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Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | (show all) David Knisely Postmaster Reged: 04/19/04 Loc: southeastern Nebraska Atlantis Mission to ISS (Orbiter)       #3536183 - 01/02/10 11:24 PM Attachment (243 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   For those unfamiliar with the free spaceflight simulation software program ORBITER, here is the link for the program: ORBITER Space Flight Simulator It is a great way to actually fly some real (and some not so real) spacecraft and to learn a little about spaceflight in general. It also is a great way to make some really pretty pictures of some simulated space missions. Here, the space shuttle Atlantis is lifting off for ISS not long after sunrise from pad 39B at the Kennedy Space Center as seen from a vantage point on the east side of the pad: Post Extras:       David Knisely Postmaster Reged: 04/19/04 Loc: southeastern Nebraska Re: Atlantis Mission to ISS (Orbiter) [Re: David Knisely]       #3536189 - 01/02/10 11:27 PM Attachment (186 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Here is another shot of the launch from southwest of launch complex 39B: Post Extras:       David Knisely Postmaster Reged: 04/19/04 Loc: southeastern Nebraska Re: Atlantis Mission to ISS (Orbiter) [Re: David Knisely]       #3536194 - 01/02/10 11:29 PM Attachment (140 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Here is a view from the tower at the southern launch complex (39A): Post Extras:       David Knisely Postmaster Reged: 04/19/04 Loc: southeastern Nebraska Re: Atlantis Mission to ISS (Orbiter) [Re: David Knisely]       #3536196 - 01/02/10 11:32 PM Attachment (159 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Here a view from alongside the shuttle as it continues pitching over after the roll maneuver: Post Extras:       David Knisely Postmaster Reged: 04/19/04 Loc: southeastern Nebraska Re: Atlantis Mission to ISS (Orbiter) [Re: David Knisely]       #3536210 - 01/02/10 11:43 PM Attachment (168 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Here is the shuttle Commander's view out his left windows after the shuttle has completed its roll: Post Extras:       David Knisely Postmaster Reged: 04/19/04 Loc: southeastern Nebraska Re: Atlantis Mission to ISS (Orbiter) [Re: David Knisely]       #3536216 - 01/02/10 11:49 PM Attachment (156 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   At about 127 seconds after liftoff, the solid rocket boosters separate from the external tank, which we see here from a vantage point ahead of the shuttle: Post Extras:       David Knisely Postmaster Reged: 04/19/04 Loc: southeastern Nebraska Re: Atlantis Mission to ISS (Orbiter) [Re: David Knisely]       #3536220 - 01/02/10 11:53 PM Attachment (167 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Here is the "Tank-Cam" shot of the boosters falling behind (from a camera mounted just ahead of the oxidizer feed line on the external tank). You can see almost the entire southern two-thirds of the Florida peninsula from this vantage point (over 50 km altitude): Post Extras:       David Knisely Postmaster Reged: 04/19/04 Loc: southeastern Nebraska Re: Atlantis Mission to ISS (Orbiter) [Re: David Knisely]       #3536222 - 01/02/10 11:55 PM Attachment (161 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Here, the shuttle is continuing on its flight to orbit after SRB separation: Post Extras:       David Knisely Postmaster Reged: 04/19/04 Loc: southeastern Nebraska Re: Atlantis Mission to ISS (Orbiter) [Re: David Knisely]       #3536231 - 01/02/10 11:57 PM Attachment (159 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   After about five minutes of flight, the spacecraft rolls over to provide better communications access: Post Extras:       David Knisely Postmaster Reged: 04/19/04 Loc: southeastern Nebraska Re: Atlantis Mission to ISS (Orbiter) [Re: David Knisely]       #3536239 - 01/03/10 12:01 AM Attachment (162 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   After about eight and a half minutes of powered flight, the main engines shut down and the external tank is jettisoned (Cape Cod is seen above the nose of the external tank): Post Extras:       David Knisely Postmaster Reged: 04/19/04 Loc: southeastern Nebraska Re: Atlantis Mission to ISS (Orbiter) [Re: David Knisely]       #3536345 - 01/03/10 01:27 AM Attachment (158 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Here is orbital sunrise from the payload bay window: Post Extras:       David Knisely Postmaster Reged: 04/19/04 Loc: southeastern Nebraska Re: Atlantis Mission to ISS (Orbiter) [Re: David Knisely]       #3536352 - 01/03/10 01:31 AM Attachment (138 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Atlantis is now approaching the International Space Station: Post Extras:       David Knisely Postmaster Reged: 04/19/04 Loc: southeastern Nebraska Re: Atlantis Mission to ISS (Orbiter) [Re: David Knisely]       #3536356 - 01/03/10 01:32 AM Attachment (145 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Here, Atlantis is about to dock with ISS: Post Extras:       David Knisely Postmaster Reged: 04/19/04 Loc: