Direct Ascent to the ISS!

[DocHoliday]

Hello everyone. It took me a few days to get it right, but here it is. The Ascent Program, that will take you to about
350km circular orbit, where you can easily go for docking with the ISS assuming you lauch at the right time:

PROGNAME: Ascent prog
TYPE:     ASCENT
ALT: 300    PITCH: 10
ALT: 500    PITCH: 10
ALT: 1000   PITCH: 10
ALT: 1000   SNMSG: ENGAGE Turbo pump!
ALT: 1200   PITCH: 10
ALT: 1500   PITCH: 85
ALT: 40000  PITCH: 80
ALT: 48500  PITCH: 75
ALT: 57000  PITCH: 75
ALT: 84200  PITCH: 65
ALT: 128000 PITCH: 50
ALT: 152000 PITCH: 45
ALT: 210000 PITCH: 30
ALT: 250000 PITCH: 10
ALT: 280000 PITCH: 10
ALT: 300500 PITCH: 10
ALT: 310000 PITCH: 10
ALT: 320000 PITCH: 10
ALT: 330500 PITCH: 5
ALT: 340000 PITCH: 1
ALT: 345400 PITCH: 1
ALT: 350050 PITCH: 0
ALT: 360100 PITCH: 0
ALT: 400000 PITCH: 0
ENDPROG:

At about 350km the ecc falls down to 0.3000, which is when the DG3 flight computer takes over and tries to get
eccentricity down to 0. Consequently, you might see some erratic pitching, but don't let it worry you. Dan's computer
is good

And here is the scenario. Didn't have time to pack it all in a ZIP file, I want you guys to test it, so we can possibly iron
out the details:

