Reentry problems with the DG-IV

[Mantis]

yea, and that technique can easily be changed for other craft, right now for example, im playing with the XR5, working out its own descent speed, angle and anticipation, then just put the new numbers into basesync.

and by chance, the DGIV and XR2 use the same valuse

Interesting, I'll have to try the XR2 next.

 

[Mantis]

I'm getting better all the time at doing re-entries with winged vehicles and I suspect that I'll take a shot at STS next. In the meantime, I've tried applying some of the techniques presented in Grover's tutorial to capsules. I flew missions with the Antares and CTV-2 spacecraft and followed much of the same process for computing the timing of the re-entry burn using the Base Sync MFD. Not having any insturments to tel me my re-entry angle, aim for an PeA of approximately 35km over the landing target zone and it seems to work very well. I've successfully landed the Antares and CTV-2 capsules right in the vincinity of my desired target area. My assumption (correct me if I am wrong) is that if I find that I end up burning up with some spacecraft, aiming for a higher PeA would result in a less shallower re-entry and lower G-forces and solve the problem.

Thanks again to Grover for an excellent tutorial - you have helped me to solve one of my greatest Orbiter frustrations! Now that I've mastered returning to earth from the moon, from the ISS and other bodies, I'm going to have to get serious about mastering TransX or IMFD

 

[Grover]

id suggest IMFD personally, it has a similar format to the Lunar Transfer MFD (same author) and automatically computes most of the data, requiring just some fine tuning (PM me if you need any help)

as for capsules, its best to know a set of ANT values for each craft for a given ALT and ReA, then you just punch in the numbers (for the antares, i can personally say it can re-enter with 0 input during high G, but its not too realistic, the new version easily gives 7G sustained at peak, maybe as high as 8)

and hows this for an idea? when returning from the moon, perform an immediate aerobrake to provide most of the capture velocity to increase the mission's fuel efficiency:
using LTMFD, just set the TEI to Re-entry mode, set a shallow re-entry angle, then fly inverted to stay in the atmosphere, then roll out of the atmosphere when your ApA reaches 400Km, re-stabilise, and you will have only used a fraction of the fuel than performing an insertion burn

good luck!
-=-Grover-=-

 

[Mantis]

id suggest IMFD personally, it has a similar format to the Lunar Transfer MFD (same author) and automatically computes most of the data, requiring just some fine tuning (PM me if you need any help)

as for capsules, its best to know a set of ANT values for each craft for a given ALT and ReA, then you just punch in the numbers (for the antares, i can personally say it can re-enter with 0 input during high G, but its not too realistic, the new version easily gives 7G sustained at peak, maybe as high as 8)

and hows this for an idea? when returning from the moon, perform an immediate aerobrake to provide most of the capture velocity to increase the mission's fuel efficiency:
using LTMFD, just set the TEI to Re-entry mode, set a shallow re-entry angle, then fly inverted to stay in the atmosphere, then roll out of the atmosphere when your ApA reaches 400Km, re-stabilise, and you will have only used a fraction of the fuel than performing an insertion burn

good luck!
-=-Grover-=-

Interesting idea. I'll give it a shot.. Regarding IMFD, that decided it for me. I was debating whether to start with TransX or IMFD. Given that I am very familiar with the LTMFD, I'll start with IMFD. Can you receommend a good tutorial to get me going?

 

[N_Molson]

S-turns are an elegant way to control your reentry.

 

[Mantis]

S-turns are an elegant way to control your reentry.

I'l give that a shot when I finally try my first manual STS re-entry. I figured that even with a new AutoFCS coming down the pipe, it might not be a bad idea to learn how to do it manually.