Project Universal Car for Orbiter (UCO)

[Dambuster]

Are you planning to have a few different types of buildings/inflatable structures, so we could introduce a little bit of diversity into our bases? That would be really cool if so

EDIT: Also, what music are you using in your videos?

 

[sunshine135]

Great video Dan. As usual, you don't give yourself enough credit

 

[Starshipexplorer]

Hi Dan. Just saw your video....fantastic! Deserves an Oscar Looking forward to your release.

 

[dansteph]

Years ? well...maybe 2080 ? 2100 ? maybe never what ya think ?

About base I must now rework UMMU, DGIV, + Universal cars, I would love to introduce diversity but I don't want to release all this next years.

But anyone able to design a good mesh would be able to do a "cargo" that transform in base's unit. Cargos only require a simple config file (4-5 specific lines)

One may now just find skilled modelers to have stunning bases

Music is from armageddon, hans zimmer the rock theme. I loved so much the movment when the vessel lift off that I wanted to put it in a video first time I hear it.

Best

Dan

 

[Dig Gil]

In that video the craft taking-off looked so sci-fi!

 

[sunshine135]

Dan,

A couple of questions about the Arrow. I noticed the DGIV went up and in the little internal compartment and docked with the internal ring. Is it safe to assume that the DGIV will require manual docking to the Arrow? Also, would it be physically possible to land with the DGIV docked to the Arrow? I thought docked objects presented an issue with Orbiter when you land a vessel. Have you overcome this?

 

[Interceptor]

Wow Dan! I just watched your video, and I am floored. Really looking foward to this addon.Could you please possibly make a skin for the DGIV, with the same texture ,and color scheme as the Arrow.Thanks

 

[dansteph]

Yes. manual docking, only skilled pilot should try it. (it's not difficult but it's true I'm a good pilot )

I wasn't aware of the docking bug, I tried effectively there is a problem but it's not that bad. I think in reality it would be more safe to not land with such a mass and propellant concentrated at one point and not part of the structure.

So I'll simply add one more line note in the "online" doc, docked vessel should stay in orbit or land by themself.

Best

Dan

---------- Post added at 11:50 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:47 PM ----------

Wow Dan! I just watched your video, and I am floored. Really looking foward to this addon.Could you please possibly make a skin for the DGIV, with the same texture ,and color scheme as the Arrow.Thanks

At first I would say yes but somewhere my brain start to yell that I must really stop adding things or one will get nothing. So sorry, no.

There is so much possibilities with UCGO, could be an endless work...

Cheers

Dan

 

[willy88]

Yes. manual docking, only skilled pilot should try it. (it's not difficult but it's true I'm a good pilot )

I wasn't aware of the docking bug, I tried effectively there is a problem but it's not that bad. I think in reality it would be more safe to not land with such a mass and propellant concentrated at one point and not part of the structure.

It also makes sense from a logistical standpoint, as having a fully-functional spacecraft inside a landed spacecraft doesn't make much sense, and the DGIV could be left in orbit (with a a small crew) to provide assistance, communications, etc.

 

[sunshine135]

Understood. You could add a WARNING in the flight manual that landing with a docked ship is NOT recommended due to the "stresses" placed on the frame of the parent and child vehicle

In reality, this is likely true. Imagine the stress of a mated vehicle in gravity anyway! The nose of the DGIV as well as the docking clamps and strength of that section of the vehicle would likely make landing the vehicle impossible.

Interceptor: Dan made a great DGIV skinning kit. I have made several skins, and will make one for the DGIV w/UCGO once it is released. This way, Dan can focus on the important things like the programming.

Cheers,

 

[jinglesassy]

yeah but wouldnt in real life it just be like if u put a dgiv in the shuttles cargo bay like a cargo load on landing?

 

[sunshine135]

No. Not the same. In theory, you would land in a shuttle bay. That would require some attachment function in Orbiter. These are typically unrealistic. The best attachment I have seen was the Grey Goose shuttle attachment.

What Dan is doing is an internal docking port, and no, the stresses on the ship at the docking connections would be huge, especially at a large mass. Try holding a 20 gallon container filled with water by holding your arm straight out and you will see what I mean.

 

[clickypens]

mannnnn. I'm so excited for this to come out. I just watched the video and it was awesome. I haven't used orbiter to do much interplanetary stuff (I know, it's wierd, I mostly stay to LEO or the moon), but I'm totally gonna learn Transx/IMFD just for this puppy.

 

[Ark]

Yes. manual docking, only skilled pilot should try it. (it's not difficult but it's true I'm a good pilot )

There's an alternative? :huh:

 

[Eccentrus]

There's an alternative? :huh:

There is, just cheat with the scenario editor, edit the dgiv so that it dock with the arrow when you're near enough, and voila, you're docked.

 

[Spike Spiegel]

Wow Dan! I just watched your video, and I am floored. Really looking foward to this addon.Could you please possibly make a skin for the DGIV, with the same texture ,and color scheme as the Arrow.Thanks

I'd probably be up for creating a matching paint scheme of some kind for the DGIV, using that template I made. You'd have to be able to deal with the higher resolution texture. Once I can get a good look at the textures for the Arrow, I can give it a shot. Maybe Dan can even give me some tips on markings/graphics? Could be fun.

 

[willy88]

Is there a docking port (besides the one for the DGIV) on the Arrow?

 

[dansteph]

I haven't used orbiter to do much interplanetary stuff (I know, it's wierd, I mostly stay to LEO or the moon), but I'm totally gonna learn Transx/IMFD just for this puppy.

I must confess I never did a trip further than Mars in Orbiter. So as you I think that the arrow with a complete base loaded will be the occasion to a small trip to Europa.

Maybe Dan can even give me some tips on markings/graphics? Could be fun.

The font for marking is Gravicon, there is a small UCGO flag on direction wings and the black lines around wings. I think a child vessel might have the mother ship's name somewhere ? If you need somes graphic element let me know.

Dan

---------- Post added at 08:34 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:32 AM ----------

Is there a docking port (besides the one for the DGIV) on the Arrow?

No because UMMU, would have required more key to choose exit dock/airlock, too complicated, more time, I leave this for the devellopment of the Arrow.

Dan

 

[the.punk]

How much thrust has the arrow on its main engines?

 

[dansteph]

How much thrust has the arrow on its main engines?

From the config file:

--------------------------------------------------------------
HERE BELOW ARE THE VALUE YOU CAN CONFIGURE TO CHANGE BEHAVIOUR
OF THE MOTHER SHIP UCGO ARROW FREIGHTER 18
--------------------------------------------------------------

ANGULAR_DAMPER_ACTIVATED    =1    ; Limit the angular velocity (0=deactivate 1=activate)
RADIO_CHATTER_ACTIVATED        =1    ; Flight radio chatter you hear (0=deactivate 1=activate)
VESSEL_NEED_CREW        =1    ; Disable ship control if no crew aboard (1=disable 0=enable always)
MONTH_OXYGEN_RESERVE        =13.7    ; O2 reserve in month for a full crew of 20 (max 96 month)
MAIN_THRUST_POWER        =50e6    ; Power of main thrust in newton.
RCS_THRUST_POWER        =13e5    ; Power of RCS thrust in newton.
HOVER_THRUST_POWER        =9.5e6    ; Power of Hover Thrust in newton.
ISP                =15e4    ; ISP (Change fuel consumption)