Orbiter Spaceport

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'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.

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...

Mercury Little Joe (07-2009 beta ) by 4throck (download from Orbiter Hangar - http://www.orbithangar.com/searchid.php?ID=4112 ) I made this add-on to learn about setting up 3D models inside Orbiter. I got it working and was lot’s of fun to develop. This add-on recreates the Little Joe rocket and associated Mercury boilerplate capsule. The launch pad at Wallops Island is also present. As it is my first work of this kind, involving multistage rocket setup, it’s somewhat rough. I consider myself more of a 3d guy, nevertheless I hope you will enjoy flying it. Currently, the rocket starts on the pad at a 90º vertical angle and not at the real 70º~80º inclination. The guidance file then sets the rocket on the actual heading and inclination. The performance parameters are based on reality but tweaked so that a ~88km apogee is achieved for the Little Joe 2 flight. Flight sequence follows real events, with a 40 second burn of the Little Joe rocket, followed by separation of...

Texture repaint Orbiter add-on. High resolution photo-real accurate detailed textures for the MIR space station complex. Shows the station with the effects of exposure to space environment, with consistent discoloration based on photos. Solar panels, base module and radiators are very detailed (>1024 pixels). Thermal blankets are 2048 pixel to show small scale fabric texture. High resolution accurate detailed textures for the MIR space station base module. Shows the station base module after launch, before the effects of exposure to space environment. Solar panels and base module are very detailed (>1024 pixels). Thermal blankets are 2048 pixel to show small scale fabric texture. This repaint is available for the "Mir Space Station v.1.3" and "Proton Launch Vehicle v...

Updated photo-realistic textures for Skylab, created from the best available photos. Focus was on solar panel textures, that are now of higher resolution and with better detail on the back side. Texture repaint only, the "Skylab1973v2.1" or "Skylab1980" add-ons by "usonian" are required. Download from Orbiter Hangar