Editing Project Apollo for Orbiter

'''Project Apollo for Orbiter''' (formerly known as '''NASA's Apollo Space Simulation Project''' or short: '''NASSP''') is an [[add-on]] for [[Orbiter]] which features in-depth and accurate simulation of 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 with new ones from P64. He subsequently released '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 7.0.

The 8.0 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.

Versions prior to 3.0 seem to be unavailable on the web. If anyone has a copy and can update this and/or add screenshots, please do so, or at least let us know what the differences are.

 

 

=== NCPP 1.0 ===

 

 

 

====Project Apollo - NASSP 6.x====

 

 

* Improved Saturn 1B autopilot.

* More realistic command module aerodynamics.

====Project Apollo - NASSP 7.0====

* Realistic simulation of most major spacecraft systems.

* Integrated Virtual AGC.

Project Apollo for Orbiter 1.0/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.

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 Guidance Computer, as well as all the systems the astronauts would need to safely re-enter earth's atmosphere.

The Service Module contained the systems that were vital for the extended stay of up to 10 days in space. This included fuel cells to provide power and water, as well as radiators to keep the internal systems cool. Also housed in the service module were the primary propulsion systems, including the RCS maneuverability thrusters and the SPS, used for major course corrections. In later Apollo lunar missions, this versatile component contained a SIM Bay for the additional scientific study of the lunar surface the space surrounding our nearest celestial neighbor.

As the core of the Apollo hardware, the CSM is a high priority for NASSP development. It has received 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. Its 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.

The three-stage launcher used to launch command and service module and Lunar Module towards the Moon. This was used to launch Apollos 8 through 17.  It is arguably the most powerful rocket ever flown into space.

===Saturn IB===

The 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 IB may have been one of the most cost-effective boosters in lbs per dollar.

Like the Saturn V, NASSP's Saturn IB 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 and 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 its 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 generalized 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.

The 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 live in the virtual world.

 

===Command and service module===

Designed as a backup to the Lunar Rover. See [http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/pao/History/alsj/misc/apmisc-S69-41519.jpg NASA image].

 

 

 

For more information see, for example, [http://www.astronautix.com/lvfam/saturnc.htm Saturn-C family] and [http://www.astronautix.com/lvfam/nova.htm Nova family] at Astronautix.com.

A similar plan proposed using a modified LEM to fly to Soviet satellites and spray paint over their sensors: 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.

The 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. NASSP 5.x screenshots are currently missing as it won't run as released under Orbiter 2006.

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

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

 

[[Category:Orbiter 2010 add-ons]]

[[Category:Orbiter Beta add-ons]]

[[Category:Vessel add-ons]]

[[category:Realistic add-ons]]

[[Category:Historical]]