Project IMFD full manual

[markl316]

Hi to all. I am making some very encouraging headway on the IMFD full manual I proposed about a month ago. I still have to do Slingshot and Base Approach programs. Right now the manual is 57 pages with the bottom margain set at 4" and the right margain set at 2" (I'll explain why in the readme when I release it). Before I complete it, I was just wondering if anyboby had anything they would like me to add? I am planning on doing descriptions of ALL programs, plus checklists (ie earth to mars, europa to callisto, moon to earth, etc) and a list of target, source, and reference bodies for ALL POSSIBLE flights in the solar system (earth to mercury, earth to venus, earth to mars, earth to jupiter, the list goes on). Other than that, is there anything anybody else would like me to add? And if somebody could write me up step by step for a slingshot flight Earth to Jupiter to Saturn that would be most helpful as I have never done a slingshot with IMFD.

 

[markl316]

Nobody is interested in anything? Judging by the numerous questions and complaints about IMFD in the MFD Help/Questions forum, I would think people would be showing a little more interest. There's gotta be something that somebody would like to see in my manual/tutorial set.

 

[streb2001]

I imagine lots of people are looking forward to this, including me. Personally I learn from examples of how to do something which include explanations of why I am doing it. Are you writing a manual or a tutorial?

 

[atuhalpa]

Although I am a dyed in the wool transx operator, I am interested in IMFD if a cogent manual that explains the workings is produced. As I am not familiar with IMFD I wouldn't know what to ask for! I am sure after the first iteration there will be many revisions, there always are.

 

[thammond]

I am very intrested in it. What I would like to see is a direct ascent tutorial to the moon. I have been trying to learn IMFD for a while now without much success (combination of running tutorials made for a different versions and the manual split between different versions has been confusing the hell out of me).

 

[markl316]

I imagine lots of people are looking forward to this, including me. Personally I learn from examples of how to do something which include explanations of why I am doing it. Are you writing a manual or a tutorial?

It's actually going to be both--It will explain all items on all display screens of all programs and all buttons of all programs. Then there will be a section with tutorials. I'm actually considering doing the tutorial book separately and including both books in one package.

I am very intrested in it. What I would like to see is a direct ascent tutorial to the moon. I have been trying to learn IMFD for a while now without much success (combination of running tutorials made for a different versions and the manual split between different versions has been confusing the hell out of me).

As soon as I attempt a direct ascent to the moon , I will put in in. Thanks.

 

[PhantomCruiser]

I'm looking forward to this release also, the only thing I've managed to do with IMFD is learn new and inventive phrases that can't be repeated here on the forum. From what I can gather from tutorials that are around, I'm doing roughly the same thing IMFD is doing, only manually, and at a much higher fuel usage.

 

[Countdown84]

markl316,
I'm DEFINITELY looking forward to this. I've just learned IMFD over the past few weeks and have had a lot of trouble with the fragmentary "official" manuals.

The thing I had the most trouble with was figuring out WHEN to use WHICH programs to do a flight, say, from Europa to Callisto. Starting out with the Course program to plan a transfer is simple enough, but then I had to figure out that Surface Launch is only useful after you're already in flight, that you have to manually set the TEJ in ORbit-Eject, etc. etc.

One of the things I'm still not clear on is the best way to make mid-course corrections / line up an approach to a moon or planet after your main ejection burn. I've tried sticking with the original course program, using the Map, using Planet Approach; they all work OK but it seems like there should be one "best" way.

So, if I had to ask for something, it would be a thorough explanation of when each program is appropriate

 

[Tommy]

you gotta be carefull though. sometimes it rams you strait into the earth (or wherever you are)

Actually, Surface Launch is meant to be used for launching, and will tell you when to launch, and on what heading. Launch when the "Hed" is 90 degrees, or as close to 90 as it will get. "Hed" is the heading you should launch at. Once you are on the heading, just keep the bank and yaw at zero. Your heading will gradually change to a more Easterly direction - that's normal so don't fight it. I myself don't use Surface Launch after I initially get on the launch heading - Surface Launch isn't very useful once airborne. If you get on the proper heading, the EIn will drop as your velocity increases, watching Surface Launch and trying to "correct" it will usually cause you to "overcorrect".

Orbit Eject will plan an optimal ejection time based on the course plotted and your current orbit AT THE TIME ORBIT EJECT IS FIRST OPENED (and set to course). If you alter either your course or your current orbit after first opening Orbit Eject, you will probably need to adjust the TEj.

As to when and how to make MCC's, it varies a bit with the plan. Generally speaking, the sooner you make the corrections the more efficient, however, sometimes making them too soon will actually make things worse. Watch your PeA in Map, if it's getting better you should wait. For interplanetary flights it's usually best to wait until at least 1/3 to 1/2 the way there, and use Target Intercept (set source to "x". and select "realtime"). Planet Approach is best used at two to three times the SOI away from a planet, and Base Approach just after entering the SOI. For a trip to the Moon or back, I just use Map to "manually" adjust my trajectory with RCS almost immediately after the Orbit Eject.

