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[[Image:Martins.jpg|right|thumb|Martin Schweiger, Ph.D., the developer of Orbiter]]
 
[[Image:Martins.jpg|right|thumb|Martin Schweiger, Ph.D., the developer of Orbiter]]
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'''Orbiter''' (Orbiter Space Flight Simulator) is a freeware space flight simulator created by Martin Schweiger, Ph. D.,  of the Department of Medical Physics and Bioengineering at University College London. The most current stable version is Orbiter 2016.
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'''Orbiter''' is a freeware space flight simulator created by Martin Schweiger, Ph. D.,  of the Department of Medical Physics and Bioengineering at University College London. The most current stable version is Orbiter 2010.
  
  
 
==Structure==
 
==Structure==
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Orbiter is a physics simulator which uses Newtonian physics to simulate the behaviour of spacecraft & other objects within our solar system. While somewhat vulnerable to crashes caused by add-ons or extreme simulation demands, Orbiter is generally quite stable when used properly. Orbiters file structure consists of [[Configuration File|configuration files]], [[Compiled HTML File|help files]], [[Mesh|meshes]], [[Texture|textures]] and [[Orbiter Module|modules]] which are integrated by the main executable ''Orbiter.exe''. This very flexible architecture makes addon development for Orbiter relatively easy.  
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Orbiter is a physics simulator which uses Newtonian physics to simulate the behaviour of spacecraft & other objects within our solar system. While somewhat vulnerable to crashes caused by addons or extreme simulation demands, Orbiter is generally quite stable when used properly. Orbiters filestructure consists of [[Configuration File|configuration files]], [[Compiled HTML File|help files]], [[Mesh|meshes]], [[Texture|textures]] and [[Orbiter Module|modules]] which are integrated by the main executable ''Orbiter.exe''. This very flexible architecture makes addon development for Orbiter relatively easy.  
  
  
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*  DirectX 7.0 or higher
 
*  DirectX 7.0 or higher
 
*  DirectX compatible 3D graphics accelerator card with at least 16MB of video RAM (32MB or more recommended) and DXT texture compression support
 
*  DirectX compatible 3D graphics accelerator card with at least 16MB of video RAM (32MB or more recommended) and DXT texture compression support
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*  Approximately 100MB of free disk space for the minimum installation (additional high-resolution textures and add-ons will require more space).
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*  Approximately 100MB of free disk space for the minimum installation (additional high resolution textures and addons will require more space).
 
*  DirectX compatible joystick (optional)
 
*  DirectX compatible joystick (optional)
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Installing high-resolution texture packs or add-ons may have an impact on performance and could require significantly higher computing specs.
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Installing high-resolution texture packs or addons may have an impact on performance and could require significantly higher computing specs.
  
 
==The default solar system==
 
==The default solar system==
  
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The default solar system includes all known planets (except the [[Dwarf Planet|dwarf planets]]) and the major moons. Most planets are equipped with a [[Ephemeris|ephemeris]] module, which calculates the position of the celestial bodies to very high accuracy, making it possible to simulate historic space missions by using nearly the same manoeuvres as in reality.
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The default solar system includes all known planets (except the [[Dwarf Planet|dwarf planets]]) and the major moons. Most planets are equipped with a [[Ephemeris|ephemeris]] module, which calculate the position of the celestial bodies to a very high accuracy, making it possible to simulate historic space missions by using nearly the same maneuvers as in reality.
  
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Also included in the basic Orbiter distribution are several [[spaceport|spaceports]], where players can refuel their spacecraft:
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Also included in the basic Orbiter distribution are several spaceports, where players can refuel their spacecraft:
 
* [[Kennedy Space Center]]
 
* [[Kennedy Space Center]]
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* [[Habana]] located close to Habana, [[Cuba]]
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* [[Habana (spaceport)|Habana]] located close to Habana, Cuba
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* [[Brighton Beach]] located on the [[Moons|Moon]] near side
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* [[Brighton Beach]] located on the [[Moons|Moon]] near side.
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* [[Olympus]] spaceport located on [[Mars]]
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* [[Olympus Spaceport|Olympus]] located on [[Mars]]
  
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For a complete list of the bases included with the Orbiter distribution, see the [[Surface bases]] article.
 
