SpaceX
    FALCON HEAVY v.250125
for Orbiter 2016  (v.160828)

INSTALLATION
Extract all files to the root of your Orbiter program directory, preserving the directory structure. This should NOT overwrite anything in the standard Orbiter package.

Note: If using Orbiter2024, set Texture Mipmaps to "Load As Defined"
(Orbiter Launchpad Video tab -> Advanced ->Texture MipMaps)

RECOMMENDED ADD-ON
LC39A SpaceX
https://www.orbithangar.com/searchid.php?ID=7090

Orbiter2015 Hi-Res Texture Pack for West Coast USA EarthHi_11_05.zip
https://mirror.orbiter-radio.co.uk/orbiter/assets/packages/Earth/EarthHi_11_05.zip

OrbiterSound5.0
http://orbiter.dansteph.com/forum/index.php?page=download

WHAT'S IN THIS ADD-ON?
The SpaceX "Falcon Heavy" launcher with optional Star48BV kick motor, adaptors, etc.
Launch pads for LC39A, SLC40 and SLC4E (VAFB).
LZ Landing pads, FRV and ASDS vessels for fairing recovery and booster landings.
Launch scenarios for various test-masses and orbits, STP2 and Tesla Roadster launches.
Elev-mod tiles for flat landing zones at KSC and VAFB.

Features: Control Panel for launch parameter input, optional Ascent-to-Orbit autopilot and 1st stage boosters Flyback-EDL autopilot.
Payload "attachment" by editing .scn file, or in-sim by payload name input. 
Expendable, Dragon Adaptor, No Fairing, Custom Adaptor mesh, Charred look options in .cfg file.

QUICKSTART
Scenarios are in the "FalconHeavy for Orbiter2016" folder on your Orbiter launch pad.
Select a scenario and press [V] at T-10s to start the ascent autopilot.
All launch parameters are set and 1st Stage Core and Boosters Auto-Flyback-EDL to the ASDS recovery vessel or LZ landing pads is already enabled (if appropriate).

SCENARIOS
Test scenarios are in separate folders arranged by orbit type:
LEO		200km circular orbit at 29 inclination.
GTO		200km circular orbit at 29 inclination, 2500m/s dV remaining.
ISS		350km circular orbit at 51.6 inclination.
POLAR	700km circular orbit at 96 inclination.

Each orbit type has scenarios for various different booster recovery modes at the maximum payload mass.
FALCON HEAVY COCKPIT CONTROLS

Available commands and launcher status info are displayed on the HUD.

K = Open / Close Launch Control Panel
V = Start Launch Autopilot at T-10s
N = Manual Jettison Boosters or Core
J = Manual Jettison Fairing or Payload
E = Set View +Z / -Z
B = 2nd Stage Fuel Dump


FALCON HEAVY LAUNCH CONTROL PANEL

Press K to Open/Close Launch Control Panel
Type required value in appropriate box and click Enter to input.

PAYLOAD MANAGEMENT
There can be up to 100 payload attachment points specified in the .cfg file.
Default position is located at the centre of the payload-attach-ring on the 2nd Stage.

Payloads can be added by editing the scenario and using the Attached parameter (see example scenarios included).

Alternatively, any vessel already existing in the scenario can be attached by entering the payload name and clicking the Attach button.

The first available attachment point on the payload will be used for attachment.
TARGET ORBIT PARAMETERS
Inclination
Enter the required orbit inclination (Equatorial frame), Use negative value for Southerly launch azimuth, positive for Northerly launch azimuth. Minimum value is current latitude.

Perigee
Enter target orbit Perigee (km)

Apogee
Enter target orbit Apogee (km)

CORE STG. APOGEE AT MECO
Core booster stage apogee target at MECO(2nd stage separation)  calculated automatically, but can be changed manually if you want to try different flight profiles.

UPPER STG. ORBIT INSERTION ALT.
Upper stage altitude at final orbit insertion  default setting is orbit insertion at perigee.
Can be set to any value between, or equal to, apogee and perigee. Insertion at perigee is most fuel efficient.

