Reentry - A Space Flight Simulator News

Want to participate in a multiplayer session but not sure how it all works, or thinking it's too hard and complicated? You have found the right event.

The Reentry community is organizing the MOCR Academy, where we plan on running both live practical sessions on how the intercom works, station overview and what each role should focus on, and live mini-missions designed to teach you the various aspects of being a virtual mission controller in Reentry. We also plan on creating short videos that will be used as learning material.

The first MOCR Academy will take place on Thursday with the goal of introducing you to MOCR. You will learn everything you need to get confident and join the real deal on other events such as "MOCR Monday".


AGENDA
- Overview of the Apollo Mission Operations Control Room (MOCR) and its functions
- Brief overview of each station (CAPCOM, FLIGHT, AFD, BOOSTER, EECOM, GUIDANCE, etc)
- How to set up and operate the Intercom
- Radio Communication: voice discipline & comm usage
- Training session: Live & fun mini-missions in various settings and scenarios to practice


The event will take place at the Reentry Discord server, join us here: http://discord.gg/reentrygame
Direct link to the event on the server:
https://discord.gg/wRdF7wej?event=954639538234478612

The Steam branch we will use during the session is the alpha-floor branch. To switch to it, simply right click the game in Steam, select Properties->Betas and select it from the dropdown.

See details about alpha-floor here: https://steamcommunity.com/app/882140/discussions/0/3118160027737663624/

Hope to see you on MOCR Academy!

Reentry has been patched to version 0.8711.EA. This is a hotfix related to an issue where rendering avatars/mission controllers fails. See list below for other minor changes:

• Added capability to override the language. This is meant for contributors as they develop language support. Set the language to ENGLISH, then type in the language code your files are using, then press OVERRIDE. This will only work if the dropdown is set to ENGLISH.
  
• Fixed a breaking issue with the avatar/character rendering engine causing only the headsets to render in the latest release
  
• Did a major update of the avatar rendering engine
  
• Correcte many missing labels and text artifacts in the Mercury Control Center
  
• SLV ascent guidance tunes
  
• TLI guidance tunes
  
• Corrected some issues related to loading language files
  

This patch is all about improving the data and in-game experience, and is a preparation for the upcoming 0.9-update series. In addition, multiple bug reports has been corrected since the previous patch. It will come with new tools to create checklists and improve the in-game data, and prepare for language support. The game engine (Unity) has also been upgraded to a new version. Due to the critical changes, this might bring some side-effects. If you experience this, please report them so I can fix them, and if needed, you can always revert to the 0.86 build through the Steam betas tab in the games properties.


Simpler to create checklists
I improved the checklist creation tool for all supported spacecrafts. The checklist tool is available from the in-game menu and can be used to create new custom checklists.


A new toggle is available in the tool to automatically append a procedurally generated checklist based on the available RUN steps. You can open the image in full by pressing it to learn the details.


To create a new checklist, use the tool from the in-game menu. Then add an optional checklist text that will be visible when the checklist is opened. If the automatic checklist generator is enabled, the procedural steps will be added below this text.

The STEPS page supports recording the previous switch that has been interacted with, a manual step that requires the player to press the checkmark button on the Checklist Guide UI to proceed, and a Text Only field that will only be used to render custom text, line breaks, headers etc, into the automatic checklist generator. Text Only will only be used when rendering the checklist itself.




Cockpit dictionary
Improved the Mercury, Gemini, Command Module and Lunar Module cockpit dictionary data structure. This now supports automatically creating checklists from the RUN steps. This is the data that will be used when a checklist is automatically generated, or by the Checklist Guide UI.

In the image below, notice that the actual switch position labels are used instead of "Left/Right/Up/Down/Middle". This also applies to the selectors, to prevent it from asking you to "set DC VOLTS to 4" etc.


I have completed adding all the switches for the Mercury, Gemini, Apollo Command Module and the Lunar Module into the dictionary, as well as each of the possible positions for every switch, circuit breakers and selectors.