BEGIN_DESC
Orbiter saved state at T = 48
END_DESC

BEGIN_ENVIRONMENT
  System Sol
  Date MJD 53060.2905496412
END_ENVIRONMENT

BEGIN_FOCUS
  Ship GL-01
END_FOCUS

BEGIN_CAMERA
  TARGET GL-01
  MODE Cockpit
  FOV 50.00
END_CAMERA

BEGIN_HUD
  TYPE Surface
END_HUD

BEGIN_MFD Left
  TYPE Orbit
  PROJ Target
  REF Earth
  TARGET ISS
END_MFD

BEGIN_MFD Right
  TYPE Map
  REF Earth
  OTARGET ISS
END_MFD

BEGIN_PANEL
END_PANEL


BEGIN_SHIPS
ISS:ProjectAlpha_ISS
  STATUS Orbiting Earth
  RPOS -4519646.85 4948148.46 -520841.26
  RVEL 5525.624 4784.186 -2421.520
  AROT 110.00 -10.00 80.00
  PRPLEVEL 0:1.000
  IDS 0:588 100 1:586 100 2:584 100 3:582 100 4:580 100
  NAVFREQ 0 0
  XPDR 466
END
Mir
  STATUS Orbiting Earth
  RPOS -1064148.93 401013.44 6558608.14
  RVEL -7638.997 -75.985 -1231.347
  AROT 0.00 -45.00 90.00
  IDS 0:540 100 1:542 100 2:544 100
  XPDR 482
END
Luna-OB1:Wheel
  STATUS Orbiting Moon
  RPOS -258607.90 -2225110.49 -1994.57
  RVEL 1469.560 -171.033 -0.596
  AROT 0.00 0.00 -76.76
  VROT 0.00 0.00 10.00
  IDS 0:560 100 1:564 100
  XPDR 494
END
GL-01:DeltaGliderIII
  STATUS Landed Earth
  BASE Cape Canaveral:1
  POS -80.6759292 28.5227056
  HEADING 43.00
  RCSMODE 2
  PRPLEVEL 0:1.000 1:1.000 2:1.000
  NAVFREQ 402 524
  XPDR 0
  MeshSkin DeltaGliderIII
  NOSECONE 0 0.0000
  GEAR 1 1.0000
  AIRLOCK 0 0.0000
  INNERDOOR 0 0.0000
  COCKPIT 0 0.0000
  PRADIATOR_PROC 0 0.0000
  ANTENNA_PROC 0
  StartPower_ext 0
  StartPower_batt 0
  StartPower_cell 0
  Apu_start 2
  Gen1 2
  Gen2 2
  GenSelector 1
  PowerHud 2
  PowerMfd 2
  PowerRadio 2
  PowerAirlock 2
  PowerEngine 2
  PowerLifepack 2
  PowerAp 2
  PowerMainBus 2
  PassengerSeat 1
  Strobe 1
  HydGearPress 2
  LevelBatt 100.0002
  Emergency_power 10000.0000
  Force_Canopy 0
  VoltageStartBus 0.0000
  VoltageGen1 96.2820
  VoltageGen2 96.2819
  VoltageGenBus 96.2820
  ExtFuelHatch 0
  ExtFuelValve 0
  DockFuelValve 0
  FuelInputSelector 0
  XFeedFuel 0
  DumpMainFuel 0
  DumpRcsFuel 0
  HoverValve 2
  MainValveL 2
  MainValveR 2
  RcsValve 2
  AirIntake 2
  TurboPump 0
  ComputerDisplay 50
  HudMode 0
  O2tankALevel 99.9427
  N2tankALevel 100.0000
  O2tankBLevel 100.0000
  N2tankBLevel 100.0000
  DockInputValve 0
  ExtInputValve 0
  InputSelector 0
  ButtonTankAO2 2
  ButtonTankAN2 1
  ButtonTankBO2 2
  ButtonTankBN2 1
  ButtonAFan 2
  ButtonAFilter 2
  ButtonACooling 2
  ButtonAMoist 2
  ButtonBFan 2
  ButtonBFilter 2
  ButtonBCooling 2
  ButtonBMoist 2
  Radiator 0
  ShipControl 3
  LifeDisplay 3
  CabinO2Level 21.3879
  CabinCO2Level 600.0000
  CabinTempLevel 21.2000
  CabinPressure 14.7000
  CabinMoistLevel 36.0000
  CabinDustLevel 0.0001
  CabinO2Setting 21.4000
  CabinTempSetting 21.2000
  CabinPressSetting 14.7000
  O2ConsumptionSetting 1
  AntennaTarget no_target
  NoOneOnBoard 0
  NoPilotOnBoard 0
  PassengerNumber 4
  PilotName Capt_John_Doe
  PilotAge 37
  BasePilotPulse 60.0000
  Passenger1Name Bevan_Aneurin
  Passenger1Age 27
  Passenger1BasePulse 66.0000
  Passenger2Name Antonio_Rodriguez
  Passenger2Age 20
  Passenger2BasePulse 72.0000
  Passenger3Name Bundy_McGeorge
  Passenger3Age 36
  Passenger3BasePulse 65.0000
  Passenger4Name Megnes_Julien
  Passenger4Age 20
  Passenger4BasePulse 72.0000
  FailGearFailure 0
  FailGearCollapse 0
  FailLeftMainEngine 0
  FailRightMainEngine 0
  FailHoverEngine 0
  FailRcs 0
  FailSurfaceControl 0
  FailComputer 0
  FailComputerBlueScreen 0
  FailAutopilot 0
  FailExtRadiator 0
  FailAirbrake 0
  FailNoseCone 0
  FailCanopy 0
  FailAntenna 0
END
END_SHIPS

The DG3 is set to a launch configuration, so you can just push the pedal to the metal or be smug about it and first go
to hover, get a few hundred meters altitude and THEN burn rubber Either way engage the ascent program, when
you decide to go for it.

Another post follows to explain the procedure, so this one isn't too long.

Cheers,

[Krytom]

Where do you put the autopilot data?
BTW: well done Doc

[schumanna]

WOW!  Nice work!!!  That is the coolest ever!!!!  Your superb!!!!
Will start debuging now.



Post Edited ( 06-01-04 16:33 )

[DocHoliday]

Okay, the proper procedure is as follows:

The scenario starts with the ISS just having passed the Cape and bound for another pass, when it will almost
perfectly pass over the Cape AND be at the right angular distance for this program to work. Launch window should
occur at about 8:19 UT, the trigger for it is the angular distance between the DG3 and the ISS. I've calculated that
the proper distance is 16.28, which in this scenario happens when the TrL for the DG3 is 192,84 and the TrL for the
ISS is 176,53 giving you a diff of 16.31, but that is close enough. This angular distance stems from the fact that the
DG3 takes 30,15 degrees to reach the MECO at which time the ISS travels 46,43 degrees along it's orbital path. The
difference being 16.28, which is how much ahead of the ISS you should start if you plan on being at the roughly same
point with it when the MECO occurs, assuming always your RInc is withing tolerable limits.

