Space Shuttle Mission 2007 Ground Crew Corner

Space Shuttle Final Flight

2011-07-21T08:51:00.004+01:00

Atlantis will be landing soon, bringing the STS program to an end. After this historical final landing, the US will lose the capability of launching Astronauts in Space, until one or more of the commercial alternatives will be ready with a platform which NASA can use. The foreseen gap is about 5 years. Meanwhile NASA will concentrate on building the next major stepping stone for inter-planetary flight by creating the capability for humans to reach Asteroids and Mars.

2011-07-12T07:26:00.001+01:00

To of the main SSMS2 features have been revealed:

1. New scenery engine: featuring new, high resolution Earth, high resolution clouds and launch/landing sites details.

2. New 3D MCC: Now you can watch the mission from the FDO, GC, FD, etc. positions.
More features will be published in the near future.

2011-03-28T11:11:00.000+01:00

New Alpha of the upcoming "Space Shuttle Mission Simulator 2" has been released today to the Alpha team.

SSMS2 Limited Edition Embroidered Patch

2010-12-20T08:28:00.003Z

We are pleased to announce that Mr. Tim Gagnon, the artist who has designed many NASA patches and also the patch for our next generation simulator, has agreed to make available a small, limited and signed run of the SSMS2 patch.

This limited, artist-signed run is available for purchase until December 31st, 2010 and after that, only when SSMS2 is released.
The embroidered patch comes with the artist-signed and numbered Certificate of Authenticity, and is of the same quality as the real NASA missions patches. The patch can be sewn or heat-applied.

In order to take advantage of this advance-availability unique opportunity, please visit Tim's website and place an order.

http://sites.google.com/site/kscartist/store

Sneak peeks at the Space Shuttle Mission Simulator 2 Alpha

2010-12-08T22:55:00.002Z

Check this link for more sneak peeks at the Space Shuttle Mission Simulator 2 Alpha: http://tinyurl.com/399yxja

Stay tuned for more to come.

Space Shuttle Mission Simulator 2 announced at the NASA I/ITSEC 2010 booth

2010-12-08T22:45:00.004Z

The next version of the Space Shuttle Mission Simulator(tm) has been revealed at the I/ITSEC 2010 show, at the NASA STEM booth on December 1st, at 09:00 EST.

The official name of the next version is

Space Shuttle Mission Simulator 2

...the legacy continues...

Among the main features listed during the announcement:

• New Earth engine: high resolution, photo-real Earth. 16 times higher than in current version.

• High resolution clouds

• High resolution Earth at night.

• ISS interior: seamlessly "float" between the docked Shuttle and the ISS, and inside the ISS.

• More, exciting and surprising missions

• More “to do” in space

• Fully interactive 3D cockpit

• More detailed GPC and gauges functionality

• Graphical enhancements and much more

Present at the show was Mr. Tim Gagnon of Titusville, Florida, who is a graphic and portrait artist with a life-long passion for Space Exploration and who has been designing patches for many STS missions and ISS expeditions - including for the upcoming STS-133. He also created the Space Shuttle Mission Simulator 2 (AKA SSMS2) patch.

His work is on display at the Kennedy Space Center, City Hall in Elmira, NY and the International Space Station.

In Tim's own words, the SSMS2 patch design has many facets:

"The focus of this design is the Space Shuttle on orbit. The Sun is about to set and we see the ISS and MIR in the background. In the sky the constellation Aquila (the Eagle) shines brightly. Its seven stars represent a typical seven member crew – but especially those lost on missions STS-51-L and STS-107.Across the bottom of the border are six stars. One is blue representing Enterprise as it never left the atmosphere. The two gold stars represent the lost Shuttles, Challenger and Columbia. The three white stars are for Discovery, Atlantis and Endeavour still in service."

And we add: "the setting Sun represents the conclusion of the STS program, while the Shuttle shooting for the stars, leaving a red-white American flag colors track, points to KSC - the launching stage for all STS missions."

The ETA for SSMS2 is Q3/Q4, 2010. The current version of the Space Shuttle Mission Simulator™ is available as a CD box at PC games and computing retailers across North America and Europe, and for online purchase in downloadable format at the SSMS official website: http://www.space-shuttle-mission.com/. The latest Demo can also be downloaded freely at the same website. Please check the “About” page and the downloadable manuals for more information about the simulator’s capabilities and scope.

SSMS at the NASA booth, I/ITSEC 2010

2010-11-27T17:49:00.003Z

We are happy to announce that you will be able to visit us at the NASA booth (#585) at I/ITSEC – the biggest serious simulation show in the world http://www.iitsec.org/

We shall be there, presenting SSMS:TCE and answering questions about the sim, what makes it tick, current plans and its future roadmap.

