New article added to the SSM-fans portal

[uri_ba]

Due to the Delay of STS-127, the cancellation of the Synced launch that followed and the delay in the upcoming SP, we have decided to publish our planned article a little sooner as "compensation"

The article deals with RMS work without external view.
And we hope you would enjoy it.

click here to read

Have fun!
The SSM-fans staff.

[Admin]

WOW! Nice article! I was tempted to split your post and place it on the Ground School board

/Admin

[dbutterf]

Thanks fo the article Uri_ba.

Will give your suggestions a try. As a noob, i use the external views a lot. its easier.

Dayle

[uri_ba]

Thanks fo the article Uri_ba.

Will give your suggestions a try. As a noob, i use the external views a lot. its easier.

Dayle

Hi Dayle,
I hope I woun't be understood the wrong way..

This one was made with the "Vets" in mind, the bunch of folks that have flown every SSM mission cover-to-cover for god knows how many times and what some new challenges for the "mission-less" days we hare having.

For noobs I won't say "avoid it" - but bare in mind that it is quite a challenge - so if you do try it without at least decent RMS skills, the process might become very, very frustrating..

anyways, I would recommend starting from the easiest RMS task to get the hang of working it from the cockpit. that task is grappling the OBSS.
STS-8 and STS-31 should also be a good place to start practicing the "no external view" RMS work. and beware of STS-32, she's nasty

[sgi]

Very good article, Uri_ba.
I started to work at RMS without external view after few missions, because this makes very very fun every mission (but not STS-99.... , apart for his scientific meaning: if today many of us can fly in a Cessna with astonishing visions, is also thanks to this STS mission; and yes, Admin, I appreciated the animations, hat off!).
When some missions don't permits to see because we have only five cameras, I always make at least a try to reach anyway the objective, and before to switch to F1 I think and try for a very long time. It's a challenge, after all, and I like any kind of challenge.
With real pleasure I have noticed that your procedure is the same for me too, with a little difference: after a grapple, I prefer to lift a bit before repositioning the cameras, mantaining the attitude.
In my opinion, this is an article also for Ground School, because it helps to understand better and faster the (probable) correct proceeding for to get more fun from RMS operations.
Again, my compliments Uri! 
Gianluca

[KMO]

You know, the real astronauts do use external view. 

At least, they've a got a utility program on a laptop, interfaced to the shuttle's computers, that gives them a virtual 3D rendering of the shuttle and arm, among other goodies. Particularly useful during OBSS scans.

So if you do use external view, you're exactly cheating too badly...

And on the shuttle, I believe they've also got the advantage that they can see 4 cameras at once, 2 on each monitor.

So what uri_ba's offering - 1 camera view at a time and no outside assistance - is particularly hard-core. 

[Nephi]

Well the laptop 3D rendering only came very recently so it's only realistic for a few missions.

The only thing I DO agree with (and I believe we are quite a lot to do so) is that a few more monitors at the same time inside the shuttle would greatly enhance RMS ops. But Amdin and Groundcrew are already aware of that suggestion... and maybe it's already implemented for this week-end (sorry Admin, couldn't miss this one either  )

AND, as we talk about external view, what would also be cool, would to be able to get closer to the windows, ase the real astronauts can do, and that would surely help us see more of the PLB.

[uri_ba]

AND, as we talk about external view, what would also be cool, would to be able to get closer to the windows, ase the real astronauts can do, and that would surely help us see more of the PLB.

You can do that if you have a 6DOF head tracker (TIR and I believe freeTrack will do the trick too)

[dbutterf]

Thanks fo the article Uri_ba.

Will give your suggestions a try. As a noob, i use the external views a lot. its easier.

Dayle

Hi Dayle,
I hope I woun't be understood the wrong way..

This one was made with the "Vets" in mind, the bunch of folks that have flown every SSM mission cover-to-cover for god knows how many times and what some new challenges for the "mission-less" days we hare having.

For noobs I won't say "avoid it" - but bare in mind that it is quite a challenge - so if you do try it without at least decent RMS skills, the process might become very, very frustrating..

anyways, I would recommend starting from the easiest RMS task to get the hang of working it from the cockpit. that task is grappling the OBSS.
STS-8 and STS-31 should also be a good place to start practicing the "no external view" RMS work. and beware of STS-32, she's nasty

Uri,

Am currently doing STS-51A and tried one of the RMS task just using the cameras and thru the window view. It was a challenge but using some of your suggestions regarding camera angles and zoom, I found it fun to do. I must admit though it takes some getting use to.

Will continue to try and 'cheat' when I get into trouble 

Thanks for your help and input

Dayle

[uri_ba]

actually on STS-51A you are allowed to "cheat" you have two sets of eyes outside of the shuttle

glad you found it useful.. keep up the good work!

[Nephi]

actually on STS-51A you are allowed to "cheat" you have two sets of eyes outside of the shuttle

Talking about that, I'm really waiting for the possibility to look through an EV eyes while moving the RMS.

[uri_ba]

actually on STS-51A you are allowed to "cheat" you have two sets of eyes outside of the shuttle

Talking about that, I'm really waiting for the possibility to look through an EV eyes while moving the RMS.

that won't be as fun as the other option..
IMHO, those type of stuff is the ONLY reason to have multiplayer in SSM..
have you buddy move the arm while your on it, and guide you where ever you need to be.