Orbiter (sim)

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Orbiter (2006 Edition)

Developer(s)	Martin Schweiger
Latest version	2006P1
Release date(s)	May 4, 2006 (first patch released September 29, 2006)
Genre(s)	Simulation
Mode(s)	Single player, Multiplayer(Beta)
Platform(s)	PC (Microsoft Windows)
Media	Free download
Input	Keyboard, mouse, and joystick (optional)

Orbiter is a closed source freeware space flight simulator for the Windows operating system created by Dr. Martin Schweiger, a computer scientist at University College London. The first version was released on November 27, 2000 and is an ongoing project that has been under development ever since. The latest version is release 060929 unveiled on September 29, 2006. This release is the patch of version 060504, which unveiled on May 4, 2006.

1 About the simulator
2 Sound
3 Included spacecraft
4 Orbiter add-ons
5 References
6 Reviews
7 External links
- 7.1 Addon collections

[edit] About the simulator

Orbiter is a free space flight simulator for Windows offered to the space enthusiasts community by Martin Schweiger. Although Orbiter is not released under any Open Source license, and no code is available for public use, a number of people contribute add-ons and literature to the project. It is function-oriented, with the interface focused on maneuvering the spacecraft, rather than perspective-oriented, as in Celestia. Orbiter allows any user to explore the solar system on a number of spacecraft, both realistic, such as the Space Shuttle Atlantis, and fictional, such as the Delta-glider. Orbiter has a supported forum where many subjects about Orbiter are supported.

Orbiter contains the realism necessary to re-enact historical space flights while the ability to fly more futuristic ships allows the player to make timely travel around the solar system. A spacecraft's engines are defined only by the amount of thrust it puts out and amount of fuel used. This allows anything from solar sails, to conventional rocket engines, to futuristic nuclear and fusion drives to be simulated. Orbital, sub-orbital, and interplanetary travel are all supported. Docking and attachment systems allow the player to perform a docking with a space station or other spacecraft and also rendezvous with and retrieve a satellite. The player can even build a space station in orbit.

Orbiter's solar system consists of the sun and the eight planets. Pluto, asteroids, and comets are not included but can be added via add-ons. Although Orbiter contains a database of over 100,000 stars, these are for display purposes only and interstellar travel is currently not possible in Orbiter.

Along with this is a planetarium mode with three main features. Ecliptic and celestial grids can be overlaid onto the starmap along with labels of the constellations and other celestial markers. Secondly, labels indicating the location and identity of objects in the solar system, such as planets, moons, or vessels, can be activated to appear within a certain proximity based on their type. Finally, labels can be put on the celestial bodies in the solar system at certain coordinates on their surface for indicating cities, historical markers, geological formations, and other interesting sites.

The Delta Glider in low Venusian orbit, showing the 3D Virtual Cockpit, including Multifunctional displays (MFDs) and the Heads-up Display (HUD)

Orbiter aims to be a realistic simulator rather than an arcade game. Planetary motion, gravitation effects, free space and atmospheric flight are accurately modeled. Space physics and orbital mechanics can be complicated, and the learning curve is very steep even for those familiar with flight sims. Because it uses newtonian physics, faster-than-light travel is possible without any of the adverse effects that would be experienced in real life. The limits for velocity and distance from the sun are unknown, but experiments show that the program becomes less stable during spacecraft travel at many orders of magnitude of the speed of light.

The traditional control interface consists of two Multifunctional displays and a Head-Up Display. Each features several modes of operation. In this mode all commands are given via the keyboard. It gives you an unobstructed view and all relevant information is readily at hand. The simulator also supports customized control panels and instruments, including 3D virtual cockpits and 2D instrument panels. These allow the player to use the mouse to interact with the panels, and allows more complex systems and instruments that are customized for each ship. The addition of a virtual cockpit also allows the player to freely look around from the perspective of the pilot, without changing the heading of the ship.

The patch 060929 features support for TrackIR.

[edit] Sound

The default version of Orbiter has no sound. However, a popular addon called Orbiter Sound is available. It provides ambient sound in the cabin, radio chatter, engine noises and other sounds. Options enable the user to maintain a realistic silence when the craft is viewed externally during space flight.

[edit] Included spacecraft

Mir, a default Orbiter craft, orbiting over North Queensland, with a moonset in the background

Orbiter's standard distribution includes real and fictional spacecraft and space stations:

Delta-glider and Delta-glider-S
Shuttle-A
Shuttle-PB
Dragonfly
Space Shuttle Atlantis
Space Station Mir
International Space Station
Lunar Wheel station
Hubble Space Telescope
Long Duration Exposure Facility Satellite

[edit] Orbiter add-ons

X29 flying above Edwards Air Force Base, showing Orbiter's capabilities as a flight simulator.

Ariane 5, the ESA's heavy-lift launcher departs Kourou.

Mercury Atlas 6 carrying the first American astronaut to orbit the Earth John Glenn in Friendship 7. Recreated in Orbiter.

Orbiter has attracted a sizable number of people centered around several forums and repositories. While the source is not editable, an extensive API enables Orbiter users to contribute by creating add-ons. Many spacecraft are available for download as add-ons, ranging from the Soviet Vostok spacecraft to Project Mercury and Apollo. Add-ons are also available for new bases, MFDs, space stations, planets, and even other solar systems.

Real-world examples:

Sci-Fi examples: