Community
On Orbit => Space Shuttle Mission Simulator (tm) => Topic started by: RW-1 on July 21, 2011, 05:48:56 PM
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Hello,
Trying the link in the announcement brings me to a facebook page not found ...
FYI.
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Hello,
Trying the link in the announcement brings me to a facebook page not found ...
FYI.
Here it checks out perfectly.
/Admin
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I am not on Facebook,would you please post this on some other way?
Thanks !
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Hello,
Trying the link in the announcement brings me to a facebook page not found ...
FYI.
Here it checks out perfectly.
/Admin
Why am I not suprised with that answer ...
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Hello,
Trying the link in the announcement brings me to a facebook page not found ...
FYI.
Here it checks out perfectly.
/Admin
Why am I not suprised with that answer ...
A search of facebook fails to bring up your page as well, with all variations of exciting simulations, only web serch results are given.
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Hello,
Trying the link in the announcement brings me to a facebook page not found ...
FYI.
Here it checks out perfectly.
/Admin
Why am I not suprised with that answer ...
Well, it's the only answer. I've also made a FB search for "exciting simulations" and it popped right up. We have in excess of 2600 friends so we must be there ;)
/Admin
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RW-1 - are you on facebook at all? I made a search for there you using your forum email and couldn't find you.
I think that if you're not on FB you cannot search anybody there, but I may be mistaken.
/Admin
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I am, and have a screenie if you want thru email.
marc_z at live.com [Admin edit: never put your email on the forum explicitly]
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Well, I found you and asked for friendship. I double checked - we are fully searcheable and viewable by everybody on FB. That's how people - not only customers - find us. Maybe it's a temporary FB maintenance glitch.
Go figure. :)
/Admin
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I was erediting the email, but you beat me to it, got and accepted, this has to be a FB issue.
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...<SNIP>... this has to be a FB issue.
One of many ;D
I hope that now you can see the shots.
/Admin
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I did, nice work!
Looking forward to beta beginning and getting the finished product quickly.
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I am not on Facebook and I refuse to create an account there (any anywhere else as well). But it doesn't not only keep my privacy private, it also keeps me in a suspense regarding SSM2 ;D Can't wait to see it some time... :)
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Hi, guys!!
The 3D cockpit what I see in the announcement board is very stunning! I can't wait to try it out! Keep up the excellent work!!
Cheers,
Vincent
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I agree with Moonwalker & CapitanPiluso - I too refuse to open a Facebook account. With the vast resources of the internet available, is this really the only way Admin can display the new cockpit? I'm not a computer wiz, but why can't it just be displayed as part of the Exciting Simulations/SSM 2007 webpages, like other screen shots are? I would really love to see it. Thanks. (P.S. Not that I'm trying to sway you in any way, but I already have my $$ set aside for SSMS2! ;) )
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Hi, guys!!
I think I'm ready for the new SSMS 2! I got $$ aside foe SSMS 2!!! I'm even anxious to try out the SSMS 2 beta!!!
Cheers,
Vincent
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Hi, guys!!
I think I'm ready for the new SSMS 2! I got $$ aside foe SSMS 2!!! I'm even anxious to try out the SSMS 2 beta!!!
Cheers,
Vincent
There is no Beta yet.
/Admin
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Admin,
you can upload the images to the "ssm-fans image pad (http://upload.ssm-fans.info)", or I can do it with your permission.
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Admin,
Any news about SSMS2 ? Can we start the countdown ?
Now that Space Shuttle has finally stopped, we absolutely need SSMS2 to try not to e so sad ;)
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Admin,
Any news about SSMS2 ? Can we start the countdown?
Hopefully not too soon :P
I am still working on the systems manual for SSM and I would like to have it complete before ;D
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Admin,
Any news about SSMS2 ? Can we start the countdown?
Hopefully not too soon :P
I am still working on the systems manual for SSM and I would like to have it complete before ;D
I think that you have just enough time to work on the manual ;)
/Admin
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No fair. You can't tease us like that. It is both cruel and unusual punishment!
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No fair. You can't tease us like that. It is both cruel and unusual punishment!