During the show, on Wednesday, December 1st, we shall be revealing the official name of the next generation of our Space Shuttle Mission Simulator, its official badge and planned major features set. We shall also be revealing some sneak peeks at the current Alpha, including a short live demonstration showing off some of the features. This will be the first public appearance of the next version.We hope to see as many of you this December, in Orlando, FL at I/ITSEC 2010, at the NASA booth.

The "Space Shuttle Mission Simulator: The Collector's Edition" is available at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

2010-07-02T06:42:00.005+01:00

We are happy to announce that the "Space Shuttle Mission Simulator: The Collector's Edition"(tm) is now available at the NASA Kennedy Space Center Visitor's Complex, as part of the new Space Shuttle section of the Gift Shop.

Orlando vacations aren't complete without a trip to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Just east of the most popular Orlando attractions and theme parks, NASA's launch headquarters is the only place on Earth where you can tour launch areas, meet a veteran astronaut, see giant rockets, train in spaceflight simulators, and even view a launch.

The "Space Shuttle Mission Simulator: The Collector's Edition" (tm) is the most realistic and exciting Space Shuttle simulator available today on Windows PC, and it is designed to provide the full experience and excitement of the NASA Space Shuttle missions in incredible detail.

STS Quiz: there are 2 x SSMS and 10 x F-SIM Shuttle for iPhone to be won!

2010-05-26T15:20:00.005+01:00

Space Shuttle Atlantis has just finished her last day in space with a picture perfect landing at the Kennedy Space Center. We are taking the opportunity to celebrate 25 years and 32 successful missions with a quiz about Atlantis and STS in general, and very cool prizes to win: Exciting Simulations is giving away two licenses of the Space Shuttle Mission Simulator for Windows PC, and F-SIM is giving away 10 free licenses of their Space Shuttle for iPhone!

The questions are:

Which was the first Space Shuttle to dock with a Space Station?
Which Shuttle flew the first DoD mission?
Which Space Shuttle was delivered to Kennedy Space Center on April 9, 1985?
How many DoD missions did Atlantis fly?
Which runways are available for landing in F-SIM Space Shuttle?
How many missions are currently simulated in the Space Shuttle Mission Simulator for PC?

In order to participate, you must join the SSMS and F-SIM forums and send your answers as a PM to the Admins.

Enjoy!

Article about our Space Shuttle Mission Sim just published

2010-05-18T08:54:00.003+01:00

For our German-speaking friends, here is an article about our Space Shuttle Mission Simulator that was just published in the Austrian Space Forum newsletter.

Check the link and click on the newsletter picture near the blue newsletter box. The online reading experience of the newsletter is cool by itself, so give it a try even if you don't speak German.

The article is on page 9 of the newsletter. http://www.oewf.org/cms/index.phtml

Space Shuttle Mission Simulator™ New Demo Released

2010-05-10T18:54:00.003+01:00

Exciting Simulations has released today a new free demo for the Space Shuttle Mission Simulator™.

As before, the demo contains only the STS-1 mission without any limitations, but now it also includes all the cool performance, optimization, graphics and functional improvements added to the simulator ever since it has been released.

The demo now better reflects the current status of the sim. Many of the improvements are evident in the full version of the Space Shuttle Mission Simulator which also includes the full missions set. Among the more popular missions in the full version the most notable are STS-124, STS-125 and STS-130 made famous by its unique cargo – the Cupola module which literally opens new windows on the International Space Station.

The demo also includes the latest Quick Start and Commander’s Reference manuals.

The Space Shuttle Mission Simulator™ is available for online purchase in downloadable format at the SSMS official website: www.space-shuttle-mission.com. The latest Demo can also be downloaded freely at the same website.

Shuttle Night landing at KSC SSMS screenshot

2010-05-03T14:34:00.006+01:00

A screenshot of a Shuttle Night landing at KSC in the Space Shuttle Mission Simulator (SSMS) for Windows PCs: we thought you'd like to see the latest visuals so here is a small example.

Click on the image to see the full-resolution version.

New, free Features Pack v5.30 released for the Space Shuttle Mission Simulator

2010-04-19T10:23:00.002+01:00

We have released today the new, free Features Pack v5.30 for the Space Shuttle Mission 2007. This update supersedes and totally replaces Mission Pack 5.25 and it includes:

Improved and realistic night landing runway and guidance lights - bringing SSMS to the latest runway lighting status
The usual minor changes and fixes

Exciting Simulations donating licenses to education

2010-04-14T20:38:00.002+01:00

Hot off Facebook:

"In an effort to bringing Space Exploration closer to everybody, we have decided to DONATE up to 50 licenses of the Space Shuttle Mission Simulator to any not-for-profit, official/accredited US-based educational institution, preferably aimed at 12 y/o and up, and with a science or space-related program.

