1 Introduction
Welcome to the ORBITER 2006 Edition!
This release incorporates quite a few exciting new features, both in terms of the physics engine
and visual appearance. Planet surfaces can now be rendered at twice the previous
resolution, which makes a big difference in low orbit. A flight recording and playback function
allows to replay and share flights. Orbiter now comes with a scenario editor module for
creating, editing and deleting spacecraft in a running simulation. Additional MFD display
windows provide all the flight data you need. Gravity-gradient torque is supported, and makes
the alignment during docking maneuvers just a bit more difficult.
ORBITER is a free flight simulator that goes beyond the confines of Earth’s atmosphere.
Launch the Space Shuttle from Kennedy Space Center to deploy a satellite, rendezvous with
the International Space Station or take the futuristic Delta-glider for a tour through the solar
system – the choice is yours. Unlike many commercial “space simulator” games Orbiter aims
at accurately simulating the physics of space flight. Don’t get frustrated if you don’t succeed
immediately – it’s only rocket science. Read the documentation and try some of the numerous
Orbiter tutorials available on the internet, and you will soon be orbiting like a pro.
At the very least, you should familiarise yourself with the primary spacecraft controls and instrumentation
in this manual to get your ship off the ground. “Advanced” missions like rendezvous
maneuvers or interplanetary trips will require a lot more effort!
Suggestions, corrections, bug reports (and praise) for Orbiter are always welcome. The
preferred way to post your comments, in particular if they may be of interest to other users, is
via the Orbiter mailing list or the web forum, available via links from the official Orbiter site:
orbit.medphys.ucl.ac.uk/ (alias www.orbitersim.com).
Unfortunately I can’t guarantee to answer all Orbiter-related mail sent directly to me.
Before posting a bug report make sure you have got the latest ORBITER release, and that
your problem is not already documented in the FAQ, the bug tracker or the bug forum (all accessible
from the ORBITER home page).
ORBITER – the thinking being’s simulator.
Enjoy the ride!
Martin Schweiger
編集者：
Design of Spacefrontier(2009-11-29 02:12:42)