This text README was designed using Windows Notepad and a Microsoft Sans Serif, regular style, #10 fonts with Word Wrap enabled.
Nicks Space Shuttle Landing Challenge
Final Edition (v1.2)
Including
ADVENTURE PACK & Bonus Crash-Bar FX
And
Featuring: The Space Shuttle Discovery
This package contains the most up to date version of my Space Shuttle Landing Challenge. I am providing it as a single installation package to eliminate the updates and multiple files.
NO UPDATES ARE NEEDED IF YOU ARE ALREADY USING NSCUP2.zip (v1.2) - or- THIS PACKAGE
THIS PACKAGE IS THE FINAL VERSION OF MY SHUTTLE LANDING CHALLENGE RELEASE
There will be no more updates posted for this package
IF YOU ARE INSTALLING THIS PACKAGE AS AN UPDATE TO YOUR EXISTING SHUTTLE INSTALLATION OR FOR THE FIRST TIME, PLEASE READ THIS DOCUMENT ALL THE WAY TO THE END AS IT PROVIDES ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS AS WELL AS INSTALLS/UPDATES YOUR PRODUCT CORRECTLY.
This will not take long to read and it should provide you with everything you need...
This package does NOT contain a sailplane glider or a quick knock-off of another aircraft. If you do not fly and land this aircraft based on NASA's specifications, you WILL most likely crash. The flight dynamics, mechanical/aeronautical engineering data designed into this aircraft closely match that of the real space shuttle and as such if you attempt to fly, calculate approach and land this aircraft like a sailplane or a dead stick Cessna, you may be rest assured it will come to an abrupt stop. Also, because of delicate structural design of the landing gear system, as compared to the enormous weight of the vehicle, the shuttle touches down at an amazing 9 feet per second drop rate. There is a higher tolerance for drop rate (18fps) however you must touchdown and drop the nose within the tolerances specified by NASA/Boeing (18fps) or the suspension system will critically fail in this simulation, as it would on the real shuttle. There is an option to install stronger landing gear in this package and revert back to the NASA specification at any time you wish.
Included in this package is a complete and detailed description of how the orbiter returns from space described by a NASA flight engineer. I have provided a translation of the NASA description in order to condense and simplify it for use in the simulation. I highly recommend you read the SHUTTLE_FLYING.txt file after installation and before attempting to fly this aircraft. Following those instructions is critical to manually acquire the correct runway glide scope path and successfully land the orbiter. There is a kneeboard reference for ALL the challenge flights AND tips on flying and landing the shuttle. If you wish to brief the details of a flight or review the landing process, press F-10 in the simulation and when the kneeboard appears, click the REFERENCE tab. Scroll down to the subject you wish to review.
********AS SUCH************
PLEASE DO NOT email me or post complaints about how this aircraft does not fly or land right....
You can be rest assured, it operates as it is designed to fly and land by NASA/Boeing with the tolerances that FS2X allows.
============================================================
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:
The original .mdl file (not textures) is by: Matthew Moxon (shutpack.zip)
The included original panel is by: Tom Kellner (shuttlepan.zip)
MANY THANKS to Matthew Moxon and Tom Kellner for their freeware contributions that made this combination freeware package/adventure possible. I claim no absolutely rights to their work.
The .air file and aircraft.cfg files were significantly modified by Nick Needham using NASA specifications to provide the correct (best simulated re-entry glide/landing for FS2X) flight dynamics for the orbiter using NASA's original engineering data for the real orbiters.
Shuttle Discovery repainted textures by Nick Needham
Minor .bmp visual modifications, eye-point, GPS programming corrections and addition of the landing gear drop handle to Tom's panel for use with FS2004 by Nick Needham
All Shuttle Landing and Bonus CrashBar FX by Nick Needham
Sound package put together from snippets I found here and there, which work well for this scenario
Adventures Designed by Nick Needham
*****************************************
Special thanks to NASA (JPL) for the mechanical/aeronautical engineering data and advice that allowed the FS2X simulated flight and landing dynamics of this aircraft to be fairly accurate and realistic.