  
 
==Standard Spacecraft==
 
==Standard Spacecraft==
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In spite of its destruction in reality, Mir is placed in an alternative orbit making it a possible start for interplanetary missions.
 
In spite of its destruction in reality, Mir is placed in an alternative orbit making it a possible start for interplanetary missions.
  
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==Versions==
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==How to install==
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Not long after Martin made Orbiter open source, he uploaded all the versions he still had to the [https://www.orbiter-forum.com/resources/ Resources] section of [https://www.orbiter-forum.com/ Orbiter-forum].
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===Files of the base distribution===
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{|border="1" width="90%"
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===Orbiter 2001===
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!File name
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Author's Comments:<br>
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!MD5 sum
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The earliest copy of Orbiter I have on record, from 2001.
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!Description
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{{Addon|
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|-
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|1=[https://www.orbiter-forum.com/resources/orbiter-2001.5437/ Orbiter 2001]|
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|orbiter060504_base.zip
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|2=Martin Schweiger (martins)
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|3275A977612EE935A33164BF19CA8877
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|3=2001 (orbiter010503)
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|Basic installation file, required
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|4=
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|-
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}}
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|orbiter060929patch_base.zip
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===Orbiter 2002===
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|F323033D4F8FCBC72E4EA1AF3C771708
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|Patch 1 for Orbiter 2006, upgrades to version 060929, required
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Author's Comments:<br>
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|-
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Orbiter's 2002 release. Both files are needed for a working copy.
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|orbiter060929_sdk.zip
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{{Addon|
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|ABD256D197E8E51BCA2B9435EAC60502
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|1=[https://www.orbiter-forum.com/resources/orbiter-2002.5436/ Orbiter 2002]|
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|Orbiter SDK for add-on development, optional
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|2=Martin Schweiger (martins)
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|-
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|3=2002 (orbiter020419)
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|Earth060504_L10.zip
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|4=
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|91BB9E1314ED9142AF26704FA1D5DA0D
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}}
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|High resolution textures for Earth, optional
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===Orbiter 2002-P1, with subsequent patches===
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|-
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Author's Comments:<br>
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|Mars060504_L10.zip
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Orbiter's second release in 2002, which then included three subsequent revisions as patches to the base 021202 install.
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|4C42C639842733BA8AB68750BFF21FAA
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|High resolution textures for Mars, optional
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These are cumulative, which means if you want 030303 you need to unpack the 021202 base, then the 021206 patch, the 021217 patch, and then finally the 030303 patch, to get a working install.
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|-
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|PlanetHires060504.zip
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You'll need both _base and _tex for a working 021202 base install.
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|105A70B2DE3C5B363E125D003153FDB4
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{{Addon|
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|High resolution textures for the other planets, optional
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|1=[https://www.orbiter-forum.com/resources/orbiter-2001.5437/ Orbiter 2002P1, 6 files]|
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|-
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|2=Martin Schweiger (martins)
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|Deltaglider060504_htex.zip
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|3=2002P1 (orbiter021202, orbiter021206, orbiter021217, orbiter030303_patch.zip)
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|4D29BC89F71B25ACE65099F70BA25EA5
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|4=
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|High resolution textures for the Delta-Glider, optional
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}}
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|-
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|Dragonfly060504_htex.zip
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===Orbiter 2003-P1===
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|D566B97C9B00DC8269549B909E5783F6
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Author's Comments:<br>
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|High resolution textures for the Dragonfly, optional
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The first revision of Orbiter from 2003. Not originally called 2003-P1 (as far as I know) but adjusted to fit the more recent format.
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|-
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|}
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You need _base and _tex for a working Orbiter install. _sdk is optional, for developing addons against.
 
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{{Addon|
 
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|1=[https://www.orbiter-forum.com/resources/orbiter-2003-p1.5434/ Orbiter 2003P1, 1 file]|
 
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|2=Martin Schweiger (martins)
 
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|3=2003P1 (orbiter031105)
 
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|4=
 
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}}
 
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===Orbiter 2003-P2===
 
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Author's Comments:<br>
 
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The second revision of Orbiter from 2003. While this wasn't called 2003-P1 at the time as far as I can tell, that's what Orbiter later started using, so I've kept that format here as we go backwards in time.
 
