A new Orbiter beta is available:
http://www.orbithangar.com/orbDownload.php?file=orbiter121129-100830diff.7z
This is a 7-zip diff to the 100830 release version. Install it by extracting over a (preferrably pristine) 100830 installation using 7zip, and overwite files when prompted.
A few notes to this beta:
Please note that the changes to the propagation engine were extensive and are still ongoing. As a result, this beta is not very stable yet (so consider it an alpha). A number of things may be broken, and backward compatibility with existing vessel code is not (yet) guaranteed.
I know a number of things that still require fixing, but I think it is at a stage now where input from addon developers and users will become useful, so here it is.
http://www.orbithangar.com/orbDownload.php?file=orbiter121129-100830diff.7z
This is a 7-zip diff to the 100830 release version. Install it by extracting over a (preferrably pristine) 100830 installation using 7zip, and overwite files when prompted.
A few notes to this beta:
- It contains an extensive rewrite of the internal state propagator code.
- This allowed to provide support for dynamic surface interactions, and replacement of the old 3-point touchdown definitions with "impact hulls".
- This in turn finally allows docked assemblies on the ground, by simply merging the impact hulls of all the components.
- The Atlantis code has been rewritten as an example for a docked assembly. It's not complete yet (amongst other things, ascent autopilot isn't supported yet)
- Using docked assemblies should make code for complex launch stacks simpler (no need for deleting/reassembling meshes, CG shifts, re-spawning jettisoned components as new vessels)
- It also makes writing autopilots a bit more challenging (and realistic), because the CG of the composite vessel will now shift continuously as fuel is consumed in the component vessels. Have a look at the "AutoGimbal" function in the Atlantis code for an example
- Various other changes and bugfixes. See patch.txt
Please note that the changes to the propagation engine were extensive and are still ongoing. As a result, this beta is not very stable yet (so consider it an alpha). A number of things may be broken, and backward compatibility with existing vessel code is not (yet) guaranteed.
I know a number of things that still require fixing, but I think it is at a stage now where input from addon developers and users will become useful, so here it is.
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