Question Add-on that disables functions?

[TopMoose]

I am a teacher working on a spaceflight simulation for students using Orbiter. I would like the kids to launch, dock to ISS and return in real-time over a weekend or so.

Anyone know of an add-on that disables time warping and/or switching to the external camera? I would like to make their experience as realistic as possible, and well as prevent the whole simluation from falling apart if a kids bumps the "t" key by mistake....

 

[RisingFury]

Given that the Orbiter learning curve is very steep and even a single orbit at low altitude takes 90 minutes, it might take a lot more then a weekend... no newbie to Orbiter is capable of pulling of a launch and docking in under at least a few orbits. I know my first time took at least 10. That would mean running the simulation all day...

Disabling the time acceleration might not be the best idea...

Also, I recommend you and your students read through the Orbiter manual and Go play in space, as well as watch the playbacks, in the Playback foler. There's one that shows how to rondevouz and dock to ISS and one that goes to the Moon...

 

[Wishbone]

Wouldn't let my students (I teach at a university) do any such thing. Basically, class time is precious; homework time slightly less so, and there are enough topics in the curriculum to use it all. However, I have conducted extra-curricular co-operative simulations in computer rooms, but they require higher motivation and tight interaction among students, as well as me rehearsing the show by heart...

 

[Rtyh-12]

There is [ame="http://orbithangar.com/searchid.php?ID=4331"]this add-on on Orbithangar[/ame] that automatically updates your simulation time as if you left Orbiter running. For example, you could do the launch in real time and do the sync orbit maneuver in the morning. Then, you can shut down your PC. In the next morning (for example; my typical docking takes about 17 hours, although I can make it shorter or longer without problem. 17 hours is however OK for me.) you can turn your PC on, start Orbiter, and do the docking maneuver.

 

[TopMoose]

Clarification about the project

The project is actually for kids in my Science and Engineering club, which is an after school high school group of very talented kids.

My plan was to select 3-4 "astronuats." The astronauts would train on specific tasks (one for launch, one for orbital manuevers, one for docking, one for aerobraking and landing. They would "train" by practicing scenarios over a few months.

Then, over a weekend or two school days, the astronauts go in one room made up like a shuttle or similar vehicle. They launch, rendevous, and land in real-time. This also means sleeping overnight in the school, supplying food, experiencing isolation and minor sleep deprivation, etc.

In another room, I will have mission control kids monitoring the orbiter via WebMFD.

I have done a similar project in the past using software called CapFlight2000 (Google it if you like), but I have always thought Orbiter could provide a better experience. The kids have always had a blast doing it, and loved sleeping over.

I have been an Orbiter fan and user for years, so I know how hard it is to learn. However, this project is for volunteers who want to learn and train. And of course, since its an afterschool club, I can postpone my launch until summer or next fall if it takes that long for kids to train.

So all that being said, any suggestions for add-ons that would help the experience?

 

[RisingFury]

In that case I suggest you use the DeltaGliderIV. It's pretty nice to handle through the whole mission, it has just enough bells and whistles like life support, power systems,... it handles very well through reentry and landing.

 

[Rtyh-12]

All cool things happen away from me. :/

 

[Lucy]

In that case I suggest you use the DeltaGliderIV. It's pretty nice to handle through the whole mission, it has just enough bells and whistles like life support, power systems,... it handles very well through reentry and landing.

It also wants to do everything itself and it's not so keen on you actually flying it manually. I find it just plain awful to fly myself, so I'd question your recommendation in this context.

Opinion is divided on what is the best spaceplane for Orbiter, but for this mission I would recommend the stock DeltaGlider - nothing fancy in there, but it'll do the job you want, and it doesn't have the autopilots the DGIV does (automatic launch to orbit, automatic docking, automatic reentry - seems like it would defeat the whole point).

As for disabling time warp, it is possible. There are certain features which can do it, for instance OrbiterSound has an option which stops you increasing your time acceleration too high if you have a stock autopilot engaged (useful to stop you wasting all your fuel). oapi::Module based addons will get a callback when the time acceleration is changed (clbkTimeAccelChanged()), and can then set it back to a lower value with OAPIFUNC void oapiSetTimeAcceleration.

 

[ghostrunner01]

I would recommend the XR-2 with the config settings on realistic. It will give them a goo idea of what its like.

 

[Lucy]

oapi::Module based addons will get a callback when the time acceleration is changed (clbkTimeAccelChanged()), and can then set it back to a lower value with OAPIFUNC void oapiSetTimeAcceleration.

Here's one which does exactly that (attachment). Source code is included.

 

[jedidia]

I would recommend the XR-2 with the config settings on realistic. It will give them a goo idea of what its like.

Heck, I still have a hard time getting her to orbit on realistic settings (I don't practice that much), it's probably not quite the best way to start for a newby.

Apart from that, XR vessels are virtualy impossible to get to orbit without scrams (and totally impossible on realistic settings), which adds another layer of complexity. I think the stock DG would indeed be the best way to go.