CORE FLYBACK-EDL
Flyback Autopilot Status
Enable or disable the autopilot for core stage Flyback-EDL

Flyback Mode
Select either 3-burn Flyback-EDL mode, or 2-burn EDL-Only mode.
(If stage is to return to launch site LZ pad, full Flyback-EDL mode should be used)

Flyback Target CORE
Enter the name of vessel(landed) or surface-base, as target for core stage
flyback and landing. Enter NULL for no target.

Flyback Fuel Reserve
Enter the amount of fuel reserved by core booster for Flyback-EDL (kg).

Estimated Fuel Required
Flyback-EDL fuel requirement calculated from core apogee, port/starboard booster fuel reserve, flight azimuth, target position, etc. Not always reliable!
Click Apply to enter this value as Flyback Fuel Reserve.


BOOSTERS FLYBACK-EDL
Flyback Autopilot Status
Enable or disable the autopilot for Port and Starboard booster stages Flyback-EDL

Flyback Mode
Select either 3-burn Flyback-EDL mode, or 2-burn EDL-Only mode.
(If stages are to return to launch site LZ pads, full Flyback-EDL mode should be used)

Flyback Target PORT
Enter the name of vessel(landed) or surface-base, as target for Port booster stage
flyback and landing.  Enter NULL for no target.
Flyback Target STBD
Enter the name of vessel(landed) or surface-base, as target for Starboard booster stage
flyback and landing. Enter NULL for no target.

Flyback Fuel Reserve
Enter the amount of fuel reserved by Port and Starboard boosters for Flyback-EDL (kg) per booster.

Estimated Fuel Required
Flyback-EDL fuel requirement (per booster) calculated from core apogee, flight azimuth, target position, etc. Not always reliable!
Click Apply to enter this value as Flyback Fuel Reserve.


ACCELERATION LIMITER
Main engine automatically throttled to limit maximum acceleration. Default 4g.


ESTIMATED ASDS POSITION
Suggested locations for ASDS recovery vessels. Calculated from fuel reserve, flight azimuth, core apogee, etc. Not always reliable!

Usually a good idea to separate the Port and Starboard ASDS vessels by a few hundred meters (otherwise boosters land on top of each other!)

ASDS Position and Flyback Fuel Reserve are interdependent  if you change one you may need to change the other to match.


LAUNCH CONTROL
T-10 Launch Autopilot
Click Start/Stop button to activate/disable ascent-to-orbit autopilot.

Launch Time UTC
Set lift-off time (hh mm ss), click On/Off to enable or disable.
Ascent-to-Orbit autopilot is engaged automatically at T-10s.
Countdown is displayed on screen.

Hardback Gantry
Click Engage/Retract to raise or lower gantry (while FalconHeavy on pad)

MANUAL JETTISON
Fairings - Click Jettison to release fairings.
Booster - Click Jettison to release Port/Stbd. Boosters, click again to release Core.

REFRESH
Click to check current parameter values.





1st STAGE BOOSTER COCKPIT CONTROLS (post stage separation)

M = Set Flyback Mode 		Toggle between full Flyback-EDL and EDL-Only modes
B = Enable Auto Flyback-EDL	Enable / disable autopilot
P = Engine Selection		Cycle through either 9, 3 or 1 engines
J = Deploy/Stow Grid Fins
G = Deploy Landing Gear
E = Set View +Z / -Z


ASCENT-TO-ORBIT AUTOPILOT SEQUENCE
T-10s				Countdown	
T-2s				Throttle-up to 100%
100m alt.			Start roll to launch azimuth
200m alt.			Start pitch down, follow gravity turn, Core throttle down to 40%
50km alt.			Start guidance steering
Bstr.Reserve Fuel limit	Booster separation, core throttle up to 100% (4G limit)
Core Reserve Fuel limit	Core separation, 2nd stage ignition
Core sep. +20s		Fairing separation
Final Orbit reached		MECO


CORE/BOOSTER FLYBACK-EDL SEQUENCE
Core/Booster sep.			Go to flyback burn attitude, perform burn
MECO				Go to reentry attitude
130km alt.(Boosters 100km)	Enable/perform reentry burn
15km alt., < Mach2			Start aerodynamic steering
1-2km alt.				Start landing burn, gear deploy


CORE/BOOSTER EDL-ONLY SEQUENCE
Core/Booster sep.			Go to reentry attitude
160km alt.(Boosters 100km)	Enable/perform reentry burn
15km alt., < Mach2			Start aerodynamic steering
1-2km alt.				Start landing burn, gear deploy


RECOVERABLE FAIRINGS
The FalconHeavy has a recoverable fairings option. Fairings are eqipped with RCS, a parafoil and guidance. The parafoil is automatically deployed at 6-7km and the guidance will steer a course (accounting for wind) for any vessel named FRV.

