Skylab Fleet V4.8 for Orbiter 2010
Back in 2004, Manuel Amorim (“McDope”), one of the original add-on providers for Orbiter, released a package for use with Orbiter 031217. This package was for simulations of the Skylab program from 1973. While better meshes and models are available today, these models provide excellent frame rates and are still useful for simulations of past missions using historically accurate state vectors. I decided to update these models for use with Orbiter 2010 since the originals no longer work under the new Orbiter. Additionally, these models will provide for alternate history simulations with the Shuttle Fleet V4.8. I have added the UMMu capability to the Apollo, Skylab, and a docking module that will allow for shuttle missions and have created attachments for navigation / rendezvous and spot lights using historical documentation of the location of these lights. Finally, I have created the necessary docking port to allow for the attachment of the CMG V2.0 by “poscik” and the CMGmesh V1.0 by “c3po” for attitude control. Using the state vectors, I have provided historically accurate launch scenarios and undocking scenarios for use. One of the motion pictures that helped foster my love of spaceflight in my youth was the classic “Marooned” from 1969. Before there even was a Skylab, the crew of Ironman One spent months in an orbiting laboratory. In the movie, a Saturn V launched the lab, but I have created a “wet” workshop that can be launched by the Saturn-IB for this addon just for fun. Upon docking, switch to the workshop and deploy the solar arrays using “CTRL+K”. This workshop can also accommodate the CMG add-on for attitude control. I hope you enjoy these “legacy” add-ons from the past of Orbiter as well as the enhancements I have created for them.