southeastern Nebraska Re: Atlantis Mission to ISS (Orbiter) [Re: David Knisely]       #3536357 - 01/03/10 01:33 AM Attachment (137 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Here, the manipulator arm of the shuttle is lifting the Leonardo logistics module out of the payload bay for installation on the station. Post Extras:       David Knisely Postmaster Reged: 04/19/04 Loc: southeastern Nebraska Re: Atlantis Mission to ISS (Orbiter) [Re: David Knisely]       #3536360 - 01/03/10 01:40 AM Attachment (156 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Its re-supply tasks complete, Atlantis now undocks from ISS: Post Extras:       David Knisely Postmaster Reged: 04/19/04 Loc: southeastern Nebraska Re: Atlantis Mission to ISS (Orbiter) [Re: David Knisely]       #3536363 - 01/03/10 01:42 AM Attachment (148 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Here is Atlantis performing its de-orbit burn while approaching Australia: Post Extras:       David Knisely Postmaster Reged: 04/19/04 Loc: southeastern Nebraska Re: Atlantis Mission to ISS (Orbiter) [Re: David Knisely]       #3536365 - 01/03/10 01:44 AM Attachment (157 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Atlantis is now in reentry over the Pacific northwest: Post Extras:       David Knisely Postmaster Reged: 04/19/04 Loc: southeastern Nebraska Re: Atlantis Mission to ISS (Orbiter) [Re: David Knisely]       #3536368 - 01/03/10 01:46 AM Attachment (144 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Atlantis is now undergoing maximum heating during entry: Post Extras:       David Knisely Postmaster Reged: 04/19/04 Loc: southeastern Nebraska Re: Atlantis Mission to ISS (Orbiter) [Re: David Knisely]       #3536369 - 01/03/10 01:48 AM Attachment (165 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Atlantis is now in the Terminal Area Energy Management, and is doing it final turn around the Heading Alignment Cone, accompanied by a T38 chase plane: Post Extras:       David Knisely Postmaster Reged: 04/19/04 Loc: southeastern Nebraska Re: Atlantis Mission to ISS (Orbiter) [Re: David Knisely]       #3536376 - 01/03/10 01:52 AM Attachment (151 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Atlantis is on final approach to Runway 33 at KSC. Post Extras:       David Knisely Postmaster Reged: 04/19/04 Loc: southeastern Nebraska Re: Atlantis Mission to ISS (Orbiter) [Re: David Knisely]       #3536377 - 01/03/10 01:53 AM Attachment (137 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Telephoto shot of touchdown at KSC with T38 chase plane and VAB in the background: Post Extras:       David Knisely Postmaster Reged: 04/19/04 Loc: southeastern Nebraska Re: Atlantis Mission to ISS (Orbiter) [Re: David Knisely]       #3536405 - 01/03/10 02:26 AM Attachment (133 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   "Houston, Chase-1, Atlantis is wheels-stopped." Post Extras:       David Knisely Postmaster Reged: 04/19/04 Loc: southeastern Nebraska Re: Atlantis Mission to ISS (Orbiter) [Re: David Knisely]       #3536458 - 01/03/10 03:34 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   These last three images of the shuttle with a chase plane were created by flying the stock orbiter on the Auto Flight Control System, while flying kev33's T38 Talon add-on for Orbiter. With it, you find out that flying chase with the shuttle isn't all that easy! Post Extras:       RobertED Carpal Tunnel Reged: 07/11/03 Loc: Johnston, RI Re: Atlantis Mission to ISS (Orbiter) [Re: David Knisely]       #3541150 - 01/05/10 02:21 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Great images, David!! Thanks for sharing them!!! Post Extras:       David Knisely Postmaster Reged: 04/19/04 Loc: southeastern Nebraska Re: Atlantis Mission to ISS (Orbiter) [Re: RobertED]       #3549990 - 01/09/10 02:33 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Thank you. It is fun to create them, as with Orbiter, you can view things from a variety of angles and create interesting situations. However, it is more fun to watch things happening "live", as the animation in the program is smooth and fairly realistic. Actually flying the shuttle is a bit different than letting some computer do all the work. Clear skies to you. Post Extras:       David Knisely Postmaster Reged: 04/19/04 Loc: southeastern Nebraska Re: Atlantis Mission to ISS (Orbiter) [Re: David Knisely]       #3559631 - 01/14/10 01:05 AM Attachment (134 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Here is a shot from above the T38 chase plane of Atlantis touching down on Runway 33 at KSC: Post Extras:       David Knisely Postmaster Reged: 04/19/04 Loc: southeastern Nebraska Re: Atlantis Mission to ISS (Orbiter) [Re: David Knisely]       #3559670 - 01/14/10 01:49 AM Attachment (143 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   And here is a look out the canopy of the T38 Talon chase plane as it paces Atlantis prior to touchdown: Post Extras:       David Knisely Postmaster Reged: 04/19/04 Loc: southeastern Nebraska Re: Atlantis Mission to ISS (Orbiter) [Re: David Knisely]       #3611963 - 02/08/10 02:05 AM Attachment (118 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Here is