How much have you learnt from Orbiter?

[pandadude]

I've learnt a tonne, I don't even know where to begin.
I guess there were a few simple things at first. I never used to completely understand how orbits worked, I didn't know what AoA was and so on.
There are so many things I've learnt. On top of stuff I learnt from Orbiter, playing the sim got me interested in NASA's space programs again. I've always had a small interest in space flight, but since I downloaded Orbiter about 8 months ago, I've learnt loads about the history of space flight. I'd never even heard of the Gemini Program before Orbiter.

Ironically, before I played Orbiter, when I was about 14 I went on a family holiday to Florida. When we went to the KSC, I was dead bored. I couldn't have cared less. We only really went for my Dad. Now I'd really like to go back there (difficult living in Australia ). I remember a few things they had there, which meant nothing to me at the time, but now I'd really like to see it again.

So what interesting things have you learnt from Orbiter?

 

[ar81]

See this tutorial
http://www.aovi93.dsl.pipex.com/play_in_space.htm
You will learn great many things.

You also might like this also
[ame="http://www.orbithangar.com/searchid.php?ID=3074"]Tutorial: DG to ISS[/ame]

 

[pandadude]

Yea I've got the GoPlayInSpace tutorial already. I found it very useful when I first started with Orbiter.

 

[GregBurch]

I've learned that if you have a decent instinctive understanding of Newtonian physics, you can do a lot of astrogation "by feel."

 

[n72.75]

I've learnt a tonne, I don't even know where to begin.
I guess there were a few simple things at first. I never used to completely understand how orbits worked, I didn't know what AoA was and so on.
There are so many things I've learnt. On top of stuff I learnt from Orbiter, playing the sim got me interested in NASA's space programs again. I've always had a small interest in space flight, but since I downloaded Orbiter about 8 months ago, I've learnt loads about the history of space flight. I'd never even heard of the Gemini Program before Orbiter.

Ironically, before I played Orbiter, when I was about 14 I went on a family holiday to Florida. When we went to the KSC, I was dead bored. I couldn't have cared less. We only really went for my Dad. Now I'd really like to go back there (difficult living in Australia ). I remember a few things they had there, which meant nothing to me at the time, but now I'd really like to see it again.


So what interesting things have you learnt from Orbiter?

but did you learn to spell :rofl:just kiding hahaha.:sorry:

 

[ar81]

I learned about physics beyond the chalkboard.
There is nothing like the experience of Orbiter.
Now I know how wrong my Star Wars physics was.
And I find very amusing the fact of being able to experience orbit insertions and entry.

I only miss the chance of landing on alien landscapes. This is one of the reasons why I love the Olympus Mons and Valles Marineris addons.

 

[Scarecrow]

I learned everything I know about celestial mechanics beyond the basic concept of an orbit and the formula for gravity from orbiter. And a bunch of other stuff too of course.

 

[eveningsky339]

I've learned so much I could write a book about it.

 

[ar81]

Perhaps one of the most remarkable lessons is that it helped me to polish my programming skills. I am an amateur, a hobbyist and Orbiter forced me to bring me to my limits.

 

[dougkeenan]

I learned a new level of respect for the Apollo astronauts, especially landing the LM.

 

[RokGeetar]

I learned a new level of respect for the Apollo astronauts, especially landing the LM.

I've always been fascinated by the Apollo missions. I was able to watch them live as a lad. Over the years I have collected as many books, videos, DVDs as I could. Being able to fly those missions in Orbiter using AMSO and NASSP has heightened my respect for what those guys achieved, and I absolutely love those Apollo spacecraft - they weren't built to be aesthetically pleasing to the eye, but they're beauties in mine! I've managed to comprehend the basics of orbital mechanics and able to simulate fairly accurate rendezvous manouevres - just call me Dr Rendezvous

 

[n122vu]

I learned a new level of respect for the Apollo astronauts, especially landing the LM.

Same here.

Orbiter has also reminded me how much I love physics in general. I got A's in physics in high school but never did anything with my knowledge. One of the girls I had that class with now works at NASA. I wish I had applied myself more back then.

I've also learned so much about ship-to-station docking, EVAs, TLI burns, the list goes on.

Oh, yeah, I also learned that even when the movies try to get it right, they still get it wrong (Apollo 13 being a general exception).

 

[dkluempers]

I have always had an enormous amount of respect for the controllers and astronauts at NASA. But after getting Orbiter I am in awe of the skills of the people who do nearly everything there. To have learned all the things that were needed to get to the moon in back at a time when the computers took up buildings, aircraft and spacecraft were designed on drawing boards with slide rules; gives me a new appreciation for the dedication and skill of the people. What I would give to sit down and listen to the guys who programmed the Pioneer and Voyager spacecraft.

I think the most important thing that I learned is how important it is to keep learning, even at my age. I also have a healthy respect for Martin and the guys who have built some marvelous add-ons for this program. You all rock!

 

[SlyCoopersButt]

It's taught me more about Orbital Physics and flight than I would have anywhere else! It's been very good for learning because I'm not book smart and learn things much much better by doing them hands on in Orbiter than on paper. It answered many of my questions about how spaceflight works and how planets moons stars and everything Orbit and behave. And then I'm able to look at things on paper and have a better understanding of them!

 

[Pilot7893]

My friend managed to master Orbital Reodevous in days. It took me more than a year. I guess it's clear who's better at Orbiter

 

[Hashy]

I downloaded the go play in space stuff, but never looked at it.. Trying to just learn as much as I can by myself, and yes of course, I still cannot fly for s***.

 

[penlu]

I knew a lot already. Still, it was great seeing the orbit expanding and contracting at the push of a lever.