New to the forum, partly new to Orbiter...

[mattch49]

Good evening gents,

I've been ducking around with Orbiter for the past few months now, trying a few tutorials here and there but never seeming to focus all my attention on learning the procedures, so needless to say I can't even get from Earth to the ISS. That, hopefully will change now that I've found this forum and have actually wanted to learn.

In the real world, I hold my private pilots license... I'm going to college for Computer Engineering, will join the Air Force afterwards as an officer and hopefully get a chance to fly for them. If everything goes according to the "plan" I will send NASA my resume in approximately 15-18 years and God willing, lottery hoping, I'll get in to the shuttle program... like others here it has been a dream since I was young.

Oh well, enough of this rambling!

Glad to be on board,
Mattch


Edited to add: As of 0013 hours CST, I have successfully completed my first ISS rendezvous and docking at my Apa of 349.5km with the help of Tex's tutorial... holy moly that felt good! Where to next?

 

[the.punk]

Hello and to the forum.

 

[Shadow Addict]

Welcome to Orbiter! Where are you in Louisiana?

 

[Arrowstar]

Welcome! Nice to see another engineering Orbinaut. I always enjoyed Phobos as a destination, might be a nice possibility for you as well. The extremely low gravity makes landing more challenging (or at least it did for me).

However, you may have some troubles getting into the shuttle program, it being scheduled to end in 2011...

 

[mattch49]

Welcome to Orbiter! Where are you in Louisiana?

Baton Rouge... though I'm in New Orleans regularly, can't get enough Cafe du Monde!

However, you may have some troubles getting into the shuttle program, it being scheduled to end in 2011...

Ahhh yes, this traditional shuttle program is ending... very sad. I'm for hoping they have a new and much updated shuttle by the time I arrive at that point in life... maybe a DGIV? :lol:

 

[EtherDragon]

Good evening gents,

... holy moly that felt good! Where to next?

Why, the moon, of course!

The Moon - is the next logical step. Once you get Earth to ISS, back to KSC done, the moon will actually be a pretty easy "baby step" further out.

Exactly the same skills are used to randevous with ISS are used to get near enough to the moon to make LOI (Lunar Orbit Insertion).

Landing on the moon, particularly, on a specific pad, is a different beast than landing at KSC due to the lack of atmosphere. But once you get this manoever down, you'll be able to land on any non/thinly atmosphered body.

Enjoy! See you in the stars...

 

[Shadow Addict]

Oh, it's great to see another (at least partial) New Orleanian Orbinaut. I thought I was the only one!

 

[Arrowstar]

Ahhh yes, this traditional shuttle program is ending... very sad. I'm for hoping they have a new and much updated shuttle by the time I arrive at that point in life... maybe a DGIV? :lol:

See: Constellation Program