General Question Returning from the Moon

[samckittrick]

Yesterday I finally managed to land safely on the moon.
After landing and refueling (I'm using the DG IV-2), I started to go back to earth and promptly realized that I didn't know how. I do have a basic understanding of orbits and how to manuever, however this one has me stumped. I'm sure i'm missing something obvious.

How do I get back to LEO? Can it be done using the default MFD's? or do I need to download an additional one?

Thanks for your help.

Scott

 

[jinglesassy]

I suggest [ame="http://www.orbithangar.com/searchid.php?ID=4261"]TransX for Orbiter 2009[/ame] or imfd/lunar transfer mfd located here http://koti.mbnet.fi/jarmonik/Orbiter.html

 

[Lucy]

transx is included with Orbiter 2010.

 

[jinglesassy]

You seem to be everywhere atm xyon and i have been a bit so busy to really play with orbiter 2010 so sorry.

 

[Lucy]

TransX was also included in 2006-P1. And yes, I'm always everywhere. I'm following you.

 

[jinglesassy]

Really? Why didnt mine come with it i wonder? AND STOP STALKING ME!:lol:

 

[othoudt]

Go to: http://flytandem.com/orbiter/tutorials/
for a text tutorial. Go to: http://vlc.us.com/best-media-player/vlc-media-player.php?brand=vlc.us.com&s=google&c=vlcuscom_bm2_bingadm_CS_PG_XB_WB_AT_SK&k={keywords}&pk=56-3
for video tutorials. You may need VLC player to view: http://vlc.us.com/best-media-player/vlc-media-player.php?brand=vlc.us.com&s=google&c=vlcuscom_bm2_bingadm_CS_PG_XB_WB_AT_SK&k={keywords}&pk=56-3

 

[Lucy]

TransX has been included in the base package since 2005 edition, as it happens. I just looked in the old packages.

 

[Southwell]

I suggest TransX for Orbiter 2009 or imfd/lunar transfer mfd located here http://koti.mbnet.fi/jarmonik/Orbiter.html

Yea I suggest LunarTransferMFD it is the simplest way of getting a TEI burn

 

[Tommy]

There's always the low tech method as well. Launch into lunar orbit (any inclination). wait until the earth comes over the horizon, about three of it's diameters above the horizon. Burn prograde until OrbitMFD shows an ecc over 1.0. Wait until you enter the earth's SOI, then burn inward to lower your PeA, or outward to raise it. Crude and inefficient, but you'll get home.

 

[Moach]

if you don't see TransX in the MFDs list, check the modules tab on the launchpad... it's not active by default :thumbup:

 

[statickid]

another real simple way i developed (it may be some method, but i just figured it out, so i don't know what the name is called)

1.launch easterly and get around the equator of the moon, circularize your orbit.
2. wait until the earth is laterally aligned with your horizon azimuth, 90 degrees.
3. make a prograde "puff" so that your current location becomes your periapsis, but just barely. i mean like... ohh.. say... a difference of 50km. i think of this as a "mark" as in i am marking a spatial location with my apoapsis.
4. at apoapsis, make a large prograde burn and get the biggest eccentricity without breaking the ellipse.
5. this will put your new apoapsis exactly in the direction of the earth, like a spoke between the moon and earth.
6. when you get a good distance from the moon, turn your orbit mfd to have the earth as a reference, then convert your hud to also reference the earth. now burn retrograde with reference to your earth orbit. it should become a very eccentric ellipse.then you can regulate your perigee! and make it very small, this will set you up to go directly back to an orbital height of your choice, or intersect atmosphere, if you want. it works but it's kinda slow. doesn't take much fuel though!