For now, you can get a good idea of how to use Surface Launch, Orbit Eject and Map for "fine tuning" from the Home Direct tutorial by MarkL316 and myself.

[ame="http://www.orbithangar.com/searchid.php?ID=3660"]Home Direct[/ame]

Mark, I'm working every day til next thursday, but I'll try to squeeze in a Slingshot checklist as soon as I can (if no-one else beats me to it). Haven't done that in a while, so it'll take me a bit to remember how to find a launch window for that. The "Mini" version of the steps for the actual flight is - Start out with a normal transfer to Jupiter. Once inside Jupiters SOI set Target Intercept's target to Saturn, and set Slingshot to "course". IMFD's manual (the old 4.21 manual is more complete than newer ones) says to perform the burn "sooner the better", but I think it's best to burn near the Jupiter Pe (due to the Oberth effect). I'll try to put together a step-by-step (and instructions for finding a window, that's actually the hard part) by early next week if time allows.

 

[Kaito]

I would LOVE to see this. That way, I can FINALLY get beyond the moon (i've been to mars, but I cheated )

 

[markl316]

I am very intrested in it. What I would like to see is a direct ascent tutorial to the moon. I have been trying to learn IMFD for a while now without much success (combination of running tutorials made for a different versions and the manual split between different versions has been confusing the hell out of me).

Hey great news!! I just did a direct ascent, and it was very easy. I'll put that tutorial into the package.

So, if I had to ask for something, it would be a thorough explanation of when each program is appropriate

I'll put it in.

Mark, I'm working every day til next thursday, but I'll try to squeeze in a Slingshot checklist as soon as I can (if no-one else beats me to it). Haven't done that in a while, so it'll take me a bit to remember how to find a launch window for that. The "Mini" version of the steps for the actual flight is - Start out with a normal transfer to Jupiter. Once inside Jupiters SOI set Target Intercept's target to Saturn, and set Slingshot to "course". IMFD's manual (the old 4.21 manual is more complete than newer ones) says to perform the burn "sooner the better", but I think it's best to burn near the Jupiter Pe (due to the Oberth effect). I'll try to put together a step-by-step (and instructions for finding a window, that's actually the hard part) by early next week if time allows.

Thanks so much Tommy! Please, take your time though. Work comes first . Also, on Base Approach, do you know what Reentry (Old) means? I just use Reentry and Orbit Insert normally. If you could PM me the slingshot checklist and the description of Reentry (Old) that would be GREAT.

As for a release date, it will definitely before I start college on August 17th. As of right now I'm not sure when in that window of time I'll actually release it, but as soon as I get closer I'll update the release date. Glad you all are looking forward to it!

 

[Tommy]

AFAIK Reentry (Old) is just an earlier algorithm for calculating the reentry. I'm not sure which version of IMFD introduced the "New" reentry mode, but suspect that "Old" was kept as an option because "New" didn't offer a clear advantage to "Old" for all vessels. Probably only Jarmonik knows! I have no idea what really makes one different than the other. For specific, simple, questions like that you might try PMing Jarmonik. Chances are he likes the idea of a new full manual and tutorial, but doesn't really want to take the time to create it himself. I, for one, am perfectly happy to let him keep his time for creating neat new tools like LTMFD, and IFP!

And if you haven't seen it, make sure you get at least the manual from 4.21. Far more detail than the newer manuals, including some short tutorials and discussion of slingshots and multiple flyby's. It's outdated as far as some options, or the way they're named, but still a good reference.

 

[markl316]

AFAIK Reentry (Old) is just an earlier algorithm for calculating the reentry. I'm not sure which version of IMFD introduced the "New" reentry mode, but suspect that "Old" was kept as an option because "New" didn't offer a clear advantage to "Old" for all vessels. Probably only Jarmonik knows! I have no idea what really makes one different than the other. For specific, simple, questions like that you might try PMing Jarmonik. Chances are he likes the idea of a new full manual and tutorial, but doesn't really want to take the time to create it himself. I, for one, am perfectly happy to let him keep his time for creating neat new tools like LTMFD, and IFP!

And if you haven't seen it, make sure you get at least the manual from 4.21. Far more detail than the newer manuals, including some short tutorials and discussion of slingshots and multiple flyby's. It's outdated as far as some options, or the way they're named, but still a good reference.

I have seen the 4.2.1, thanks. I have 4.2.1, 4.6, 5.0, 5.1, and 5.3. I am pulling the best info from everywhere. I have already asked jarmonik a few questions, so I'd bet he wouldn't mind answering a few more. Also, do you know anything about offsetting the target in the Course program, including how it works and how to activate it? You also have a PM.

 

[ar81]

Although I am a dyed in the wool transx operator, I am interested in IMFD if a cogent manual that explains the workings is produced. As I am not familiar with IMFD I wouldn't know what to ask for! I am sure after the first iteration there will be many revisions, there always are.

