NEIL GEHRELS SWIFT OBSERVATORY
Launch and Link reboost mission.
Add-on for Orbiter2016 v.160828


INSTALLATION
Unzip into your Orbiter folder. Make sure to preserve the directory structure. This will NOT overwrite anything in the standard Orbiter installation.


KWAJALEIN BASE INSTALLATION OPTIONS
If you want a base and runway for your L1011 aircraft, you can either:

1) Install "Kwajalein Atoll RTS" and all its dependencies (see add-on doc for list).
or
2) Install "Kwajalein Atoll RTS" without dependencies and use the modified "Dyess_Army_Airfield_PKRO.cfg" located in Doc/Swift Observatory/ folder (copy-paste into Earth/Base/ folder and overwrite).
or
3) Use the standalone "Bucholz_Army_Airfield_PKWA.cfg" located in Doc/Swift Observatory/ folder (copy-paste into Earth/Base/ folder).


REQUIREMENTS
Swift launch scenario requires:
"Delta2 and SLC-17" by BrianJ:
https://www.orbiter-forum.com/resources/delta2-and-slc17.417/

Link launch scenario requires:
"L1011 with PegasusXL" by Kev33 and Kwan3217:
https://www.orbiter-forum.com/resources/l1011-with-pegasusxl.3119/

RECOMMENDED
"Kwajalein Atoll RTS" by Voyager_VI:
https://www.orbiter-forum.com/resources/kwajalein-atoll-rts.953/
(Contains old format surface tiles not compatible with D3D9 Graphics Client)


WHAT'S IN THIS ADD-ON?
The Swift Observatory and Link spacecraft. Launch and on-orbit scenarios.
Alternative Kwajalein base .cfg's, PegasusXL drop zone base and warning area markers file.
Add-on installation, operation, data and flight notes in Doc/Swift Observatory/ folder.

Original "Swift" model by Christopher R. Meaney, https://science.nasa.gov/3d-resources/swift/
Original base .cfg's, marker file and research by Voyager_VI.


SCENARIOS
Scenarios are in the Scenarios/Swift Observatory/ folder.

Swift Launch 20 Nov 2004 - Press V for ascent autopilot at T-10s, lift-off at 17:16:01 UTC
Swift on orbit 21 Nov 2004 - State vectors from JPL Horizons
Link Launch 27 June 2026 - Take-off in Stargazer and launch the Link spacecraft on PegasusXL.
L1011 PegasusXL drop T-20s - Jettison PegasusXL from L1011 at 12:12:00
Link immediately post launch - Deploy Solar Array and start Swift rendezvous operations.
Link Swift Rendezvous 29 June 2026 - Use Link Ion engines to reboost Swift to 600km orbit.

See Swift_FlightNotes.txt for more detailed info.

MORE INFO
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neil_Gehrels_Swift_Observatory
https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/swift-rescue-mission.htm
https://science.nasa.gov/mission/swift/swift-boost-mission/


SWIFT DATA
Empty Mass	1456kg
No propulsion - Use gyros for attitude control.
Docking port located on -Z bulkhead.

SWIFT CONTROLS
G = Deploy Solar Arrays (auto Sun tracking)
Shift+NumPad = Gyro attitude controls


LINK DATA
Empty Mass	340kg
Ion engine propellant	30kg
Ion engine thrust	0.3N total (0.1N each)
Ion engine ISP	15000Ns/kg
RCS propellant	30kg
RCS thrust	10N each, x 20 (Balanced rotation, no +Z translation)
RCS ISP		2500Ns/kg
Link also uses gyros for attitude control.
Docking port located in front of +Z bulkhead.

LINK CONTROLS
Shift+NumPad = Gyro attitude controls
P / Alt+P = Lock Prograde/Retrograde attitude directly (for higher time accelerations)
N / Alt+N = Lock Orbit Normal +/- attitude directly (for higher time accelerations)
K = Deploy/Stow grapple arms
J = Release grapple (detach/undock)
L = Lidar On/Off (just for fun)
G = Deploy Solar Arrays (auto Sun tracking)


STARGAZER CONTROLS
G = Gear Up/Down
SpaceBar = Gear Brakes
F / Ctrl+F = Landing Flaps +/-
NumPad[-] = Reverse Thrust (Retro engine)
K = Cockpit and landing lights
J = Jettison PegasusXL
Insert / Delete = Elevator trim -/+


PEGASUSXL CONTROLS
Solid fuel launcher - will burn at 100% throttle until fuel is finished.
M = Autopilot On/Off
B = Set apogee altitude for 3rd stage circularization burn.
N = Release from Aircraft
J = Jettison Stage/Payload
K = Jettison fairing


THANKS to....
VoyagerVI, Kev33 and Kwan3217, Christopher Meaney/NASA 3D Resources

BrianJ
June 2026