Space Shuttle

You are about to fly the world's most sophisticated flight vehicle .... THE SPACE SHUTTLE! However like most worthwhile things, it is not easy. There is much that you need to learn before you make your first completely successful flight (launch to landing).

Introduction

This flight manual was written to help YOU learn about the many requirements of a successful mission so you can earn your "WINGS" as soon as possible!

Mission Plan

Your PLAN is as follows. LAUNCH yourself successfully into orbit. FETCH a malfunctioning satellite by first PARKing next to it and then retrieving the device with your remote control ARM. After the satellite is safely stored, close the bay doors, fire retros and begin re-ENTRY. Fly into a final-approach window and perform a mock landing-flare. Then start your FINAL approach to the runway resulting in a safe LAN Ding, DEBRIEF your mission afterwards to find your successful phases of flight, and your mission score compared to the high score.

Mission Phases

The CAPITALIZED words in the above paragraph were used to emphasize the various parts of the simulation, which is divided into three distinct phases (LAUNCH, FETCH, LAND). The phase FETCH and LAND each have two subphases namely, PARK and ARM and ENTRY and FINAL, respectively. So then, there are actually five phases and sub-phases.

When you see these KEY WORDS on your instrument panel and in this flight manual, they will refer to one of these five portions of the simulation. The LAUNCH phase gets you into orbit. The FETCH phase is your chase and retrieval of the satellite (sub-phases PARK and ARM). After closing the bay doors and firing your retros you move into the ENTRY sub-phase of LAND which is your descent from orbit to a final approach window. Here you perform a mock-landing flare in preparation for your final approach. In the FINAL subphase of LAND you will control the shuttle's altitude, range to runway, drift, velocity, and pitch and roll attitudes. Hopefully all this control freedom will result in a safe landing and a complete mission.

Aborts

All phases and sub-phases have success criteria (to be discussed later) and ABORT criteria or time limits. If an ABORT occurs, a falling tone and a flashing screen will tell you which phase you just muffed and will automatically "auto-pilot" you into the next phase. You will receive no score, however.

Control Tips

Control inputs are ALWAYS noted by falling tone. In some phases, a graphic square is also used. The joystick has a substantial "dead-band" centre so that the stick's position is not critical. The control is that of RATE. That is to say that when the stick is moved past the dead-band limit of flight condition is changed at the update rate of the simulator. This changing will not stop until the stick is re-centred. Since your joysticks have no self-centering springs, you will have to remember to centre it yourself. If in doubt or confused ... CENTRE THE STICK! Then try again.

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Tape: CHAIN"" (RETURN)
Disc: SHIFT-BREAK