Use recoverable fairings by setting the RecoverableFairing = 1 flag in the .cfg file (see below).
















CONFIG FILE OPTIONS (.cfg)

Config files for the FalconHeavy are located in Config/Vessels/FalconHeavy/  folder.
By editing the .cfg file for the FalconHeavy, you have various options:

TimeAccLimit = TRUE				Time acceleration limited to 1 at staging
Expendable = 1					Core expendable, boosters reusable
Expendable = 2					Core expendable, boosters expendable
Dragon = 1						Cargo Dragon adaptor, no fairing
Dragon = 2						Dragon2 adaptor, no fairing
NoFairing = 1					No Fairing
LargeFairing = 1					Extended 22m fairing
RecoverableFairing = 1				Use recoverable fairings
UpperInsulation = 1					Upper stage grey insulation
CntrUsed = 1					Charred skin  Centre Booster
PortUsed = 1						Charred skin  Port Booster
StbdUsed = 1					Charred skin  Starboard Booster
PayloadAttach0 =	pos dir rot			Payload attachpoint Pos Dir Rot vectors
FairingTex = FalconHeavy/f9_fair_logo.dds	Fairing logo path/texture name
Adaptor = FalconHeavy/star48bv_adaptor* 	Adaptor file path/mesh name
*Adds adaptor mesh at centre of 2nd stage payload interface ring.
Origin (0,0,0) should be at bottom of adaptor mesh.

See examples in f9h.cfg file, in Config/Vessels/FalconHeavy/.



STAR48BV KICK-MOTOR
An optional Star48BV solid rocket motor is included.
It can be attached to the FalconHeavy like any other payload.

A further payload can be attached to the Star48BV in the same way - an existing vessel can be attached during simulation by pressing P and entering vessel name, or edit the ATTACHED parameter in the scenario file before starting the sim.

Payload mass is added to Star48BV.

A 62" to 48" adaptor for attaching the Star48BV to the FalconHeavy is included (see Fairing / Payload Adator Options in CFG files)

Once ignited, the Star48BV will burn at full throttle until depletion.



STAR48BV COCKPIT CONTROLS
P = Enter Payload Name   Attach existing vessel to the Star48BV,at payload interface ring.
J = Jettison Payload



LAUNCH PADS and LANDING PADS

Launch pads feature retractable gantry, LOX vent and liftoff smoke effects, auto night lights.

[G] = Raise / Lower Gantry	[M] = Water Deluge On/Off
[K] = Night Lights On/Off		[V] = LOX vent On/Off
[B] = Crew Access Arm Extend/Retract (LC39A)
[N] = Crew Access Arm Visible/Invisible (LC39A)
[P] = Attach Launcher to Pad (enter name, any existing vessel)





LAUNCH PAD "HOLD DOWN"
If FalconHeavy is attached to launch pad (see ATTACHED parameter in scenario file), attachment is released when main engine reaches %95 thrust (after 2 seconds if using Launch Autopilot) 



LZ LANDING PADS and ASDS
Auto proximity night lights  illuminated when any vessel approaches within 5km.

ASDS should be placed along the launch groundtrack, some distance ahead of the booster at separation (or close to booster ballistic impact point if EDL ONLY flyback
mode is selected)

[N] = Landing Pad Mesh Visible/Invisible (LZ pad only)




FRV FAIRING RECOVERY VESSEL
Place further along flightpath than ASDS.
Will collect and stow fairings if they fall within the net. 

Max speed ~30kts, data on HUD, night lights. 

Must be named FRV for fairing guidance.

