A TRS NAE

By Orbiter Forum Italia Version 2.1 April 2011

LONG R ANGE M ANNED S PACECRAFT

USER MANUAL
Disclaimer and credits This add-on is provided as is, without any kind of warranty; it is compatible with Orbiter 2006-P1 (build 060929) and with Orbiter 2010-P1 (build 100830). Many thanks to Dr. Martin Schweiger, for the Orbiter Space Simulator. For the others developers: You are free to use parts of our work, eg sound and texture, but you must credit us as the original source of your work. Commercial use of this software is forbidden. FOI Credits Pete Conrad: add-on concept; Command Module meshes and textures; Virtual Cockpit meshes and textures; astronauts meshes and textures; Antares patch; beta testing. Fausto: dll programming; UMMU configuration; launch scenarios; autopilots; beta testing. Andrew: autopilots; Service Module meshes and textures; Launch Escape System, HES-5 stage and other meshes; documentation editing; beta testing. Marcogavazzeni: technical support on dll programming; beta testing. FedeX: beta testing. Dany: Forum Orbiter Italia logo. Ripley: documentation proof-reading.

Other Credits - Grover: beta testing - Panels images courtesy by NASA. Forum Orbiter Italia: http://orbiteritalia.forumotion.com/

Introduction Antares is a fictive manned spacecraft of Italian Space Agency, designed to perform long range and long duration space missions in Low Earth Orbit or in deep space. The Antares spacecraft is the third step in the evolution of the space capsules of the Orbiter Italia Forum, preceded by the famous Poderosa dynasty (the single-seat Poderosa I and his larger sister, the two-seat Poderosa II). Antares can support a crew of six for long time. The spacecraft This add-on includes three distinct versions of the Antares Spacecraft: Antares-LR ("Long Range" version): equipped with a large Service Module, powerful oxygen/methane engines, large propellant capacity and full scientific capablity, is designed for long duration missions in LEO or deep space exploration flights. The main target is the Earth-Moon course, but with Earth-Mars capability with large lander/abitative modules (not yet realized). LR has a full weight of 38,200 kg and a propellant capacity of 19,200 kg. Antares-SR ("Short Range" version): a smaller, lighter and somewhat cheaper version equipped with a small Service Module, hypergolic engines and reduced propellant capacity. It is thought mainly as a ferry for the International Space Station and for the future Italian Space Station (currently under development at Orbiter Italia Forum). Its missions to the space stations will be resupply and crew turnaround. SR has a full weight of 21,600 kg (only 56% of the Long Range version) and a propellant capacity of 5,350 kg. Antares-RV ("Rescue Vehicle" version): basically, only an Antares Command Module, without any Service Module. This version is designed for unmanned launch and docking with a space station (tipically, the future Italian Space Station) and serve as lifeboat for the crew in emergency case. The spacecraft can be also utilized for cargo return from the station. RV has a full weight of 12,270 kg.

Dimensional comparison among the Orbiter Italia Forum space vehicles.

Installation and requirements First of all, uninstall the previous Antares package, deleting all the Antares folders. Then, unzip the content of the new add-on in your Orbiter directory. The following add-ons are required: Vinkas Multistage2 Vinkas Spacecraft3 (with Orbiter 2006-P1 patch, included in the package). Orbiter 2010-P1 requires the stage.dll patch (included in the package). http://users.swing.be/vinka/ Jarvis Heavy Launch Vehicle, version 2.0 or higher, by Orbiter Forum Italia. http://www.orbithangar.com/searchid.php?ID=4527 Universal MMU 2.0 by dansteph. http://www.orbithangar.com/searchid.php?ID=3890 For certain scenarios, Aurora Launch Platform V3.0 by Orbiter Forum Italia also required. http://www.orbithangar.com/searchid.php?ID=4233 Launch procedures The selected launcher for the Antares spacecraft is the Jarvis Launch vehicle, developed by Forum Orbiter Italia team. Jarvis L is the launcher for the Antares-SR spacecraft. The lifeboat version Antares-RV is launched unmanned with a smaller Jarvis S rocket. The more powerful Jarvis B and Jarvis M are needed for the larger and heavier AntaresLR spacecraft. The launch is automatic. The scenarios starts at about T-80 seconds. The launch pad animations are also automatic. At T-30 seconds, the speaker begins his comment of the launch; at T-5, the main engines are ignited. The launcher is configured for automatic orbital insertion. For a manual ascent, press P key a second time immediately after liftoff. The autopilot cannot be reactivated. After the MECO, the spacecraft separation is also automatic. After the separation, you have full control of the spacecraft. Note: in the ALR-3 mission, the third stage burn is manual, along with the TLI and the separation of the spacecraft. For more details about the configuration of the heading target in the guidance file, see Vinkas multistage documentation. For details about the setting of the launch date, see Jarvis 2.0 user manual.