If you are an official rep of such an institution, please contact us privately on FB and we'll discuss the details. Please verify that your PC lab meets or exceeds the requirements to run the sim. If one school/lab does not need 50 licenses, we'll pass the reminder to the next in line and so on. The hardwaref/software requirements can be examined at www.space-shuttle-mission.com at the bottom of the "ABOUT" page. If this step is successful, we may look into repeating it in other countries."

We can be contacted also directly via "info at space-shuttle-mission dot com"

Space Shuttle Mission Simulator “special edition" boxed version

2010-04-12T11:17:00.005+01:00

Marking the 29th Anniversary of the Space Shuttle launch on April 12, 1981, Exciting Simulations ™ is proud to announce that it has reached agreements with Iceberg Interactive BV and PMDG Simulations LLC for publishing on CD and distributing the award-winning Space Shuttle Mission Simulator in Europe and North America, respectively. Exciting Simulations™ will be continuing the distribution of the downloadable version in English. The special edition boxed versions will include all the missions and features that have been developed for the Space Shuttle Mission Simulator, and will bear the name “Space Shuttle Mission Simulator: The Collector’s Edition” or “SSMS: TCE”.

Iceberg Interactive will publish and distribute the CD box in Europe through local major retailers and through their on-line shop. The European version will also be localized in French and German. The localization will include manuals, user interface and in-game text.

PMGD Simulations will publish and distribute the CD box in the United States and Canada through a wide range of retailers.

The English boxed versions of SSMS: TCE are slated for release in June 2010, followed by the localized French and German versions at a slightly later date. The downloadable English version will continue to be available for purchase at the official website at: www.space-shuttle-mission.com

Iceberg Interactive is a premier videogame publisher set to make a splash in the interactive entertainment industry. The company is staffed with a mix of industry veterans and upcoming young talent, has offices in key locations across Europe and has established partnerships all over the globe for both online and offline sales. Iceberg is a great alternative for developers looking to bring their products to a worldwide audience. The company has the licenses for several console platforms yet currently focuses foremost on PC gaming. Iceberg is among the market leaders for the following genres for PC: simulators, adventure and action games. Don't just play, play it cool!

PMDG Simulations provides targeted retail distribution for high quality simulation products to national and local software retailers throughout North America. Representing a number of software developers, PMDG Simulations specializes in leveraging national distribution relationships on behalf of high quality simulation publishers and has a demonstrated track record of success in product placement throughout North America. PMDG Simulations is the US Retail Distribution arm of Precision Manuals Development Group, the well known developer of airliner simulations, and is based in Northern Nevada, in the United States of America.

Happy Birthday Space Shuttle

2010-04-12T06:35:00.004+01:00

Today, 29 years ago, Columbia marked the beginning of one of the most endaring and exciting humankind space endeavours: The STS program.

Since that day, the Space Shuttle performed 131 flights, lost two crews on STS-51L and STS-107, but brought back home safely 129, deployed the Hubble, the Chandra X-ray telescope and tens of other satellites, performed experiments in space, mapped Earth (the SRTM, STS99 mission) and last, but probably the most important and visible achievement, made the most significant contribution to building, supplying and supporting the International Space Station - the biggest man-made structure in Space.

Here is a small reminder from that momentous occasion. Here is a small reminder of why it makes us proud keeping the flame going for STS: http://tinyurl.com/y96rw22

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SPACE SHUTTLE!

STS-130 Synchronized Launch is on: set your sim to STS-128

2010-04-05T09:58:00.006+01:00

STS-131 has a very similar profile to STS-128, same MPLM load and launch parameters, inclination, atitude, etc.

The Synch Launch event is on: set your sim to STS-128, join the SSM2007 TeamSpeak and synch the event by unpausing the sim at the exact time the T-0:09:00 hold ends. If you want, you can be online way before T-0:09:00 and perform some of the tasks the Discovery crew does, depending when you joined the mission.

Have fun escorting the real STS-130 with your virtual Space Shuttle from T-01:50:00 to MECO and beyond. Don't forget that you can also synch your docking, deorb, approach and landing events too, although those are less predictable - at least at the real mission end :)

For those doing the entire mission in real time, you are invited to mimic the real EVAs by moving the astros at the exact locations the real EV teams move, and deploying and berthing Leonardo when those events happen on orbit. Do you have two weeks to spare?

