Re: New user asking tips

[David Henderson <orbiter@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Sun, 8 Dec 2002, Roberto d'Ippolito wrote:

> In particular I'd like to understand better the scenario you are using,
> where I can download and study it. What configuration should I have of
> orbiter? What add-ons?

Go to:
http://www.aibs.org.uk/orbiter/

download and install the linked Multistage addon by Vinka, download and
install the update (also linked) then download and install A5Mod2.

You should then be able to fly the missions that have appeared in the root
directory of the scenarios list.

My tips.

Select the Map MFD and pick the ISS as target, wait until the target orbit
passes through your present position, then blast off and chase the orbit.
The easiest way is to use the align orbits mfd on one side and the orbit
mfd on the other. if you're at the ascending node, start with a heading of
about 060 and 120 for the descending. The align orbits pane will then tell
you the relative inclination and you should steer left or right to
minimise this figure (under 2 is good, under 1 is ideal).

Keeping that in mind, you need to make orbit still, so start off at a
pitch of about 70deg until you go through 20km altitude, then drop to 35
or so, decreasing slowly until you're in orbit at between 180 and 260 km
alt. As you pass through 100km or so, feel free to loose the fairing ("f"
key)

Use any remaining stage 1 fuel to properly align orbits then jetisson
stage 1. You will most likely be below the ISS, so can catch it with a few
revs at 100x speed. If it's behind you, might be worth burning at apogee
to push the orbit beyond the ISS to let it catch you. Use the Sync Orbits
MFD (the hard part). Whilst stage 2 is small, it is quite efficient, but
is a rocket stage, not an orbiter so you really want to take things slowly
as it handles like a pig.

When you've finally caught the ISS and matched orbits, hold station and
send out the Dragonfly (F3). Navigate to a few hundred yards away and then
jettison the cargo from A5 (F3 again, then "j"). Grab the drifting
module using the docking aid to help you align and match speeds, then take
it back to ISS for docking. Return to A5 for the second module (if any).

Once A5's stage 2's job is done, select retrograde and turn on the burner.
It'll re-enter (and would burn up IRL).

You can now press CTRL-S and save the new station config.

To start a new mission with your existing station, simply rename the
(Quicksave State).scn file to whatever you want, then using notepad, cut
away the A5 SHIP section and paste in the ship you want to use from
another scenario.

Voila.

-- 
yours etc.                                             [gin.aibs.org.uk]
                                               Mobile:      07960 217459 
David.                             Work (Direct/Vmail): 020 8898 6565x38
d.henderson.96@cantab.net          Work (Main):            020 8893 3884


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