Although I am known to having teased people to insanity, this time this is not my intent :)
/Admin
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Hi Guys,
Admin has given his permission, so I've uploaded the images to the Image pad for you FB-less folks out there..
click to enlarge (and then you can get it even bigger :))
Front Panels
(http://upload.ssm-fans.info/thumbs/273026250244884.jpg) (http://upload.ssm-fans.info/?v=273026250244884.jpg)
(http://upload.ssm-fans.info/thumbs/273026250244894.jpg) (http://upload.ssm-fans.info/?v=273026250244894.jpg)
Center console
(http://upload.ssm-fans.info/thumbs/273026250244881.jpg) (http://upload.ssm-fans.info/?v=273026250244881.jpg)
Aft Panels
(http://upload.ssm-fans.info/thumbs/273026250244888.jpg) (http://upload.ssm-fans.info/?v=273026250244888.jpg)
(http://upload.ssm-fans.info/thumbs/273026250244891.jpg) (http://upload.ssm-fans.info/?v=273026250244891.jpg)
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I couldn't even imagine that it looks so much awesome. This sim already is, but still is continuing to become something I couldn't even dream about just a few years ago. Thanks to the people who are working on this. You gild my free time a lot! :)
STS is retired? No, not at all. It's right here!
PS: those pics push my work on the manual a lot ;D
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Hi, guys!!
I wanted to ask you, does the new SSMS 2 will have the 2D panel like what the SSM2007 have besides the 3D cockpit? Thanks!!
Cheers,
Vincent
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first post is a very long time, great to see the next installment is coming along. I have alot of exciting sims in my future. SSMS2 being one of them and an addon for my flightsims that I will not mention (but you can have a free cookie if you guess). That plus about 5 other things ive been waiting for that are well on thier way.
It was very sad to see Atlantis landing for the last time. I almost cried (i didnt but almost!) However knowing a whole new shuttle sim is coming in my future makes it almost bearable.
Thanks for all your hard work.
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WOW! The pictures are stunning, thanks for your trouble Uri_ba & Admin.
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Simply amazing-backlit switches and instruments and those big fat white calculators that real astronauts use, hopefully they work.
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SSMS really is the best option out there for those who want to fly a Shuttle on their computer. I got into an argument with a guy on O-F.com over this, and it is just clear that SSMS is able to do far more than the Shuttle shuttles can. From the displays, the implementation of the GPC, the switches, the systems, RMS arm which is the best simulation of the arm I have seen anywhere.
I have never hesitated in recommending SSMS 2007 to anyone. And with the new features, it should become a must have for anyone even remotely interested in space and manned space flight. One thing that always seemed to throw people off when they first tried it from those coming over from FSX, is that switches can only be thrown in the 2d panel, and that the key mapping is different (mainly the F keys for changing view). In FSX people get used to picking just the 2d or just the 3d and not having to switch between the two.
But with the new 3d flight deck, that curve is now gone, and I think a lot of people will find it will add greatly to the immersion of the sim.
I can't wait for v2 of SSMS, but of course you already knew that.
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SSMS really is the best option out there for those who want to fly a Shuttle on their computer. I got into an argument with a guy on O-F.com over this, and it is just clear that SSMS is able to do far more than the Shuttle shuttles can. ...<SNIP>
:)
Save your breath Cras. Don't argue on the O-F forum, because if somebody there still argues about this subject after three years we've been on-air, then he/she is beyond hope or help.
In the past, we encountered many more of this type, bashing and bad-mouthing us and our product. Our choice was to completely ignore this "religious" hate-fest, and never discuss anything with any of them, neither there, nor on our own forum.
Fortunately, we have many O-F customers and valuable crew members and contributors - they know who they are - who know better. They are the truly sane O-F community members who count and whom we respect.
Anyway, thanks for the voice, but it's a waste of your valuable time :)
/Admin
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As a professional pilot instructor and flyer of both sims, there are just things this sim can do that freeware simulations have no chance of. It's not perfect yet, but the developers here listen to the issues experienced by the users and make the sim better all the time.
Looking forward to SSM 2...
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Religious hate fest is a good way to put it. They are more concerned about getting the different ET tanks to look right and the different launch towers, yet you ask about DAP, or the GPC, or APU, or the fuel cells (which I am convinced they actually do not know much about those two systems), the RMS, the autopilot during de-orbit, it is clear, you guys win.
You will always have an advocate in me. While I agree that O-F is a waste of time since they quickly turn the argument to almost nonsensicle bashing, over at AVSIM, at Dantrix, and other places, I will always recommend to people who want a different flight simming experience to give SSMS a serious look.
And if you guys ever decide to make a run at an Apollo project and give NAASP and AMSO a run for their money, I am all for that as well.
