Ultimate Shuttle IVA
FullRETRO
Flight Manual
Rev v1.0
Author: GTH
CONTENTS
Introduction
Mod Requirements and Known Issues
Vehicle Requirements Recommendations
Flight Instrument Panel Introduction
CMD Panel
Center Panel and Console
PLT Panel
Docking Section
Instrument Addendum
Camera Views
Legalese Stuff
INTRODUCTION
Welcome to the Ultimate Shuttle IVA – Full RETRO Flight manual. In these pages you find the documentation necessary to implement the IVA's multitude of functions during flight from pre-Launch to landing.
The idea for this IVA, and its companion Mr. Glass, was to be the culmination of all the best parts of the best IVA's that have been created thus far for the Mk3 Cockpit in KSP. Not only does this IVA have a full complement of props supplied by ASET (currently both powered by MAS and RPM) to enable a true launch to landing experience purely in IVA, but also several enhancements to the look, the feel, and the usefulness of the IVA.
The IVA can seat 6 Kerbals, and hosts a functioning Docking section (useful not only for docking but also for use of robot arms while in IVA) as well as a decorated MidDeck.
Full RETRO, as the name implies, is based on the original cockpit for the United States Space Shuttle Orbiter circa roughly 1987. As such, 90%(the remaining 10% will be converted in the next release of Full RETRO) of the props are in an analog style. No fancy digital displays here. Furthermore, the cockpits layout has been more or less represented 100% in Full RETRO. If you're familiar with the real cockpit, you'll find that controls are right where they should be.
There are some deviations however, and these are strictly limited to whats necessary to support KSP's gameplay or because trying to emulate the real thing would be inefficient. Not only in terms of the reward for accomplishing such an effort, but also in the simple fact that a 100% carbon copy of the original pit would not play well on anyone's computer. There are a LOT of individual controls in the Orbiter's pit. I kept it strictly to the one's necessary for KSP.
Requirements
&
Known Issues
These are the current requirements for USIVA. These are 100% required. The IVA will not function without these. Links to these requirements are in the release thread.
Latest update of MAS
Latest update of RPM
ASET Props
ASET Avionics
NearFuture Props
These mods are not required, but are recommended to experience the full function of the IVA.
Latest release of MechJEB
Latest release of Kerbal Alarm Clock
Latest release of Chatterer
Below is a list of the currently known issues with this mod as of this release:
CRT Display's On/Off Switch does not animate
Some props may not function correctly or have weird behavior. This should be corrected by the next major release, when all props will be converted to MAS and RPM deprecated.
MechJEB control is slightly wonky. Will be fixed with MAS updates to mechjeb control. Current workaround: Have the MechJeb GUI menu open prior to activating any of the MechJeb modules via IVA.
Currently no in-IVA ability to select a target. Evaluating whether or not to include one.
Not all props in FullRetro are strictly “retro”. Will be updated with conversion to MAS.
Vehicle
Requirements
Recommendations
This IVA presumes some things about your vehicle, namely that your vehicle is styled similarly to the real Space Shuttle orbiter, or is a KSP version of such. While you aren't going to be hampered if your vehicle is not this, you may have a bit of a less immersive experience otherwise.
If you are not familiar with the real Space Shuttle Orbiter, it looks like this:
Naturally, the only required part will be the Mk.3 Cockpit. You won't get the IVA otherwise (unless you're sneaky). I'd also recommend the following:
Wings and their associated elevons
a tail rudder
A drogue parachute.
Landing gear.
A cargo bay – perhaps with a docking apparatus.
An antenna.
Some engines.
If you want to emulate the real Orbiter, there are many options out there, but I recommend using the following:
Cormorant Aeronology – Provides you with a full set of parts to emulate the real Space Shuttle stack near perfectly. Essential mod if you're a Shuttle person.
Shuttle Payload Technologies – While a slightly out of date mod, there's two parts of it that I consider absolutely essential to Shuttles. One, it includes a working Ku-Band antenna similar to the real one (see picture above). And it also includes two variant cargo bay versions that also have radiator panels attached to the bay doors. While not functional as radiators, they look fantastic. Also includes some Spacelab parts which are nice, though they don't work well.
B9 Procedueral Wings – If you're like me and play in FAR or, like me, are simply a stickler for accuracy, I'd recommend using this over the pre-fabricated wings that Cormorant provides. While the prefab wings are great, for me, the ones this mod provides look much better, can be tweaked to be accurate to the real Orbiter, and can also be utilized to create more wackier designs while maintaining the TPS underbelly.