*****************************************
GETTING STARTED:
Keep in mind that at 83,000ft the real shuttle is placed on auto-pilot all the way to touchdown. Although the pilot can remain in control up to the runway acquisition phase, the pilot of the real shuttle normally does nothing but monitor the entire approach and landing sequence and be ready to take over in case of a system failure. The crew normally does NOT land the space craft. They only drop the landing gear on command from ground control once the orbiter begins to level off at about 1700ft on approach to the runway. You will not have that advantage since FS2X airports do not provide the correct glide scope (10,000ft @ 6.9 nautical miles with a 17-22 degree attack angle - yes, you read that correctly) necessary to provide the nominal forward momentum and velocity to safely/correctly land the space shuttle.
This simulation provides an auto-pilot system in its panel however I would not recommend using it for approach and if you do use it, keep in mind the real shuttle (like the simulated version provided) has a nominal drop rate of 5-10,000fpm. It will quickly stall if you try to maintain a level wing for a period of time at lower altitudes (35,000 and under). If you happen to do a hard, flat-out stall, pitch-down recovery at less than 15,000ft will be difficult. Below 8,000ft it would not be likely due to the orbiter's delta wing hypersonic design adding in the average landing weight of 220-230,000lbs when returning from the space station. The included flight dynamics of the orbiter included with this package will properly react to atmospheric changes as it descends.
The shuttle is not nick-named the "FLYING BRICK" for nothing!!!!
In order to NOT make the simulation too difficult for beginners I set the landing weight of the orbiter to 215,000lbs over an even span of the entire orbiter. You can modify the aircraft.cfg file if you wish to reflect an empty weight of 172,000lbs and place weight in stations that would better reflect an uneven load that the shuttle would normally carry. This will make manual landing control even trickier and add more dynamics to the simulation as you get the hang of successfully landing the Space Shuttle Discovery.
PERSONAL AND NON-COMMERCIAL USE LIMITATION:
Unless otherwise specified in writing, the software provided herein is for your personal and non-commercial use. You may not modify, copy, distribute, transmit, display, perform, reproduce, publish, license, to create derivative works from in order to transfer and sell any information, software, products or services obtained from the use or review of this software package.
NO UNAUTHORIZED DUPLICATION, MODIFICATION OR REPACKAGING IS PERMITTED WITHOUT WRITTEN CONSENT AND/OR THE WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE AUTHOR(S) WHOS WORK IS INCLUDED AND DEFINED HEREIN AND HERETO. AS FREEWARE THIS GAUGE/EFFECT OR ANY OF THE INDIVIDUAL CONTENTS OF THE FILE(S) CANNOT BE REPRODUCED, IN PART OR WHOLE, FOR ANOTHER FREEWARE PACKAGE OR USED IN ANY PACKAGE THAT REQUIRES, SUGGESTS OR PERPETUATES A PURCHASE OR SALE OR ANY FORM OF COMPENSATION OR TRADE.
DISTRIBUTION
Only the websites and/or companies I have given expressed written consent to distribute this effects package are authorized to distribute it as FREEWARE. An authorized distributor falls under the same distribution guidelines as defined above. The end user is authorized to use this package strictly for personal use in conjunction with MS Flight Simulators. Proper acquisition of expressed written consent is required before reusing this package, in part, in whole or in any other fashion in order to avoid legal issues from unauthorized reproduction and distribution.
DISCLAIMER:
All Microsoft products and the effects code used in the custom designed effects/.cfg files contained herein are the property of Microsoft Corporation through the terms of the Flight Simulator End User License Agreement and are protected by registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries. No intent to defraud or illegally use the Microsoft trademark, its software, code, name or secure any income or compensation from the production of this effects package is expressed or implied with the creation of this effects package and supporting files. Any other company names, names of authors or their work displayed in this package are for reference only. Unless otherwise specified, no connection to them or their products is expressed or implied. The author of this software or the site it was downloaded from is not responsible for any damage that may result from its installation or use.