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You need _base and _tex for a working Orbiter install. The _sdk is optional.
 
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{{Addon|
 
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|1=[https://www.orbiter-forum.com/resources/orbiter-2003-p2.5433/ Orbiter 2003P2, 3 files]|
 
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|2=Martin Schweiger (martins)
 
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|3=2003P2 (orbiter031217)
 
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|4=
 
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}}
 
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===Orbiter 2005===
 
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Author's Comments:<br>
 
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Orbiter 2005 - both the initial release and the later patch for a revision.
 
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The 050216 patch needs to be applied over the base 050116 install, it won't make a standalone Orbiter install by itself.
 
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{{Addon|
 
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|1=[https://www.orbiter-forum.com/resources/2005-with-p1-patch-files.5432/ Orbiter 2005, with P1 patch files(5 files)]|
 
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|2=Martin Schweiger (martins)
 
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|3=2005P1 (orbiter050116, orbiter050216)
 
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|4=
 
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}}
 
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===Orbiter 2006===
 
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Comments:<br>
 
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Author's Orbiter 2006 base package.
 
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{{Addon|
 
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|1=[https://www.orbiter-forum.com/resources/orbiter-2006.5431/ Orbiter 2006(1 file)]|
 
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|2=Martin Schweiger (martins)
 
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|3=2006 (orbiter060504)
 
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|4=
 
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}}
 
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===Orbiter 2006-P1===
 
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Author's Comments:<br>
 
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Orbiter 2016-P1, base and separate SDK package.
 
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Only the base is needed for the core Orbiter application.
 
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{{Addon|
 
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|1=[https://www.orbiter-forum.com/resources/orbiter-2006-p1.5430/ Orbiter 2006-P1(2 files)]|
 
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|2=Martin Schweiger (martins)
 
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|3=2006P1 (orbiter060929)
 
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|4=
 
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}}
 
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===2006 & 2006-P1 Hi-Res Textures===
 
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Author's Comments:<br>
 
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High-Res texture packs for 2006
 
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{{Addon|
 
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|1=[https://www.orbiter-forum.com/resources/2006-2006-p1-hi-res-textures.5438/ 2006 & 2006-P1 Hi-Res Textures(18 files)]|
 
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|2=Martin Schweiger (martins)
 
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|3=Hi-Res Textures (PlanetHires060504.zip, Mars060504)l10.zip, Mars060922_L9.zip, Mars060504_L8.zip, Mars060504_L10_Olympus.zip, Jupiter060504_L7.zip, Io060504_L7.zip, Iapetus060504_L7.zip, Earth060504_L10.zip, Enceladus060504_L8.zip, Enceladus060504_L7.zip, Dragonfly060504_htex.zip, Dione060504_L7.zip, Deimos060504_Hi.zip, Titan060504_L7.zip, Tethys060504_L7.zip, Rhea060504_L7.zip, Phobos060504_Hi.zip)
 
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|4=
 
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}}
 
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===Orbiter 2010===
 
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Author's Comments:<br>
 
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Orbiter 2010, in ZIP and MSI format - you only need one of these files.
 
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{{Addon|
 
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|1=[https://www.orbiter-forum.com/resources/orbiter-2010.5429/ Orbiter 2010(2 files)]|
 
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|2=Martin Schweiger (martins)
 
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|3=2010 (orbiter100606.msi, orbiter100606.zip)
 
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|4=
 
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}}
 
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===Orbiter 2010-P1===
 
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Author's Comments:<br>
 
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Orbiter 2010-P1, both MSI and ZIP versions. You only need one of these files!
 
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{{Addon|
 
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|1=[https://www.orbiter-forum.com/resources/orbiter-2010-p1.5428/ Orbiter 2010-P1(1 files)]|
 
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|2=Martin Schweiger (martins)
 
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|3=2010P1 (orbiter100830.zip)
 
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|4=
 
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}}
 
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===Orbiter 2016===
 
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Author's Comments:<br>
 
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The official release of Orbiter 2016 - both ZIP and MSI versions, along with the optional high-resolution packs.
 
