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...

Here are some illustrations for the Brazilian Space Program add-on documentation. They show the VLS-1 rocket configuration (labeled in English and Portuguese) and the launch profile with approximate times.

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 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...