After this one, we have two more synchronized launch events to perform before the STS program is retired.

See you all on orbit!

STS-130: New Free Mission Pack released today

2010-03-21T20:07:00.003Z

We have released today the new, free Mission Pack v5.20 for the Space Shuttle Mission 2007 simulator and a new, updated manuals set.The new Mission Pack contains:

The latest NASA Space Shuttle Mission -STS-130 - which has just returned after installing the final modules on the ISS.
The OBSS camera video link to enable the crew to visually examine the thermal shield tiles.
The Cupola crew station (when docked to the ISS and after the Cupola has been installed) – enjoy the breathtaking views of Earth from the best place inside the ISS.

STS-130 was carried out by Endeavour on February 8, 2010. The first launch attempt was scrubbed due to weather concerns. This 13-days mission delivered and assembled Node 3, also known as Tranquility, which provides additional room for crew members and many of the ISS life support and environmental control systems. Attached to Node 3 is Cupola - the last American ISS module. Cupola is a Robotic Control Station with six windows around its sides, and another in the 'ceiling' that will also provide dramatic views of Earth and visiting spacecraft.

Did you know #3

2010-03-10T10:03:00.003Z

Did you know that our Space Shuttle Mission simulator has full and native support for TrackIR:Pro head tracking solutions. So if you don't have the $ or the inclination for full stereoscopy and head tracking with our Vuzix support, you can still enjoy a great view and head tracking experience with Matrox TripleHead2go and TrackIR:Pro.

Did you know #2

2010-03-10T10:01:00.002Z

Did you know that our Space Shuttle Mission simulator is among the very few games which natively support the highest resolution provided by TripleHead2Go Digital Edition : 5040 x 1050 (that's 3x 1680x1050 monitors)? This mode was supported out-of-the-box without any special changes, and as a result, Matrox salespeople used SSM2007 as a capability demo for the new high-res modes.

Did you know #1

2010-03-10T09:59:00.001Z

Did you know that our Space Shuttle Mission simulator natively supports full 3D and head tracking with the Vuzix iWear stereoscopic goggles?

One of our NASA friends commented that this combination provides "the closest any non-NASA employee can get to the NASA VR labs at JSC where crews train for ISS EVA missions".

New Free Features Pack 5.10 and new manuals set released today

2010-01-23T16:16:00.002Z

We have released today a new, free Features Pack v5.10 and a new, updated manuals set.

The new Commander’s Reference Manual and Quick Start Manual contain all the changes, new missions and features up to, and including Features Pack 5.10.

The new Features Pack contains:

Added: Active MON 2
Added: Active CCTV video mixer
Added: Docking approach velocity calls
Added: Enhanced docking comms
Added: Launch Pad 39B now shows the lightning towers for all STS 2009 missions and up.
Change: Improved "metallic" shaders
Change: Improved ACSMI 3D model

2009-12-30T07:36:00.004Z

This is an "early" Happy New Year so that we catch our friends Down Under and Far East before 2010 is upon us all. We want to thank you all for your support, friendship and for an exciting year in Space Exploration and Space Simulation.

We are looking forward towards an even more exciting 2010 as we lay ground for the n...ext major release of the Space Shuttle Mission simulator.

So Happy New Year mates and Happy New Year to the whole world once the globe completes a full revolution and 2010 is well under way for everybody!

See you in 2010! Happy New Year!

//The SSM Crew//

Christmas mission has been relased! It's the Ares I-X Test Launch!

2009-12-25T00:48:00.007Z

We are happy to release today, the surprise Christmas Mission Pack 5.00 for the Space Shuttle Mission 2007 simulator:

the Ares I-X Test Launch

The Ares I-X Test Launch mission contains real NASA comms from one hour before liftoff, until 10 minutes after liftoff. It shows all the events from liftoff, during flight, SEP, and splashdown, including the failed deployment of the third chute. The mission slide-shows between the various fixed observer KSC cameras, providing an experience similar to watching NASATV, but with the added advantage of being able to zoom in and follow Ares I-X during all the mission phases.
Please note that we also released a new Commander's Reference Manual v3.7 to cover the new addition in Appendix A. Make sure you download nd read it before you run the game.
We hope you enjoy this new twist and appreciate what the SSM2007 engine is capable of.

We wish you all a

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Watch the new SSM YouTube Channel

2009-12-12T16:00:00.002Z

The Space Shuttle Mission Simulator has a channel on YouTube.

You are all invited to subscribe and follow it up as we'll be updating it with new and cool videos which show off the simulator's capabilities, or with training material.