Reentry and landing procedures Unlike other current and planned space capsules, the Antares is designed for "dry" landing, and is equipped with landing legs and retrorockets. Antares is also designed to make a contingency splashdown. Standard reentry and landing procedure 1. Locate and select the landing target (es. Habana or Cape Canaveral) on the Map MFD. Set the landing mode on ground. For performing a splashdown, see "Contingency procedures" paragraph. 2. Watch at the Map MFD and wait for the correct reentry window. Window opens as the orbital path on the map intersects the location of the landing site. 3. At the antipodes of the landing site (MFD indicating roughly 180 degrees), set the spacecraft in retrograde position and fire the main engines (deorbit burn). Stop the engines as the perigee on the MFD reaches the correct altitude: LEO reentry: -80 km / +80 km MEO reentry: +20 km / +65 km BEO reentry: +40 km / +50 km 4. After the deorbit burn, set the spacecraft in normal or antinormal position, then jettison the Service Module. The normal/antinormal position is needed to avoid a collision route with Service Module during reentry. 5. Set again the spacecraft in retrograde position and wait. When the altitude decreases under 100 km, atmosferic drag begins to slow the capsule down and overheating it as well. At this point you can modify the trajectory with the RCS engines: remember that, because you travel in retrograde position, the effect of the pitch and yaw command is reversed. You have only a very limited amount of propellants for these maneuvres; you must preservate at least 70-75% of the propellants for the final burn. 6. When the altitude decreases under 70-65 km, the atmosfere is dense enough to allow an active aerodynamic control of the descent: at this point, the spacecraft must be placed in horizontal flight (NOT with the level horizon button). Turn off the RCS system in order to save fuel. The final part of the fall trajectory is managed with these aerodynamic surfaces. Your goal is landing in the proximity of the target spaceport. 7. As the speed decreases to subsonic (<330 m/s), deploy the main chute. At this point, the altitude should be around 3000 meters. 8. At some 1000 meters, deploy the landing legs and the retrorockets. At 5 meters, press + to fire the main retrorockets. The spacecraft will perform a soft and comfortable landing. Antares has landed! Congratulations!

Contingency procedures SM propellants depleted - Early SM jettison In this case, the CM has the capablity of deorbit itself using the main retrorockets. Follow the steps 1 and 2 of the standard reentry procedure, then deploy the landing legs. Execute the deorbit burn (step 3 of the reentry procedure) using the main retrorockets. You must preserve at least 70-75% of the propellants for the final burn (in case of landing). After the deorbit burn, close the landing legs, then follow the reentry procedure from the point 5. Splashdown If a landing is not possible, Antares can perform a contingency splashdown. Set the landing mode on splashdown. Then, follow the steps from 2 to 7 of the standard reentry procedure and just wait for the splashdown, without deploying the landing legs and the retrorockets. The Antares CM is a heavy vehicle, with a full weight of 13,350 kg, so the touch in this case can be a little rough. Deployment of floats is automatic. Buttons alarms commands Alarms

Master Alarm: generic alarm Low O2: Oxygen remaining under 5%. The ship is out of order when the oxygen runs out. Retrorockets doors closed: retrorocket not activated during the final descent the final burn is impossibile . High G force: acceleration over 10 g. Low SM Fuel: Service Module propellant remaining under 5%. Low CM Fuel: Command Module propellant remaining under 5%. Low Cabin Pressure: danger, depressurization. High T heat shield: shield over 2300 C during re-entry. Parachute Closet: danger of crash landing. High Reentry Angle: see the reentry selector. Low Reentry Angle: see the reentry selector. Main Bus Undervolt: solar panels not deployed after 30 minutes from last stage separation. Service module has auxiliary batteries for a 60 minutes autonomy.

