A Freeware Spaceflight Simulator

[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

[KG Erwin]

A flight example: here's the space shuttle Atlantis shown docked to the International Space Station (ISS)

[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!

[MadScot]

That looks stunning; great find.

[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

[KG Erwin]

ORIGINAL: Matti 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

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.

[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.

[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!

[bradclark1]

Know your math.