General Question Change date of scenario?

[richfororbit]

Hi,

I would like to know how to change the date of my scenario, it just helps with some order. My simulations are never really in order.:rofl:

Thank you.

 

[boogabooga]

Check the documentation for the scenario editor.

 

[blixel]

I would like to know how to change the date of my scenario

One option is to use Orbiter's Scenario Editor. First, make sure you have that module enabled. From the Orbiter Launchpad, go to Modules, look under Tools and dialogs, and make sure there is a checkbox next to ScnEditor.

Launch the scenario, press CTRL+F4 and select Scenario Editor. Click the Date button in the lower right corner. Set the date as you wish and then click Apply, Done, Close.

Now you can press CTRL+S to Quicksave your scenario and it will be saved with the date you chose. From there you'll probably want to move the scenario from the Quicksave folder to some place more permanent.

Another option would be to open the .SCN file in a text editor and set the MJD by hand.

BEGIN_DESC
END_DESC

BEGIN_ENVIRONMENT
  System Sol
  Date MJD 56857.0586874845
END_ENVIRONMENT

Orbiter comes with a date utility that will allow you to convert from the usual DD/MM/YYYY format to MJD. Look in the Utils directory of your Orbiter installation for DATE.EXE

 

[Ripley]

Something I'd like to better understand.

I mean, I think it works like this, but I could be wrong.
- If I change date from Scenario Editor, everything in the scenario moves around in its orbit and is updated accordingly by Orbiter engine.
- If I cange the date by editing directly the scenario file, this updates don't take place.

Right or wrong?

 

[dgatsoulis]

Short answer: Right.

Long answer:

In the scenario file, the vessel's state can be described by either using state vectors (POS, VEL) wrt the ecliptic, or orbital elements (ELEMENTS), wrt the ecliptic or the equator of the body you are orbiting. So by changing the date in the file, the orbit does not get propagated, because there is nothing to propagate it from.

With the editor, you have the option to either propagate the orbit, or keep the vessel's position wrt to the planet fixed. By default, Orbiter's scenario editor propagates the orbit of a vessel, but you can change that by selecting a different mode:

LAN drift due to nonspherical gravity, is not calculated in the propagation if you are changing the date with the editor.

 

[richfororbit]

Uh, okay. I have the selected module, but I can't find any setting for date and time.

My example date is this Date MJD '56522.8282205092'

I want to change that to March 3 2014.

Thank you.

 

[dgatsoulis]

In the Orbiter launch pad, activate the scenario editor.
Run the scenario you want.
Press F4→Custom→Scenario Editor [press ok]→Date [lower right button of the scenario editor dialog box].

 

[richfororbit]

:blink: How could I of missed that! The location of the spacecrafts have changed to the night side of the Earth. That is okay.