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...

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.

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!