| Orbiter | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | Martin Schweiger |
| Version | 100830, 110822(beta) |
| Platform(s) | PC (Microsoft Windows) |
| Release date(s) | Latest stable release 30 August 2010, Latest beta release 22 August 2011 |
| Genre(s) | Simulation |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
| Media/distribution | Free download |
Orbiter is a freeware space flight simulator program developed to allow users to operate simulated spacecraft using a detailed and realistic flight model. The developer, Martin Schweiger, felt that space flight simulators at the time were lacking in realistic physics based flight models and decided to write a simulator that made learning physics concepts enjoyable.[1]
The simulator was first released on 27 November 2000 and several new versions have been released, with the most recent version 100830 released for free download on 30 August 2010.
Orbiter has now been used as a teaching aid in classrooms,[1] and a large community of addon developers have created a multitude of addons to allow users to fly assorted real and fictional spacecraft and adding new planets or solar systems.[2][3]
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Orbiter allows users to explore the solar system on a number of spacecraft, both realistic, such as the Space Shuttle Atlantis; and fictional, such as the "Delta-Glider."[2] The developer Martin Schweiger has included fictional spacecraft to allow for easier flights for less experienced users.[1] The simulator is realistic enough to re-enact historical space flights, however the ability to fly fictional ships also allows the player to reach areas of the solar system that cannot be reached by manned spaceflight at the present time.
A spacecraft's engines are defined only by the amount of thrust they put out and amount of fuel they use, allowing anything from solar sails to conventional rocket engines to futuristic nuclear fission and fusion drives to be simulated. Everything between ground movement and interplanetary travel is supported, including orbital and sub-orbital flight, although no collisions are supported, with the exception of the ground. [1] Docking and attachment systems allow the user to simulate docking with a space station or other spacecraft and rendezvous with and retrieval of satellite.[4] The user can also attempt to build a space station in orbit.[4]
The solar system presented in Orbiter consists of the sun, the eight planets and their major moons.[5] Dwarf planets, asteroids, and comets are not included in the solar system included with the simulator but exist as add-ons.[6] Although Orbiter contains a database of over 100,000 stars, these are for display purposes only and interstellar travel is currently not possible in the simulator.[7] The simulator also includes a planetarium mode that allows ecliptic and celestial grids to be overlaid onto the star map, along with labels of the constellations and other celestial markers.[4] The planetarium mode can also display labels indicating the location and identity of objects in the solar system, such as planets, moons, or vessels, that appear within a certain proximity based on their type. This mode can also display labels on the celestial bodies in the solar system at certain coordinates on their surface for indicating cities, historical markers, geological formations, and other interesting sites.[4]
The traditional simulated control interface in Orbiter consists of two Multi-function displays and a Head-Up Display.[3] Each features several modes of operation, with all commands given via the keyboard or mouse. The simulator also supports customized control panels and instruments, including 3D virtual cockpits and 2D instrument panels.[6] These allow the player to use the mouse to interact with the panels, and allows more complex systems and instruments that are customized for each ship. The addition of a virtual cockpit also allows the player to freely look around from the perspective of the pilot. From patch 060929 onwards, Orbiter has supported TrackIR, which allows the simulator to track the head-movements of the player and adjust the view accordingly.[8]
Orbiter was developed as a realistic simulator,[9] with accurately modeled planetary motion, gravitation effects (including non-spherical gravity), free space, atmospheric flight and orbital decay.[10][11] The position of the planets in the solar system is calculated by the VSOP87 solution, the Earth-Moon system is simulated by the ELP2000 model.[12] Only Newtonian mechanics are simulated; currently there is no simulation of relativistic effects. This means that no phenomena such as time dilation are simulated, although situations where this is noticeable or a drawback in realism are rare in the simulator. [1]
The default version of Orbiter has no sound,[7] however a popular add-on called "OrbiterSound"[13] is available. It provides engine noises, ambient sounds in the cabin, radio chatter and other sounds including mp3 playlists. Options enable the user to maintain a realistic silence when the craft is viewed externally during space flight.
Orbiter's standard distribution includes real and fictional spacecraft and space stations:
While the source is not editable, an extensive API enables Orbiter users to contribute by creating add-ons. Many spacecraft are available for download as add-ons, ranging from the Soviet Vostok spacecraft to Project Mercury and the Apollo program.[15][16] Another popular category of add-ons are modifications of the standard spacecraft of Orbiter, ranging from simple visual changes to complex simulations of the internal subsystems of these fictional crafts. Examples of these more advanced default spacecraft include the DeltaGlider IV[17] and the XR Series of vessels.[18]
Add-ons are also available for new bases, MFD modes, extensions of the simulation menu, space stations, planets, and even other solar systems. Since Orbiter 2006, a scenario editor is included, which can also be extended for supporting the special attributes of add-on vessels.[19]