ttb

Ok, thanks for that, clears it up for me Cheers ttb

Title says it all. Just wondering. I'm not too interested in roleplaying myself, just wonder why its not allowed here. Thanks ttb

They were calculating such things as burn start times and duration, vectors for burns, re-entry angles, etc. Also most of the Moon descent was calculated and flown by the autopilot. Also, the AGC displayed info on the DSKY for the crew, such as altitude, MET, state vectors, and other info that the crew needed to know, mostly to verify that the computer was doing its job properly, and so the crew could call an abort if the computer didnt, if the need arose. In some stages of the flight, including Earth ascent, the crew would compare the display from the computer to cards velcro'ed onto their panel, to make sure things were happening as per The Plan. ttb

Hey all, Update on the current direction of this project. I intend to implement a look-alike DSKY from the Apollo Program. The DSKY will interface to KSP via an arduino. The arduino will implement certain functionality of the Apollo Guidance Computer (AGC). The software for the AGC was written with the specific intention of going to the moon, so if it were to be directly emulated it wouldn't work for KSP, as our universes are different Plus I want to use this project to do more than just fly to the Mun. Nav functions I would like to add are circularisation burns, Hohmann transfers etc. I have obtained a book called "The Apollo Guidance Computer: Architecture and Operation" by Frank O'Brien (Springer, 2010, ISBN 9781441908766), which gives a very excellent and detailed analysis of the AGC and DSKY. I highly recommend this book to any that are interested in the AGC. Included is a blow-by-blow account of how the AGC would be used by the astronauts in each stage of flight. I intend to reimplement (as far as possible) the program numbers, routine numbers, error codes and verb and noun codes as the original AGC. Some liberty will have to be taken to match the KSP universe. Also the data available to me so far from KSP is limited. I am currently building a prototype (as seen in this thread). If the prototype works Ok i will leave it as is. However if I feel like it, I will construct a proper model. Also if there is suficcient demand I would consider making this for others that dont want to build it from scratch. As previously stated, all circuit diagrams, parts lists and code will be open source. After building a (very rough) single line display, I have decided that when it comes time to build the project proper, I will order or make some PCB's. Theres just too many wires otherwise, and heaps of time involved. See the pics in the post above to see what I mean If anyone would be willing to work with me to write a native KSP plugin that can export data over USB-serial, I would really appreciate it, and I would offer to build them a DSKY/AGC for the cost of parts only (would build it for free but I'm just too broke). I don't really want to learn C#. Currently I am using the Telemachus mod and a Python script to get the data to and from the arduino, which works OK, however I can only access the information supplied by Telemachus, which is limited. I would love to get more info from KSP such as mass of the rocket. This would allow me to write more nav routines. Thanks ttb

Hey all, Here is the latest pics. Haven't finished it yet, I've been working on it all day and its getting on to beer o'clock, so giving it a rest for the day. To all the electrical engineers out there laughing at this, I'm just a hobbyist Maybe tonight or tomorrow, I'l make a post with detailed project notes and the current direction of this project, as it has changed a bit since the first post. Cheers ttb

Hey all, I've heard of this mod, will look into it. Thanks! So I got my hands on my Grandfather's old soldering iron (it is the iron i first learnt to solder on, 20 years ago ) and have been working on the hardware side of things. I now only have 4 functioning 7 segment displays, as I accidentally blew up a segment on my fifth display (forgot to use a resistor, doh!). Have put together a 3V power supply using a LM317 voltage regulator, this will power the shift registers and the display. Will post some pics when its a bit more complete. Thanks ttb

Here you go... Sorry about rotation Only three of the shift registers are installed right now, gotta solder the rest of the socket legs in first, once I can afford a new soldering iron. The LEDs at the top are from a previous project. Thanks ttb

Did someone say... cookies?!? No problems, feel free to use and modify. Its GPL'ed for now but will prob switch to BSD licence. I build a display yesterday, just one line of 7 segments and shift registers, then my soldering iron died halfway thru will post a pic soon Thanks ttb

Ive got Kirk Kerman in orbit around Minmus

Mission Update: Our main man Jeb, the Mission Head Honcho for Expedition One, finally arrived at Clarinsh Base to supervise the righting of the kethane refinery, which went off without a hitch. Other modules arrived, including the Kethane drilling unit, the Base Control Tower, and the Hab module. After assembling for a crew photo atop the Control Tower, Jeb was busting to try out his shiny new kethane drill. He promptly got to work supervising from the Control Tower, while the others got stuck in to a case of Kerban Ale that Ribhat had sneaked onboard. Jeb discovered that the power demands of the kethane drill far exceeded the base's power supply, so he got the Kerbal Engineers to "soup up" the next Tower of Power that is currently in transit to Minmus. Meanwhile in Minmus Low Orbit, a fuel pod for the station arrived and docked with just enough RCS fuel to spare. Ribhat even considered making the brief trip up to orbit to "replenish" the RCS supply with some of his ale. Jeb declared that further scientific testing would have to be done to see if this actually works. Jeb has been informed that another three fuel pods are en route, with extra RCS fuel tanks this time. The crew of Clarinsh Station, Ludtrey, Mileny and Lonard, finally thought it would be a good idea to do a brief EVA to transfer themselves from the command pod to the Hab module. More to come tomorrow Thanks ttb