Flight Instrument Panel
(FIP)
Introduction
The Flight Instrument Panel (FIP) is where the vast bulk of the cockpits instruments, readouts, and controls are located. Encompassing the forward end of the pit and extending to the sides of the Commanders (CMD) and Pilots (PLT) seat, this is what you'll be staring at for most of your flight.
Centered in front of the CMD and PLT seats, you'll find the main flight readouts and instruments such as your FDAI (8ball), HSI, and landing gear controls. These panels are, for the most part, mirrored. So which seat you decide to take while in control is up to personal preference.
Down the center is the, appropriately named, Center Panel, as well as the central console. On the Center panel, you'll find 3 CRT displays that can give you some more readouts about your vehicle. You'll also find your Flight indicator panel as well as some controls for your engines and a multi function clock.
The Center console is, essentially, your flight computer. It composes of a suite of controls for enacting MechJeb autopilot functions, controlling SAS and Attitude, as well as your communications devices for communications and radio navigation.
Inline with the forward windows, you'll find your HUD's, as well as an analog clock and Impact Speed indicator. Also included is a space for attaching various flight manuals.
Above your head you'll find a series of auxiliary controls. These do nothing mostly.
In the rear of the cockpit you'll find the Docking section and its associated controls, and below that you'll find the Mid-Deck.
In the following pages, you'll find more details on each Panel, as well as the other sections of the cockpit.
CMD Panel
Lighting Control Panel
Controls lighting for interior and exterior of vehicle. Left and Right cabin rotaries correspond to the left and right forward sections of the cockpit, covering the FIP. Upper Cabin rotary corresponds to lighting in the Docking Section and Mid-Deck. Ext. Lights button controls all exterior lighting.
RCS and Aux readout panel
Contains an RCS hand controller as well as two instruments. Left instrument is a radar altitude indicator, right instrument is a Mach meter.
Flight Indicator Panel
Primary Flight readout instruments for in-atmosphere flight. Going left to right: Airspeed Indicator, Altitude indicator, Ground Speed indicator, Air Speed indicator
Vehicle Control Panel.
Controls for various vehicle functions. Primarily Landing gear and parachute controls, as well as Action Group controls.
FDAI
“8- ball”. The Flight direction and attitude indicator is used to display the the vehicles orientation in 3 dimensions. Also coordinates with flight computer or manual SAS/maneuver nodes to guide the spacecraft in maneuvers or trajectories. See Instrument Addendum for instructions on using this instrument.
HSI
Horizonal Situation Indicator. Used for atmospheric flight to assist with landing and navigation. Coordinates with radios in center console. See Instrument Addendum for instructions on using this instrument.
FDAI Control panel.
Various settings and controls for the FDAI. See Instrument addendum for instructions on using this panel.
AART
Altitude and Range Tapes. This instrument is used during ladning and docking procedures. See Instrument addendum for instructions on using this instrument.
Staging and RCS Control Panel
Provides a series of controls for staging, abort, and RCS. Use of this panel should be obvious.
Center Panel
&
Control Console
Center
Panel
Upper Left CRT.
Cathode Ray Tube display. Can be configured to display various readouts on the vehicles situation, as well as to provide some rudimentary maneuver and docking assistance.
Timing Control Panel
Includes a MET Clock display, and the display and controls for a timer. Also includes three gauges, read left to right: Monoprop/Electricity gauge, Engine Throttle/Thrust Gauge, and a G-Meter.
Indicator Panel
Indicator lights for various vehicle functions and alarms.
Atmospheric Flight Auxiliary Panel
Includes a compass, and two Trim Indicator panels.
Center CRT
Cathode Ray Tube display. Can be configured to display various readouts on the vehicles situation, as well as to provide some rudimentary maneuver and docking assistance.
Upper Right CRT
Cathode Ray Tube display. Can be configured to display various readouts on the vehicles situation, as well as to provide some rudimentary maneuver and docking assistance.
Engine Control Panel
Provides a series of controls and readout gauges for vehicle engines.
Center
Console
Data Entry Pad for MechJEB Flight Computer
Numerical numpad for entry of data to flight computer. See Instrument Addendum for instructions on using this panel.
