Editing Project Apollo for Orbiter

'''NASA's Apollo Space Simulation Project''' is an [[Addon]] for Orbiter which recreates the [[Apollo]] missions.

NASSP was originally developed by Jean-Luc Rocca-Serra, who released the source code to version 4.x. Mark Grant then rewrote the code as C++, added an initial C++ implementation of the Apollo Guidance Computer and replaced the control panel bitmaps, releasing 'NASSP COSTAM' and a derivative which provided basic support for the Virtual AGC software.

With the 6.x release it became ''Project Apollo for Orbiter'', an open source Apollo simulation add-on: for simplicity, both software variants are described here as NASSP. The latest 'stable' version is 6.4.3.

The 7.0 release is currently in Beta, including a near-complete simulation of the Command Module control panel and most of the internal systems, and support for new spacecraft. It is also capable of flying most of an Apollo mission using the Virtual AGC software.

List To Be Compiled...

As a side-note, NASSP 3.0 still runs under Orbiter 2006, with no modifications required.

====NASSP 6.x====

* Improved Saturn 1b autopilot.

* More realistic Command Module aerodynamics.

====NASSP 7 (beta)====

* Full Realism Simulation of most major spacecraft systems.

* Integrated VirtualAGC.

NASSP 7.0 supports a number of spacecraft. Most are historical spacecraft used in the Apollo program, but some are proposed post-Apollo designs which never flew in the real world.

===Command/Service Module===

NASSP simulates the Block II Command/Service Module, providing a home and life support for the astronauts in space.

The CM was the nerve center of the Apollo spacecraft, as it functioned as primary control and navigation platform during the missions. It housed the highly-advanced (for the 1960s) Apollo Guidence Computer, as well as all the systems the astronauts would need to safely reenter earth's atmosphere.

 

As the core of the Apollo hardware, the CSM is a high priority for NASSP development. It has recieved a complete and ongoing overhaul for NASSP 7.0, complete with new graphics, meshes and systems simulations.

The lower Descent Stage carried the large Descent Engine, fuel for the landing, and batteries and supplies required for the stay on the Moon. It also carried a limited amount of cargo, including, on the later flights, the Lunar Rover. It's final role was to act as a launch pad for the Ascent Stage when the lunar landing phase was complete and they flew back to dock with the CSM in orbit.

Electrically-powered rover used by the astronauts to drive around the lunar surface.

NASSP's LRV recently got an overhaul with the inclusion of a VC mesh and new animations are on the drawing board.

Three-stage launcher used to launch a Command/Service Module and Lunar Module towards the Moon. This was used to launch Apollo's 8 through 17.  It is arguably the most powerful rocket ever flown into space.

===Saturn 1b===

Two-stage launcher used to launch a Command/Service Module into Earth orbit. This was used for Apollo 7, the Skylab flights, and the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project flight.  Recent studies have shown that the Saturn 1b may have been one of the most cost-effective boosters in lbs per dollar.

Like the Saturn V, NASSP's Saturn 1b is highly detailed and extremely accurate.  As a result, it is not a high priority at this time.

Although rather limited as a spacecraft in its own right, the Apollo-Soyuz Test Program Docking Module allows an Apollo Command/Service Module to dock with a Russian Soyuz spacecraft in orbit, and transfer crew between them.  The Docking Module is carried into orbit as cargo on a Saturn 1b, in the same way that the Lunar Module is carried as cargo on a Saturn V.

Development on the Docking Module is currently stalled as work proceeds on higher-priority items, however it is open to further development and will more likely than not see it's share of upgrades.

NASA's Manned Venus Flyby plans using Apollo technology would have used an SIVB stage to launch a three-man crew towards Venus, after which they would vent remaining fuel from the SIVB, extend solar panels and live in it as a Skylab-style space station. They would conduct generalised astronomical and zero-gravity experiments for most of their trip, and for a few days around the flyby they would conduct detailed observations of Venus.

Two-stage launcher used in a similar manner to the Saturn 1b to launch a Command/Service Module and larger payload into Earth orbit: essentially a cut-down Saturn V with no second stage, mounting an SIVB stage directly on top of the S1C first stage. The S1C also had one engine removed, as the five-engine stage produced too much thrust and would have caused problems with excessive dynamic pressure during launch.

The primary benefit of the INT-20 was a payload capacity about half-way between the Saturn 1b and Saturn V without the cost of creating a new launcher from scratch: the stages were close enough in design that they could be built on the same production line as the Saturn V stages. A three-engine version with a lower payload was also studied, but isn't simulated in NASSP.

Another non-historic craft, the INT-20 showed much promise on the drawing board and NASSP hopes to bring such promise to life in the virtual world.

===Command/Service Module===

Tentatively planned for Apollo 20. See [http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/pao/History/alsj/misc/apmisc-S69-41519.jpg NASA image].

A similar plan proposed using a modified LEM to fly to Soviet satellites and spray paint over their censors: effectively the first space vandals.

The Saturn 1 was the precursor to the Saturn 1b, using an SIV stage in place of the SIVB. The SIV was smaller, with a lower fuel capacity, and used multiple RL10 engines in place of the J2 engine on the SIVB.

===Saturn 1b MLV===

As part of NASA's cost-cutting plans, they studied a derivative of the Saturn 1b which would replace the S1B stage with a solid rocket similar in size to a shuttle SRB. In essence this was a 1960s version of NASA's new 'Stick' launcher for the CEV.

Two-stage launcher used to launch large payloads into Earth orbit. This was used for the Skylab mission.

NASSP has changed significantly over the years, as models, textures and control panels were updated, historical accuracy was improved and new special effects were added.

* [http://nassp.sourceforge.net/ Main page at Sourceforce ]

:* [http://orbit.m6.net/v2/read.asp?id=7739 NASSP 4 release thread]

[[Category:Addons]]

[[Category:Vessel addons]]

[[category:realistic addons]]