a telephoto shot of Atlantis ascending past the firing room and Vehicle Assembly Building: Post Extras:       David Knisely Postmaster Reged: 04/19/04 Loc: southeastern Nebraska Re: Atlantis Mission to ISS (Orbiter) [Re: David Knisely]       #3622008 - 02/13/10 12:49 AM Attachment (119 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Here is an image of Atlantis approaching ISS docking port five near sunset over the Gulf of Mexico: Post Extras:       GlennLeDrew Postmaster Reged: 06/18/08 Loc: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Re: Atlantis Mission to ISS (Orbiter) [Re: David Knisely]       #3627089 - 02/15/10 08:36 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Davis, The simulated date for that last shot would be pretty close to the Summer solstice, or perhaps very early July. Given the estimated position of the Sun with respect to the constellation Orion just above the horizon... Post Extras:       David Knisely Postmaster Reged: 04/19/04 Loc: southeastern Nebraska Re: Atlantis Mission to ISS (Orbiter) [Re: GlennLeDrew]       #3627222 - 02/15/10 10:14 PM Attachment (113 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Quote: Davis, The simulated date for that last shot would be pretty close to the Summer solstice, or perhaps very early July. Given the estimated position of the Sun with respect to the constellation Orion just above the horizon... Pretty close! Although Orbiter's solar system isn't extremely accurate, the date for that particular simulation was set to June 19th, 2006. Here is the view from the Commander's seat during approach to KSC prior to going around the Heading Alignment Cone for landing on RW 15. Clear skies to you. Post Extras:       David Knisely Postmaster Reged: 04/19/04 Loc: southeastern Nebraska Re: Atlantis Mission to ISS (Orbiter) [Re: David Knisely]       #3701355 - 03/24/10 12:24 AM Attachment (99 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Here, a problem has developed with the end of the Leonardo logistics module's docking port. Our intrepid space walker is using the manned maneuvering unit to move himself over to fix it while floating underneath the station (Leonardo is on the end of the shuttle's robotic arm). Remember that in ORBITER, you have a fully operational manipulator arm as well as the ability to send yourself on an EVA if you like: Post Extras:       David Knisely Postmaster Reged: 04/19/04 Loc: southeastern Nebraska Re: Atlantis Mission to ISS (Orbiter) [Re: David Knisely]       #3707740 - 03/27/10 01:56 AM Attachment (109 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   This image shows more detail of the astronaut in the MMU in the payload bay of Atlantis while it is docked to the International Space Station. The docking port and rear airlock are visible to the right of the spacewalking astronaut. Post Extras:       David Knisely Postmaster Reged: 04/19/04 Loc: southeastern Nebraska Re: Atlantis Mission to ISS (Orbiter) [Re: David Knisely]       #3745909 - 04/15/10 02:15 AM Attachment (102 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Here, Atlantis is approaching ISS while both are over northwestern China: Post Extras:       David Knisely Postmaster Reged: 04/19/04 Loc: southeastern Nebraska Re: Atlantis Mission to ISS (Orbiter) [Re: David Knisely]       #3745930 - 04/15/10 02:55 AM Attachment (85 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Here is a long range shot of ISS just after Atlantis has docked with it west of the Phillippine Islands with the moon about to set. Post Extras:       David Knisely Postmaster Reged: 04/19/04 Loc: southeastern Nebraska Re: Atlantis Mission to ISS (Orbiter) [Re: David Knisely]       #3768797 - 04/26/10 01:12 AM Attachment (91 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Here, Atlantis is executing the Rendezvous Pitch Maneuver (RPM) prior to docking with ISS at a distance of about 180 meters from the station: Post Extras:       NeoZavier sage Reged: 03/22/10 Loc: Puerto Rico Re: Atlantis Mission to ISS (Orbiter) [Re: David Knisely]       #3772758 - 04/27/10 11:00 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   You have to create a game that I can fly the shuttle!!! I wish!!! Great 3D Design!!! I tried to do some 3D but is not my field. Cheers!!!!! Post Extras:       David Knisely Postmaster Reged: 04/19/04 Loc: southeastern Nebraska Re: Atlantis Mission to ISS (Orbiter) [Re: NeoZavier]       #3772947 - 04/28/10 01:55 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Quote: You have to create a game that I can fly the shuttle!!! I wish!!! Great 3D Design!!! I tried to do some 3D but is not my field. Cheers!!!!! You can...it's called ORBITER (the very same program which produced these images). It allows you to fly the Space Shuttle (or, if you want, you can get an add-on autopilot which will do things for you). It isn't a game, but a fairly realistic spaceflight simulator, so you have to learn a bit about the physics of spaceflight to get some of these things to work properly (there are a few tutorals for that). There are also lots of flyable add-ons, allowing you to fly the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo spacecraft. You might