Spaceflight theory videos

I've uploaded some videos dealing with spaceflight theory. You can find them on this playlist:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZ4LzWgVGYi2sc-KyCITzbTsFUfzFkOMf

Or you can view them here:

Fly me to the Moon - and back

"Fly me to the Moon - and back" is a 1966 NASA documentary that explains the complexity of planning a lunar mission trajectory. Includes mission analysis, mathematical techniques, computers, mission plan, calculations and real-time support for the NASA Mission Control.

Launch windows for lunar landing

"Launch windows for lunar landing" is a 1967 NASA documentary, and describes, with animation, the planning of a lunar mission with trajectories and physical capabilities that define these trajectories. Emphasizes launch windows and Earth reentry.

Space Navigation

"Space Navigation" was made in 1968 and is very informative, showing techniques and equipment used in lunar missions.
The Apollo spacecraft computer is shown and it summarizes the accuracy achieved in interplanetary trajectory.
The methods used in target positioning and precise ways of determining target course are shown. Also explained is how to determine the current position and perform course corrections.

Lunar orbit rendezvous

"Lunar orbit rendezvous" was also from 1968 and describes in good detail the trajectories and procedures for Apollo missions lunar orbit rendezvous and docking. Normal, as well as abort rendezvous situations are demonstrated.

These are very interesting to grasp the concepts behind spaceflight in Orbiter Spaceflight Simulator, Kerbal or any other simulator.

Well worth a watch if you want to understand what those numbers are all about.

As always, I tried to clean up the footage as best as possible, otherwise YouTube compression would give a very blocky image. When possible, I upscaled to 720p, because it does look better online.

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Orion cockpit layout

In preparation for my Constellation program add-on, I collected some images about Orion's cockpit panel layout. These are quite interesting and you can see how it is evolving. 2012 (NASA Systems Engineering Simulator) 2014 layout I assembled this view from a NASA video showing most parts of the panel and LCD displays. Resolution is good enough to read most of the labels. 2014 Mockup 2015 Mockup The 2015 mockup shows some diferences from the 2014 version. The design seems less monotonous and with a few less flip switches. Image sources: NASA

Apollos 18, 19 and 20 for AMSO

Clearing a large backlog of released realistic add-ons over the last two years. I'll start with the cancelled moon missions based on the Apollo AMSO add-on for Orbiter. Flowing the general outline of the available NASA planning documents I did Apollo 18, 19 and 20, complete with terrain, patches and EVAs. Vallis Schroteri & Apollo 18 This add-on features realistic terrain for the Vallis Schröteri area near the Aristarchus crater on the Moon. It is presented in a way that you have a relatively large flat area (Orbiter limitation) where you can land and drive. The area covered by terrain mesh is about 30x30km. Some surface features were placed to provide interesting destinations for EVAs, based on the actual geology of the region. The provided scenarios use AMSO to recreate the proposed Apollo 18 mission. They are generic and the orbital trajectories are not optimized regarding fuel or mission duration. Anyhow, I think I've remained within realistic paramete

Gemini B cockpit layout

The Gemini B was the military version of the Gemini spacecraft, adapted for use on the MOL (Manned Orbiting Laboratory) program. The general cockpit layout was similar, but many instruments were changed. I'm doing a 3D model of the cockpit, and as part of that I need to recreate the dashboard layout. For the normal Gemini we have great detailed instrument layouts, but for Gemini B we must work based on photos. I've identified as much labels as possible. Some probably have errors, but still I think you get the idea of the general operation. The main difference from the stock Gemini is that gauges and switches are more protected perhaps from accidental touching. Also you have controls for the MOL laboratory on the right hand panel. Left panel Center panel Bottom panel Right panel I'm working mainly based on two reference photos: (http://www.nro.gov) (unknown origin)

Orbiter Spaceport

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