Keep up the good, no the excellent, no the awesome work, and I look very much forward to some of the other new features you guys have hinted at for version number two.
Cheers,
Scott K
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Hi, guys!
I wanted to ask you about the cockpit in SSMS 2, will there be more functioning switches in SSMS 2 like the switches does more stuff like the switch turn off/on the cabin fan, ect.? Thanks!
Cheers,
Vincent
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...<SNIP>...
And if you guys ever decide to make a run at an Apollo project and give NAASP and AMSO a run for their money, I am all for that as well.
...<SNIP>...
LOL! We are not the "vengeful" type, so IF we ever decide to do an Apollo sim, it will be due to vastly different reasons. We feel that there is still plenty of work to be done on SSMS so we have our hands full for the moment ;)
Thank you for the support!
/Admin
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Hi, guys!
I wanted to ask you about the cockpit in SSMS 2, will there be more functioning switches in SSMS 2 like the switches does more stuff like the switch turn off/on the cabin fan, ect.? Thanks!
Cheers,
Vincent
Not sure about the cabin fan (we can't simulate the cockpit air flow yet), but YES, more functioning switches.
/Admin
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Hi, Admin!!
That's excellent news! I like to play with space shuttle systems!
Cheers,
Vincent
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Hi Everyone,
It's been a while since my last login. Just wanted to stop by and say the new sim is looking SWEET.
Congratulations to the entire team, it looks really nice.
Well, time for my dreaded medication again. I'll stop in again soon.
Take care everyone
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Hi Mike,
Hope we'll see more and more of you as time goes by :)
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LOL! We are not the "vengeful" type, so IF we ever decide to do an Apollo sim, it will be due to vastly different reasons. We feel that there is still plenty of work to be done on SSMS so we have our hands full for the moment ;)
Thank you for the support!
/Admin
Oh certainly, didn't mean to suggest you would want or they would deserve malice, unlike those SSU guys (one inparticular), actually I think the AMSO guy is guite a nice guy, but so many wish to fly those missions by the numbers so to speak, get the TEI burn right when the real mission did it, perform the LOI right at the right time, that sort of thing, which is darn near impossible to do in the other sim, but its own seperate simulator I think those sorts of things could become possible. Which is why SSMS will always be superior to anything found in the other place because you contorl both the vehicle and the environment in which it flies in. I cannot tell you the painstaking workarounds and the subsequent side effects for just getting the space station in LVLH! Dont think twice about that sort of thing in SSMS because quite frankly it all works like it is supposed to and quite semmlessly as well.
But enough praise from me, you guys need to get back to work on version number two so I have a reason to give you guys some more deserved money.
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I got into an argument with a guy on O-F.com over this
Not a good idea ;D
Sorry that I have to say this but the O-F community has got a few arrogant people who think to be the smartest because they are using a space flight sim and that their freeware products are the best in the world only because they are free. I stopped arguing about SSM there. It's like going into a church and try to talk about agnosticism or atheism. Doesn't make sense at all.
The only thing that ties me to "the other sim" is [other product]. But my favourite sim meanwhile is SSM. I claim that there will never be any other Shuttle sim comparable to SSM in my lifetime. I was waiting for something like SSM since ~1994. And if, and this is a very big if, if Exciting Simulations would do an Apollo sim in future, comparable to the style and complexity of SSM, they would certainly own the complete space flight sim market LoL 8)
But for now there is still an awesome number of missions to be added to SSM. And the most wanted thing for me is a fully "walk"able ISS. Only this will make SSM2 the winner, at least for me.
Let's wait for SSM2 and not care about others which won't reach the level of SSM anyway (not as freeware).
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I got into an argument with a guy on O-F.com over this
...<SNIP>...I stopped arguing about SSM there. It's like going into a church and try to talk about agnosticism or atheism. Doesn't make sense at all.
...<SNIP>...
Must've been something to "break" you, Moonwalker. LOL ;D
Anyway. Let's stop this line of discussion guys, NOW. This is exactly what we are trying to avoid here, and this is exactly why we are not encouraging any chat about any other product, be it praiseful or bashful.
Thank you,
/Admin
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I got into an argument with a guy on O-F.com over this
...<SNIP>...I stopped arguing about SSM there. It's like going into a church and try to talk about agnosticism or atheism. Doesn't make sense at all.
...<SNIP>...