want to check out the following YouTube movie that was done entirely using ORBITER and the Apollo Mission Simulator for Orbiter (AMSO) add-on: APOLLO 11 Remastered You can also fly some other add-on spacecraft, including those from science fiction (2001, Star Wars, Babylon 5, Star Trek, Space 1999, The Thunderbirds, Fireball XL-5, etc.). For more information, you can visit the Orbiter web page: http://orbit.medphys.ucl.ac.uk/ Clear skies to you. Post Extras:       David Knisely Postmaster Reged: 04/19/04 Loc: southeastern Nebraska Re: Atlantis Mission to ISS (Orbiter) [Re: David Knisely]       #3809863 - 05/17/10 01:35 AM Attachment (87 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Here, Atlantis is firing its RCS jets to start its maneuver away from the external tank just after ET separation: Post Extras:       David Knisely Postmaster Reged: 04/19/04 Loc: southeastern Nebraska Re: Atlantis Mission to ISS (Orbiter) [Re: David Knisely]       #3838199 - 05/31/10 03:07 AM Attachment (85 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Here is the view out the overhead window of Atlantis looking at the ISS as Atlantis does the final maneuvers for docking. Post Extras:       NeoZavier sage Reged: 03/22/10 Loc: Puerto Rico Re: Atlantis Mission to ISS (Orbiter) [Re: David Knisely]       #3838923 - 05/31/10 02:18 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Wow great detail!!! The next step is a Shuttle Simulator. Post Extras:       David Knisely Postmaster Reged: 04/19/04 Loc: southeastern Nebraska Re: Atlantis Mission to ISS (Orbiter) [Re: NeoZavier]       #3839865 - 05/31/10 10:42 PM Attachment (108 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Quote: Wow great detail!!! The next step is a Shuttle Simulator. Well, no, again, the program that creates this *is* a shuttle simulator. Orbiter allows you to fly the space shuttle Atlantis (or with the Shuttle fleet add-on, any of the four shuttles that operated in space in the past). The stock Atlantis has operating payload bay doors, radiators, and a manipulator arm, as well as the ability to deploy a space-walking astronaut. You can launch the shuttle, maneuver it, and rendezvous and dock with the International Space station, so it can simulate a number of different space shuttle missions. Here is a shot of two of the CRT displays in the cockpit as Atlantis docks with the International Space Station: Post Extras:       GlennLeDrew Postmaster Reged: 06/18/08 Loc: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Re: Atlantis Mission to ISS (Orbiter) [Re: David Knisely]       #3841483 - 06/01/10 07:16 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   David, I note that the representation of the RCS exhaust a few pics back is quaintly 'old-fashioned', in that it neglects the lack of atmosphere. The way thrust products in a vaccuum are rendered in all popular media that I've seen is quite unrealistic. They're treated as though the events were occurring at or near sea level, where the confining atmosphere provides a very effective brake on expansion. In a vaccuum, thrust produdcts literally expand explosively in a more nearly spherical 'bubble' at speeds reaching kilometers/second almost instantaneously. The ultimate in kludgy effects come from the 'golden age' of film sci-fi, where we see what looks like an anemic lighter flame gently wafting out the back end of the rocketship, sometimes with curls of smoke rising convectively, no less. But even very recent fare can be almost as excreble, the more so because we (humanity, collectively) now have sufficient experience. For example, one of the Star Trek: Next Gen movies represents thruster gases which look like gently emitting steam. Post Extras:       David Knisely Postmaster Reged: 04/19/04 Loc: southeastern Nebraska Re: Atlantis Mission to ISS (Orbiter) [Re: GlennLeDrew]       #3841572 - 06/01/10 08:24 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Quote: David, I note that the representation of the RCS exhaust a few pics back is quaintly 'old-fashioned', in that it neglects the lack of atmosphere. The way thrust products in a vaccuum are rendered in all popular media that I've seen is quite unrealistic. They're treated as though the events were occurring at or near sea level, where the confining atmosphere provides a very effective brake on expansion. In a vaccuum, thrust produdcts literally expand explosively in a more nearly spherical 'bubble' at speeds reaching kilometers/second almost instantaneously. The ultimate in kludgy effects come from the 'golden age' of film sci-fi, where we see what looks like an anemic lighter flame gently wafting out the back end of the rocketship, sometimes with curls of smoke rising convectively, no less. But even very recent fare can be almost as excreble, the more so because we (humanity, collectively) now have sufficient experience. For example, one of the Star Trek: Next Gen movies represents thruster gases which look like gently emitting steam. The RCS jet simulation is mainly to show people which jet or thruster is firing rather than being completely accurate. I often use the thruster plumes to watch my maneuvers from outside the orbiter, observing