Stay tuned on: http://www.youtube.com/user/SpaceShuttleMission

New Features (mini) Pack v4.25 and Commander's Reference Manual v3.6 released today

2009-11-30T00:10:00.002Z

We are happy to release today a new mini-Pack with some cool goodies to get you through to Christmas when we will be releasing the next Mission Pack - the last for 2009.

This new mini-Pack contains some cool features to assist with the docking procedure, and some more eye candy to boot:

Added: ISS PMA ACSMI LEDs active and reflect the ISS ACS Modding
Added: Docking distance to PMA callouts-Added: Docking guidance callouts
Change: Additional improvements to the ISS 3D model, mainly textures, bump maps and shaders.

The new Commander's Reference Manual v3.6 includes all the additions and changes up to and including SSM v4.25, and above (until further notice). Make sure you download it and check page 123 for the "changes from version 3.5" table.

Free Features Pack v4.20 Released

2009-11-25T13:58:00.002Z

Exciting Simulations has released today a new free Features Pack v4.20 for the Space Shuttle Mission 2007 simulator.

The new Features Pack contains many graphical additions and changes:

The ISS and solar panels attitude match the historical data
Virtual cockpit + Astronauts visible from outside.
Significant improvements to the ISS 3D model – more detail, accuracy and high resolution textures and bump maps.
New and more accurate Zvezda and Zarya modules.
Improvements to the Space Shuttle 3D model – more detail.
New ISS docking assistance: CCTV reticule and PMA ACSMI LEDs

New SSM Demo released today

2009-11-09T07:56:00.004Z

Exciting Simulations has released today a new free demo for the Space Shuttle Mission 2007 simulator.

As before, the demo still contains only the STS-1 mission without time limits, but now it includes all the cool performance, optimization, graphics and functional improvements added to the simulator ever since it has been released. The demo now better reflects the current status of the sim.

New naming scheme for SSM updates

2009-10-31T08:10:00.007Z

The Ground Crew team decided to change the naming scheme for the monthly updates that it has been releasing ever since Space Shuttle Mission simulator has been launched.

The generic name "Service Pack" has not been true to the content of the updates which practically added real game play value, cool new features and new content to the simulator. While the naming "add-on" crossed our mind, it has been found to be too generic to be descriptive enough. Therefore we went for a different but much more clear scheme:

The updates containing new features, will be referred to as "Features Pack" (FP).
The updates containing a new mission will be referred to as "Mission Pack" (MP).
Mixed updates (which include a new mission and new features) will be named "Mission Pack" since it is very likely that the new mission addition is the more significant part of the update.
Version numbers will be kept as before: Mission Pack 4.10 may be followed by Features Pack 4.20 and so on, with the short version of the naming scheme being MP4.10 and FP4.20 respectively. This will maintain version consistency across the different packs.

Both the Features and Mission packs may or may not also include changes to existing features and missions, and of course miscellaneous fixes.

New Free Mission Pack 4.10 adds STS-128 and cool features

2009-10-19T08:30:00.004+01:00

Exciting Simulations has released today a new free Mission Pack for the Space Shuttle Mission 2007 simulator, which among other goodies such as a new EVA-assist help mode for novice Virtual Astronauts, also contains the STS-128 - the most recently-completed NASA Space Shuttle Mission.

Carried out by Discovery between August 28, and September 11, 2009, STS-128 brought with it Leonardo - the Italian-built Multi Purpose Logistics Module – carrying about 7 tons of supplies and equipment, among them life-support and science racks.

STS-128 was Discovery's 37th mission to space and the 30th mission of a Space Shuttle dedicated to the assembly and maintenance of the International Space Station.

During STS-128, the crew performed three Space Walks replacing materials processing experiment outside ESA's Columbus module, returned an empty Ammonia tank assembly, and brought a fresh ISS crew member –Flight Engineer Astronaut Nicole Stott – replacing Expedition 20 Flight Engineer Astronaut Timothy (Tim) Kopra, who has been with the ISS six-person crew since mid-July 2009.

Astronaut Nicole Stott is scheduled to stay with the ISS through Expedition 21, until the planned STS-129 Space Shuttle mission returns her home on October 2009.

The new Mission Pack also introduces a new EVA assist help feature which, at a press of a switch, reveals the EVA activity/trigger points and helps novices move ahead with the missions. Another first is that now, the ISS solar panels are rotated so that they are closer to their correct position during the historical dockings.

SSM2007 Service Pack 4.05 released today.

2009-09-20T10:57:00.009+01:00

The new mini Service Pack (SP 4.05) is cleared for release.

Main topics covered:

Change: Default Vernier rate for DAP A and B changed to 1.0

Change: HUD flare indicators and guidance diamond auto-declutter during final flare.

