Orbiter super-newbie

[Pipcard]

Which buttons do you mean? In the stock Delta-Glider, each button is related to an aspect of the flight. The main autopilots (pro,retro,+,-,killrot) control your spacecraft's orientation. The door buttons control things like retro-doors, hover doors, nose cone, and airlocks. There are some throttle levers, some gauges, and some other spacecraft parts.

In the space shuttle's virtual cockpit, specifically.

 

[the.punk]

In the space shuttle's virtual cockpit, specifically.

What space shuttle? The space shuttle ultra or shuttle fleet or the stock atlantis?
Also I don't recommand starting with a space shuttle. It's good that you started with DG and shuttle PB.

 

[Quick_Nick]

In the space shuttle's virtual cockpit, specifically.

Ok, then you're right. The stock Atlantis has all the real buttons 'just for show'. Very few of them are actually simulated. You should try addons like Space Shuttle Ultra if you want working switches, but the shuttle is far more complex than a DG so I don't recommend flying it just yet.

 

[the.punk]

Ok, then you're right. The stock Atlantis has all the real buttons 'just for show'. Very few of them are actually simulated. You should try addons like Space Shuttle Ultra if you want working switches, but the shuttle is far more complex than a DG so I don't recommend flying it just yet.

Yes. Space shuttle ultra is an cool addon. But it isn't something for to start.

 

[Pipcard]

Besides, what are all those buttons on the real space shuttle for?

EDIT: I managed to land a delta-glider at Cape Canaveral (on the runway)! I had to initiate a retro-grade burn and then fly back down there. I used the map MFD for this and set Cape Canaveral as my target. Still, I don't know the correct angle of re-entry for the delta-glider, or, if I can do it with limited fuel.

 

[tblaxland]

Besides, what are all those buttons on the real space shuttle for?

Read the real shuttle checklists here and you will start to get some idea: http://www.nasa.gov/centers/johnson/news/flightdatafiles/index.html

The Space Shuttle Reference Manual is not as detailed but is somewhat easier to digest: http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/shuttle/reference/shutref/index.html

In short, the space shuttle is a very complex machine with lots of different systems and all of those systems require controls so that they be operated not just in their nominal modes but also in off-nominal modes (in case of failure).

 

[the.punk]

EDIT: I managed to land a delta-glider at Cape Canaveral (on the runway)! I had to initiate a retro-grade burn and then fly back down there. I used the map MFD for this and set Cape Canaveral as my target. Still, I don't know the correct angle of re-entry for the delta-glider, or, if I can do it with limited fuel.

There are MFDs that can help you a lot. Like AerobrakeMFD: http://orbithangar.com/searchid.php?ID=2139
And BaseSyncMFD:
http://koti.mbnet.fi/jarmonik/BaseSyncMFD.zip

 

[ICBM]

I managed to land a delta-glider at Cape Canaveral (on the runway)! I had to initiate a retro-grade burn and then fly back down there. I used the map MFD for this and set Cape Canaveral as my target. Still, I don't know the correct angle of re-entry for the delta-glider, or, if I can do it with limited fuel.

and not bad, I don't do that well most of the time. I usually endup burning up or way of target. Good job.

O I think a good re-entry angle for the delta glider is about 40 degrees.

 

[Brycesv1]

aye. orbiter is a lot to digest at first. i remember being so fed up at all the technical terms that i almost gave up. a little practice and a lot of help from the guys on this forum (smartest bastards i know) and now im flying all over the solar system (and some others as well)

note: when trying to fly to the outer planets, make sure the moon doesnt have other plans for you. 3 times it has slung me back to earth at stupid speeds

 

[EtherDragon]

note: when trying to fly to the outer planets, make sure the moon doesnt have other plans for you. 3 times it has slung me back to earth at stupid speeds

Aye, the moon has violently interrupted a few of my plans to go to Mars...

 

[Pipcard]

very complex stuff, interplanetary travel

EDIT: I'm not actually good at landing. The glide slope and all that. I usually make a very rough landing.

 

[Brycesv1]

Aye, the moon has violently interrupted a few of my plans to go to Mars...

nothing like setting time warp to 1k and watching it get bigger... and bigger... and bigger....... *thwack*

EDIT: speaking of random stuff... i just screwed up the settings for IMFD on my way to jupiter and didnt realise it until i floated 300km from the sun wich slung me around and used me like a mace against mercury..... honestly what are the chances?