List of add-ons in 2025

Orbiter 2016

2008 EA9 installed OK here as directed by the readme file. Remember that 2008 EA9 is a vessel, not a body, so it will not appear in any scenario unless it is listed as a ship in that scenario, and it cannot be used as a reference body in any MFD such as Orbit MFD.

The config file (2008 EA9.cfg) contains the name, class name, mesh name and the name of the Bmp file, size and mass and some other parameters, and the docklist for six docks, but no orbital or rotational parameters. The Meshes folder contains two files (2008 EA9.msh and 2008 EA9_HQ.msh). The Images\Asteroids folder contains the file 2008_EA9.bmp for the visuals, and the Textures folder contains the 2008_EA9.dds file.

Doc files for this add-on include 2008 EA9.pdf, which gives the diameter, mass, and orbital elements. The readme.txt file just says to extract the zip file into the Orbiter root folder.

The add-on comes with four scenario files:

• 1. Launch from Earth.scn
• 2. Arrival at 2008 EA9.scn
• 3. Anchored on 2008 EA9.scn
• Closes_approach - 2019.snc

Scenario 1. Launch from Earth

Before we launch Orbiter, let's open your favorite browser and navigate to IMFD AppE Navigation Checklists in the Orbiter wiki. This contains checklists for the various operations in IMFD.

The description in the Launchpad for this scenario says that November 15 2009 is the best date for travel to 2008 EA9, and to program the arrival date to MJD 58896. This scenario launches with the DeltaGlider in LEO at an altitude of about 637 km.

IMFD works very well for this scenario entering the above parameters, using Off-plane shows the lowest dV.

Here's a handy note. If you use IMFD/Target intercept/Course program in one MFD display, and Orbit-eject in the other, bring up Orbit MFD in an external MFD. You will note that the checklist says to do a leaving the SOI of Earth when Orbit-eject says "Have a nice voyage !" that in Orbit MFD, the G decreases to 0.50, and the message comes up when the G 0.50 turns red, that means Earth is no longer the major contributor to the ship's gravity field. Then the checklist says to do a burn when the Tot dV begins to increase, you'll note that the G reaches at or close to zero, and that now the ship is completely in the Sun's gravity field.

During the approach phase, don't bother with Planet Approach program or anything like that. If Target Intercept is doing its job correctly you should crash into it or close by. When you get close, switch from the Map program, select the Find program and rotate to locate 2008 EA9, then select the VeM program and see how many seconds for a velocity match burn, and do that burn on final approach. You can then use standard approach procedures for approach and dock. Pursuit works very nicely for this.

2. Arrival at 2008 EA9

This scenario opens with the DG close by 2008 EA9 so you can approach and dock. I like to use Docking MFD on the left and Pursuit MFD on the right. The Docking MFD gives you the HUD visuals while Pursuit performs the approach and dock maneuvers. The scenario comment says that you have 5 days to play here before you must return to Earth. Program the Earth arrival date MJD 59017 in IMFD 5.7, use the AB for Target Intercept to do the burn. You may need one or two course corrections on the way home. Bring up Orbit MFD on the other display with Earth as reference. When you see the G value begin to rise, 0.01 or more, change the Target Intercept program to Planet Approach, program the desired final orbit, then do the burn. Assuming you end up with a PeA that is above the atmosphere or close to that, go to Orbital in the IMFD, then select circularize mode. Begin your burn when you PeA in Orbit MFD is about half the required burn time in Circularize.

3. Anchored on 2008 EA9

this scenario opens with the DG docked to Dock 1.

Closest Approach

This opens with you aboard the 2008 EA9. You'll have to move your head to the right and up a little to see the Earth and Moon, time is roughly closest approach of 2008 EA9 to the Earth/moon system. This is just for a look-see just so you can see what Earth/Moon looks like form EA9 at closest approach.

OK, I just had to try it. since I'm now in a big rock which is a vessel, I used the scenario editor to locate EA9 on the moon at 180° longitude, 0° latitude. It worked. Then I relocated it to Cape Canaveral in the grass next to the VAB.