Cross sections will be forthcoming, the project is actually more software than a specific vehicle design. You specify the vehicle exterior shape, calculate Newtonian aerodynamics, EDL trajectories, etc. It's meant to be easy for anyone to use. (E.g. A five year old mashing buttons will still result in a functioning spacecraft) You get to choose engine and landing gear configurations, place tanks and habitable volumes, reactors or solar panels, structures, heat shields, etc. All of which effect the center of gravity and trajectories. The core game mechanic is design and analysis rather than real time flying, with crowd sourced subsystems.
Here's my concept "Space Shuttle 2.0" - 10m x 30m - same basic EDL as DRM5, ~100 tons at Mars Entry. The idea is to get a Mars mission (or moon, or asteroid) out of a single SLS launch with in orbit rendezvous of commercially delivered fuel in drop tanks, which makes for a good low cost payload for RLVs, optimized and program survivability rather than IMLEO. The concept artist (Stanley Von Medvey) sketched it launching on FX Heavy though as he's a SpaceX fan. Also shown is an inflatable habitat that could be left in Mars orbit before EDL. At the core of the vehicle is an elevator that doubles as a drilling rig for water for methane ISRU. The legs double as control surfaces similar to hypersonic test vehicles.
And does the artist do commission work? Randy
Quote from: TaylorR137 on 12/17/2013 07:07 amCross sections will be forthcoming, the project is actually more software than a specific vehicle design. You specify the vehicle exterior shape, calculate Newtonian aerodynamics, EDL trajectories, etc. It's meant to be easy for anyone to use. (E.g. A five year old mashing buttons will still result in a functioning spacecraft) You get to choose engine and landing gear configurations, place tanks and habitable volumes, reactors or solar panels, structures, heat shields, etc. All of which effect the center of gravity and trajectories. The core game mechanic is design and analysis rather than real time flying, with crowd sourced subsystems.So, Where can I get a copy of this software?Jason
Here's another piece of concept art, something halfway between Space Shuttle 2.0 and Hydra
Quote from: TaylorR137 on 12/17/2013 09:23 pmHere's another piece of concept art, something halfway between Space Shuttle 2.0 and HydraThat is very cool... The smaller size of this concept looks similar to stretched a F9/FH payload fairing, with similar "legs" as the concept on the earlier stage.
Quote from: RanulfC on 12/17/2013 01:17 pmAnd does the artist do commission work? RandyHe does indeed. http://www.stanleyvonmedvey.comQuote from: JasonAW3 on 12/17/2013 08:22 pmQuote from: TaylorR137 on 12/17/2013 07:07 amCross sections will be forthcoming, the project is actually more software than a specific vehicle design. You specify the vehicle exterior shape, calculate Newtonian aerodynamics, EDL trajectories, etc. It's meant to be easy for anyone to use. (E.g. A five year old mashing buttons will still result in a functioning spacecraft) You get to choose engine and landing gear configurations, place tanks and habitable volumes, reactors or solar panels, structures, heat shields, etc. All of which effect the center of gravity and trajectories. The core game mechanic is design and analysis rather than real time flying, with crowd sourced subsystems.So, Where can I get a copy of this software?JasonIt's not out yet, I'm working on getting the demo functioning then launching a crowdfunding campaign. The software will be free. I'm funding the endeavor by selling custom 3d prints of designs. Hopefully a few of those will end up in wind tunnels!
I've got a few designs I want to test out, including a blended wing in body lifting body hybrid I want to test out.Does it handle wind tunnel testing?Jason
Aim your orbital mirrors at relatively unstable solid carbon dioxide in the area you intend to land; immediately before your land there. Transient localized increase in atmospheric pressure will increase drag and downmass. Feel free to take that one @boredelonmusk!