The Next Explorer Project

[KCB]

With your permission guys I would like to start a thread that I am sure most Orbiter folks would find interesting. This project, I have currently duded ‘The Next Explorer’, is a long term project to address the question of how best to enthuse the next generations to develop greater interests, and indeed relations with science and technology etc. Space, or space exploration, been perhaps one, if not the, best platform to achieve this. Over the coming years I want to look at the possibility of developing a public space program that moves beyond the ‘camp’ concept and is more effective at emotionally connecting children with the subject matter.

The core of the programme would be based around immersive tactile motion simulators designed to deliver a truly amazing experience presented as entertainment. This ‘Kinetic Core’, it is hoped, would provide the energy for a far reaching programme and sustainable business model in the form of a social enterprise. Then build a networkable programme around this core that inspires and nurtures the aspirations of children and adults alike over the long term. One of the aims is to make it as accessible and affordable for the public as possible, to franchise, replicate and expand.

For the core the current idea is to build motion platforms that represent near future horizontal take off spacecraft that will crew a team of four. This idea is extended to include the ability to link the motion platform with static simulators to create seamless missions from platform to platform. I have been in contact with a German engineering company that specialises in commercial simulation and they believe they could provide the hardware solution that meets the requirements for the motion platform, in this case a 360° full motion platform. This includes the four crew cockpit and cabin which at this moment looks like it will be based on modified A320 cockpit.

I thought I would start this thread because no one builds and understands virtual spacecraft like the Orbiter community. There are lots of creative ideas that will be needed, lots of ideas that will need scrutinising, but any which way you look at it, it will be interesting to try bring these ideas to life.

What would this very versatile concept vehicle need to look like, how would it perform? There are a number of requirements to meet the needs of the simulation. Horizontal take off, on orbit operations docking with a hypothetical orbiting station or beyond LOE spacecraft whereupon the motion platform becomes the flight deck. The design should also be a descent and ascent vehicle for other planet surfaces. I am hoping I can work with you guys to come up with some interesting options and solutions.

I have followed this community for a while, used Orbiter, but not as much as I would have liked. This is my day job; http://www.odysseyxxi.com/ as you can see it’s a little unconventional but the plan is to use the remainder of this journey to grow support for the project etc.

 

[KCB]

I am thinking of using the XR-5 model for a ‘proof of concept’ project. This would mean integrating and remodelling an A320 cockpit to represent the XR-5. If anyone has any feedback on this let me know, or thinks there is a better model out there.

 

[Donamy]

This might fit the bill.
[ame="http://www.orbithangar.com/searchid.php?ID=5759"]http://www.orbithangar.com/searchid.php?ID=5759[/ame]

And it has a rover too.

 

[KCB]

interesting, thanks will check it out, not sure we need the rover however.

edit; Regarding the Jason project; a number of things don’t fit with the programme unfortunately. For example regards ascent descent on other objects or planets; the prospect of having a crew of 4 held in the vertical creates some safety issues. The ultimate design would require a thrilling EDL, would need to land so the crew is in the horizontal but perhaps somehow translate to the vertical momentarily for assent.

Looking at a proof of concept, in this case we could use Orbiter, obviously for a commercial programme this would not be the case unless Dr Schweiger would be willing to work with us on that front. I would love to be able, as part of this project, to put some funding into Orbiter to produce a commercial version.

I am thinking the XR-5 is a suitable model for a proof of concept or demonstration which would only require the ability to get into orbit. these vehicles have very detailed system models and I feel this helps splicing these models with the simulator and A320 cockpit/cabin.