A cockpit dictionary tool for advanced users has been added to each of the available spacecrafts and can be opened from the Create Checklist option in the in-game menu. This will toggle a simple tool that will show the data of the switch you interacted with last such as its Display Name and the possible labels. Warning: This has direct write access to the dictionary so any changes made here will be applied to your own local checklist.



Pre-Backup Crew Ingress panel configuration (checklist)
Created a checklist using the automatic checklist generator that contains a list of the entire Command Module panel configuration for Backup Crew Ingress, as seen on page 380: https://www.ibiblio.org/apollo/Documents/AOH_A16_VOL2_Part_2.pdf

This checklist can be used to verify the entire cockpit configuration for C&D setup and Backup Crew Ingress.



New Apollo Free Play missions
Added two new Apollo Free Play Missions, one for Backup Crew Ingress (continues from the panel state set by the above checklist) and one for Prime Crew Ingress (continues from the completion of the Backup Crew checklists). The old C&D mission is still available and can be used to set up the cockpit as Ground Crew, before Backup Crew Ingress.



AGC/LGC DSKY input improvements
I also added support into the LGC and AGC for "shorter" inputs, so the logic adds leading zeros. For example, if you want to enter +00001 into P52, R2 (to align IMU with pref), you previously had to Key V37E 52E V22E +00001E. Now you can Key V37E 52E V22E +1E and it will translate into 00001.
Another example is during V49. Say you want to maneuver to 0, 90, 0, but all registers had something in it and would need to be replaced. Previously you had to key V25E and then +00000E +09000E +00000E to set all the registers.

Now you can simplify this:
V49E V25E +0E +9000E +0E
vs
V49E V25E +00000E +09000E +00000E


Cockpit Cursor changes
The cockpit cursor will now render the switch you are currently hovering and interacting with by looking up data data from the Checklist Dictionary. I have also supplied all the remaining data for the Mercury, Gemini, Command Module and Lunar Module spacecrafts.



0.9 preparations
A lot of internal changes has been made to the game as well. The rendering engine (Unity) has been upgraded to a newer version, and I have moved a lot of the hardcoded text data for Mercury, Gemini and Apollo, as well as the Main Menu, into files that can be localized/translated. Translation tools has also been made available from the CONTRIBUTE-screen on main menu. These tools are there just for testing while they are being developed and is only considered for advanced users.

LC39 exhibition
In celebration of the Reentry Discord server hitting 2000 members, I decided to release a fun little side-thing. You will now find a new Main Menu option called EXHIBITIONS. This will give you first-person (FPS) view of the dev-environment I have been using to test some 3d models. In this case I will let you walk around and explore the Apollo-era Launch Complex 39A in first person. Keep in mind this is almost a direct dev-tool, and is not a big priority for Reentry - An Orbital Simulator. You will fall through the floor, and there are not much that will prevent you from venturing towards the infinity - it's just a fun little thing for those interested. If you press ESC during the experience, you will find a RESPAWN button, and some other settings you might enjoy.

How fast can you climb the stairs? Who knows, maybe other "digital museum"-like experiences will reach this menu too?

Thanks to everyone who are part of the Reentry Discord community!

Other bugfixes and improvements

• Corrected the inverted burn direction in the CSM when returning home, after TEI burn and Earth SOI entry
  
• Corrected the 90 degree inclination offset that happens in some cases after TEI. You need to plan a mid-course correction to tune your trajectory/entry angle after Earth SOI entry.
  
• Corrected some logic related to APS ignition
  
• Corrected a lot of panel texture issues and typos in the Apollo Command Module
  
• Corrected regional differences related to TEI and AGC/LGC input, causing strange side-effects
  
• Corrected the dark/black shadows issue in the Balanced Graphics settings
  
• Increased the render distance on the CSM & LM camera sources
  
• Fixed clipping issues with the Orbit View in Apollo
  
• Fixed the issue that caused Master Alarm with the C/W PWR lt illuminated when setting the LM Ordeal LIGHTING sw to DIM
  
• P63/P64 Lunar Descent improvements
  
• Lunar Descent and Landing academy lesson fixes
  
• Fixed the 1202 issues with the LGC
  
• Fixed some GSE issues related to the startup procedures for the CSM
  
• Added female versions of the various Mission Control vests
  
• Made some changes in the CSM C/W system related to the SM and CM RCS warning lights and master alarm
  
• Fixed some logic that caused side effects when using the LM ROD during Lunar Landing
  
• Corrected the electrical system wiring to the CSM C/W lights
  

Thanks to everyone who has been part of testing and reporting issues!