Indicators

AIRSPEED (in Mach): is working under 110 km of altitude. G FORCE and SHIELD TEMP: are working during the reentry. DYN PRESS (in kPa). Critic value is over 130 kPa. SM FUEL: propellant remaining in the Service Module. CM FUEL: propellant remaining in the Command Module. CABIN PRESSURE (in millibar): normal value is 1000 millibar. O2 LEVEL: percentage of oxygen in cabin. CO2 Level: percentage of carbon dioxide in cabin. CABIN TEMP: temperature of the cabine in Celsius. AOA: angle of attack in degrees.

Switches

Undock. Right clic: remove the cap. Left clic: press the button. Sm Jett. Separation of the service module. Right clic: remove the cap. Left clic: press the button. Brake Engines Doors: deploying of the retrorockets and landing legs. It works only after the service module separation. Parachute: deploying of the parachutes. Only in the final reentry phase. Landing Mode: selection of the reentry type: landing or splashdown. Solar and Antenna: deploys solar panels and antenna of the service module. Essential for the spacecraft funtionality. Main Hatch: only after landing or in space if the cabin is depressurized. Docking Hatch: only if the Antares is docked. Reentry angle: useful during the retro burn phase for the determination of the correct reentry angle. Operate the selection (Low Earth Orbit, Medium Earth Orbit, High Earth Orbit), then perform the retroburn. As the alarm is off, the angle is correct. Cabin Pressure: pressurization/depressurization. Right clic: remove the cap. Left clic: press the button.

Mission time display Upper part (GET): mission time in HHH/MM/SS (Antares SR) or DD/HH/MM/SS (Antares LR). The mission time stops after the landing/splashdown. Central and lower part (GMT): date in YYYY/MM/DD/HH/MM/SS (Greenwich Mean Time).

Keyboard shortcuts Mission time display Upper part (GET): mission time in HHH/MM/SS (Antares SR) or DD/HH/MM/SS (Antares LR). The mission time stops after the landing/splashdown. Central and lower part (GMT): date in YYYY/MM/DD/HH/MM/SS (Greenwich Mean Time).

Keyboard shortcuts SHIFT D: switch undock cap CTRL D: undock CTRL R: Retro Fire (only CM) P: parachutes (only CM) L: landing mode switch C: cabin hatch D: Docking Hatch S: Solar panels and antenna SHIFT J: SM/CM separation cap J: upper stage separation SM/CM separation SHIFT P: cabin pressurization cap SHIFT O: depressurization cabin depressurization SHIFT I: cabin pressurization/depressurizaton off SHIFT U: cabin pressurization (only if the main hatch is closed). B and V: Reentry Mode selection.

EVA (only if the main hatch is open and the cabin is depressurized. After the CM separation, EVAs are not possible). SHIFT 1: EVA commander SHIFT 2: EVA pilot SHIFT 3: EVA MS1 SHIFT 4: EVA MS2 SHIFT 5: EVA MS3 SHITF 6: EVA MS4 E (on the astronauts focus): reentry (only in a range of 3 meters from the hatch).

