Gemini Program

[Rosey]

I POSTED THIS IN REQUESTS ... I am new and I do not know where I can ger an answer

A few years ago, I got a Gemini program for Orbiter and I found it had several errors. I was told that someone was working on an upgrade for the new orbiter

This may sound dumb, but AMSO makes a great Apollo and there is a great Mercury program .. could someone consider making a good Gemini Program if one is not already available. I mean the whole ball game from the rondevous abort with Armstrong and Scott to all the space walks too. The EVA's are already out there and docking has been mastered

The Armstrong Abort is something that would really be a challenge with a manuel reenty and all

 

[Apollo 11]

It needs updating, but unfortunatly Gemini is lost between the pioneering flights of Mercury and the Moon landings of Apollo. But had it not been for Gemini we would have not made it to the moon.

 

[eveningsky339]

The Gemini simulation for Orbiter was frankly a let-down after the very well-done Mercury simulation. I hope someone updates it.

 

[tgep]

Agreed. The Gemini program was the stepping stone that got us to the moon. It would be nice to see that program get the proper treatment it deserves, especialy the Gemini 9 flight. It was the most demanding flight in the program. It was a test pilot mission through and through.

 

[MJR]

It also was a great help in advancing in our EVA missions.

 

[startrekmaniac]

Why dont you we just make a new one ourselfs? Or just improve the current add on.

 

[tgep]

We'd need all the source codes and permission to do it.

 

[Zachstar]

We'd need all the source codes and permission to do it.

It is open source. (You notice the code in the download?) If you want to fork it http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fork_(software_development) Then I strongly suggest you have a plan in place instead of diving right into it.

Instead I say just focus on improving the current Gemini code in anticipation of Gemini 5 but if you want to fork I suggest this.

#1 Before you start RESEARCH! There is a TON TON TON of stuff about Gemini that you do not get from Pr docs, Documentaries, and Wiki. For instance do you know anything about the Gemini Guidance Computer?

#2 Learn how to effectively use sourceforge.

 

[Urwumpe]

#1 Before you start RESEARCH! There is a TON TON TON of stuff about Gemini that you do not get from Pr docs, Documentaries, and Wiki. For instance do you know anything about the Gemini Guidance Computer?

reading the stuff Rob already collected should be a must - it contains a very detailed description of the Gemini Computer.

 

[tgep]

Very true. You must also take into account that the guidance program could be interlinked through the Agena to use it as a booster. All commands were input manualy but it may be possible to hot key those commands so as to make it slightly easier for Orbinaughts to fly.

A better 3D virtual cockpit will be complicated but is certainly possible. A scrolling ability will be a must as it is with NASSP5. As for docking, the radar screen will be your main point of referance as the windows are quite small and you won't get good visuals until within roughly 100 meters or so. It'll be IFR 95% of the process for docking.

 

[Urwumpe]

A better 3D virtual cockpit will be complicated but is certainly possible. A scrolling ability will be a must as it is with NASSP5. As for docking, the radar screen will be your main point of referance as the windows are quite small and you won't get good visuals until within roughly 100 meters or so. It'll be IFR 95% of the process for docking.

No radar screen on Gemini. Instead it had small dial on the commanders side showing range and range rate parameters.

Also the windows are quite large, when you remember that the astronaut is sitting right behind it.

 

[tgep]

That makes it even tougher ! Good thing Orbiter has a Docking MFD !

 

[Urwumpe]

That makes it even tougher ! Good thing Orbiter has a Docking MFD !

In the old forum, we experimented with visually docking, which is indeed possible. You can, at least in theory, dock completely without using Dock MFD or Orbit MFD. But orbit MFD would make things simpler...

 

[tgep]

I know. I still like to try doing it without the MFDs to guide me sometimes. When I fly AMSO, it's strictly reticle work. It's just so incredibly EASY that way. They realy got it right when they put those reticles in the windows.

 

[tgep]

Maybe a Rube Goldberg Grease pencil reticle drawn on the window for docking ? LOL

 

[Urwumpe]

LOL, I still have problems with getting the docking targets understood correctly. When I do it, I need a few tries until I can visualize my position correctly.

 

[Ghostrider]

That makes it even tougher ! Good thing Orbiter has a Docking MFD !

Sacrilege! You don't use MFDs on the Gemini, you use the actual simulated instruments. And if they malfunction, you break out your slide rule! You know how to use a slide rule, don't you?

 

[Urwumpe]

Sacrilege! You don't use MFDs on the Gemini, you use the actual simulated instruments. And if they malfunction, you break out your slide rule! You know how to use a slide rule, don't you?

Give him break, only one guy was born to be Buzz Aldrin. :lol:

 

[estar]

There is an update to the attitude control here. But the gemini module still takes control away from orbiter to accuratly simulates the craft.

http://www.ibiblio.org/mscorbit/beta/Gemini_Titan.dll

I don't have a full package or source up for this but I will fix that in two weeks.

I am also planning to license that version under the GPL. Likely whatever version Project Apollo for Orbiter is under.

I always been an advocate of open source for Orbiter and my add-ons are free for anybody to use and modify.

Right now the attitude control for Gemini has nearly all the historical modes implemented. Understand that orbiter's method of attitude control doesn't reflect how Gemini (or Mercury) was actually operating.

The Joystick is tied to attitude control only. It supports pulse mode, direct mode (like orbiter), and rate control. The keypad can be switched between translation and rotation. My recommendation for accuracy is to keep the keypad in translation. The Gemini Translation joystick was not analog but instead pressed one of six switch to fire an axis. So the use of joystick and keypad will accurately reflect the historical gemini controls.

Both my Mercury and Gemini really need a Joystick for full use as the attitude control modes don't translate well to button pressing.

As for lack of progress. I been involved in a series of paid writing projects for Dungeons and Dragons (Goodman Games) so I haven't had much free time for Orbiter development.

My main future orbiter plans (when I get the time) will involve completing the Mercury Mission Control, the Gemini, and writing a book on Spacecraft operations.

Rob Conley

BTW for you Gemini pilots I strongly recommend "How NASA learned to fly" by David M Harland. It is one of the reason I have focused on getting the attitude control right as opposed to the other instruments.

 

[Rosey]

I think maybe I opened up a can of worms

Let's look at this in a simple mannor. You about an up to date program where the old one left off for starts. You could have a auto pilot lift off and a manual (using a joy stick) ability to direct the ship. AMSO has an almost automatic set up for lunar landings, maybe one could be made for docking and rondevous. One sequence could be the double launch and the problem of a first launch of Gemini 6 and 7. One could be the abort of the Armstrong /Scott docking. You could even throw in a fantasy abort from the pad to what would have happened had Wally S had chosen not to ride the the rocket for the first launch

But most of all, I would like to see an educational and practice launch, and re-entry .. something that my kids could just watch and experience ... like the latest Mars Lander .. a full automated take off and landing just for the thrill of the ride itself

Once we have a good program, additional addons could be made for Radars and the Gemini Guidance Computer and other addons to be done later. We could get as complicted and intensive in detail from step to step.

We need a good detailed lanch pad with a gantry that lowers away .. there also must be a good recording of a launch with teh the Cape and Houston radio traffic like the AMSO Apollo 11 launch