Space Shuttle Ultra development thread

[Donamy]

Dave,

I added your changes to the mesh, without the texture distortion and I kept the mesh group order.

 

[Urwumpe]

Urwumpe, have you done any further work on the PASS TRAJ display? I could probably add the triangle and circles used to display the shuttle's altitude and velocity.

Not yet, I wanted to remove all bugs first, so we can in theory do a 1.07 release. If you want to do it, no problem for me, CRT MFD is usually your territory in my eyes.

Current work:
- Separate Ku Band antenna simulation from the panel code.

My current options for work:
- More panels, but without connected functionality, just switch animations.
- Orbit DAP/OMS DAP.
- Separate the mechanic systems (ET Umb Doors, Landing gear, Payload bay) from the panel code.
- Finish the OMS simulation
- Improve prelaunch sequence (minor task, can be done in parallel)
- Improve OBSS integration
- More payload attachments, which can be repositioned in the scenario file and connected to latch switches.


A major task, I would like to have done soon, is making an alternate GPC simulation, so we can do the DPS reconfiguration of the Post Insertion Checklist. Basically we split the single GPC we currently have into 5 GPCs, which can all have their own specialized software configuration - GNC, SM, PL, BFS. Also make the CRT displays follow the assignments of the panel.

Any comments?

 

[Donamy]

I'm working on the A1 panels, textures will be done today, probably in the VC by Sun.

What about the startrackers ?

 

[Urwumpe]

Did not think about them really much, we will need them really when we start making rendezvous maneuvers (they also track the ISS) and or have to align the IMUs. As we have no IMUs yet, we don't need to align them....

 

[Donamy]

They were usually deployed with the KU, is this still the case ?


Edit:

Never mind, they do not. Could this be put back, temporarily?

 

[Urwumpe]

They were usually deployed with the KU, is this still the case ?

No, i removed them from the animation to make them exclusively KU-Band.

I think in reality, the Star Tracker doors only open for the short time you use a star tracker and remain closed the rest of the time to protect them against damage.

And damn, am I charged with caffeine currently. I feel strapped to a SRB.

 

[Donamy]

Actually, I can't find an on orbit shot without them.

 

[DaveS]

I think in reality, the Star Tracker doors only open for the short time you use a star tracker and remain closed the rest of the time to protect them against damage.

As far as I know, the star tracker doors remain open. I have only seen the star tracker door opening/closing procedure mentioned in the Post-Insertion C/L and the pre-deorbit burn C/L.

 

[Urwumpe]

Actually, I can't find an on orbit shot without them.

OK, so we should restore the animations, but link them to the correct switches. I currently work on the KU-Band antenna, want to move the simulation code away from the switches, so the GPC can take control of the antenna.

EDIT: What do you think about writing our documentation for the project in LATEX, using pdfTex for creating cute PDF files? I currently have a good book on using LATEX for scientific publications in my hands, and I think I could use the knowledge for making a cute manual with it. Also LATEX allows it that we put the source files for the manual into the SVN repository and let multiple people work on them at the same time.

 

[Donamy]

Will Adobe open the files ?

 

[Urwumpe]

Will Adobe open the files ?

Not sure of Acrobat will be able to edit it, but Acrobat Reader has no problems with it, even when I use special features. The only "problem" we would get is that we are limited to the file formats jpeg, png and pdf for graphics, but that are also the normal output formats for all web graphics. When I make a SVG drawing in Inkscape, I can also export it as accurate PDF drawing.


About the MPS Dump sequence: The SSMEs gimballing to dump position seems to get triggered with the ET separation sequence and take parts automatically after ET separation - at least i can't read something opposing that this also happens during manual separation.

The main engines move to entry position automatically after the MPS dump is complete.

So, when we trigger the ET separation sequence, either automatically or manually, the final action will be automatically gimballing the engines to this position. The MPS dump gets started automatically 2 minutes after MECO or when the crew throws the switch "MPS PRPLT DUMP SEQUENCE" to "START". This should not happen earlier then MECO + 20 seconds.

When the propellant dump is done 2:30 after beginning it, the engines are moved automatically to the entry position. I think this is done by GPCs, at least most of the automatic sequence gets commanded by them.

15 minutes after the end of the MPS dump, the GPCs initiate vacuum inerting.

 

[DaveS]

Are you planning to implement the prelaunch SSME LOX prechill vapours?
If so, here's the PSTREAM settings you want to use:

[PARTICLESTREAM_1]
NAME=O2_PURGE
SRCSIZE=0.06
SRCRATE=140
V0=10
SRCSPREAD=0
LIFETIME=1.25
GROWTHRATE=1.1
ATMSLOWDOWN=1.25
LTYPE=EMISSIVE
LEVELMAP=LVL_SQRT
LMIN=0
LMAX=1
ATMSMAP=ATM_PLOG
AMIN=1e-1140
AMAX=1
TEX=Contrail1
 
;=== Vent positions: 
;SSME#1: 3'o clock 
;SSME#2: 12'o clock
;SSME#3: 3'o clock

 

[Urwumpe]

Are you planning to implement the prelaunch SSME LOX prechill vapours?
If so, here's the PSTREAM settings you want to use:

I plan to, but I have no idea currently how to place the thrusters for the steams on the SSME nozzles. I would need to know the positions (in mesh coordinates) inside the Atlantis mesh, together with the direction vector for them. The particle stream will maybe stay connected to the nozzle this way, when it gimbals.

Also I have no good idea when I am going to implement this. Its a small visual effect, while the MPS propellant dump after MECO is propulsive and causes 9-11 fps velocity change. Also it means 7000 lbm mass difference...

 

[Donamy]

I agree with the MPS seq.

The SSME LOX prechill vapours, that you have for the newer fleet, I think would look better, if they were slowed down somewhat, and enlarged. It looks too much like water flowing IMO.

Edit:
Finished A1R, starting on A1U.

 

[Urwumpe]

This one could be interesting: Its a short but very detailled description of the DPS hardware...

http://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19940019098_1994019098.pdf


Also i found a paper on the math to be used in manned DPS systems...but did not sight it yet if it is useful.

 

[DaveS]

Just to let you know: While I wait for Harmsway! to send me some photos of the MLP Side 1 cryo pipes, I have started work on the FSS.

Currently basic FSS and detailed Orbiter Access Arm and GOX vent arm is in work.

 

[Urwumpe]

Looks interesting

 

[Donamy]

How do I upload to souceforge ?

 

[myles]

Right click on a folder or file and press SVN commit, and make sure the commit to line reads: https://shuttleultra.svn.sourceforge.net/svnroot/shuttleultra/trunk

 

[DaveS]

Right click on a folder or file and press SVN commit, and make sure the commit to line reads: https://shuttleultra.svn.sourceforge.net/svnroot/shuttleultra/trunk

Then enter your SourceForge.net username and password and press OK. From there on it's all automatic. TortoiseSVN will inform you when the upload has finished and tell you the new repository revision number. Current revision number is 76.