Getting the word out

[HazMatt]

I appreciate everybody's input. What does everybody think would be a "right place" to promote Orbiter? It would have to be somewhere that caters to the "niche" that has been mentioned, but not sites that would open the door for those who may not be ready for the "challenge" that Orbiter presents. Any ideas?

Maybe college students working toward an aerospace engineering or astrophysics degree? Or science teachers?

 

[MaverickSawyer]

Maybe college students working toward an aerospace engineering or astrophysics degree? Or science teachers?

I have been asked to give a presentation some day to the "Physics at Lunch Lecture" at my school. See if you can set up something similar.

 

[statickid]

I don't really think Chris Bergin would appreciate people trying to push Orbiter over there. besides, it has been mentioned in a few threads.

http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=317.0 is a good example of how badly wrong it can go.



NASA already use orbiter for some public outreach.

If you want to promote it then you need to get it mentioned in astronomy magazines. Maybe an article on the educational values of it? To promote it on other space sites and within NASA and spacex is pointless. Those on other space sites will already know about it if they choose to use it and those at NASA and SpaceX already have STK to use.

Painful to read that exchange on that forum. My gut reaction is to conjure an army of trolls and invade the fortress of NASA space flight forum

 

[Pipcard]

Painful to read that exchange on that forum. My gut reaction is to conjure an army of trolls and invade the fortress of NASA space flight forum

Let's not, that will make things worse.

 

[Quick_Nick]

Maybe college students working toward an aerospace engineering or astrophysics degree?

Hey that's me!

 

[Thunder Chicken]

I found Orbiter through extensive Google searching for 'realistic physics spaceflight simulator'.

Flight simulators were always limited in some way - I remember old MS Flight Simulator was pretty cool until you tried to fly above 100,000 ft and you saw the end of the world. Many "space simulators" were not physically accurate and were really games based on Star Trek/Star Wars physics.

Orbiter can be hard; whether it is either an obstacle or a challenge depends on who is looking at it. We should certainly welcome all comers but gently remind them that it isn't a "game" in the classic gamer sense (though it has challenges and achievements of a certain sort). It can be an avenue for smart and inquisitive gamers to "get real", and apply their problem-solving abilities to real physical problems.

 

[HazMatt]

I have been asked to give a presentation some day to the "Physics at Lunch Lecture" at my school. See if you can set up something similar.

Yes! I'm currently partnering with a non-profit science education group. We will use Orbiter at their science day camp for kids.

---------- Post added at 03:19 AM ---------- Previous post was at 03:10 AM ----------

What about You Tube?
There are already a good portion of Orbiter Simulations floating around on You Tube.
There the person interested can see firsthand what Orbiter is capable of.
But alas, I think a person must be a die hard fan of spaceflight and everything associated with it.

I agree. I think several YouTube videos show a good overview of what Orbiter is. Particularly, blixel includes a phenomenal amount of excellent information in his YouTube tutorials. I've learned a lot simply by watching his videos and following along in Orbiter.
http://www.youtube.com/user/DavidWCourtney

 

[stevcast]

Thank you everybody for your input. I wanted to get an idea of how the Orbiter community felt about the subject of "advertising", and I appreciate the overall sentiment.