Change: PULSE mode translation time is now dependant on the TRANS PULSE setting in DAP.

Change: PULSE mode rotation not limited to the rate settings in DAP config.

Change: RCS translation is inhibited during Time Skip (user request).

Change: Easier Keypad Input: no need to type all digits, and the comma is used more intuitively (user request).

Fixed: Translation velocity.

Fixed: STS-125,STS-103 and STS-41c re-grapple.

Fixed: Misc minor bugs.

SP4.05 can be downloaded from the official SSM2007 website.

New Free Major Service Pack and Manuals Released

2009-09-06T20:42:00.007+01:00

Exciting Simulations has released today the new free Major Service Pack 4.0 for the Space Shuttle Mission 2007 simulator. This is the an exciting and significant development as it adds support for highly realistic R-BAR, TORVA, V-BAR and TORF procedures which are used for docking with the ISS.

This new Service Pack will test the skill, patience and perseverance of all virtual Astronauts as they are expected to dock the ISS using procedures very close to the ones used by the real NASA Astronauts.

Exciting Simulations has also released the updated “Commander’s Reference Manual” version 3.5, to assist the virtual Astronauts with the new features.

Since mastering the new procedures require training and a thorough understanding of orbital mechanics and command of the Shuttle and its various rendezvous, tracking and docking systems, the unofficial SSM2007 Fans has released a number of detailed training videos aimed at shortening the learning process. Check them here: http://portal.ssm-fans.info/.

STS-128 Sync Launch Event

2009-08-28T10:22:00.017+01:00

Together with NASA, we shall also be attempting a (virtual) launch and join the real STS-128 Discovery with our own simulated one, from T-00:09:00, through liftoff and up to MECO, and beyond.

Sync Launch Parameters:

Meeting time: Friday, August 28, 23:00 EDT (roughly one hour before NASA's scheduled launch time of 23:59 EDT). Check your local time at: http://tinyurl.com/lv7uxz
Mission to use: STS-116 - same Orbiter, same Inclination, same Altitude and a "night" launch.
Mission Elapsed Time: Prepare a save at the end of the T-00:09:00 Hold, just after the Sim "Resume Countdown" command, but DO NOT press the EVENT TIMER CONTROL switch.

Preparing for the Sync Launch:

Join the SSM2007 TeamSpeak Server and enter the "STS-128 launch" Room. To join the SSM2007 TeamSpeak, go to SSM Fans Wiki and click on the CONNECT TeamSpeak button on the lower left side of the main page.
Test the mike and headset/speakers and join the discussion.
Start NASATV
Start the Space Shuttle Mission Sim and load the T-00:09:00 save you prepared in advance as explained above.

Synchronizing and launch

Listen in the NASATV and wait for the real NASA "Resume Countdown" command after the T-00:09:00 Hold.
Push the EVENT TIMER CONTROL spring-loaded switch to the START position at the moment you hear the NASA "Resume Countdown, .....mark" command. From this moment on, you're on your own. Follow the simulator instructions, APU start, etc. until liftoff.

Please note that due to network delays affecting the NASATV video stream, there may be a time difference between the actual NASA events at KSC and what you see on NASATV locally.

Godspeed Discovery!

Back to Ground School in anticipation of the next Service Pack!

2009-08-09T17:01:00.008+01:00

The ISS is equipped with a set attitude control jets and 220-pound flywheels - Control Moment Gyros (CMG) - that rotate 6,600 times per minute. At least two of these are needed to produce the torque that keeps the station holding the proper attitude without wasting the jets propellant. These attitude control mechanisms allow the ISS to maintain a LVLH attitude suitable for docking, undocking and fly-around and also cover the ISS particular attitude envelope that it can fly dictated by thermal and power generation requirements.

During docking and undocking the ISS is in FREE mode (sort of an uncontrolled Inertial mode) , thus avoiding any attitude incompatibilities with the Shuttle and allowing for a smooth maneuver. After docking, the ISS + Shuttle assembly attitude is under the Shuttle DAP control.

During the period between docking and undocking, the Shuttle crew adjusts this attitude depending on thermal, power generation and of course EVA human requirements. Some of the concerns during EVA is how radiation, temperatures, light intensity coming from the Sun affect the Astros performing EVA, and Astros Spatial Situation Awareness. The ISS+Shuttle attitude is adjusted so that it offers the best protection and best working conditions to EVAs within the ISS+Shuttle assembly attitude envelope.

