Copernicus & Apollo 19 for Orbiter Spaceflight Simulator
Description
This add-on features realistic terrain for the Copernicus crater on the Moon. It is presented in a
way that you have a relatively large flat area (Orbiter limitation) where you can land and drive.
Area covered by detailed terrain mesh
Some surface features where placed to provide interesting destinations for EVAs, roughly
based on the actual geology of the region. Nevertheless, they were placed closer to the landing
site and are presented in a more conspicuous way that in reality. Hard core users can simply
remove the offending features using the scenario editor.
Geology of the landing area. Obvious points of interest are the base of the central peaks, the different
geologies around them and some small volcanic features.
Scenarios and integration
The provided scenarios using AMSO allow recreating the proposed Apollo 19 mission. They are
generic and the orbital trajectories are not optimized regarding fuel or mission duration.
Anyhow, I think I’ve remained within realistic parameters for a late Apollo mission. Let’s say
after Apollo 17 all the hardware as updated and can perform a little bit better.
To give that impression, I’m including a CMS repaint with the white Skylab paint scheme.
There’s also a small update to LC39 ground texture that now resembles the actual groundcover
in the 1960/70s.
Some of the traverses exceed the historical distance safety limits by a small margin. Due to the
fact that AMSO has hardcoded missions, I can’t offer specific activities for each station.
Also, the LEM must land using LOLA, not the AMSO autopilot.
So while the add-on is realistic, it’s more intended for exploration and sightseeing than step by
step simulation.
Since Orbiter doesn’t allow for elevated terrains, have in mind that if you go into the valley, to
the mountains of over a crater rim, you will sink or float.
I tried to make the scenery always intersect the flat Moon surface, and to block your path
visually by placing rocks. While a little restraint is needed to enjoy the scenario, you can get
pretty close to all the interesting places.
EVA and traverse points of interest:
Around the landing area there are some geological points of interest. You can find them in
Orbiter by using “F9”, MapMFD or your HUD (if you use DockMFD) since they are defined as
vessels.
Cinder cone
At the northern base of the hills, the “geology 3” stop is a small cinder cone.
Lava flow and orange soil
To the south of the central hills, “geology 5” is a small lava flow area, with a particular orange
tone.
Suggested traverses
Traverse 1: Geology 1 (the immediately landing area), Geology 2, Geology 3 (cinder cone),
Large crater and return to the LEM
G2 Crater
G1
G3
Traverse 2: Geology 1, Geology 4, Geology 5 (lava flow), Geology 6 and return to the LEM
G1
G6
Crater
G5
G4
Usage and setup
The scenery folder “Copernicus” has a version of the landing site that only requires the default
DeltaGlider.
You must have the AMSO add-on to use the Apollo 19 scenarios.
Other than the LOI burn (close to the Moon) and PDI (moon landing) scenarios, all others are
handled using the normal AMSO commands.
No AMSO files are overwritten, other than the ground texture for KSC and the CSM.
The 3D meshes are within the limits of what I judge to be a “normal PC”, meaning that even
old machines should be able to run the scenario. With than in mind, the scenario objects will
only “pop” into view when you are relatively close to them. Graphic client usage is
recommended.
Credits
3D models, textures and setup – Ricardo Nunes ([email protected])
Ideas, testing and support – Barry Golden
Satellite images and maps –NASA/GSFC/Arizona State University and USGC
