Saturn V Rollout checklist: Difference between revisions

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Project Apollo - NASSP simulates not only the Apollo flights but also the '''rollout''' of the Saturn V launch vehicle to the launch pad. The Saturn 1b or other launch vehicles aren't supported yet. To do a realistic rollout without sinking into the launch pads we use Artlav's great Meshland plugin, which provides collision detection with surface base meshes.
[[Image:Saturn_V_rollout.jpg|thumb|right|Rollout of the Saturn V.]]
 
Project Apollo - NASSP simulates not only the Apollo flights but also the '''rollout''' of the Saturn V launch vehicle to the launch pad. The rollout of the Saturn 1B or other launch vehicles isn't supported yet. To do a realistic rollout without sinking into the launch pads Artlav's great Meshland plugin is used, which provides collision detection with surface base meshes.


== The Crawler Transporter ==
== The Crawler Transporter ==


The '''[[w:Crawler-transporter|Crawler Transporter (CT)]]''' is the most important vessel during rollout and prelaunch. It's used to move the Saturn on the Mobile Launcher (ML) from the VAB to the launch pad (and back, if necessary). The Crawler Transporter is also used to move the Mobile Service Structure (MSS) from it's parking position to the pad and back.
The '''[[w:Crawler-transporter|Crawler Transporter (CT)]]''' is the most important vessel during rollout and prelaunch. It's used to move the Saturn on the Mobile Launcher (ML) from the VAB to the launch pad (and back, if necessary). The Crawler Transporter is also used to move the Mobile Service Structure (MSS) from it's parking position to the pad and back. The Crawler Transporter is controlled by the following keys:
 
The Crawler Transporter is controlled by the following keys:


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
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! Usage
! Usage
|-
|-
| <NUMPAD> 8
| <NUMPAD> +
| Accelerate
| Accelerate forward (stops when velocity is zero)
|-
|-
| <NUMPAD> 5
| <NUMPAD> -
| Brake
| Accelerate backward (stops when velocity is zero)
|-
|-
| <NUMPAD> 4
| <NUMPAD> 1
| Turn left
| Turn left
|-
|-
| <NUMPAD> 6
| <NUMPAD> 3
| Turn right
| Turn right
|-
| <NUMPAD> 5 or <NUMPAD> 2
| Center the steering
|-
|-
| colspan="2" | &nbsp;
| colspan="2" | &nbsp;
|-
|-
| <NUMPAD> 2
| J
| Change driving direction (only when stopped)
| Attach/detach ML or MSS (only when stopped)
|-
| <NUMPAD> 7
| Open/close VAB high bay door 1
|-
| <NUMPAD> 8
| Open/close VAB high bay door 3
|}
 
[[Image:Crawler_driver_cabin.jpg|thumb|right|The driver's cabin of the Crawler Transporter.]]
 
While in internal cockpit view you can switch between different camera positions with the following keys (main keypad, not numpad). The velocity and driving direction of the Crawler Transporter can only be changed while using the front or rear driver's cabin. For both driver's cabins the speed display shows the current velocity of the crawler im mph and the steering wheel shows the current steering angle.
 
{| class="wikitable"
! Key
! Usage
|-
| 1
| Front driver's cabin view
|-
| 2
| Rear driver's cabin view
|-
| 3
| On the ML (when attached)
|-
| 4
| Ground view
|-
| 5
| Front gangway view
|-
| 6
| Rear gangway view
|-
|-
| <NUMPAD> 1
| 7
| Attach/detach ML or MSS (only when stopped)
| Right-rear gangway view
|}
|}


== Rollout ==
== Rollout ==


Of course you can do the rollout after you assembled the Saturn completely, but you can also start with the rollout directly. To do that please start the '''"Rollout" scenario''' of your current mission, if available. The scenario starts one day before launch, the crawler is parking in front of the VAB with the Saturn on the ML inside.
Of course you can do the rollout after you assembled the Saturn completely, but you can also start with the rollout directly. To do that please start the '''"Apollo 11 - Rollout"''' scenario in the "Project Apollo - NASSP\Apollo - Historical Missions\Apollo 11" folder. The scenario starts one day before launch, the crawler is parking in front of the VAB with the Saturn on the ML inside.


* Open the VAB high bay door by pressing "1" on the normal part of the kexboard (not numpad). It takes a few minutes until the door is fully open.
* Open the VAB high bay door by pressing "<NUMPAD> 7". It takes a few minutes until the door is fully open.


* Then you have to change the driving direction of the Crawler Transporter, then move the CT under the ML, stop and attach the ML. You can attach the ML when you are close enough and stopped.
* Press "2" to change to the rear driver cabin of the Crawler Transporter while in internal cockpit view, then drive the CT under the ML, stop and attach the ML by pressing "J". You can attach the ML when you are close enough and stopped.


* Now again change driving direction and drive to the pad. Since the CT is quite slow especially with the ML attached, so use time acceleration if you don't want to wait.
* Now press "1" to change to the front driver cabin of the Crawler Transporter while in internal cockpit view and drive to the pad. Since the CT is quite slow especially with the ML attached, use time acceleration if you don't want to wait.