CAUTION: Actual number may differ in your case, but you get the gist, plus this is advanced flying, so you should be
well acquainted with the concepts by now.

So, take off, get some speed, engage the ascent program, engage the turbo pump when prompted and sit back
The ascent program is programmed to get your ship up to a roughly cicrular orbit of about 340km. The ascent takes
about 706 seconds to complete at which time, you should find the ISS about 550km behind and to the left of your
position. This discrepancy is due to the relative inclination between the two orbits, which should be around 4 or 5
degrees, depending on how much you tried to minimize it during the ascent. You can do that by applying the RCS
linear thrust while ascending to orbit, or just plainly turning the whole ship to the side, to add sideways momentum
and decrease the Rinc thusly. This procedure has a limit of effectivness, so when the P lin in the AlignMFD becomes
perpendicular to the DN-AN line the rate is down to zero and you can't do much to lower the RInc anymore, just make
sure you keep the line there, maintaining the Rate at 0.

Now you could just turn your ship around and burn towards it, but that would take time, not to mention burn fuel
unnecessarily.

What you should do instead is turn on your AlignMFD. There is a little surprise there for you. You will notice, that you
are approaching an Ascending Node. What this means is, that until you reach the node, the station will actually
APPROACH you all by itself, so you can just sit tight and let it drift to about 120km away from your position at which
point, you again have the option to do the hotshot thing, point the ship towards the ISS and go for it.

What you could do alternatively do, is again be logical and economic about it and see if you can put your other
instruments to use at this point. One of them could be the SyncMFD, where you could plan an interception point along
the orbital path of the ISS, now that your two orbital planes are aligned. Another could be the TransferMFD, where
you could do a similar thing. Or you could just wait a while longer and see how the situation unwrappes and then fly
it by ear.

All in all, you should be able to dock at your lazyest pace around a quarter into your first orbit, somewhere over the
Suez Canal, Egypt. It's a spectacular view down on the golden deserts of Africa, not to mention the ISS is visible a lot
better against the light background. This procedure sort of beats the longwinded orbit syncing and all that...

That's it. Enjoy it, refine it, share it, so I can put together a nice tutorial.

Dan, what do you think? Worth adding to the DG3 manual?

Cheers,

[DocHoliday]

The autopilot data goes in a text file in the <orbiter>\Sound\deltagliderIII\PROG directory. See the existing file there
as an example, name your new file something like PRO904SPEC.txt. This name will then be the program intself.

When you activate the program in the DG3 computer make sure you specify PRO904SPEC42 instead of 903.

You guys should try to experiment with a different launch azimuth. I only tried 42, but maybe 41 or 43 would yield
better orbital alignement. My bet is on 43

[DocHoliday]

Definitelly seems that it is a good idea to increase the launch azimuth. I am testing it all, and will posts results with
best approach characteristics when I have them.

Cheers,

[DanSteph]

DocHoliday wrote:
Dan, what do you think? Worth adding to the DG3 manual?

Doc, you DA man  :congrat: :givecup: :givemedal:

HURRAY FOR DOC

It not only worth an entry in the manual but I'll post it in the FAQ as well
and advertise for it in the official forum once we come with a consistent download
(program+scenary, ready to fire)

All credit given to you of course.  

PRO904 would be good, I'll include it also in the *mythical* final package with credit also.

Try to launch at different azimuth to lower also the rinc once done
I'll pack all this with the scenary and put a new entry in the FAQ.

Dan

PS: funny stuff: an "auto pilot" contest is near what you told me sometime ago about "robot programming game"



Post Edited ( 06-01-04 18:11 )

[DocHoliday]

Hehe, thanks Dan!

I'm running a series of tests to determine best approach. I discovered two methods you can use, will tell more when I'm done. The fast and the REALLY fast method. With the first you spend less fuel and it's more "scientific", the other is a more neck-breaking maneuver, with lots of fuel cost, but for peple who like hotshot stuff ))

I love this. Wish I tried this before and yes, autopilots and robots have a lot in common I am no whiz in math, but I am good in logic and rudamentary math tools, so I can do a lot with that alone.

Best launch azimuth so far 47 You can almost see the ISS at AN node ) 75km or so. I will put together a ready-to-run package
once I get it all tested out.

Cheers,



Post Edited ( 06-01-04 19:48 )

[McBrain]

Cool, Doc!!

