Launchpad Configuration Options

The global configuration options of Project Apollo - NASSP like the mesh resolution or the joystick configuration can be changed by using the Project Apollo Launchpad Configurator. In order to open the configurator, start Orbiter, switch to the Extra tab of the Orbiter launchpad, double-click Vessel configuration and then double-click Project Apollo Configuration.

The following options are available at the moment:

Visuals

Mesh resolution

Setting to "Low resolution" will switch to low resolution Saturn 1b and Saturn V meshes. This can substantially increase frame-rates on slow machines.

CSM main panel

The CSM 2D cockpit features fully functional control panels. Especially the CSM main panel is very large, which can cause frame rate problems with some graphic adapters. To address this problem or if you just want to have a split main panel instead of scrolling a huge single panel, switch to "Multiple, spit panels".

CSM G&N Lower Equipment Bay panel

The lower equipment bay panel has evolved to be larger over the course of development. This option allows you to split the lower bay panel into three slightly overlapping lower panels. The Optics, MFDs, and DSKY will remain in the center panel.

FDAI

The FDAI is a kind of "artificial horizon", which is implemented by using the OpenGL interface. That can cause problems or even crashes with some graphic adapters. To completely disable the FDAIs in this case, check the "Disabled" check box.

To maintain a proper frame rate even with slower graphic adapters the FDAIs are redrawn very carefully. If you have a powerful graphic adapter you can switch to "smooth scrolling", then the FDAIs are updated every timestep, which should provide a smoother scrolling.

Controls

Joysticks

The historic Apollo spacecraft had two "joysticks", the RHC and the THC, to allow simultaneous control of the vessel's rotational and translational manoevers. Because Orbiter only allow one joystick, Project Apollo - NASSP has it's own joystick configuration and allows the use of two joysticks simultaneously.

Attention

Orbiter's joystick control must be <Disabled> in order to use the Project Apollo - NASSP joystick control.

RHC configuration

Check "RHC enabled" and enter a joystick ID to activate a joystick as Rotation Hand Controller. Joystick IDs start with 0, so if there's only one joystick the ID is 0.

If only one joystick is enabled as RHC, this joystick is used either as RHC or as THC depending on Orbiter's attitude control mode, ROT or LIN. Additionally to the usual Orbiter controls to change the attitude control mode a joystick button can be configured for that, too. Check "RHC/THC toggle button" and enter a button ID to active a joystick button as RHC/THC toggle. Joystick button IDs start with 0.

THC configuration

In order to configure a second joystick as Translation Hand Controller, check "THC enabled" and enter a joystick ID. Joystick IDs start with 0. Computer joystick axes don't match the axes of the real THC, see the THC article on how to use the joystick as THC.

Orbiter's attitude control

There are two ways to control the RCS thrusters, the way explained above by using the RHC or THC controlling the PGNCS or SCS, or by using Orbiter's thruster control. With this setting disabled, which is the default setting, Orbiter controls the RCS thrusters directly in a unrealistic way, no electricity is needed, the thrusters are throttable and there are these navmodes (killrot etc.).

If you don't have a joystick or just want to use your normal Orbiter configuration in order to use the RHC/THC, Orbiter's attitude control can be disabled and the Orbiter controls (keyboard, joystick etc. as you have configured it) are used as input for either as RHC or as THC depending on Orbiter's attitude control mode, ROT or LIN.