Orbiter Spaceport

Brazilian Space Program for Orbiter v2, including the Alcantara Launch Center (CLA) , the VLS-1 satellite launche r (Veículo Lançador de Satélites), the VLM-1 microsatellite launcher (Veículo Lançador de Microssatélites), a Microsatellite , the VS-40 sounding rocket and the SARA reentry experiment . Current version release notes: Improved VLS detailed mesh and textures, now using normal maps for high resolution light effects on the latest graphic clients for Orbiter.   Improved textures with normal maps for the VLM-1, VS-40 and SARA.   Expanded the Alcântara Base, that now features details such as trees, terrain and various structures. Instead of adding new surface bases to Orbiter, this implementation builds upon my “Stock Orbiter default bases upgrade” add-on, only replacing (and improving upon) the Alcantara one. Notice: please remove the Alcantara_CLA.cfg and Base_de_Alcantara.cfg base config files from your Orbiter installation, if install...

Some images of the final Launch Center model fully textured. Really happy with the results, specially with the vegetation, since my goal was to make a low polygon model for easy export to Orbiter simulator. General view of the two pads: left for sounding rockets, right for the VLS and VLM VLS-1 rocket on pad. The TMI (Mobile Integration Tower) is retracted to a safe distance. After a successful export, here's the Alcantara Launch Center in Orbiter, with the VLS ready to launch.  Alcantara Launch Center in Orbiter

I've finished modeling the VLS rocket. Here's what it looks like in SketchUp after texturing! After export, the model in Orbiter Space Simulator looks like this: Very consistent. I'm using the DX9 renderer, and I've yet to add normalmaps! As I'm happy with the way it looks already, here's an image sequence of a test launch. VLS lifts-off from Alcantara Ascending on first stage, after booster separation Ascending on first stage VLS rocket ascending on first stage. This configuration was the basis for the early VLM project. Second stage ignites. VLS rocket upper stages. Detail of the upper stage attitude control systems and fairing A small satellite is successfully released in orbit!

I've been working on an updated model of the VLS rocket to go with the new Alcântara base.  The first stage rocket boosters have better textures and a more geometry detail. I worked out the fixation points of the boosters to the main rocket, and it looks great! Also, the pad structure was corrected to match the rocket.  The next step is to detail the other stages. Part of the work is done for the VS40 rocket, that shares identical hardware. But there are always differences. The fairing also needs some work to give it a less plastic impression. Booster rocket Pair of boosters The upper stages are also under work. Here I'm using the new textures. The complete VLS rocket stack.  A quick test render of the rocket on pad.  Detail of the first stage, boosters, and pad support structure.

I'm doing more detailed meshes of the Alcantara Launch Center (CLA) structures. Since I released the first version of the Brazilian Space Program add-on the real program itself has made progress, and new reference material about the Alcântara base and the VLS plus VLM rockets has emerged. I can now do a reasonable representation of the new VLS integration tower and pad. Also, the sounding rockets pad (used by the VS-40) has some new details, including the blockhouse.

I'm working on the Brazilian Space Program. Here's the VLM (Veiculo Lançador de Microsatélites) ready to go from Alcantara base in Orbiter. This is the current proposed configuration: The old configuration (VLS derived) will also be avaliable. It looks like this: The VS40 SARA, mentioned on previous posts, now has it's tower. And there will be parachutes: Finally, here's a preview of the VLS-Alfa (upgraded version of the VLS rocket): Having fun modeling these nice rockets!

Kind of a side project that started from discussions between the Portuguese speaking space simulation enthusiasts. This add-on groups several bases created for the Lusophone Space Agency: Amílcar Cabral Airport (Cape Verde) Beja Airport (Portugal) Angola International Airport Macau International Airport (China) São Tomé and Príncipe International Airport Timor International Airport Alcântara Launch Center and Airport(Brazil)   The bases follow the actual airport layouts and no structures were added. The exception is Angola International Airport, as it is under construction and was created based on project renderings.   Standard Orbiter base blocks were used for all structures (with the exception of Alcântara Launch Center), in order to provide good performance. Landsat based Surface tiles are provided, complemented by other aerial imagery when available.  The Lusophone Space Program is based on space tourism, using for that the well known D...

I'm working on a model of the "Foguete Suborbital VS-40" , a Brazilian sounding rocket. I'm trying to simulate the SARA - Satélite de Reentrada Atmosférica suborbital mission. Don't know how much detail I'll go into, but it is looking great. It's a nice simple 2 stage rocket. but the payload must have RCS and parachutes. Also, the recovery operations might be nice to do, if I have enought time for it. For now, I'll stick to the VS-40 and an updated Alcantara base.

FAB, AEB Alcântara Launch Center Ver mapa maior