Great work!!!!!

Doc:

[Atom]

Nice!

[Krytom]

Yup.

[DocHoliday]

Wait, I'm not done yet. Yesterday I managed to stabilize the scenario to get you consistently to the ISS to within
15km of it at which point you just burn to get yourself to a stop with respect to the station. You can do this by either
performing a plane change maneuver or following the guide in your docking HUD. Both burns are THE SAME! Direction
and magnitude. After that you just leisurely get to the station and dock withing 40 minutes of launch

I'm gonna add some sounds and text to the scenario, so it will have more context, plus to show off some of the other
features of the DG3 and OrbiterSound, which are not commonly used (sequential sounds, and the AE-35 antenna).
Comes in very usefull when you track the station floating in the dark around you

Heh, I guess we all get enspired here and there.

[freespace2dotcom]

One shouldn't push himself too hard, doc. lest you burn yourself out and stuff. And besides, you should know that
there would be people (who shall remain nameless) who would like to see you burn out for the sole reason of having
less competition, and as a direct result, *they* would get all the credit. So slow down! [whisper]if you know
what's good for ya! [/whisper]

(a red laser appears over doc's forehead, after which a gun can be heard being cocked)

Well, have a nice day~!

[DocHoliday]

Unlike you, my friend, competition doesn't bring out the best in me, cooperation does. So, if this was your way of
umm ... wishing to help, say so Plenty of room in the credits section eh?

Cheers,

[freespace2dotcom]

Yeah, freespace is just jealous, pay no attention.

[DanSteph]

DocHoliday wrote:
I'm gonna add some sounds and text to the scenario, so it will have more context, plus to show off some of the other
features of the DG3 and OrbiterSound, which are not commonly used (sequential sounds, and the AE-35 antenna).
Comes in very usefull when you track the station floating in the dark around you

G.Gr..GREAT !!!!

can't wait to try this one

Dan



Post Edited ( 06-02-04 10:03 )

[McBrain]

Hey guys,

I made it to ISS in 50min.!
It was my first try!!!!
Thx, Doc!!! Really great work!!! It would be really great if we get a "Direct Ascent Manual"!

[DocHoliday]

You will. I'm working on it. Just a little more patience. I should be done today and have it ready tomorrow.

[McBrain]

I'm patient, I can wait......
No problem!
The main thing is that you make it!

[DocHoliday]

And here we are. Fresh from the bakery. My poor 33k modem did almost fry uploading it ) My first, long overdue
contribution to the community that gave me countless hours of fun!

There are some limitations in the way you can normally use orbiter, due to a bug in OrbiterSound, but it is not a real
problem in this scenario. Read the readme and you should be all set.

I left a final catch, an easter-egg of sorts, if you will, but you must discover it yourselves!

I hope it works. I should've tested it, but was too eager to see if it works as is

Get it at: www.vidmar.org/orbiter/direct-ascent.html

Cheers and let me know of how you do and what doesn't work.

[DocHoliday]

Oh and I don't usually speak with such a british accent, but the plan was to give jackson a real american accent but I
ran out of time or patience

You are all free to add you own sound clips I will add them to the sequence. Think STORY THREAD, nasty crew,
sarcastic dialogues

Let's make orbiter and adventure game as it is in essence

[Atom]

33K 8o

[whisper]Psst, get a 56K or above, like me [/whisper]

[DocHoliday]

hehe, I have it. It's the phone line. Not more than 33 or 31 sometimes goes passed it. Old and worn out. I live in a
rented appartment so I don't fuss about it. My job is 10 minutes away so no problem if there is something REALLY big
and REALLY important to transfer

[Atom]

No worries, I got a really strange, mucked up voice! (It isn't broken, it's crumbling. That's why I like forums.)
Anyway, cool add-on, I shall try it out now.

[Krytom]

Ok Doc, very nice work.

However, I looked at the sound file that came with it and it seems that there's meant to be someone talking you
through the procedures, i.e. you or 'Jackson' as he is known. When I tried it briefly just now there was none. I only
got the  'Welcome to the medical station commander Jackson' bit when I docked.
Also, the autopilot never asked me to activate turbo-boost, and thirdly, (this might have been my fault) when the
autopilot had finished and the DGII was in orbit, I had missed the station by about 600 km. That resulted me getting
to the station too late to save the guy .