Reentry has been patched to version 0.8617.EA.

The following changes has been made:

• Corrected the CSM Deorbit lesson with regards to some redundant procedures related to the introduction of a more realistic R62
  
• Corrected some Gemini states with regards to retro AUTO and MAN cbs to be closed
  
• Corrected so that loading a Gemini Save State wont spawn you back on the pad
  
• Fixed some issues with the loading screen and change its design, this is just the first iteration, more changes will arrive soon.
  
• Corrected the LSM-bug where the Lunar Module would magically spawn inside the SM when performing a CM/SM separation
  
• Corrected so that the Gemini capsule wont flip upside down when landing. A default collider was added by accident, causing inbalance in the buyonancy logic
  
• Fixed some more unit conversions from metric to imperial. Keep reporting them when you see them!
  
• Fixed the IU logic to correctly disable the liftoff light and the no abort light in the CSM
  
• Fixed some logic related to the NO AUTO ABORT lt in the CSM
  
• Corrected the NO AUTO ABORT lt, and the LV ENGINES status light colors (red/amber)
  
• Made some more change to the TLI guidance logic in the IU/LVDC.
  

Reentry has been updated to 0.86! I know this update is way overdue and that it has been a good while since the previous update, but it comes packed with a lot of good things.

The 0.86 update is all about iterating on existing systems, tools and game mechanics. Below is the list of the main aspects of the update, and a list of other issues that has been fixed. Keep in mind that this is an update that dives deep into the core of the game, so you might encounter issues or strange things. Please let me know of these on Discord - it's easy to revert back to 0.85 if you wish, see below.

Thanks to the Test Pilots, Alpha-Floor testers and everyone else who has reported issues or has provided suggestions.

Major changes in the Command Module IMU and inertial platform, and P01 alignment
When you prepare the CSM/Saturn V for launch, you typically start by running P01. This will align the platform with the planned launch Azimuth. This entire program has been rewritten to reflect some major changes in the IMU.
Note: You should never use timescale during P01.

You should no longer experience that alignment rotates multiple times, and during ascent, the FDAI attitude will typically start at 90 degrees pitch and move down towards 0, heads down. Earlier you might have seen this moving towards 180 degrees, but still heads down and correct way. This was due to an issue internally in the IMU logic, leading to quite a few strange "180 degree roll" issues scattered around the entire mission in the CM.

FDAI during P11 - notice the heads down and pitch relative to 0 and 30 degrees

FDAI during P01

Major changes in the LVDC (Saturn V computer) used during ascent and TLI
A similar update to the CM IMUs is seen in the LVDC. The ascent guidance logic has been change, as well as how it behaves both before and during TLI. It should now much more precisely hold the attitude during TLI burns (less ping/pong), and the TLI calculations and guidance has received a huge level up. Still far to go on the TLI burns but a good step in the right direction.
Saturn V during Liftoff by YourHistorian

The S-IVB holding attitude through the IU/LVDC

Improved LM P12 ascent logic
The LM ascent guidance has been improved. This is executed by P12 after liftoff from the Lunar Surface. The thruster issue where a thruster could get stuck firing for long periods of time has also been fixed, and the entire staging mechanism has been fixed so the ascent stage and the descent stage will separate (you should no longer be able to lift-off with the descent legs still attached, even if you have properly separated from it).

Apollo Maneuver Planner improvements
The Maneuver Planner has received a lot of internal changes. The Maneuver Planner has been made context aware, and has received preliminary support to plan LM DPS burns. It tries to automatically take the weight into account (CSM only, CSM+LM, LM only, LM ascent stage, ..) to calculate the burn time. To create LM maneuvers, open it with the LM as the active craft, and for CM maneuvers, open it in the CM as the active craft as previously.