I imagine lots of people are looking forward to this, including me. Personally I learn from examples of how to do something which include explanations of why I am doing it. Are you writing a manual or a tutorial?

This might help to understand WHY you do things.
[ame="http://www.orbithangar.com/searchid.php?ID=3403"]Tutorial: Concepts for Interplanetary MFD 4.2.1[/ame]

 

[Tommy]

About all I know about off-setting is what's in the Offset Proceedure tutorial (should have been installed into Doc/InterplantaryMFD/OffsetProceedure). Rad is how much you want to "lead" the planet, and I think a negative number here means "trailing". Lat is usefull for adjusting the inclination at arrival, with Inc > 90 being a retrograde orbit around the target. Lon is used to adjust the arrival time.

To enable it, simply highlight the option "Offset Disabled" and press the + button. Then use Prev and Next to select, and + and - or set to adjust the values. Note that if this is setting up a free-return trajectory, you'll need to change Maps configuration (no period limit, no hyper limit, time limit sufficiently high, etc before it will display the trajectory. A good example of using it is in the AMSO manual, IIRC.

PS: Ar81, You might consider dropping the version number from your tutorial. It isn't really that specific to a particular version of IMFD, and I'd hate to see people pass it up due to the outdated version number. It's an excellent tutorial that really helps people visualize what's happening during the different types of transfers.

 

[ar81]

I left the version number, because later versions had changes in user interface. And even if it does not have specific checkinsts, it refers to a specific menu tree and options. I might have wanted to make it more generic, but I have had no chance to learn the newest versions. And when I made the tutorial, IMFD was passing through some changes.

But as you say, concepts (why you do things) remain current.

 

[markl316]

Tommy, I don't need the slingshot step by step anymore. I figured out how to do it. As for tutorials, the following will be included in the package:

Planet to Planet Transfer (Earth to Mars)
Includes:
Flight Plan Setup
Surface Launch with Surface Launch Program
Orbit Eject
Midcourse Correction
Planet Approach Setup
Orbit Insert
Landing


Planet to Moon Transfer (Earth to Moon, Mars to Phobos)
Includes:
Flight Plan Setup
Surface Launch with Surface Launch Program
Orbit Eject
Midcourse Correction
Planet Approach Setup
Orbit Insert
Landing


Moon to Moon Transfer (Europa to Callisto)
Includes:
Flight Plan Setup
Surface Launch with Surface Launch Program
Orbit Eject
Midcourse Correction
Planet Approach Setup
Orbit Insert
Landing


Moon to Planet Transfer (Moon to Earth)
Includes:
Flight Plan Setup
Surface Launch with Surface Launch Program
Orbit Eject
Base Synchronization setup using Base Approach Program/Direct Reentry setup


Planet Surface to Space Station (Earth Surface to ISS)
Includes:
Flight Plan Setup
Surface Launch with Surface Launch Program
Plane Alignment
Intercept


Direct Ascent (Earth to Moon)
Includes:
Flight Plan Setup
Launch Window Selection
Takeoff/Ejection burn in one long burn (with a dV of 10k +)
Midcourse Correction
Planet Approach to the Moon
Orbit Insert
Landing


Earth to Jupiter to Saturn
Includes:
Flight Plan Setup
Surface Launch with Surface Launch Program
Orbit Eject
Midcourse Correction
Slingshot Setup
Slingshot Execution
Midcourse Correction
Planet Approach
Orbit Insert


Moon to Mars (If I can figure out how to do a slingshot around Earth--hopefully I will)
Would Include:
Flight Plan Setup
Surface Launch with Surface Launch Program
Orbit Eject
Midcourse Correction
Slingshot Setup
Slingshot Execution
Midcourse Correction
Planet Approach
Orbit Insert
Landing


If there are any tutorials people would like to see in addition to the ones listed above OR if you have requested one and I have forgotten to put it on the above list please respond on this thread so I may include what you want.

Also, as for the tutorial format, is everybody OK with the same format used in Home Direct?
[ame="http://www.orbithangar.com/searchid.php?ID=3660"]Home Direct[/ame]
The format is steps in big letters in bullets, and then a paragraph or two explaining why each step was performed directly under that step. Also, do people want playbacks with inflight notes to go along with these?

Mark

 

[Nemoricus]

Are you going to include scenarios to go along with the tutorials? They may be helpful.

On the whole, this sounds likes a good project. I look forward to seeing your manual.

 

[markl316]

Are you going to include scenarios to go along with the tutorials? They may be helpful.

On the whole, this sounds likes a good project. I look forward to seeing your manual.

Yes, I think that's a great idea. Besides, I'll be flying the missions so I can take screenshots for the tutorials, so I might as well save them and include them in the package. Thanks.

 

[clickypens]

That format worked awesome for me. I'm looking forward to your proposed tutorials. Sounds awesome.