Must've been something to "break" you, Moonwalker. LOL ;D
Pah, I am just nothing compared to some strange characters in the O-F community ;D
But agreed. It's better to focus on us and SSM, not on somebody and something else :)
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Yes back on the topic :)
I assume the intent for the new cockpit is not only will the switches be able to be hit in the VC, but also the input keyboard for the GPCs and the DAP as well?
And how about the egg timers? Are those just there for visual eye candy or will we be able to set them or will they be say tied to actual countdowns like say the countdown clock on an OMS burn?
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Lol, I'm sure that the egg timer will be fonctional !
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I hope we will be able to control the different lighting options on the instrument panels.
As well as a list of other functions.
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There is another thought that crossed my mind. If things are now going to be able to be manipulated in the VC, which I assume also includes the monitors (and I wonder if the additional monitors will be included somehow?), does that mean it will no longer be neccessary to have them show up when viewing the rear 2d panels? Because they really did get in the way when having two monitors on. They take up such a big part of the screen and there seems to be no way to toggle them or resize them.
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With 3D cockpit + TrackIR, the Docking and RMS will be incredible !!!! Can't wait!!
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Yes back on the topic :)
I assume the intent for the new cockpit is not only will the switches be able to be hit in the VC, but also the input keyboard for the GPCs and the DAP as well?
And how about the egg timers? Are those just there for visual eye candy or will we be able to set them or will they be say tied to actual countdowns like say the countdown clock on an OMS burn?
1. ALL the switches, BUTTONS, knobs
2. Egg timers: probably eye candy, but it's still too early to commit.
/Admin
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With 3D cockpit + TrackIR, the Docking and RMS will be incredible !!!! Can't wait!!
Just ordered TrackIR myself and it is on the way. Can't wait to try it out in the Space Shuttle.
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There is another thought that crossed my mind. If things are now going to be able to be manipulated in the VC, which I assume also includes the monitors (and I wonder if the additional monitors will be included somehow?), does that mean it will no longer be neccessary to have them show up when viewing the rear 2d panels? Because they really did get in the way when having two monitors on. They take up such a big part of the screen and there seems to be no way to toggle them or resize them.
1. Which "additional monitors"?
2. Currnetly we do not plan to change the 2D part significantly.
/Admin
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I guess he is speaking about the rear video monitors (MON1 and MON2) which are at the right side of the screen on a 4:3 aspect ratio display but are right in the middle of the screen on a 16:9 aspect ratio display.
(I already complained about that in an old post ;))
It is nice to have them in the VC, but there are situations where I prefer to use the 2D display. They should only be moved to the right of the display on any aspect ratio display. If it is too complicated to place them to the right side, they should be placed to the left side (especially the control switches of them).
/Armin
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I guess he is speaking about the rear video monitors (MON1 and MON2) which are at the right side of the screen on a 4:3 aspect ratio display but are right in the middle of the screen on a 16:9 aspect ratio display.
(I already complained about that in an old post ;))
It is nice to have them in the VC, but there are situations where I prefer to use the 2D display. They should only be moved to the right of the display on any aspect ratio display. If it is too complicated to place them to the right side, they should be placed to the left side (especially the control switches of them).
/Armin
No. Not those. That's a different subject, and it's understood well. He is actually talking abou ADDITIONAL monitors. I wonder which.
/Admin
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If Cras is speaking about more additional monitors than MON1 and MON2 I don't know either what he is speaking about, because as far as I know every monitor in the cockpit is already simulated.
(Except of free floating laptops and other stuff like cameras ;) but I guess this would go way too far.)
/Armin
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Speaking of laptops (and slightly off topic), Chris Ferguson mentioned in an interview that they do practice approach and landings on the laptop on-orbit prior to commencement of the actual thing. What software is that? He stated that it was almost identical in handling and extremely realistic. I gather its NASA propriety software but with the end of the shuttle program is this available anywhere?
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Speaking of laptops (and slightly off topic), Chris Ferguson mentioned in an interview that they do practice approach and landings on the laptop on-orbit prior to commencement of the actual thing. What software is that? He stated that it was almost identical in handling and extremely realistic. I gather its NASA propriety software but with the end of the shuttle program is this available anywhere?