MechJEB Flight Module and SAS Controls
Provides direct control of stock SAS as well as several MechJEB Flight modules. See Instrument Addendum for instructions on using this panel.
Communications Panel
Provides series of controls and radios for communications controls. See Instrument Addendum for instructions on using this panel.
PLT Panel
1. AART
Altitude and Range Tapes. This instrument is used during landing and docking procedures. See Instrument addendum for instructions on using this instrument.
2. Staging and RCS Control Panel
Provides a series of controls for staging, abort, and RCS. Use of this panel should be obvious.
3. FDAI
“8- ball”. The Flight direction and attitude indicator is used to display the the vehicles orientation in 3 dimensions. Also coordinates with flight computer or manual SAS/maneuver nodes to guide the spacecraft in maneuvers or trajectories. See Instrument Addendum for instructions on using this instrument
4. HSI
Horizonal Situation Indicator. Used for atmospheric flight to assist with landing and navigation. Coordinates with radios in center console. See Instrument Addendum for instructions on using this instrument
5. FDAI Control Panel
Various settings and controls for the FDAI. See Instrument addendum for instructions on using this panel.
6.
Flight Indicator Panel
Primary Flight readout instruments for
in-atmosphere flight. Going left to right: Airspeed Indicator,
Altitude indicator, Ground Speed indicator, Air Speed indicator
7.Vehicle Control Panel.
Controls for various vehicle functions. Primarily Landing gear and parachute controls, as well as Action Group controls.
8. RCS and Aux readout panel
Contains an RCS hand controller as well as two instruments. Left instrument is a radar altitude indicator, right instrument is a Mach meter.
9. Lighting Control Panel
Controls lighting for interior and exterior of vehicle. Left and Right cabin rotaries correspond to the left and right forward sections of the cockpit, covering the FIP. Upper Cabin rotary corresponds to lighting in the Docking Section and Mid-Deck. Ext. Lights button controls all exterior lighting.
Docking Section
Left CRT Display
Cathode Ray Tube Display. Can be configured to display various readouts on the vehicles situation, as well as to provide some rudimentary maneuver and docking assistance.
Docking Control Panel
Includes controls for Docking use. Includes X-Pointer and AART. See Instrument Addendum for instructions on using this panel.
Left CRT Display
Cathode Ray Tube display. Can be configured to display various readouts on the vehicles situation, as well as to provide some rudimentary maneuver and docking assistance.
Docking Auxiliary Panel
Includes RCS Hand controller, as well as action group and lighting controls. You'll also find two portable timers.
Instrument Addendum
This section is used to provide directions for how to use the various instruments and displays in FullRetro.
FDAI
The FDAI (Flight Director / Attitude Indicator) is a replacement for the NavBall created by alexustas. It provides more information and greater control than the stock NavBall. There are three components to the FDAI: The FDAI instrument itself, the FDAI GUID mode control panel, and the scale selector switches. Each are described below.
The FDAI contains a replacement NavBall, which should be familiar to KSP'ers. The NavBall in the FDAI functions in the same way as the stock NavBall, but without the glowing direction indicator icons. In addition to the NavBall, there are three Error Scale needles, three Rate indicator arrows, and one roll indicator chevron. An error flag extends when an invalid mode is selected, and a docking flag extends when the error needles are in docking port alignment mode.
Error scale needles provide feedback on aligning the front of the craft with the vector selected on the GUID mode panel (see below). There are three needles, one each for roll, yaw, and pitch. Under normal conditions, the roll needle (the top needle) is set to the neutral position. It is only engaged for docking port alignment. The pitch needle (on the right) and the yaw needle (on the bottom) provide feedback on which direction the craft needs to rotate to point at the selected direction.
There are six tick marks to each side of the zero position for the error needles. The value of the tick mark depends on the error scale setting (see below).
The rate indicator arrows provide feedback on which directions the craft is currently rotating, and how quickly. When all arrows are zeroed, the craft is not rotating at all. There are three arrows, one for each axis of rotation. The rate scales are labeled, with roll on top, pitch on the right, and yaw on the bottom. The rate arrows are on the same side of the FDAI as their corresponding error needles.
Each rate arrow's scale contains ten tick marks to each side of the zero position. The value of the tick mark depends on the rate scale settings (see below).
The roll indicator chevron displays the craft's current roll. When the chevron is pointed towards the top center of the display window, it indicates that the craft is in a "wings level" orientation. The chevron always points towards the north pole of the navball.