* If you're close enough to the launch pad and stopped you can detach the ML, the Saturn is now in launch position. You can reattach the ML with the Saturn until 3 hours before launch, after that's the Saturn is fuelled (you'll notice the fuel vents) and cannot be moved any more.
* If you're close enough to the launch pad and stopped you can detach the ML by pressing "J" again, the Saturn V is now in launch position. You can reattach the ML with the Saturn until 3 hours before launch, after that's the Saturn is fuelled (you'll notice the fuel vents) and cannot be moved any more.


== The Mobile Service Structure ==
== The Mobile Service Structure ==

Latest revision as of 20:16, 12 May 2007

Rollout of the Saturn V.

Project Apollo - NASSP simulates not only the Apollo flights but also the rollout of the Saturn V launch vehicle to the launch pad. The rollout of the Saturn 1B or other launch vehicles isn't supported yet. To do a realistic rollout without sinking into the launch pads Artlav's great Meshland plugin is used, which provides collision detection with surface base meshes.

The Crawler Transporter

The Crawler Transporter (CT) is the most important vessel during rollout and prelaunch. It's used to move the Saturn on the Mobile Launcher (ML) from the VAB to the launch pad (and back, if necessary). The Crawler Transporter is also used to move the Mobile Service Structure (MSS) from it's parking position to the pad and back. The Crawler Transporter is controlled by the following keys:

Key Usage
<NUMPAD> + Accelerate forward (stops when velocity is zero)
<NUMPAD> - Accelerate backward (stops when velocity is zero)
<NUMPAD> 1 Turn left
<NUMPAD> 3 Turn right
<NUMPAD> 5 or <NUMPAD> 2 Center the steering
 
J Attach/detach ML or MSS (only when stopped)
<NUMPAD> 7 Open/close VAB high bay door 1
<NUMPAD> 8 Open/close VAB high bay door 3
The driver's cabin of the Crawler Transporter.

While in internal cockpit view you can switch between different camera positions with the following keys (main keypad, not numpad). The velocity and driving direction of the Crawler Transporter can only be changed while using the front or rear driver's cabin. For both driver's cabins the speed display shows the current velocity of the crawler im mph and the steering wheel shows the current steering angle.

Key Usage
1 Front driver's cabin view
2 Rear driver's cabin view
3 On the ML (when attached)
4 Ground view
5 Front gangway view
6 Rear gangway view
7 Right-rear gangway view

Rollout

Of course you can do the rollout after you assembled the Saturn completely, but you can also start with the rollout directly. To do that please start the "Apollo 11 - Rollout" scenario in the "Project Apollo - NASSP\Apollo - Historical Missions\Apollo 11" folder. The scenario starts one day before launch, the crawler is parking in front of the VAB with the Saturn on the ML inside.

  • Open the VAB high bay door by pressing "<NUMPAD> 7". It takes a few minutes until the door is fully open.
  • Press "2" to change to the rear driver cabin of the Crawler Transporter while in internal cockpit view, then drive the CT under the ML, stop and attach the ML by pressing "J". You can attach the ML when you are close enough and stopped.
  • Now press "1" to change to the front driver cabin of the Crawler Transporter while in internal cockpit view and drive to the pad. Since the CT is quite slow especially with the ML attached, use time acceleration if you don't want to wait.
  • If you're close enough to the launch pad and stopped you can detach the ML by pressing "J" again, the Saturn V is now in launch position. You can reattach the ML with the Saturn until 3 hours before launch, after that's the Saturn is fuelled (you'll notice the fuel vents) and cannot be moved any more.

The Mobile Service Structure

The MSS is approaching the Saturn V on pad.

After the rollout the Mobile Service Structure (MSS) was moved to the pad for final works on the Saturn and moved back to parking position before launch. In Project Apollo - NASSP it's not necessary for the launch to use the MSS, but if you want to do it like the real thing, you'll hopefully like it.

  • Drive the Crawler Transporter back to the MSS parking position, then move the CT under the MSS, stop and attach the MSS. You can attach the MSS when you are close enough and stopped.
  • Now again change driving direction and drive to the pad. Since the CT is quite slow especially with the MSS attached, so use time acceleration if you don't want to wait.
  • If you're close enough to the launch pad and stopped you can detach the MSS. Now you can drive the crawler back to parking position. But before launch you should come back, attach the MSS when you're close enough and stopped and move the MSS back to parking position.

Prelaunch and Liftoff

The automatic prelaunch sequence of the ML and the LUT (Launch Umbilical Tower) starts 3 hours before launch with moving the Hammerhead Crane to launch position.

  • At T-43min (that means 43 min before launch) the Crew Access Arm is moved to park position.
  • At T-5min the Crew Access Arm is fully retracted.
  • At T-30s the S-IC Intertank Arm is retracted.
  • At T-16.2s the S-IC Forward Arm is retracted.
  • At T-0s the remaining swingarms and the service masts are retracted, LIFTOFF!