Reentry - A Space Flight Simulator News

This update will add a few new minor features and correct some of the issues reported over the summer.

Note: If you are experiencing issues with this build you can roll back to the previous using the Steam Betas Tab accessible from the Steam client (games properties).

Accidental time scales when working with UI elements
An issue, especially in Apollo missions, are the accidental triggering of time scaling (and other hot keys) while working in UI elements. For example, when saving the state or writing notes in the Mission Pad, could trigger some hot keys. I have found the bug that let this happen and corrected it.

Added speed switch to optics/scope UI in Apollo
I have added a scope/optics speed switch in the Command Module optics UI. This will let the players toggle the speed of the optics while using them. Previously you would need to exit the optics, configure the speed and then re-enter the optics again.


Corrected an issue where the Mercury platform would yaw 180 degrees after retro sep
A few patches ago I introduced a bug in the Mercury Horizon scanners that would incorrectly detect the horizon after the retro engines has been jettisoned. This issue led to a 180 degree rotation in the guidance platform, making the capsule achieve an incorrect attitude after the retro engines has been jettisoned.


Multiple updates to Academy and Campaign missions
I have updated multiple missions, especially in the Mercury program, with issues reported. Some nodes in the Career tree has also been fixed. Thanks for reporting mission issues!

CM/SM Staging while docked with the Lunar Module
I have now added support for CM/SM separation while still having the LM docked. Keep in mind that the CM/LM separation needs to happen before reentering!


LM descent stage rendering in the Lunar Module cockpit
I have found a way to better render the Lunar Module Descent Stage legs while in the Lunar Module cockpit. This will let you see (a small part) of the LM descent stage while looking out/down through the windows. I am still tweaking this but it's a start.


Added a preliminary COAS to the LM CDR window
I have added a preliminary COAS in the Commanders Window of the Lunar Module. This has not yet been tuned, scaled, and corrected for some minor biases.
Tip: To easily find the COAS optics: Press F9 to center the camera on the window markings and then press Page Up to move the camera into a position where the COAS optics are visible.

Added a feature that lets Apollo Missions load mission specific checklists
I added a feature that lets Missions load custom checklists into the Mission Pad for the duration of a mission. This allows some missions to have unique or mission specific checklists loaded. More information about this will come later.


Patch notes:

• Fixed an issue with the keyboard detection system that triggers hotkeys when some text fields are focused (writing a number in the Save State name field would trigger an accidental timescale for example)
  
• Added speed switch to optics/scope UI in Apollo
  
• Corrected an issue where the Mercury platform would yaw 180 degrees after retro sep
  
• Updates to the Mission 3 in the Mercury campaign
  
• Corrected retro sequence timer in Mission 3 of the Mercury campaign
  
• Added support for CM/SM staging while docked with the LM
  
• LM descent stage rendering in the LM cockpit
  
• Added a preliminary COAS to the LM CDR window
  
• Main Bus A/B reset switch fixes
  
• [375] SRG TK RELF vlv dictionary label corrected
  
• Corrected Gemini core memory checklist labels for dV X/Y/Z
  

This patch will improve and correct the SECS logic in the Command Module, improve lighting logic in the Lunar Module, and fix an issue where the game would crash to desktop if TrackIR is enabled in-game while the TrackIR device is not connected or TrackIR software is not running.

CM SECS and the EECOM stating in MOCR
The CM SECS logic has been modified (no changes in procedures) and correctly mapped to telemetry. The telemetry can be seen on the EECOM station in MOCR as the VMLA, VMLB, VMQA, VMQB parameters.
VMLA is the Logic Bus A, VMLB is Logic Bus B, VMQA is Pyro Bus A, VMQB is Pyro Bus B.

Adding integral and numeric brightness to CMC and LGC export
I have added the numeric and integral brightness to the CMC and LGC data export file for use by external software and devices. This can be mapped to modify the brightness of the DSKY digits and the keyboard integral lights.

Lunar Module lighting
I have improved the lighting logic in the Lunar Module, giving you more control of the internal atmosphere in the Lunar Module.
[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

Some of the annunciator (P02) light colors has changed from RED to ORANGE, and the COMPNT lights has changed from RED to AMBER.

You will now need to, as per checklist, use the Anun/Num to change the brightness of the numeric, annunciator (warning light grid) and component lights.


I have also connected and improved the general lighting logic in the Lunar Module. Before, some lights were magically powered and always on regardless of EPS setup and cbs.


The Anun/Dock/Compnt cbs on Panel 11 and Panel 16 (reduntancy) controls the power of most internal lights. One of these needs to be in and the Anun/Num selector used to tune their brightness.

I have also connected the ANUN and NUM Override switches. If things are powered correctly, the override switch will set the annunciator and numeric brightness to max.


Command Module Lighting
A lot of the lighting logic in the Command Module has been wired, however, I have improved the logic for the numeric selector to also set the brightness of the mission timers.

LEB:


MDC:


Special thanks to Folgers at the Reentry Discord server for help related to lighting power control.

Patch notes:

• TrackIR (Blocking): Fixed another TrackIR init bug and added the TIR control panel GUI if error/issue is detected.
  