The next Service Pack due to be released towards the end of August, will implement a realistic Line Of Sight Indicator (LOS) required for true rendezvous, docking, undocking and fly-around procedures. The way we've been doing rendezvous and docking until now was much easier to understand and perform by novices since the "target", in this case the ISS, was right in front of the flight deck and visible from the CDR and PLT positions. Now the target is visible from the upper-Aft windows and approach and docking are performed from this view alone.

So basically what we're trying to say is that among other things Service Pack 4.00 implements the long-planned and long-requested R-BAR, TORVA, V-BAR and Fly-Around procedures.

These major changes to the rendezvous and docking procedures we've all been used to until now, will have you going back to the NASA SCOM and other Shuttle-ISS and Shuttle-Satellite rendezvous-related material in preparation for the release of Service pack 4.00. As you read the documents you will realize that these procedures are not so hard to understand, but a successful execution requires practice.
Another addition is differential braking after touchdown. This will allow virtual Astros to hold the center line more easily, just as per real procedures.
More announcements will come as we get closer to release date.

A sneak preview (videos etc.) can be seen here, on the unofficial SSM2007 Fans Portal: http://portal.ssm-fans.info/blog/sp4-sneak-preview.

ENJOY!
//The SSM Ground Crew//

Major features developed for the next Service Pack

2009-07-24T09:12:00.004+01:00

The upcoming SSM2007 Service Pack which is now under development will add major features and changes which will require virtual Astronauts to go back to school and practice new procedures if they want to complete the more challenging missions successfully.

These changes are consistent with our policy of adding both features and content and enhance the Space Shuttle Mission simulation experience.

Following this update, we will be also adding new chapters to the Commander's Reference Manual and new Video Tutorials to the Ground School. We hope that the added realism will be received with enthusiasm by SSM2007 experienced Virtual Astronauts and newcomers alike, just as it happened with previous major realism enhancements.

STS-125: New Free Mission released with Service Pack 3.70

2009-07-19T13:02:00.002+01:00

Carried out by Atlantis on May 11, 2009, STS-125 was a complex mission which tested the skill and patience of the Shuttle crew.
During STS-125, the Atlantis crew performed major maintenance, repair and upgrade operations on the HST. After rendezvous and HST capture with the RMS, the crew placed the HST on the Space Shuttle payload bay “operation table” and during the following five space walks, the Astronauts replaced damaged modules and batteries, and added modern scientific instruments.
STS-125 was an extremely successful mission as it increased Hubble’s usable life to at least 2014, while at the same time, increasing its scientific capabilities beyond to what has been available before STS-125.

As NASA puts it: “With the newly installed Wide Field Camera, Hubble will be able to observe in ultraviolet and infrared spectrums as well as visible light, peer deep onto the cosmic frontier in search of the earliest star systems and study planets in the solar system. The telescope’s new Cosmic Origins Spectrograph will allow it to study the grand-scale structure of the universe, including the star-driven chemical evolution that produces carbon and the other elements necessary for life.”

The Ground Crew station during the STS-125 Sync Launch Event

2009-07-09T16:50:00.007+01:00

You can clearly notice the TripleHead2Go main simulation layout + the laptop covering the NASATV and TeamSpeak communications.

STS-127 launch attempt Sync Launch Event

2009-07-09T08:19:00.010+01:00

Quote from the Mission Control Sync Launch Event Protocol (Armin AKA "Pocci" who will be Acting Launch Director for this event):

"We meet on the SSM2007 Teamspeak on Saturday, Jul 11, at 22:30 UTC. That would be:

Sat 15:30 (03:30 p.m.) PDT
Sat 17:30 (05:30 p.m.) CDT
Sat 18:30 (06:30 p.m.) EDT
Sat 22:30 (10:30 p.m.) UTC (GMT)
Sat 23:30 (11:30 p.m.) West Europe (London, ...)
Sun 00:30 (00:30 a.m.) Central Europe
Sun 08:30 (08:30 a.m.) Sydney

Remember, everybody Eastward from London, this is Sunday morning.
Everybody should have NASA-TV online via TV or secondary PC/Laptop .(If you Alt-Tab out of SSM2007 you pause the simulation!)
http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/

For those without NASA-TV there will be a voice countdown (every Minute, T-30sec, T-15sec and the last 10 sec) if necessary. An updated Excel-Countdown program is available here (from Armin AKA "Pocci"):
http://www.anaesth.med.tu-muenchen.de/Daten/Countdown.zip
There will be frequent commchecks to insure that everybody is synchronized and understands how the process works.