The mode control panel selects which vector the error needles display. In addition to the six cardinal orbital vectors (prograde, retrograde, radial in, radial out, normal, and anti-normal), the FDAI can be configured to show surface velocity prograde and retrograde, as well as the maneuver node vector, target direction, and target-relative prograde and retrograde. In addition, the GUID can be used to place the FDAI in docking port alignment mode, allowing the pilot to align the craft with a targeted docking port. Each of these modes is discussed below. There is a mode dial, a +/- selector switch, and a Sync to SAS switch on this panel.
The +/- selector switch controls whether the FDAI points towards a vector or towards the anti-vector. For instance, when the mode dial is set to ORBITAL, setting this switch to '+' indicates prograde; the '-' position shows retrograde. The one exception to this behavior is when the mode dial is set to TARGET. Setting the selector switch to '-' puts the FDAI in docking port alignment mode. However, this mode is only enabled when the craft is targeting a docking port, and a docking port is being used as the reference part on the craft.
The mode dial controls which vector the error needles will track. Going clockwise from the first position, these settings are:
SURFACE - Directs the FDAI to display the vector towards surface-velocity prograde or retrograde (depending on the +/- switch setting).
ORBITAL - Places the FDAI in orbital prograde (+) or retrograde (-) mode.
RADIAL - Places the FDAI in radial out (+) or radial in (-) mode.
NORMAL - Places the FDAI in normal (+) or anti-normal (-) mode.
M.NODE - Places the FDAI in maneuver node mode.
TARGET - Places the FDAI in target (+) or docking port alignment (-) mode.
R.VEL - Places the FDAI in target-relative velocity prograde (+) or retrograde (-).
There are two additional modes for the FDAI. The first is "Sync to SAS", which is enabled by setting the Sync to SAS switch on the panel to "ON". The second mode is "Error", which occurs when an invalid mode is selected (Sync to SAS if SAS is off, M.NODE with no maneuver node, TARGET or R.VEL with no target, or docking port alignment mode when the requirements for DPA are not met). When in Error mode, the FDAI displays an error flag on the corner of the navball window, and all error needles return to zero.
When the FDAI is configured to TARGET -, it is in Docking Port Alignment mode. This mode is used to guide the spacecraft to a docking port on the target craft. In order for this mode to be enabled, the following requirements must be met:
The vessel is targeting a docking port (not another vessel).
The current reference transform of the vessel is a docking port.
If either of these conditions are false, the DPAI goes into error mode.
When in DPA mode, the FDAI provides yaw, pitch, and roll information on the error needles, allowing the pilot to align the craft with the targeted docking port. This instrument combined with the ARRT and X-Pointer allows for fast, accurate manual docking operations.
Sync to SAS tells the FDAI to automatically use the currently-selected SAS mode as its target vector. When SAS is disabled, set to Stability Assist, or set to an invalid mode (such as Maneuver Node when no node exists), the FDAI goes into error mode and the needles all go to zero.
Two switches control the scale of the error needles and rate arrows. These rate selectors allow the pilot to switch between coarse adjustments and fine-tuning.
The FDAI ERR SCALE switch can set the maximum range of the error needles to +/- 12 degrees, +/- 60 degrees, or +/- 120 degrees. Each tick mark next to the error needles counts of 2 degrees, 10 degrees, or 20 degrees, based on this switch's setting.
The FDAI RATE SCALE switch sets the maximum reported rate of the rate arrows to +/- 10 degrees, +/- 50 degrees, or +/- 100 degrees. Each tick mark next to the rate arrows correspondingly reports 1 degree/second, 5 degrees/second, or 10 degrees/second.
X-Pointer
The X-Pointer instrument is used to provide lateral velocities or displacements. When configured for landing, the X-Pointer can be used to nullify sideways movement, ensuring a vertical landing. When used for rendezvous, the X-Pointer can be used to place a target directly in front of the vessel, and to cancel any sideways drift relative to the target.
The instrument consists of the X-Pointer display, the MODE selector switch, the SCALE selector switch, and the X-PTR ERR error indicator.
The MODE selector switch controls which mode the X-Pointer is operating in.
OFF: The X-Pointer is powered down. The backlight is switched off, and the needles return to zero.
LDG: The X-Pointer is in landing mode. It provides the lateral velocity of the craft in m/s (as adjusted by the SCALE selector).