CM and LM jet physics improvements
The CM and LM jet physics has been improved to reduce the ping/pong effect between the configured deadband (DAP setup). It also reads the DAP setup to better calculate thrusting durations to compensate rates into desired, within the deadband. It should still ping/pong but stabilize and be able to hold the attitude much better than before. Most of this work has taken place in the PGNCS (CM) and the PNGS (LM).

R62 - Crew Defined Maneuver and R03 - DAP Setup
On both the Apollo Guidance System (AGC) and the Lunar Guidance System (LGC), V49E will now realistically call R62. R62 is Routine 62, and will require a few more steps than before.
The CM Academy Lesson: AGC & AUTOMANEUVERING has been rewritten and updated to cover the R03 and R62. I highly suggest you to retake this lesson.

The earlier procedures was to manually change N18 to the desired attitude and execute with V49E. Now V49E must first be called to run R62. R62 will first show N22 where the desired attitude should be inserted/accepted, then N22 is copied to N18 and V50 N18 will require a PRO to start the maneuver. The CSM will have a direct mapping from N22 to N18 as both nouns are RPY. In the LM, N22 is YPR, while N18 is RPY. This is an important detail to know about.

The DAP setup has been improved with more options. A DAP setup checklist exists for both the LM and the CM, so you can follow this to set up your desired automaneuvering parameters.
To do this, key V48E to start R03. This will first ask you to input the DAP setup strings into R1 and R2. Proceed will ask you to enter weights. These weights are used to calculate jet thrusting. A new circular button named "Request Weights Data" has been added to the CM and the LM. This will give you the weights you need to input into the DAP Load. This should be frequently updated.
- New/updates checklists are available for the CM and the LM for R62

V34E will terminate any running Routine. If you run a routine without completing it, strange things might happen, so use V34E if you experience this.
[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

Lunar Guidance Computer
P30 has been updated for the LGC to reflect the latest changes, and P40 has been added to execute DPS burns. P52 opt. 1 has also been added to let you align the inertial platform with the preferred burn direction.
Added support for V24 and V25 (AGC and LGC)

Apollo Guidance Computer
Added support for V24 and V25 (AGC and LGC)

Command Module Electrical System updates
I have rewired and change some logic related to the DC busses internally. Some strange behavior in the EPS related to the batteries, battery busses and the flight bus has been located to these issues that now has been fixed.

• Panel 275 FLT/PL bus cbs incorrectly appear to affect battery availability entirely (DC Voltmeter reads zero on bat a/b if the FLT/PL Bat Bus A/B CBs are open)
  
• EDS appears to be non-functional if Panel 275 FLT/PL BatA/B cb open
  

Command Module "Cold & Dark" updates
Some of the checklists and runnable steps has been updated to make the C&D setup better. Some circuit breakers was easily missed if running the checklist, and some things has been added to the activation checklists. More improvements will be made here as we have an ongoing C&D focus group in the #alpha-floor channel on Discord. If this is your thing, feel free to join!


CM SPS Injector Valves
The SPS injector valves should now be visible and functional depending on the system you use to ignite the SPS. All 4 valves should point towards the right when closed, and left when open (burning).


Improved Gemini Rendezvous burn calculations
The rendezvous burn has received some improvements to make the rendezvous burn more precise.
Gemini on its way to LEO - by YourHistorian

Improving the Checklist Guide
Checklist System has now received support for naming the labels. Myself and contributors are working on adding this data to the new system. This allows the Checklist Guide show you "Set ASCS to AUTO" instead of "Set ASCS to Left", or "Set DC VOLTS to Main Bus A" instead of "Set DC VOLTS to 4" etc.

The PRO button has been rebound to B instead of T (due to a conflict in the Lunar Module ROD) and the PRO label in the button has been replaced with a check-icon.