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You can find more information about these files from [http://orbit.medphys.ucl.ac.uk/download.html http://orbit.medphys.ucl.ac.uk/download.html] - the content here is just to protect against bit-rot in those links.
 
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{{Addon|
 
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|1=[https://www.orbiter-forum.com/resources/orbiter-2016-torrent-files.5427/ Orbiter 2016-torrent files(9 files)]|
 
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|2=Martin Schweiger (martins)
 
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|3=2016 (Orbiter2016.zip.torrent, Orbiter2016.exe.torrent, Orbiter2016Corezip.torrent, Orbiter2016CoreMSI.torrent, Orbiter2016HiResMoon.torrent, Orbiter2016HiResBodies.torrent, Orbiter2016HiResMars.torrent, Orbiter2016HiResEarth.torrent, Orbiter2016HiResAll.torrent)
 
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|4=
 
−
}}
 
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Author's Comments:<br>
 
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The official release of Orbiter 2016 - both ZIP and MSI versions, along with the optional high-resolution packs.
 
−
 
 
−
You can find more information about these files from [http://orbit.medphys.ucl.ac.uk/download.html http://orbit.medphys.ucl.ac.uk/download.html] - the content here is just to protect against bit-rot in those links.
 
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{{Addon|
 
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|1=[https://www.orbiter-forum.com/resources/orbiter-2016-core-msi-exe-edition.5426/ Orbiter 2016-MSI/EXE edition(1 file)]|
 
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|2=Martin Schweiger (martins)
 
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|3=2016 (Orbiter2016.exe)
 
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|4=
 
−
}}
 
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Author's Comments:<br>
 
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The official release of Orbiter 2016 - both ZIP and MSI versions, along with the optional high-resolution packs.
 
−
 
 
−
You can find more information about these files from [http://orbit.medphys.ucl.ac.uk/download.html http://orbit.medphys.ucl.ac.uk/download.html] - the content here is just to protect against bit-rot in those links.
 
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{{Addon|
 
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|1=[https://www.orbiter-forum.com/resources/orbiter-2016-core-zip-edition.5425/ Orbiter 2016-ZIP edition(1 file)]|
 
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|2=Martin Schweiger (martins)
 
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|3=2016 (Orbiter2016.zip)
 
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|4=
 
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}}
 
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==Installation Instructions==
 
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The Orbiter install with two methods: The MSI and the ZIP method.
 
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The MSI (Microsoft installer) method installs Orbiter like a normal Windows application. Just run the MSI file to start the interactive installation process. This method will automatically create a desktop shortcut and start menu entry, including an uninstall option. This method is easy to use, but a bit more restrictive.
 
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Manual ZIP file extraction is the traditional method for Orbiter installation. Download the ZIP file, create an Orbiter folder, and extract the contents of the ZIP file into the folder. That's all, and you are ready to launch orbiter.exe. This method is non-intrusive (it doesn't change the registry or system resources), allows multiple copies of Orbiter on a single system, and can be uninstalled by simply deleting the Orbiter folder.
 
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===Optional Texture Packs===
 
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Optional texture packs provide high-resolution surface textures for planets and moons included within Orbiter distribution. This will improve the visual appearance in many situations, but requires more computing power and a lot of hard disk space.
 
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==Open Source==
 
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It was announced by Dr. Schweiger on 27 July 2021 that Orbiter has been published under an open source license, ([[w:MIT license|Wikipedia: MIT license]]). Details can be found at the Orbiter forum [https://www.orbiter-forum.com/threads/orbiter-is-now-open-source.40023/ , this thread].
 
  
 
==See also==
 
==See also==
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==External Links==
 
==External Links==
  
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* [http://orbit.medphys.ucl.ac.uk/ Official Orbiter Website]
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* [http://orbit.medphys.ucl.ac.uk/ Orbiter's Official Website]
  
 
* [http://www.orbiter-forum.com Orbiter Forum]
 
* [http://www.orbiter-forum.com Orbiter Forum]
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* [http://www.orbithangar.com/index.php Orbit Hangar Mods]
 
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[[Category: Articles]]
 
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[[Category:Orbiter]]
 

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