• Mapping Pyro and Logic Bus A/B to VMLA, VMLB, VMQA, VMQB to EECOM station (MOCR)
  
• Adding integral and numeric brightness to CMC and LGC export
  
• LM: Corrected comp/anun lights
  
• LM: Wired Anun/Num selector to digits
  
• LM: Wired Integral to integral panel lights
  
• CM: Wired Numeric selector to digits
  
• LM: Connected additional light bulbs to EPS
  
• LM: Connected P11_LTG_AnunDockCompnt cbs to the LM Exterior Docking lights
  
• LM: Connected the Anun and Num override switches to the logic above
  

This is a minor patch containing a hot fix for Campaign 2 - Mission 5, and a fix for correctly initializing TrackIR in Apollo.

Patch notes

• Fixed an issue in Gemini Campaign 2, mission 5 where the OAMS sw was commanded to a position that does not exist,
  
• Fixed an initialization issue with TrackIR in Apollo
  

Update:
I merged in a fix for dual DSKY input in Apollo.

• Fixed an issue where keyboard hot key bound to the Apollo DSKYs went to both CMC and LGC after the previous patch.
  

This update will mainly correct bugs (some blocking) and issues with Academy and Campaign. I am also looking into a sub name change.

Info: Games sub name change
I am researching the procedures of renaming the sub name of the game from:
"Reentry - An Orbital Simulator"

to
"Reentry - A Space Flight Simulator".

The reason for this is that "An Orbital Simulator" does not really make sense for most players, at least if they do not know too much about orbits and what they are. In addition, space flight simulation is the primary goal of this game.

Given that Reentry is about flying and operating spacecrafts, and is an entry point for many into space flight simulators, it is a more sensible name, and makes it easier to understand what the game is really is about when seeing the thumbnail or reading the name while scrolling down the game list in Steam.

I am also considering "A Spaceflight Simulator" but that is a bit harder to read at the first glance and conflicts with another title.

I am testing this by changing the sub text in the logo used while running the game.



Academy and Campaign updates
A major part of this update is small but important updates and fixes to multiple academy lessons and campaign missions. I have also received hundreds of contributions with corrections to lessons and missions that has been applied.


I have corrected issues some have experienced related to one of the Gemini docking missions (Gemini campaign, mission 5), and many of the in-game academy lessons has been updated with better descriptions, and concepts that the old deprecated quickstart used to teach you.


Blocking: CSM LM UMB cripples the O2 cryo tank
I have fixed an issue where the CSM LM umbilical would cripple the O2 T2 cryo tank in the CSM. This has blocked the execution of multiple missions. This was typically identified during the 2nd mission in the 3rd campaign, but present whenever the CSM LM UMB bus was powered (MNA or MNB cbs closed and the bus powered).


Blocking: LM ascent batteries fixes
I have corrected an issue recently introduced where the LM ascent batteries would not last long enough to perform an ascent from the Lunar surface to the orbiting CSM. This issue has now been fixed but might still require some balancing. Let me know if you are still having issues with this.


Minor Main Menu design updates
I have moved some components a few pixels here and there, and added the games logo to the Main Menu.


I also changed the placeholder complete/incomplete label on missions to a checkmark, and moved it in front of the mission name.


Black artifacts during landing removed
I have removed some thin black lines and artifacts visible in external view during the landing scene in each spacecraft.

Inflatable flotation in Mercury
I have corrected an issue that prevented the inflatable floatation devices in the Mercury Capsule to inflate when landing.


Cockpit refresh during external view
I have corrected an issue that prevented the cockpit from refreshing or receiving input while in external view or while being in another active spacecraft.

Export Telemetry Data
By request from devs in the Reentry community, I have added a flag: IsFlashing that can be used to animate the flashing VERB and NOUN digits on the CMC and the LGC.

I have also exposed the flags: HideVerb & HideNoun. These flags can be used directly instead of IsFlashing to follow the animation in the game. However, the sync of this has not been tested.

You can find more information about the tools made by the community using these features here:
[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

Patch notes

• Research: Game sub name change
  
• Fixed the thin lines/black artifacts during ocean landings
  
• Fixed the inflatable landing system in Project Mercury
  
• Minor Changes to the Main Menu
  
• Added a realism setting for auto prograde rotation
  
• Corrected an issue with the LM ascent batteries
  
• Fixed an issue where the CSM LM umbilical would cripple the cyros
  
• Fixed: Cockpit not updating while in external view
  
• Fixed: Campaign 2 (Gemini) - mission 5 updates
  
• Updates mission files with community corrections from GitHub PRs
  
• Updates to the pre-launch academy missions of Mercury and Gemini
  
• Updates to the Gemini ascent academy lesson
  
• Revisited many of the other Mercury, Gemini and Apollo academy lessons not mentioned above
  
• Added IsFlashing/HideVerb/HideNoun to DSKY export data
  

On June 21st (Norwegian time) I will host a little presentation where I will talk about the future of Reentry - An Orbital Simulator. Your localized date and time will be visible on the YouTube link below.

I will talk about the current state of the game and what Reentry - An Orbital Simulator is, what to expect from version 1.0, and talk about some new features coming to the game as part of the journey to version 2.0.

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]