which thruster is firing. What is fun is to do a stop rotation "attitude hold" thruster firing in the rotation mode while the shuttle is rotating wildly, as almost *every* single thruster on Atlantis fires at one time or another. Clear skies to you. Post Extras:       David Knisely Postmaster Reged: 04/19/04 Loc: southeastern Nebraska Re: Atlantis Mission to ISS (Orbiter) [Re: David Knisely]       #3864425 - 06/14/10 02:50 PM Attachment (96 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Here is a pre-dawn launch of Atlantis as seen from camera site #6 northwest of Pad 39B: Post Extras:       BobinKy Post Laureate Reged: 04/27/07 Re: Atlantis Mission to ISS (Orbiter) [Re: David Knisely]       #3868864 - 06/16/10 04:50 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   David... This thread continues to get better and better. Thank you for your work and thank you for sharing it with us. Post Extras:       David Knisely Postmaster Reged: 04/19/04 Loc: southeastern Nebraska Re: Atlantis Mission to ISS (Orbiter) [Re: BobinKy]       #3875087 - 06/20/10 04:22 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   No problem, as it is fun to find good views and then go back and capture the shots. There is a brand "new" version of ORBITER: ORBITER 2010 Post Extras:       David Knisely Postmaster Reged: 04/19/04 Loc: southeastern Nebraska Re: Atlantis Mission to ISS (Orbiter) [Re: David Knisely]       #3878848 - 06/22/10 12:37 AM Attachment (85 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Here, Atlantis is about to touch down on KSC Runway 15 just after sunrise: Post Extras:       David Knisely Postmaster Reged: 04/19/04 Loc: southeastern Nebraska Re: Atlantis Mission to ISS (Orbiter) [Re: David Knisely]       #3902492 - 07/04/10 03:40 PM Attachment (79 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   The new version of Orbiter has somewhat better detail in the area of the Kennedy Space Center, including a lot of the buildings around the Vehicle Assembly Building (see image below of a morning launch). The shuttle also flies somewhat more realistically, which may make it a bit more difficult to land (at least the reentry "flames" work properly). Clear skies to you. Post Extras:       David Knisely Postmaster Reged: 04/19/04 Loc: southeastern Nebraska Re: Atlantis Mission to ISS (Orbiter) [Re: David Knisely]       #3928640 - 07/18/10 01:44 AM Attachment (95 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Here is Atlantis making its final turn to line up with Runway 15 at the Kennedy Space Center during an early morning landing: Post Extras:       David Knisely Postmaster Reged: 04/19/04 Loc: southeastern Nebraska Re: Atlantis Mission to ISS (Orbiter) [Re: David Knisely]       #3944569 - 07/26/10 02:37 AM Attachment (86 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   On a morning some time before launch, the astronauts hone their flying skills in the T38 trainer over the launch pad: Post Extras:       David Knisely Postmaster Reged: 04/19/04 Loc: southeastern Nebraska Re: Atlantis Mission to ISS (Orbiter) [Re: David Knisely]       #4081936 - 09/29/10 10:51 PM Attachment (77 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Here, Atlantis is about to re-capture the Long Duration Exposure Facility with the help of a space-walking astronaut and the Manned Maneuvering Unit: Post Extras:       GlennLeDrew Postmaster Reged: 06/18/08 Loc: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Re: Atlantis Mission to ISS (Orbiter) [Re: David Knisely]       #4086325 - 10/01/10 05:55 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   David, Won't it be nice when such software as this uses some form of 'dynamical' lighting for the planetary surface topography? (Of course, until an actual 3-D mesh is employed, a series of texture maps relevant to certain key times of day would be required.) In your last image, if I tilt my head to the left so that the horizon is horizontal, I see that the orbiter's light source is to the left, while the terrain's shadowing indicates a light source shining from the right. I find such incongruities jarring. Post Extras:       David Knisely Postmaster Reged: 04/19/04 Loc: southeastern Nebraska Re: Atlantis Mission to ISS (Orbiter) [Re: GlennLeDrew]       #4087090 - 10/02/10 02:47 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Quote: David, Won't it be nice when such software as this uses some form of 'dynamical' lighting for the planetary surface topography? (Of course, until an actual 3-D mesh is employed, a series of texture maps relevant to certain key times of day would be required.) In your last image, if I tilt my head to the left so that the horizon is horizontal, I see that the orbiter's light source is to the left, while the terrain's shadowing indicates a light source shining from the right. I find such incongruities jarring. The ground scene from Earth is based on a set of Landsat images, so it is only illuminated from one side (one reason I like landing the shuttle during the morning period in the U.S.). I probably should have waited until the spacecraft was over an area where the shadows matched the actual orbital lighting, but the detail