Shuttle Fleet
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Project home: David413's files on Orbithangar |
Shuttle Fleet is a collection of the whole STS orbiter fleet, by David413 and Don 'Donamy' Gallager. Currently, the latest version is 4.2.0.
There is also a mesh update possible, using preacherMG`s beautiful meshes and textures. That takes the Shuttle Fleet onto a new level of visual realism.
Installation
For the most basic installation, just download and install "Shuttle Fleet V3.9.4"
ISS Fleet
While practically a different spacecraft, the ISS Fleet can be considered part of the Shuttle Fleet add-on family and is required for many Expansion pack and mission supplement scenarios.
Expansion pack
There is an expansion pack which adds the latest STS missions and lots of scenery like the Emergency landing sites. To install it, follow the basic installation with the installation of the latest ISS Fleet add-on. After that step you can install the "Shuttle Fleet Expansion Pack".
As it overwrites some default installation files, most notably the Map MFD maps, it is recommend to use a fresh Orbiter installation exclusively for the Shuttle Fleet.
NASA Aircraft Fleet
The NASA Aircraft Fleet extends the Shuttle Fleet with the various planes used for training and transport of the STS program. To install it, you need the basic Shuttle Fleet installation, the Expansion Pack and the ISS Fleet installed.
The ships of the fleet
Explanation of the eras:
- Original
- Pre-Challenger era
- Modern
- Post-Challenger era
- Fictional
- Inspired by the book "Storming Intrepid"
| Reg-Number | Name | Era | Latest version |
|---|---|---|---|
| OV-102 | Columbia | Orginal | 3.9.4 |
| Modern | 3.9.4 | ||
| OV-099 | Challenger | Original | 3.9.4 |
| OV-103 | Discovery | Modern | 3.9.4 |
| OV-104 | Atlantis | Modern | 3.9.4 |
| OV-105 | Endeavour | Modern | 3.9.4 |
| TBD | Intrepid | Fictional | 3.9.4 |
Flying the shuttle
The prefered way to fly the shuttle is to use GPCMFD and AutoFCS. The GPCMFD displays the MEDS shuttle display modes, while the AutoFCS allows a precise automatic reentry.
If available (eg by using the Expansion pack), it is recommended to enable the following MFDs in the Orbiter launch pad dialog:
Ascent
Launch is triggered by selecting item 777 on the GPCMFD, while being in OPS101. The ascent happens automatically to the desired orbit, unless you deactivate the autopilot by pressing B. The GPCMFD will switch to OPS 102 after the SRBs separated, and to OPS 103 after MECO.
In OPS103, the GPCMFD will display a countdown, the target orbit parameters (apogee height and perigee altitude) and the current orbit parameters. When the countdown reaches zero, ignite the OMS (now the main thruster of the orbiter) and burn until the apogee height is reached. Shutoff the OMS and enter ITEM 15 in the GPCMFD. The GPCMFD will now display countdown and parameters for the second OMS burn (OMS-2).
After the OMS-1 burn, close the ET umbilical doors and move the SSMEs to post-launch position by pressing Ctrl+J.
Wait until the OMS-2 countdown reaches zero and ignite the OMS again, until the current perigee height on the display meets the target perigee height.
In later versions, launch can simply be triggered by setting the orbiter's main engines to full throttle. The entire launch will be automatic.
Orbit
Open the payload bay doors, by pressing K. When the payload bay doors are opened, deploy the Ku-band antenna by pressing Ctrl+U.
Version 4.0.0
The announced version 4.0.0 will include the virtual cockpit of the default Atlantis, extending it with two new observer positions. It also improves the control loop of the speed brake with a better KEAS calculation and adds support for Camera MFD to simulate the docking port and payload bay cameras of the CCTV.
GPCMFD 4.0.0 will fix the OPS6 bug and include improved KEAS calculations.