Note: If not named FRV, fairing guidance will not operate and you must use the vessel to chase the fairings as they descend, which can be interesting :-)




FALCON HEAVY ADD-ON SPECS
1st Stage - Core, Port, Starboard Boosters (each)

Empty Mass			  22500 kg (Core 25600kg)
Fuel Mass			409500 kg
Max. Thrust SL		845148 N (x 9)
Max. Thrust Vac.		914111 N (x 9)
ISP SL			    2767 Ns/kg
ISP Vac			    3050 Ns/kg
RCS(N) Fuel Mass		      400 kg
RCS(N) Max. Thrust 	    1000 N (6 pairs)
RCS(N) ISP			      800 Ns/kg

2nd Stage
Empty Mass			    4000 kg
Fuel Mass			107500 kg
Max Thrust Vac		934000 N
ISP Vac			    3385 Ns/kg
RCS(N) Fuel Mass		      100 kg
RCS(N) Max. Thrust	      500 N (4 pairs)
RCS(N) ISP	Vac		      800 Ns/kg

Fairings
Mass				       875 kg (each) Standard 14m fairing
Mass				       1250 kg (each) Extended 22m fairing

Star48BV
Empty Mass	    		    144.7 kg
Fuel Mass	  		  2011.8 kg
Max Thrust Vac	   	   68720 N
ISP Vac			  2865.5 Ns/kg
RCS Fuel Mass		         20 kg

FALCON HEAVY PERFORMANCE (not complete for all recovery mode combinations!)
Orbit Type
Core Recovery Mode
Booster Recovery Mode
Max.Payload (kg)
GTO
Flyback-EDL to ASDS
Flyback-EDL to LZ
13000
GTO
Flyback-EDL to ASDS
Flyback-EDL to ASDS
14000
GTO
Expendable
Flyback-EDL to LZ
21000
GTO
Expendable
Expendable
27000
ISS
Flyback-EDL to LZ
Flyback-EDL to LZ
24000
ISS
Flyback-EDL to ASDS
Flyback-EDL to LZ
32000
ISS
EDL-Only to ASDS
EDL-Only to ASDS
39000
LEO
Flyback-EDL to LZ
Flyback-EDL to LZ
25000
LEO
Flyback-EDL to ASDS
Flyback-EDL to LZ
33000
LEO
EDL-Only to ASDS
Flyback-EDL to LZ
38000
LEO
EDL-Only to ASDS
EDL-Only to ASDS
41000
LEO
Expendable
Expendable
64000
FalconHeavy performance cont.
Orbit Type
Core Recovery Mode
Booster Recovery Mode
Max.Payload (kg)
POLAR
Flyback-EDL to LZ
Flyback-EDL to LZ
17000
POLAR
Flyback-EDL to ASDS
Flyback-EDL to LZ
22000
POLAR*
EDL-Only to ASDS
EDL-Only to ASDS
(2-burn)     35000

GTO = 200km orbit + 2500m/s dV remaining, 29 inclination		Launch Site: KSC
ISS = 350km orbit, 56 inclination					Launch Site: KSC
LEO = 200km orbit, 29 inclination					Launch Site: KSC
POLAR = 700km orbit, 96 inclination					Launch Site: VAFB
POLAR* = 200km x 700km orbit + 200m/s dV, 96 inclination	Launch Site: VAFB



NOTES

Double Launch
Each launcher in the scenario needs it's own copy of f9h.cfg and f9h.dll
See the Double Launch scenario as an example.

VAFB HiRes Tiles
If you have installed the EarthHi_11_05.zip pack, you should use the scenarios in the
HiRes VAFB Scenarios sub-folder, for correct placement of SLC4E launch pad and LZ landing pads.

Earth Elev_mod tiles
Includes earth Elev_mod tiles:
/13/000157/000168.elv
/15/000699/001131.elv
For flat LZ areas at KSC and VAFB*(only if VAFB HiRes Tiles installed).

Fuel Reserve Estimate and ASDS Position Estimate
These are calculated by empirically derived curve-fitted functions and may not always be reliable!

Compatible with OrbiterSound4.0 (but OrbiterSound4.0 may not work in Orbiter2016)

CREDITS
Tesla Roadster textures and D3D9 magic by Felix24

Original Tesla Roadster Sketchup model by Craig D.
https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/model/d5b9471bcaaf15d4824c4ee0076cfe45/Tesla-Motors

THANKS TO......
MartinS, IronRain, Felix24, Barry, Donamy, Kyle, francisdrake and everyone at the forum


Have fun  :-)
BrianJ
Jan 2025
