and not PTV-1.

---------- Post added at 03:37 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:07 PM ----------

BTW, on the scn description for STS-148, it says to dock the module to the nadir port of Neesys but, Neesys has no free ports. Did you mean the Eranda?

 

[PhantomCruiser]

I thought the same thing when I got to intercept. Had to quicksave before I fell asleep at the keyboard. I was going to put it opposite the cupola.

Working 12 hr shifts is good for the bank account, but really crappy for almost anything else.