in that "Level 10" Earth is still quite striking. Indeed, there were some features in Africa that I noted "from orbit" that I later had to check out on more detailed maps and images. I will try and see if I can get a shot where the surface images match the space lighting, but quite frankly, it isn't that important to the simulation. With Orbiter, there are some bodies in the solar system which do have the ability to be displayed with full 3D lighting effects and topography (mostly the moon and Mars). However, the detail isn't quite as high as the regular "flat" high-resolution photomaps used in much of the simulator. On the RCS simulation, I recently watched an extended movie from the Apollo 11 archive where they were testing the Lunar module after undocking. At least some of the thrusters were seen firing as short jet like pulses somewhat similar to the way Orbiter depicts them, so while it isn't perfectly accurate, it isn't too bad either. Clear skies to you. Post Extras:       David Knisely Postmaster Reged: 04/19/04 Loc: southeastern Nebraska Re: Atlantis Mission to ISS (Orbiter) [Re: David Knisely]       #4212198 - 11/26/10 11:24 PM Attachment (65 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   This is a re-creation of a shot done originally done of Challenger, but in this case, Atlantis is doing a "stand-in" appearance with the ISS in the background. Post Extras:       David Knisely Postmaster Reged: 04/19/04 Loc: southeastern Nebraska Re: Atlantis Mission to ISS (Orbiter) [Re: GlennLeDrew]       #4212274 - 11/27/10 12:34 AM Attachment (64 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   GlenLeDrew posted: Quote: I note that the representation of the RCS exhaust a few pics back is quaintly 'old-fashioned', in that it neglects the lack of atmosphere. The way thrust products in a vaccuum are rendered in all popular media that I've seen is quite unrealistic. They're treated as though the events were occurring at or near sea level, where the confining atmosphere provides a very effective brake on expansion. In a vaccuum, thrust produdcts literally expand explosively in a more nearly spherical 'bubble' at speeds reaching kilometers/second almost instantaneously. Ah, finally got back to this one. I located a shot of an actual aft RCS firing (lateral thruster) taken from the payload bay window of either Challenger or Columbia. The image shows a somewhat conical plume similar to that depicted in ORBITER's simulation of it (see below), so they at least got the thruster firing somewhat correct: Post Extras:       GlennLeDrew Postmaster Reged: 06/18/08 Loc: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Re: Atlantis Mission to ISS (Orbiter) [Re: David Knisely]       #4214172 - 11/27/10 11:21 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Thanks, for that comparison, David! I've not seen such a photo before. It would seem that the velocity must be high enough that expansion into the vacuum cannot materially widen the conically-shaped exhaust near to the nozzle. I'm trying to remember the specifics of a video clip I'd seen quite a few years ago in which some form of thrust exhaust apparently 'exploded' into a very much more bubble-like form... Post Extras:       David Knisely Postmaster Reged: 04/19/04 Loc: southeastern Nebraska Re: Atlantis Mission to ISS (Orbiter) [Re: GlennLeDrew]       #4214399 - 11/28/10 02:14 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Quote: Thanks, for that comparison, David! I've not seen such a photo before. It would seem that the velocity must be high enough that expansion into the vacuum cannot materially widen the conically-shaped exhaust near to the nozzle. I'm trying to remember the specifics of a video clip I'd seen quite a few years ago in which some form of thrust exhaust apparently 'exploded' into a very much more bubble-like form... I have seen shuttle thruster firings at ET separation which were rather diffuse, but at that time, there is so much venting going on (and the lighting is kind of peculiar) that it is tough to see which plume is due to what event. I first began to suspect that the Orbiter simulation was more correct that it first seemed when I was watching one of the Apollo mission films of the checkout of the Lunar module's thrusters just after undocking in lunar orbit. A couple of firings were visible as conical pulses extending away from the RCS quad engine bells, so it was clear that some sort of confinement was going on. Whether it always is this way is not clear, but at least Orbiter got the overall idea correct. Clear skies to you. Post Extras:       David Knisely Postmaster Reged: 04/19/04 Loc: southeastern Nebraska Re: Atlantis Mission to ISS (Orbiter) [Re: David Knisely]       #4275684 - 12/28/10 04:28 AM Attachment (50 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Here, Atlantis has completed a night launch to ISS and is early in its first orbit (375 km x 59 km) just prior to doing the OMS burn to circularize its orbit. The payload bay doors will open right after the burn, but for now, Atlantis is over southern Saudi Arabia and upright (usually, it will fly backwards and with the payload bay facing Earth): Post