Question How to make a drop with Shuttle-A?

[oz1sej]

Two of the included scenarios with Shuttle-A calls for a "drop" to be made:

"Shortly after re-entry, ready to drop the cargo and return to LEO "
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and

"Start a delivery trip from Brighton Beach. Drop the 120 tons into the Indian Ocean, then return to LEO and back to Brighton Beach for a 8 days trip. Needs accurate orbit planning as fuel is limited."
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But the Orbiter manual makes no mention of how to "drop" anything with the Shuttle-A. How do you drop your cargo?

One other thing: There is a scenario, where the Shuttle-A is docked to the ISS. Pressing K only closes the docking port, but how do you actually undock?

 

[garyw]

But the Orbiter manual makes no mention of how to "drop" anything with the Shuttle-A. How do you drop your cargo?

Ctrl-Up Arrow key will show a set of switches on an upper panel, flip these to release the pods.

One other thing: There is a scenario, where the Shuttle-A is docked to the ISS. Pressing K only closes the docking port, but how do you actually undock?

With the shuttle-A as the focused vessel CTRL-D will undock you.

 

[Urwumpe]

Also, dropping into the ocean is for beginners. If you manage to drop the cargo in a tiny drop zone on land AND return to the moon and land there, you have reached heaven.

 

[garyw]

I tried to parachute a pod into the Utah salt flats once after being inspired by the Stardust probe. I missed Utah and hit the Western forests of Canada.

Well, right continent at least....

 

[Andy44]

For a real challenge, start from lunar orbit, do a trans-Earth injection burn, aiming for a reentry in the body of water of your choice, Apollo-style.

Immediately after the burn, release your cargo pods, and re-inject yourself into lunar orbit and return to the surface.

If your pods land anywhere near your intended target on Earth three days later, congrats, you're a better Orbinaut than I!

 

[garyw]

For a real challenge, start from lunar orbit, do a trans-Earth injection burn, aiming for a reentry in the body of water of your choice, Apollo-style.

Immediately after the burn, release your cargo pods, and re-inject yourself into lunar orbit and return to the surface.

If your pods land anywhere near your intended target on Earth three days later, congrats, you're a better Orbinaut than I!

Yes, that was exactly what I was doing. I even pitched up the Shuttle-A so that the jettison direction was into the velocity vector. The Canadian Government still haven't forgiven me....

 

[Urwumpe]

Damn... I delivered the cargo pods until 65 km altitude... :lol: I started a propulsive reentry in about 1000 km altitude, for keeping the aerodynamic limits.