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A Freeware Spaceflight Simulator
Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2006 7:32 am
by KG Erwin
To get your minds away from worldly concerns, I offer this:
http://orbit.medphys.ucl.ac.uk/orbit.html
This program is free, but it isn't a "space game". It's a fascinating combination of spaceflight simulation and a virtual tour of our solar system.
The designer, Dr. Martin Schweiger of the University of London, has given us a fascinating glimpse into what is "out there", and a means to get there, by piloting various spacecraft.
If you wanna literally fly to the moon, you can do it, but the learning curve is very steep.
Nevertheless, I highly recommend it.
Here's a sample picture: this is Europa and Jupiter

RE: A Freeware Spaceflight Simulator
Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2006 7:55 am
by KG Erwin
A flight example: here's the space shuttle Atlantis shown docked to the International Space Station (ISS)

RE: A Freeware Spaceflight Simulator
Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2006 10:32 am
by rhondabrwn
Looks interesting... I haven't tried a shuttle simulator since my old 128 K Mac Days!
Downloaded...but I'll bet I make a really lame space pilot!

RE: A Freeware Spaceflight Simulator
Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2006 8:16 pm
by MadScot
That looks stunning; great find.

RE: A Freeware Spaceflight Simulator
Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2006 1:32 pm
by Kuokkanen
ORIGINAL: KG Erwin
If you wanna literally fly to the moon, you can do it
According some sources Shuttle isn't capable for that kind of travel.
http://www.asi.org/adb/05/sts-to-the-moon.html
RE: A Freeware Spaceflight Simulator
Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2006 11:16 pm
by KG Erwin
No, the Shuttle isn't designed for this. However, the simulation allows you to use a vehicle called the Delta Glider for flights to the moon and beyond. It's a next-generation vehicle which hasn't been invented yet. Some user-created mods also allow you to recreate various Apollo missions.
RE: A Freeware Spaceflight Simulator
Posted: Sat Feb 11, 2006 11:04 am
by vertical
I've tried it before. Seems quite authentic, and has a hell of a learning curve. Despite my fascination with space flight, I discovered I am not an orbital physics type no matter how hard I try.
RE: A Freeware Spaceflight Simulator
Posted: Sat Feb 11, 2006 5:01 pm
by rhondabrwn
I played a game called "Orbiter" on my old "Fat Mac" many years ago. While very accurate, I quickly decided that flying a shuttle definitely wasn't "fun". It did give me a great appreciation for what it was like though and I really laugh now when I see a movie where someone takes the controls and "flies" a shuttle in for a perfect landing by the seat of their pants!
RE: A Freeware Spaceflight Simulator
Posted: Sat Feb 11, 2006 5:38 pm
by bradclark1
Know your math.