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Flying the Shuttle - Launch: Difference between revisions
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→How it feels in FG
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[[File:Shuttle FG5.jpg|600px|Final stage in the flight to orbit]] | [[File:Shuttle FG5.jpg|600px|Final stage in the flight to orbit]] | ||
Once the ET depletes, thrust builds up. Watch acceleration and throttle back to keep it below 3 g (which is the structural limit of the stack on ascent). Manging vertical velocity should be easy at this point, there's plenty of thrust so that pitch has an immediate and strong effect on vertical speed. Keep it close to zero and maintain 150 km altitude. Keep an eye on the perigee counter now - once you are close to orbital velocity, it moves fast. Reduce thrust as soon as it comes above zero, cut thrust once the apogee reaches the desired value and drop the external tank - the final push into orbit is done by the orbital maneuvering system (OMS). The reaction control system (RCS) will come on automatically, enabling you to null any remaining rotation of the orbiter. | Once the ET depletes, thrust builds up. Watch acceleration and throttle back to keep it below 3 g (which is the structural limit of the stack on ascent). Manging vertical velocity should be easy at this point, there's plenty of thrust so that pitch has an immediate and strong effect on vertical speed. Keep it close to zero and maintain 150 km altitude. Keep an eye on the perigee counter now - once you are close to orbital velocity, it moves fast. Reduce thrust as soon as it comes above zero, cut thrust once the apogee reaches the desired value and drop the external tank. The RCS will fire automatically in translational mode to separate the orbiter from the tank. | ||
[[File:Shuttle-ETsep01.jpg|600px|RCS burn to separate the orbiter from the external tank]] | |||
The final push into orbit is done by the orbital maneuvering system (OMS). The reaction control system (RCS) will come on automatically, enabling you to null any remaining rotation of the orbiter. | |||
In reality, propellant is calculated rather closely to the needs. In FG, without a payload, especially launching due east, you may arrive in orbit with some leftover propellant, potentially enabling to reach a rather high orbit. Take on a heavy payload and launch on a high inclination, and that may change. | In reality, propellant is calculated rather closely to the needs. In FG, without a payload, especially launching due east, you may arrive in orbit with some leftover propellant, potentially enabling to reach a rather high orbit. Take on a heavy payload and launch on a high inclination, and that may change. | ||