*************************** KNOWN ISSUES *******************************
The original model (.mdl file) is old and has some small visual anomalies which I could not correct. It is also shy of some texture calls that could have been a bit better detailed. I did the best I could in repainting this aircraft based on what I had to work with. I DID NOT MAKE THE MODEL OR THE PANEL
All in all I thought the visual rendering came out pretty good with the very simple base I had to work from on the model file.
I do not own FS2002 and can not test this package with it. I hope this package works with that version of Flight Simulator without issues.
Unzipping this downloaded NSCFE.zip to a location of your choice will produce the following files inside a: "Nicks Shuttle Challenge Final" folder:
a. BONUS_FX directory = A set of crash bar, crash FX that will add fire and brimstone to your flying mistakes (not needed to fly the shuttle)
b. CHALLENGE_FLIGHTS directory= The pre-set landing challenge adventure flights for FS2004 (I do not know if they will work for FS2002)
c. CREDITS directory = The original readme files from the original authors of the shuttle model (.mdl file) and panel I modified.
d. IMAGES directory = Includes pictures of the shuttle in action
e. INSTALL NSC_FINAL directory= Contains all the sub directories and files to install Nicks Shuttle Landing Challenge Final Edition
f. FILE_ID.DIZ = A synopsis of this product
g. README_FIRST!.txt = This instruction file and tutorial
h. RealismSettings.jpg = Settings that you should enable/disable in the sim
i. screenshot.jpg or screenshot.gif = Introduction Images
j. SHUTTLE_FLYING.txt = A full description of how to fly and land the shuttle. Some of the information in that file will also be available on the kneeboard (F-10) under the reference tab in the simulator during flight.
k. QUESTIONS_ANSWERS.txt = Answers to questions I have received in email about my shuttle package. Please review this document as it may answer questions you may have about this package.
The files in the directory: INSTALL NSC_FINAL will install all the needed effects files, gauges, panel and aircraft to their proper locations.
1.
Open the directory:
INSTALL NSC_FINAL
You will see 3 sub directories:
INSTALL_FIRST
INSTALL_SECOND
STRONGER_GEAR
2.
Open the INSTALL_FIRST directory and follow the instructions from the provided README, located in the INSTALL_FIRST directory. The README and subsequent readme(s) will direct you to the next step(s) in the installation process. Read and follow the instructions CAREFULLY.
3.
Once you have completed the installations from the directories:
INSTALL_FIRST
and
INSTALL_SECOND
and if you desire: (your option, not necessary to install)
STRONGER_GEAR
Next, INSTALL THE CHALLENGE ADVENTURE FLIGHTS:
a.
COPY ALL of the files that are inside the directory CHALLENGE_FLIGHTS
b.
Browse to: My Documents\Flight Simulator Files <----------Open this folder
c.
PASTE ALL of the files INSIDE the folder you opened above on your hard drive: Flight Simulator Files
You will now find all the flights on the list in the sim under the category: MY SAVED FLIGHTS.
ALTERNATELY you can activate any flight by simply double clicking any flight file (with a .FLT extension) inside youre: My Documents\Flight Simulator Files folder.
CAUTION! CAUTION! CAUTION! READ THIS:
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
VERY IMPORTANT:
VIEW THE FILE: RealismSettings.jpg PROVIDED IN THIS PACKAGE AND MAKE SURE **UNLIMITED FUEL** AND **ENABLE AUTOMIXTURE** ARE UNCHECKED IN THE REALISM SIM SETTINGS!!!
VERY IMPORTANT:
When the shuttle starts for the first time you will see an error message. I corrected the problem but the message will still appear the first time the shuttle is run in the sim.
MAKE SURE YOU SELECT **NO** to NOT DISABLE and ALLOW ALL functions. The error is caused by the landing gear in the old model file (.mdl file) and it WILL NOT cause FS2004 or FS2002 to become unstable. If you do not select "NO" the landing gear will not be visible and other features will not be available.