Unit Standardization to Imperial
Started to standardize everything to imperial (nautical miles, pounds, feet). This is a huge task and will be an ongoing process as many missions still refer to this. The main radio comms and tools should be updated in this patch. If you stumble upon a place that uses Metric (except for the console and some orbital mechanics readings), please report them so I can convert it.

Experiment: Preserve field of view on the different cockpit cameras (CSM only)
I have started to test a common request by users. This is that the field of view is preserved between camera changes in the CSM only. As usual, double-click the middle mouse button (wheel) to reset it whenever you want.
I think the next step in this experiment will be to also preserve the camera orientation. This will let you move from the COAS to the AGC and back without having to readjust both orientation and zoom.
Let me know what you thing about this idea. It could be a setting that is toggleable.
Earth seen through the CSM window by JFast

Not finding your resolution?
I started the work to try and find the issue that prevents some users to find their monitor resolutions. If you are one of them, please try to use the new console command to list all detected resolutions and see if you find it there. During alpha-testing, this has made the missing resolution appear (more data needed). If not, you can use the tool to set the resolution directly.

Added a command to list the detected resolutions supported by your monitor:
s -resolution -list

Added a command to the console for setting a screen resolution (test).
The command is:
s -resolution w h fullscreen
Example:
s -resolution 1920 1080 1
This will set it to 1920x1080 in fullscreen

Being blocked in this version compared to the 0.85?
Use the BETAs page on the game properties in Steam to switch back to the 0.85 branch, I have stored it there.
Note: A branch containing an old version can be deprecated at any time for various reasons.

Other bugfixes:
In the list below I have stripped away most of the things covered above.
For a full history, see the alpha-floor thread: https://steamcommunity.com/app/882140/discussions/0/3118160027737663624/

Mercury

• Lots of Mercury checklist updates
  
• Mercury Checklist Dictionary updates
  

Gemini

• Lots of Gemini checklist updates
  
• Gemini Checklist Dictionary updates
  
• Checks for the retro burn circuit breakers
  

Apollo: Command Module

• DAP is now integrated with the save state
  
• Fixed so that P40 automatically sets the deadband to 0.5, overriding the DAP
  
• ASCP/ATT SET tw should now go between 0 - 359 again
  
• ATT SET 180 roll offset hot fix
  
• New CSM checklists and section changes
  
• Fixed multiple typos in the Virtual Cockpit labels
  
• Huge CSM ECS rebalancing
  
• Changes to the CSM T&D checklists and removed the old deprecated NO LM version
  
• Updated the CSM Deorbit and Entry lesson
  
• The Burn Planner should now prevent interaction with the panel behind it
  
• Fixed so MOCR renders the CSM attitude rates in deg/s instead of rad/s
  
• TLI calculated dV should now be visible in the MOCR RTCC program, previously it rendered as zero
  
• Fixed the time to SOI in TLI tool and MOCR, it used the wrong calc and was showing time to LOI or time to return SOI instead. This explains the 49h vs 60h seen in MOCR Monday.
  
• Fixed so the Apollo Current Objective tool does not get stuck on drogue and chute deploy. Corrected a couple of other states that had the same issue as this.
  
• Changed the CSM RCS Command switch to a spring switch. Both this and the SM Transfer switches should now be spring loaded
  
• LOI and SPS burn physics fixes
  
• TLI burn physics fixes
  

Apollo: Lunar Module

• DAP is now integrated with the save state
  
• Removed the red band on the Thrust Indictor. It should be all yellow.
  
• Fixed multiple typos in the Virtual Cockpit labels
  
• LM Water Separator caut lt fix
  
• Fixed so the LM Event Timer Seconds-Units increase it with 1 and not 10 seconds.
  
• The Burn Planner should now prevent interaction with the panel behind it
  
• Added Helium regulators instructions to the LM descent and ascent lessons
  
• Fixed so the ascent stage does not lift off with the descent legs (visual issue), if unable to ignite due to He pressure. A race condition made it partially "possible". Thanks, good find folks!
  
• Made some fixes with the He pressurization on the LM RCS, as well as oxid/fuel consumption.
  
• Made some tweaks to the RCS quantity indicators
  
• LM DSKY remains lit when powered off