Mission update: Two failures to report. First, I send a long tunnel segment for the base to Minmus, unfortunately when I was constructing it in the VAB I built it upside down, with upwards firing rockets for landing. When trying to enter Minmus orbit, I forgot the rockets were facing backwards and burnt prograde rather than retrograde The segment is now leaving Munmus SOI for a Kerban orbit. Second, I successfully landed a methane refinery on Minmus, then whilst attempting to maneuver it into position with the transporter rover, tipped it on its side. Am going to attempt to right it, using two transporter rovers and maybe Jeb when he finally lands (once the Hab module arrives)

With all due respect, I said "never mind the complainers" rather than "ignore the complainers". My point was that complainers will always complain. I am attempting to use that phrase in the sense that if Squad doesn't perform as expected, users will leave the game for something else, others will stick through it. I don't believe that I am sheltering the ones that are "making the mistake", I believe Squad are on the right track, if not I wouldn't play this game. IMHO no mistake has been made. I realise this game is in an alpha state and subject to change. I believe that Squad will produce a finished product I will find fun to play. If not, I will play something else. My two cents. Thanks ttb

Hi all, Am in the process of constructing a kethane mining base on Minmus, along with a LMO station. The plan is to mine kethane and send the converted fuel up to the station, then to refuel interplanetary spacecraft from there. Also this is a test run for a base on Duna, or potentially another planet/moon. The name is from the battle cry of my Scottish clan (clan Buchanan). I am using the Modular base pack (I think thats the right name). The base is still under construction, and the station parts are in orbit above Minmus, waiting for assembly. I will rearrange the base once mode modules have arrived. More to come... A error I realised once in space, is that the solar panels on the trusses are spaced too close together, they extend OK but look a bit wierd as they touch each other. Once on station I will only extend the inner and outer panels. This project bought to you by BaSA (Buchanan and Son Aerospace)! Thanks ttb

Jolly good point old chap. I love this game, and can't wait to see where Squad takes it. Never mind the complainers, as far as I am concerned if they want a feature so bad they can either a) write a mod or write their own game, and then put up with complainers . Happy Sir Isaac Newton Day for yesterday! Cheers ttb

Hi, I think I could help if required. English is my first language, and I live in GMT+12, I would be available during your classroom times. PM me if you need more help. Thanks ttb

Lol oops, back to the drawing board for me thanks for the heads up ttb

Orbital speed I think

For a start, use 800000m instead of 800km for kerbin radius + altitude. The correct formula is v = R sqrt(g/(R+h)) so we can plug in some known values v = 600000 sqrt(9.807/800000) = 2425 m/s Hope thus helps ttb

Hi all, GitHub repo now up, https://github.com/cashelcomputers/KSP_AGC Cheers ttb

PFUDOR. What has been seen, cannot be unseen

Hi all, Had a quick go in .23, loaded up the biggest craft I had ready made (about 600 parts), this used to be too much for my computer, but now it runs like a charm! Thanks for the update Squad! Would rather have optimizations any day over new features! Thanks ttb

Hey all, So I've been doing research into the AGC. I have come to the conclusion that it would not be possible to recreate or emulate the original AGC, for a few reasons. It was only designed to fly to the Moon and back, not to other planets like in KSP. Also, our solar system is quite different than KSP's version. So, my plan is to re-implement the AGC with modifications for KSP, removing all unnecessary functionality and implementing KSP-specific functionality ie circularisation burns, Hohmann transfers etc. I plan to reasonably faithfully recreate the DSKY (including its verb/noun interface, multiple background programs etc), with added KSP features such as buttons for staging, lights, gears, pause etc. Will keep working on this slowly, will post some code and circuit diagrams when I've got something to demo. Now off to give 0.23 a spin Thanks ttb

-snip- rainbows!

I say go for it now, with what you know. IMHO, practising on a real life project is the best way to learn. When you hit a brick wall, consult your reference or good old Dr Google. The finished product may end up being completely different than how it starts out, and that's OK, cause you would be learning along the way. Thanks ttb

Quick update: Tonight I managed to get KSP talking to my arduino. As I don't have enough 7 segment displays and shift registers, I got the arduino to echo back the received data. All seems to work well so far, just the first step tho. Will keep y'all updated. Cheers ttb