Should you make a mistake and select YES to the error message and disable functions, close the sim and edit the fs9.cfg file as described below:
******Make sure "hidden files and folders" is disabled in Windows!!!********
Open the FS9.cfg file in notepad. It is usually located:
C:\Documents and Settings\(ACCOUNT NAME)\Application Data\Microsoft\FS9\FS9.cfg
1. Scroll down and look for a section called [FrameCallNoWarn]
2. Find "shuttle" on the list, and change the "0" to a "1". Save the file, and load up FS9.
You should now see the landing gear and other features will function without any errors.
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
4.
BONUS CRASH EFFECTS INSTALLATION (Alternate and not necessary to fly the shuttle)
For ease of installation I the provided the following files in the BONUS_FX folder of this package:
FS2004CRASHFX.exe -and- FS2002CRASHFX.exe.
a.
Simply double click the .exe file for your version of Flight Simulator and a WinZip box will appear that will automatically install the needed files to the proper directories inside of the Flight Simulator locations as shown below:
For FS9 (FS2004) Users:
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Flight Simulator 9
For FS2002 users:
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\FS2002
b.
When the Winzip window appears click "unzip" and allow the contents to extract directly into the directories. If your version of Flight Simulator is located other than where I have indicated above you MUST browse it manually to the correct location. MAKE SURE there is a check in the box "OVERWRITE FILES WITHOUT PROMPTING"
c.
Confirm Flight Simulator is set to detect crashes and damage in the REALISM settings area of the sim. (see the RealismSettings.jpg file located in this package for details)
NOTE:
If you do not like the CRASH BAR crash effects I provided in this BONUS, you may use one of the Winzip .exe files in the RESTORE folder inside the BONUS_FX directory to revert back to the original Flight Simulator crash effects files
You are ALMOST ready to fly!..
Please review the: panel_ID.jpg file located inside the "INSTALL NSC_FINAL\INSTALL_SECOND" folder. This image will get you acquainted with the panel. It is Tom's original panel location file and there have been minor changes made by me.
Please review the: SHUTTLE_FLYING.txt file for preflight\flight instructions on how to properly fly the shuttle in the simulation. Much of the same information is available on the kneeboard under the reference tab during flight.
Please review the: QUESTIONS_ANSWERS.txt file as it will probably answer a question you may have about this package
NOW THE FUN BEGINS:
***********************************************************************
THE EDWARDS AFB AND KENNEDY SPACE CENTER: FLIGHT SIMULATION SYNOPSIS:
The space shuttle is returning from orbit and has just completed its transition through 100,000 feet. You are between 80-110 nautical miles from touchdown. Your speed is Mach 3.5 and decelerating quickly as you pass 80,000 feet. Ground control has reported the TAEM guidance auto-landing navigation system and its backup systems have crashed. A critical failure has occurred and there is no time to repair and reboot the ground system before the shuttle will reach the runway glide scope acquisition point. You will have to manually navigate, locate the airfield, pilot and land the space shuttle.
THE ADVENTURE PACK: FLIGHT SIMULATION SYNOPSIS:
During the de-orbit re-entry burn there was malfunction. The orbiter started to skip across the atmosphere during re-entry and at one point the spacecraft started to nose toward deep space. You managed to get control of the spacecraft and stabilize the re-entry flight path. Your crew is OK but a bit shaken up from the ride and in the process of re-gaining control, the shuttle has re-entered so far off course it will be impossible to follow standard procedures and land at the programmed site. Since the shuttle is a glider and you have no way to correct the re-entry position. You will now have to deal with landing the shuttle at a location that is not designed for the purpose. There may be weather and air traffic problems which you have to navigate and overcome.
NASA, your crew and the entire world is counting on you to get the shuttle down on the ground safely. The safety of your crew is your primary concern and you may have to sacrifice the shuttle to save them. NASA agrees that the safety of the crew comes first but also wants the shuttle back in one piece and not water ditched,... if possible.
CAN YOU DO IT???
REMEMBER:
There is a kneeboard reference for ALL the challenge flights AND tips on flying and landing the shuttle. If you wish to brief the details of a flight or review the landing process, press F-10 in the simulation and when the kneeboard appears, click the REFERENCE tab. Scroll down to the subject you wish to review.
