TransX

[John Doe]

Well I downloaded the TransX inhope that i'll get to mars/the moon with it but it's harder than I
thought, I read the Readme file but I still don't understand !
Can anybody explain me in simple English(u know "Dummies English") how can I use in the TransX
and what those things on it (MAJ Body, Min Body,...) ?

[canadave]

The online manual is about as clear as it's going to get.  Go here:

http://www.orbitermars.co.uk/txman1.htm

It's got pictures and everything

Basically, you use the Eject function, set up a hypothetical ejection for a particular time, where
your orbit *if you burn at the velocity and time you set* will intersect the target (meaning that the "Closest Approach" should be something quite low--you'll probably need to add/subtract some velocity in all three directions--prograde, outward, and plane--in order to get close to the target).  Then you switch the "View" to the vector crosshairs, use rotational thrusters to center the little green "x" in the centre of the crosshairs, wait until the time you specified in your hypothetical orbit, and then fire away when the "DeltaT" in that display reaches 0.  You then burn until the "DeltaV" in that display ALSO reads zero.  That means your "deviation from the correct orbit" is zero.

The online manual is pretty clear.  I'm generally about as dense as a neutron star, and I was able
to get to Mars using the online tutorial on my third try.

Cheers,
Dave



Post Edited (03-23-03 18:23)

[John Doe]

THNX a lot man !
U have no clue how u helped me !

[John Doe]

Another questions...

1. Lets say that I really made it to the moon, how do I return to Earth ?
The same idea after I did a slinkshoot ?

2. The planets loaction is dynamic so how could I know when should I lift off (By the MFD or manual
calculations ?)

THNX again

[canadave]

ummmmm.....lol....

First of all, I hate correcting other people's English, but I'll make an exception in this case...it's
a "slingshot", not a "slinkshoot"....

To answer your questions:

1. Same way you made it to the moon, just in reverse  Burn prograde as your ship travels 180
degrees opposite to the direction of the moon's orbit around the Earth.  That's to get your orbital
speed with regard to the reference planet (Earth, in this case) down, causing your orbit to decay.  
Hopefully it'll decay just the right amount for you to hit the Earth

2. I just experiment.  Also, I usually start my flights docked to an orbiting space station.

Cheers,
Dave

[John Doe]

Oops - THNX for correctin me !
Every thing else on the text fine ?

Final question if I may ...
Is the TransX is actually an AutoPilot ?

[canadave]

Is the TransX an AP? No.

Dave

[Duncan Sharpe]

Sounds like you've figured TransX out on your own.

The next release will include two things that will make TransX easier to learn.
1. A help button giving a little bit of background on what each function and each
variable is for.

2. The ability to save and load scenarios.

I'm testing it now - it'll be out in the next week or so.

Duncan

[canadave]

Awesome, Duncan, it'll make a great add-on even better

While I have you here, can you tell me if TransX can be used for Earth/Moon transfers; and if not,
why not?  I seem to have a problem setting my craft as the Minor object in TransX....it'd be great
to be able to use it!

Cheers,
Dave

[duncan]

It can - use Cruise function rather than Eject. Set Earth as Maj, and don't have a minor body set at
all. You should then be able to create a plan based on your current orbit around Earth.

If you prefer, you could also use Martin's Transfer MFD to make the initial burn (it's good at that),
and then use TransX to make course corrections.


One of the advantages of the new load/save function is I'll be able to make a bunch of scenarios
showing exactly how to set up TransX for all kinds of manoevres. (As can anyone else who feels
helpful.)

Duncan

[canadave]

Rgr that...I'll try it right away!  Thanks...

Dave

[C3PO]

Saving settings in TransX?????????
That's it!!!!! When it's out I'll take a weeks vacation

Man, I've been waiting for this for approx. 1 billion lightyears

[John Doe]

There is still 1 thing that I don't understand...
After I set all the things(Min/Maj body, Tgt , ...)
What should I do ? Just full speed without touchin the stick ?

[DanSteph]

Duncan,

Your Transx MFD is a wonderful tool for travelling, loading and saving
would be a great enhancment.

Dan

[John Doe]

Plz, Anyone ?

John Doe wrote:

> There is still 1 thing that I don't understand...
> After I set all the things(Min/Maj body, Tgt , ...)
> What should I do ? Just full speed without touchin the stick ?

By the way (off topic) tomarrow I have history test (about 1800-1850) -> wish me luck - I gonna
need it ! Last test I got C !!! ((((

[John Doe]

PLZ !!!