Extras:       David Knisely Postmaster Reged: 04/19/04 Loc: southeastern Nebraska Re: Atlantis Mission to ISS (Orbiter) [Re: David Knisely]       #4281376 - 12/30/10 10:17 PM Attachment (53 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Atlantis greets the sunrise as it reenters the Earth atmosphere over the Gulf of Mexico: Post Extras:       David Knisely Postmaster Reged: 04/19/04 Loc: southeastern Nebraska Re: Atlantis Mission to ISS (Orbiter) [Re: David Knisely]       #4283381 - 12/31/10 07:23 PM Attachment (319 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Here, Atlantis is docked at ISS, but the high-gain KU-band antenna is balky, requiring a spacewalk inspection. The station is passing over southern Mexico, which is visible in the background. Post Extras:       David Knisely Postmaster Reged: 04/19/04 Loc: southeastern Nebraska Re: Atlantis Mission to ISS (Orbiter) [Re: David Knisely]       #4308518 - 01/11/11 11:47 PM Attachment (312 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Here, after a late afternoon launch, Atlantis is now powering its way into orbit after solid rocket booster separation: Post Extras:       BobinKy Post Laureate Reged: 04/27/07 Re: Atlantis Mission to ISS (Orbiter) [Re: David Knisely]       #4326272 - 01/19/11 09:46 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Nice artwork. Really does put you there. Post Extras:       David Knisely Postmaster Reged: 04/19/04 Loc: southeastern Nebraska Re: Atlantis Mission to ISS (Orbiter) [Re: David Knisely]       #4548893 - 04/28/11 01:22 AM Attachment (298 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Here, Atlantis is about to dock with the International Space Station as it passes over the west coast of the U.S.: Post Extras:       David Knisely Postmaster Reged: 04/19/04 Loc: southeastern Nebraska Re: Atlantis Mission to ISS (Orbiter) [Re: David Knisely]       #4589159 - 05/18/11 05:58 PM Attachment (302 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Here is a forward "Tank Cam" shot of a moment just after the solid rocket boosters are jettisoned (note the faint narrow trail of the exhaust from the boosters to the left of the orbiter extending all the way to the area of the Vehicle Assembly building): Post Extras:       PhilCo126 Carpal Tunnel Reged: 01/14/05 Loc: coastline of Belgium Re: Atlantis Mission to ISS (Orbiter) [Re: David Knisely]       #4594525 - 05/21/11 03:14 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Look at this ART WORK by Ed Hengeveld: Post Extras:       David Knisely Postmaster Reged: 04/19/04 Loc: southeastern Nebraska Re: Atlantis Mission to ISS (Orbiter) [Re: PhilCo126]       #4597536 - 05/23/11 03:18 AM Attachment (298 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Nice, but the background is a little busy. Here is Orbiter's version of the deployment of HST off the east coast of the U.S. Here the shuttle is inverted and flying backwards as it the usual case, with HST pointed at the Earth with the aperture door closed initially the same way it was actually deployed (you can move the telescope around with the arm using Orbiter, although it is many times faster than actually occurs): Post Extras:       David Knisely Postmaster Reged: 04/19/04 Loc: southeastern Nebraska Re: Atlantis Mission to ISS (Orbiter) [Re: David Knisely]       #4599612 - 05/24/11 03:12 AM Attachment (299 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Actually, I like this view from an astronaut spacewalking outside Atlantis somewhat better, as it shows what he would see just outside the crew cabin looking back towards the payload bay and the telescope (Gulf of Mexico is seen below the telescope): Post Extras:       David Knisely Postmaster Reged: 04/19/04 Loc: southeastern Nebraska Re: Atlantis Mission to ISS (Orbiter) [Re: David Knisely]       #4691251 - 07/13/11 11:08 PM Attachment (283 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Here is a morning shot of Atlantis docked to ISS as the spacecraft passes over into day: Post Extras:       CarlosEH Postmaster Reged: 01/19/05 Loc: Pembroke Pines, Broward County... Re: Atlantis Mission to ISS (Orbiter) [Re: David Knisely]       #4696043 - 07/16/11 07:15 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   David, Thank you for all of your excellent and very accurate renditions of the Space Shuttle Atlantis mission to the International Space Station (ISS). They give us earth-bound humans a ringside seat. Carlos Post Extras:       markseibold Carpal Tunnel Reged: 01/19/08 Loc: Portland Oregon Re: Atlantis Mission to ISS (Orbiter) [Re: David Knisely]       #4696602 - 07/17/11 03:57 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   David These art works of the shuttle are all beautifully done. I am guessing that they are electronically produced but I am curious; can you indicate what medium or computer program is used to produce them? Thanks for sharing all this, Mark Post Extras:       David Knisely Postmaster Reged: 04/19/04 Loc: southeastern Nebraska Re: Atlantis Mission to ISS (Orbiter) [Re: markseibold]       #4697262 - 07/17/11 01:56 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Quote: David These art works of the shuttle