RInc for plane alignment?

[Lacker]

My RInc is 19.5, as I'm trying to intercept ISS with Atlantis and I keep running out of gas before I can line up. Am I burning wrong or just WAY off?

Thanks,

A

 

[clive bradbury]

You are way off, and stand no chance of aligning with the fuel available. Launch at the correct times and your rinc should be less than one degree.

 

[Urwumpe]

Actually, you have a far worse problem: The maneuver you plan to do, costs too much fuel - even if you do it perfectly.

The Shuttle has only enough fuel for changing it's velocity by about 600 m/s. This is equal to a single plane alignment of only 1.5°, if you want to do something more, make sure your RInc is below 0.5° already after launch, by launching into the right direction and at the right time, using align planes MFD already during launch to improve it.

 

[Lacker]

HA I figured that was my problem. The manual says "If you're too far off..." but it doesn't give a reference. I figured 19.5 was pretty bad given every time I'd burn I could decrease it by a degree or two only.

I'm trying to find the Launch MFD so I can time my launch properly but it's not installing. I asked about it in another thread. Tips?

I can get within eye shot of the ISS which, given my fumbling through this in the dark approach is pretty cool IMO.

Thanks all!

A

 

[unknown_orbiter]

Good luck man! According to some, intercepting and docking in Atlantis is the most difficult maneuver. I have more trouble with re-entry personally.

 

[Lacker]

Yeah I haven't tried docking or entry yet...still just focusing on launch and intercept. Probably try those two next.

Any tips on the IMFD display?

A

 

[HiPotOk1978]

If you look on YouTube or the video thread that Tex started, there are tutorials that talk about powering up I believe is Space Shuttle Ultra. There is also a reference as to do a launch to ISS. I believe the guy that put them together mentions 310 seconds before ISS orbit passes over the Cape then it is a matter of launching at (don't know if the heading are correct, may want to check with another source) 42 degree if the ground track is going to be heading north from your launch site or 115 if your ground track is going south from the launch site.

 

[tblaxland]

I'm trying to find the Launch MFD so I can time my launch properly but it's not installing. I asked about it in another thread. Tips?

In that thread you asked about IMFD. Launch MFD is a separate addon found here:
[ame="http://www.orbithangar.com/searchid.php?ID=2802"]Launch MFD - v 1.2.8[/ame]

 

[clive bradbury]

Try my 'soyuz to ISS' tutorial on OH. The principles of correct launch time for rv are the same.

 

[Bj]

I have more trouble with re-entry personally.

Reentry is easy, its the landing near the target base that's hard.