What about a GPS ?

[chris]

Hi Dan, what up ?
I know you are busy with work and your projects but could you consider
building a  GPS that could help while doing flights within the earth atmosphere.
This would help us plan earth flights, let's say NYC-Tokyo in a short time.
The option "direct GPS" as in real airplanes would calculate for us the shortest flight path and this would
make the DGIII, the perfect hi-speed, hi-level mean of transportation.
This would add another dimensions in the ways the DGIII could be used and considered and this will also lead
the way and open our minds with the future means of transportation and how to deal with them.

Once again, thank you Dan for providing us with the best ever spacecraft.

Chris "Frenchie"

[DanSteph]

Mhhh sorry I'm used and trained (as student pilot)
to the old VOR DME method and I dont like so much
GPS flight (call me old timer)

So if ever I would implement such things I would
do VOR DME system but this would not going to happen because
we need a full earth database with antenna each 60NM

Anyway I'm sure a GPS can be done in a MFD add-on
perhaps it exist already ?

Dan



Post Edited (04-07-04 02:42)

[DocHoliday]

Hi chris,

Try using the DG3's Antenna as a GPS substitute. You have the distance and direction in it. I think the direction needs
no correction, it is direct, shortest distance, right Dan? The only problem then is the autopilot, coz it can be really
boring to fly from NY to Tokyo by stick.

Additionally, you could also use the great Interplanetary MFD's TEI/Approach computer to calculate a ballistic course
from one point to another. Fly up, coast and fall down at the target, brake and land. Which I think would also be the
most economical way of flying. At least with a DG3, not B777

Cheers,

[reekchaa]

Correction, Janez... you're now an EXCEPTIONAL Pilot.  


EDIT:  Wow... THIS was a while ago!... Now you're a Freakin' Moderator!  AHHH!  



Post Edited ( 09-22-04 05:56 )

[DocHoliday]

Better?

[DanSteph]

mhhh something is wrong...
when passing a level you where DISMISSED
of your instructor status

Dan
"wondering what your sig will be in 3 level: "wonderful exceptional instructor ace pilot astronaut ?"



Post Edited (04-08-04 16:27)

[DocHoliday]

Aww come on, I like instructor... I will grow up. I promise

[mgka]

I thought the map MFD could do this. It basically is a GPS with a complete world map and no zoom. Just set your
destination, the MFD shows distance, and the surface HUD shows direction.
 
I have tried this, and made a conventional atmospheric flight from KSC to Habana. That really isn't the flight environment
this ship is designed for, though. Flying to the Moon takes less fuel than flying to Cuba (maybe an exaggeration, but going
into orbit and deorbiting would be more efficient than atmospheric flight. I guess the best way would be a suborbital
ballistic flight, which I have done a few times on Mars, but not Earth.

[DocHoliday]

With Earth you have the additional problem of air drag. If you do a suborbital ballistic flight, you will spend most of the
time ascending in effort of trying to cancel out the air drag (if your pitch is something below 70 deg), but you will
brake fast on the descent part (because of air drag). Additionally, you will have to monitor the hull temp most of the
time.

On the other hand if you wish to avoid drag, you can ascend steeply, make a high curve and than fall flat at the other
side of your trajectory. Again, hull temp and G would be a considerable problem here.

So I guess the best option is to climb steep, level off at something like 60km or a bit more, accelerate so that your
apogee isn't rediculously high and hull temp is something normal and then coast and bounce off the atmosphere until
close enough to decelerate for reentry, setting your trajectory-earth surface interception point at the location of the
landing site... in theory I guess the Interplanetary MFD set on TEI/Landing (or program to that effect) could help
you set this up. Never tried it though.

[freespace2dotcom]

Me? I just go up to 50 Km or so and speed up until the hull is close to burning out. Then I lower the throttle until
there's no acceleration, and gradually lower it more as mass is reduced. not fancy, but it gets the job done. And it's a
step up from going full throttle at sea level. both in fuel efficiency AND time.

[Ghostrider]

The P52 program of the OS MFD has a GPS nav on SPEC301, but it just gives off coords.

[She'Da'Lier]

I wasn't reading theese forums before but I think I'm actually making somthing like that. It's called Minimap and
should show all bases/pads/vessels with different zoom setting. In orbit it can be also used as radar.