They indeed train the landing on orbit for many years. Nah, excuse me, they "did" :'(
I don't know which software this is. It's for sure solely made and owned by NASA. But it could be likely that it would be available some time in the future. But I doubt it would be as complex as SSM since it's just made for landing. NASA astronauts even would be surprised to know that there is something like SSM and what it actually does do as a desktop sim 8)
Whilst I think a few astronauts do know SSM already :)
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The "additional" monitors I was referring to are that on the later STS misisons, the crew brought with them additional video monitors, they were generally deployed on the sills of the rear windows that overlooked the Shuttle Payload bay. They in a sense provided MON 3 and MON 4. Not as if it is neccessary and all the robotics in the missions in the current version of the sim are able to be done without them. Just a thought that crossed my mind when I saw you added the egg timers.
What would be more impressive than the additional monitors would be some sort of simulation of the RPOP display. It is displayed on a laptop, which would be quite difficult to implement I would believe, so maybe just a pop up window.
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I agree that SSM is a much more complete simulation than they are likely provided with, it would be nice to get your hands on the "actual" software that they practise/rehearse the approach and landing with. I think it would also serve as a good benchmark to the flight dynamics of any current/future shuttle simulators.
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They definitely do practice in orbit here is a picture of Scott Altman on STS-125:
http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/images/shuttle/sts-125/hires/s125e013050.jpg (http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/images/shuttle/sts-125/hires/s125e013050.jpg)
Not quite sure what it is :-\
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I agree that SSM is a much more complete simulation than they are likely provided with, it would be nice to get your hands on the "actual" software that they practise/rehearse the approach and landing with. I think it would also serve as a good benchmark to the flight dynamics of any current/future shuttle simulators.
Ah yes, that's actually a very important point which I missed. It would be almost revolutionary to have that NASA Shuttle landing sim to base the behaviour of SSM on 8)
And it also would be interesting to see if one can land "the real" Shuttle. I guess it would be possible :) Why not? ;)
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Hmm. I am not sure we'll be going for a simulator within a simulator, within a simulator ;D
Those "additional monitors" are actually Sony digital tape recorders, and no, NASA does not plan to release its laptop sims anytime soon.
/Admin
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I'm not sure that those sims are 100% accurate.
AFAIK, they were intended to give the crew their "stick feeling" after two eeks away from the Sims/STAs. it's very hard not to touch a stick for two weeks and then make a perfect landing.
It's also why they take control in the HAC even when the shuttle is capable to take herself all the way to preflare all by her self. it was only done once at STS-3. resulting in a very difficult landing as the first time Jack Lousma touched the stick was only a few seconds from landing.
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I found the information about that software and hardware :)
It is called PILOT - Portable In-flight Landing Operations Trainer and was used in conjunction with a Rotational Hand Controller. The software is descriped as a very high fidelity Shuttle flight model and is a rehosted version of NASA's SES - Shuttle Engineering Simulator. In the beginning it run on a portable SPARC II compatible computer (the OS was a modified SunO/S 4.1.1 UNIX) with a 15 inch high-res. color flat panel. It was first used/tested on STS-58 in October 1993:
(http://www.sciencephoto.com/image/336707/530wm/S5400649-Astronaut_Searfoss_with_PILOT_simulator,_STS-58-SPL.jpg)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/STS-58
By the way, you can see the PILOT being tested at 27:45 in the STS-58 Mission Highlights video from http://shuttlesource.com:
http://shuttlesource.com/main/wp-content/videos/STS-58MH-59m.wmv
it's very hard not to touch a stick for two weeks and then make a perfect landing.
Whilst the pilot proficiency degrades indeed, it don't think it becomes "very hard" to land the Shuttle. Shuttle pilots usually were experienced fighter pilots and they did train on the Shuttle simulator and STA for month. The PILOT helped to maintain pilot proficiency, but it wouldn't have been an issue to land the Shuttles without it. Before STS-58 the Shuttle did fly some 10-days missions without the PILOT aboard.
It's also why they take control in the HAC even when the shuttle is capable to take herself all the way to preflare all by her self. it was only done once at STS-3. resulting in a very difficult landing as the first time Jack Lousma touched the stick was only a few seconds from landing.
I think that the STS-3 landing was the funniest one in the entire program:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDvyznX1ipY
;D
Already the Apollo Lunar Module could land on the Moon automatically by the way. But the crews always chosed the manual/semi-automatic mode. And I think it was a good choice :)
It is always good to fly manually. The computers are still not that much accurate as pilots are. The more wind you get the more uncapable the computer becomes to land properly. This even applies for modern Airbus aircraft. The crosswind limit for automatic approach, landing and rollout is 20 knots for the A330. But pilots do prefer to land manually anyway (and they have to mind the number of landings required to keep the validity of their licence).