At that time, NASA should be at T-49 minutes and counting with two holds to come: 10 minutes at T-20 and at T-9. T-49 at 22:30 UTC implies a 10 min hold at T-9 or a different launch time than 23:39 UTC. We don't know the exact planned T-9 hold, but we'll know when we meet.We suggest everybody to use STS-117 as this is a Summer launch to the ISS from the same pad and a launch time only 1 minute different from the official STS-127 launch time.Everybody should be already in sync with NASA or have the simulation paused at T-30 minutes, so we have plenty of time to sync and to discuss how to handle the two holds.To enter Teamspeak, go to one of the following pages:

http://wiki.ssm-fans.info/
http://portal.ssm-fans.info/index.php/teamspeakserver

and click on connect in the Teamspeak viewer area.

If you need help connecting, check: http://ts.ssm-fans.info/
We advise everybody to rehearse the STS-117 launch and have some saves ready at T-30:00 T-20:00 T-8:30 and T-2:00 minutes. At least the T-2 minutes save is important, because from that time on, you can just sit and enjoy the launch until MECO."

SSM2007 on Facebook

2009-07-03T09:44:00.009+01:00

We have decided to offer yet another way of staying in touch with us.

http://www.facebook.com/exciting.simulations

We've also created a special interest group on Facebook. Search for "SSM2007".

New Service Pack 3.60 removes launch limitations

2009-06-19T23:28:00.005+01:00

The SSM2007 Ground Crew has removed the "no go" holds at T-00:05:00 and T-00:02:00 to allow for a better synchronization between the virtual SSM2007 launches and the real NASA Space Shuttle launches.

First aparent test of this change will happen this weekend with a new TCDT in preparation for the NASA STS-127 launch on July 11.

STS-127 liftoff scrubbed

2009-06-17T08:56:00.003+01:00

STS-127 launch has been scrubbed again. Next window is July 11,2009. Although at this end we are disappointed like everybody else, we prefer to have a scrub than worry for the duration of the mission until "wheels stopped".

We should look at this as an opportunity to practice our "Synch Launch" and prepare for the real event on July 11th. Fortunately this falls on a weekend, so there are no excuses anymore not to attend this exciting online event.

The Upcoming Service Pack

2009-06-10T20:09:00.006+01:00

The upcoming service pack will include two cool features that we've been toying with for a long time. Incidentally, these features were requested and suggested by our users forever so we are sure many virtual SSM2007 Astronauts will be pleasantly surprised.

We are in the final testing phases of the new features and still adding fixes and changes in our on-going struggle to make SSM2007 better, more enjoyable and more realistic.

This weekend STS-127 will take off. We all pray for a successful mission and wish the crew a safe return home. At this end, we'll try to match this event with our own "launch" of the new Service Pack. Stay tuned.

TCDT Report

2009-05-30T23:02:00.006+01:00

Today we witnessed the TCDT event during which a group of SSM2007 virtual Astronauts attempted to sync-launch their Shuttles in preparation for a "real" sync-ed event during the NASA STS-127 launch on June 13, 2009.

It was extremely exciting for us to see how serious these guys are about their hobby, and how they cooperated despite the evident cultural and language issues.

The TCDT exposed several weak points in the sync procedure and also showed us, the SSM2007 developers, how to make that process easier. We're now looking into ways and code changes to facilitate this kind of sync-ed events in the future.

We hope that more SSM2007 virtual Astros use this opportunity and join in during the future TCDT events and socialize with the SSM2007 forum gurus, mods and some members of the Ground Crew Team.

Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test

2009-05-29T13:58:00.021+01:00

Tomorrow, May 30, 2009 will be an interesting day. Some of our more geeky customers will attempt to synchronize multiple launches of their virtual Shuttles in preparation for the main event: a "real" multiple launch, synchronized with the NASA countdown during the upcoming STS-127 mission on June 13, 2009. This will be their "Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test" if you want, preceeding the real NASA STS-127 TCDT by one day.

The selected mission is STS-96 (the closest to STS-127 from the the orbit inclination and lauch time window point of view).

The participants will meet tomorrow on the SSM2007 TeamSpeak server at 18:00UTC, synchronize their systems and socialize until "resume countdown" approximately at 18:30UTC matching the MET: T-00:30:00. After that, it's all on automatic.

It is expected that when the MET reaches 00:00:00, several virtual SSM2007 Space Shuttles will shoot to the sky at the same time, and pressing on at least until MECO, approximately 8 minutes after liftoff.

Some of us will be listening in,"watching" and following the event with our own Shuttles.

Check event details here: http://tinyurl.com/knxm8b

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We are going live!

2009-05-29T12:19:00.002+01:00

This is a place where the SSM2007 Ground Crew - the team behind the development of the Space Shuttle Mission 2007 simulator - will post its behind the scenes stories, and other tidbits.
Enjoy!