D-DIST: The X-Pointer is in docking distance mode. It provides the lateral displacement of the craft from its target in meters (as adjusted by the SCALE selector).
D-VEL: The X-Pointer is in docking velocity mode. It provides the lateral velocities of the craft relative to its target in meters/second (as adjusted by the SCALE selector).
When used with the ARRT, this instrument can be used to guide a craft to a stable landing (no lateral velocity), or to rendezvous with a target.
The SCALE selector switch changes the units being displayed by the X-Pointer. It can be switched to x1/10, x1, or x10. When the X-Pointer is active, the selected scale is displayed below the main window.
This indicator is enabled when the X-Pointer is configured for target for docking while there are no valid targets being tracked.
AART
The Altitude / Range-Range Rate instrument provides feedback during landing (and, optionally, launch) operations, as well as during rendezvous / docking operations in orbit.
The ARRT consists of the ARRT data display, the ARRT MODE selector switch, and the ARRT ERR error indicator.
The ARRT MODE switch selects the mode the display is operating in:
STBY: The ARRT is in standby mode. The backlights are off and the data strips return to zero.
ALT: The ARRT is in Radar Altimeter mode. The backlight is enabled. The RANGE/ALT strip displays altitude above ground, and the RANGE RATE/ALT RATE strip displays vertical speed based on radar telemetry. The ALT and ALT RATE legends are illuminated.
RNG: The ARRT is in Range / Range Rate mode. The backlight is enabled. If there is a target, the RANGE/ALT strip displays the distance from the target, while the RANGE RATE/ALT RATE strip displays the approach or departure velocity. If there is no target, the strips return to zero. The RANGE and RANGE RATE legends are illuminated.
ARRT Data Display
The ARRT data display consists of two vertical bar strips. The left strip has the legend RANGE/ALT. It displays the range to target or altitude above ground as specified by the mode switch. This strip can report distances of up to 5000 meters. The right strip has the legend RANGE RATE/ALT RATE. It provides the closure/departure rate to the target or the vertical speed, depending on the mode.
The ARRT ERR flag is illuminated when the MODE switch is set to RNG (range) and there is no target currently being tracked.
Cathode Ray Tube Displays
(CRTs)
The CRT Displays are used to display various readouts on the vehicle's situation. They can be used by clicking the On/Off switch, which will bring you to the Standby page.
From
here, you can use the “Next” or “Prev”
buttons to switch from display to display. Some displays may include
a secondary mode, which can be entered and exited by using “Enter”
and “Back”, respectively.
Utilizing the Mode toggle button, you can also switch to a Camera display, which has a secondary Docking assistance function.
MechJEB Flight Module Controls
The MechJEB Flight Module control panel (the bulk of the Center console), is a very powerful tool for controlling MechJeb.
The first section of the console, called the Data Entry Panel, containing the 2 Numerical Keypads, is used for changing key functions of the MechJeb mode you have selected.
To use this, first turn on the Data Entry panel utilizing one of the switches next to the readout. From here, select your desired MechJeb mode from the second section.
Then, use the “Read/Write” button to switch from Read to Write. Enter in your desired change, and then use the “Exec” button to commit the change. It is recommended when complete with the changes to turn off the Data Entry panel.
The next section of the console contains the SAS/Attitude controls, as well as the MechJEB mode controls. Each mode controls a different MechJEB Autopilot, and theres several optiosn for chaging the modes of these autopilots.
HSI
Coming soon. Need to actually learn how to use it myself.
Camera Views
The IVA also includes several clickable camera views that you can utilize.
There are four camera views for viewing out of the forward windows. Click on the windows to access them. (Note, the two middle left and right windows do not include views at this time)
The docking section has a camera view, which can be accessed by turning your selected Kerbal's view towards the center aisle, and then clicking towards the roof of the cockpit.
The Mid-Deck has two views currently. They are most easily accessed while in the Docking view. Look to your left or right, and click on the back wall of the IVA towards the middle of the wall.
Finally, there is one more camera view available, accessible by changing your view similar to accessing the Docking section, but rather than clicking towards the roof of the IVA, instead click towards the floor.
This view is nicknamed “Glory”, and for good reason.
Legalise
This
work is licensed under a Creative
Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International
License.
Under no circumstance is this mod, or any derivative of it, authorized to be released on CKAN or any other mod management tool without my express written consent.