Idea Orbiter Wind Tunnel

[n72.75]

Ok this is an idea for a software that would be used to generate realistic aerodynamics for spaceships in orbiter based on their mesh shape. this would be similar to the way xPlane calculates aerodynamics. For this software though, aerodynamics would not be cauculated on the fly but instead would be generated and saved to a text file. Then those values could be pasted into a cfg file or a dll. tois would be a much better alternative to the currend gues and check methoid.

I realize that this project would requier a lot of time and effort, its just a sugestion and if anyone wants to tackle, it go ahead.

I am not good enough at programing to do this kind of project, some day i hope to be able to give back to the community as much as it has given me.

Thanks.
-Matthew Hume

 

[unussapiens]

For those who can be bothered putting in a lot of time and effort have a look at XFLR5. It would be difficult to create orbiter meshes in it by hand, but it would probably be easy enough to write a program to do it.

 

[DarkWanderer]

XFLR only applies to low Re and low mach - even Mach 0.8 will give inconsistent results.

I'm currently examinating possibilities of using professional CFD software for Orbiter simulation. Most of them support automatization - the only problem is their cost (and low accessibility of cracks).
If someone's interested in the topic, here's a collection of programs:
http://www.cfd-online.com/Wiki/Codes
One could find a free alternative with freely available source codes there.

 

[joiz]

if you made this, half the orbiter ships wouldn't fly. look at DG.

 

[tblaxland]

if you made this, half the orbiter ships wouldn't fly. look at DG.

Well, it is not to say all Orbiter ships should have realistic aerodynamics, just that there could be a tool for helping developers make realistic addons if that was their desire. There are many things about the DG/DGIV/XR2/etc that require suspension of disbelief for immersion - that's not a bad thing, its just like reading science fiction.

 

[Scrooge McDuck]

Wasn't Radu working on a project like this? Fluid dynamics and Orbiter meshes, I can remember it from the M6 forum.
But the archive is currently down so I can't directly provide a link..

BTW, thanks for mentioning XFLR /Xfoil, I haven't even seen these before. Definitely looks interesting!

regards,
mcduck

 

[DarkWanderer]

if you made this, half the orbiter ships wouldn't fly. look at DG.

Why? They would, but slow and low...

Seriously, this is anyway needed to limit fantasy. Not every addon developer can be a physicist - and we get TX, which is more maneuverable than a MiG-29, HyperDart, not flyable on joystick and XR2 with small brakes increasing Cx 6-10 times. So we need some means to avoid such blunders.

And maybe in future this can lead to a design affordable IRL...

 

[RisingFury]

if you made this, half the orbiter ships wouldn't fly. look at DG.

Oh for God's sake..........

Of the most popular space planes, XR5, DG and XR2 are most fit for flight.

 

[joiz]

Oh for God's sake..........

Of the most popular space planes, XR5, DG and XR2 are most fit for flight.

ok, but would a normal deltaglider really be able to fly well at mach 20? it looks more like a f117 then a shuttle.

 

[DarkWanderer]

ok, but would a normal deltaglider really be able to fly well at mach 20?

Well, why not?..
_______________

Rep+ to anyone who guesses the craft and conditions:

 

[tblaxland]

Rep+ to anyone who guesses the craft and conditions:

X-43?

 

[n72.75]

ok, but would a normal deltaglider really be able to fly well at mach 20? it looks more like a f117 then a shuttle.

All it has to do is fly like a brick. hahaha.

 

[Schimz]

X-43?

DGex mk.II

 

[n72.75]

DGex mk.II

What exactialy what program are you rendering that in.

 

[Hielor]

DGex mk.II

Hehe, I actually would've guessed DGex, too!

There's a mk.II? sweet!

 

[Tommy]

Lot of good data on aerodynamics, engines, nozzles, and some very basic simulator software at NASA:

http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/K-12/airplane/guided.htm

 

[Schimz]

What exactialy what program are you rendering that in.

Ask DarkWanderer

 

[DarkWanderer]

What exactialy what program are you rendering that in.

It's a demo of FlowVision, a professional CFD tool. I'm just evaluating possibilities now, but results are quite promising.

Lot of good data on aerodynamics, engines, nozzles, and some very basic simulator software at NASA:

Thanks, quite nice find.:speakcool: Though programs lack much, they can be quite useful for studying the principles.
I'd even recommend to all the addon developers this site. At least, to those who're not StarWars fans