are all beautifully done. I am guessing that they are electronically produced but I am curious; can you indicate what medium or computer program is used to produce them? Thanks for sharing all this, Mark These are screen captures from the spaceflight simulator ORBITER, which is available on-line for free. It can be a little tough to get going with, but with a little practice, you can fly the space shuttle yourself. I have done some processing on these images to bring out some of the detail and do all the maneuvering and camera angle selection myself. Clear skies to you. Post Extras:       David Knisely Postmaster Reged: 04/19/04 Loc: southeastern Nebraska Re: Atlantis Mission to ISS (Orbiter) [Re: David Knisely]       #4734660 - 08/07/11 05:38 AM Attachment (270 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Here, Atlantis is beneath ISS preparing to dock at sunset. Post Extras:       GeneT Ely Kid Reged: 11/07/08 Loc: South Texas Re: Atlantis Mission to ISS (Orbiter) [Re: David Knisely]       #4789031 - 09/04/11 06:37 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Sent the link to my grandson. Thanks! Post Extras:       David Knisely Postmaster Reged: 04/19/04 Loc: southeastern Nebraska Re: Atlantis Mission to ISS (Orbiter) [Re: GeneT]       #4789802 - 09/05/11 04:26 AM Attachment (266 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Spaceship Atlantis: 1985-2011, 33 missions, over 125 million miles logged. We will miss you on the pad. Post Extras:       rick rian Seeker of Truth(s) Reged: 08/03/04 Loc: Upper Mid West Re: Atlantis Mission to ISS (Orbiter) [Re: David Knisely]       #4814929 - 09/18/11 04:33 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Post Extras:       David Knisely Postmaster Reged: 04/19/04 Loc: southeastern Nebraska Re: Atlantis Mission to ISS (Orbiter) [Re: rick rian]       #5061496 - 02/08/12 02:08 AM Attachment (240 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Here is our astronaut doing a spacewalk with Orbiter's MMU while over the northwestern part of the U.S.: Post Extras:       David Knisely Postmaster Reged: 04/19/04 Loc: southeastern Nebraska Re: Atlantis Mission to ISS (Orbiter) [Re: David Knisely]       #5269026 - 06/13/12 04:15 AM Attachment (219 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Here is a shot of the rear of the flight deck during a rendezvous with the ISS: Post Extras:       David Knisely Postmaster Reged: 04/19/04 Loc: southeastern Nebraska Re: Atlantis Mission to ISS (Orbiter) [Re: David Knisely]       #5272291 - 06/15/12 05:13 AM Attachment (211 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Here, Atlantis has undocked from the International Space Station and is starting to move away from it: Post Extras:       David Knisely Postmaster Reged: 04/19/04 Loc: southeastern Nebraska Re: Atlantis Mission to ISS (Orbiter) [Re: David Knisely]       #5464811 - 10/11/12 02:59 AM Attachment (101 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   As the sun sets in the west, Atlantis is on final, lowering its landing gear and beginning its flare as it approaches Runway 33 at the Kennedy Space Center: Post Extras:       bryguy27007 super member Reged: 03/09/09 Loc: Minnesota Re: Atlantis Mission to ISS (Orbiter) [Re: David Knisely]       #5713755 - 03/05/13 01:42 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   This is a great thread. Reminds me to finish building my PC (I'm on a Mac now). I really wish I could play around with this. Great pictures David. Post Extras:       David Knisely Postmaster Reged: 04/19/04 Loc: southeastern Nebraska Re: Atlantis Mission to ISS (Orbiter) [Re: David Knisely]       #5774649 - 04/03/13 02:43 AM Attachment (15 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   A Lonely Vigil: Our intrepid MMU spacewalking astronaut is approaching the exterior platforms on the Japanese Kibo module to look after a potential problem as the station flies over Kazakhstan. Post Extras:       David Knisely Postmaster Reged: 04/19/04 Loc: southeastern Nebraska Re: Atlantis Mission to ISS (Orbiter) [Re: David Knisely]       #5814601 - 04/22/13 03:22 AM Attachment (12 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Most importantly, ORBITER becomes a valuable outreach tool, especially for kids. Below is an image from our 2013 Astronomy Day event at Morrill Hall on the University of Nebraska, Lincoln city campus, where over 150 kids got a chance to try and land the Space Shuttle Atlantis at the Kennedy Space Center, as well as make it change its attitude in space while they controlled it. Post Extras:       David Knisely Postmaster Reged: 04/19/04 Loc: southeastern Nebraska Re: Atlantis Mission to ISS (Orbiter) [Re: David Knisely]       #5814644 - 04/22/13 04:46 AM Attachment (11 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Just for those who were wondering, we were using the full sound add-on as well as a video projector with the shuttle on final approach in a scenario I had created just for the kids. The screen at that point looked something like this: Post Extras:       Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | (show all)

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