Technical description Spacecraft modules Command Module Gross Mass: Empty Mass: Propellant: Length: Diameter: Main engine: Thrust (vac): Burn time: RCS thrust (vac): RCS propellants: Max Delta V: Crew: 13,350 kg 12,500 kg 850 kg 6.30 m 6.00 m 4 x solid retrorockets 4 x 23.260 kN 29 sec 16 x 180 N N2O4/MMH 210.97 m/sec 2 6 (up to 10 in emergency)

Command Module Rescue Vehicle Massa lorda: Massa a vuoto: Max Delta V: Equipaggio: 12,270 kg 11,420 kg 230.22 m/sec None (up to 10 in emergency)

Service Module Long Range version Gross Mass: 24,850 kg Empty Mass: 5,650 kg Propellant: 19,200 kg Length: 9.20 m Diameter: 6.00 m Main engine: 2 x modified AJ10-190 Thrust (vac): 2 x 66.685 kN Burn time: 511 sec RCS thrust (vac): 16 x 840 N RCS propellants: Lox/LCH4 Solar panels: 8 two-sided panels (total surface 77.44 mq; total span 23.90 m) SIM bays: Yes (1) Communications: 1 large diameter high gain antenna Max Delta V: 5,258.28 m/sec (only SM) 2,479.31 m/sec (SM+CM)

Antares Service Module Short Range version Gross Mass: 8,250 kg Empty Mass: 2,900 kg Propellant: 5,350 kg Length: 4.70 m Diameter: 6.00 m Main engine: 1 x S5.92 Thrust (vac): 1 x 19.600 kN Burn time: 875 sec RCS thrust (vac): 16 x 490 N RCS propellants: N2O4/MMH Solar panels: 8 two-sided panels (total surface 77.44 mq; total span 23.90 m) SIM bays: No Communications: 1 small diameter high gain antenna Max Delta V: 3,352.90 m/sec (only SM) 912.71 m/sec (SM+CM) HES-5 Stage HES stands for: High Energy Stage; is an upper stage specifically designed for the maximum Delta-V performance in the LEO and BEO launches. It has light-weight structure and engines with the best thrust-to-weight ratio and Isp currently available. The manned Jarvis M rocket utilize a modified HES-5 stage with auxiliary solar panels for the spacecraft supply. For further details, see the Jarvis HLV manual. Gross Mass: Empty Mass: Propellant: Length: Diameter: Main engine: Thrust (vac): Isp: Burn time: Propellants: 95,000 kg 8,570 kg 86,430 kg 8.00 m 8.38 m 5 x Vinci 5 x 180.000 kN. 467 sec. 440 sec Lox/LH2.

Scheme of the Antares Spacecraft Technical description Main engines AJ10 The Aerojet AJ10 is one of the most successful rocket engines of all time: in many versions and propellant combinations is used in a wide range of US spacecrafts and launchers, notably the Delta II rocket and the Space Shuttle Orbiter (OME: Orbital Maneuvring Engine). An AJ10 derivative will be the main engine of the Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle. Antares Long Range utilize two fictive AJ10-190-derived engines, heavily modified for burning liquid oxygen and liquid methane instead of hypergolic propellants. This allows a substantial improvement of performance, with a higher Isp resulting in extra Delta-V for this spacecraft. Engine Mass: Length: Diameter: Thrust (vac): Isp (vac): Propellants: 118 kg 2.20 m 1.30 m 66.685 kN 362 sec Lox/LCH4

S5.92M The S5.92 is the main engine of the common Fregat upper stage, utilized in various Russian rockets and spacecrafts, like the celebrated Soyuz launcher. It is an hypergolic engine, burning nitrogen tetroxide and unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine. A man-rated version of this simple and reliable engine is utilized in the Short Range version of the Antares. Engine Mass: Length: Diameter: Thrust (vac): Isp (vac): Propellants: 75 kg 1.03 m 0.84 m 19.600 kN 327 sec N2O4/UDMH

Bibliography Encyclopedia Astronautica http://www.astronautix.com/craft/apolocsm.htm http://www.astronautix.com/craft/cev.htm http://www.astronautix.com/craft/orion.htm http://www.astronautix.com/engines/aj10.htm http://www.astronautix.com/engines/ome.htm http://www.astronautix.com/engines/s592.htm#S5.92 http://www.astronautix.com/engines/r1.htm http://www.astronautix.com/engines/r4.htm http://www.astronautix.com/lvs/jarvis.htm Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_spacecraft http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orion_(spacecraft) Others http://www.russianspaceweb.com/fregat.html http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=26327

Screenshots

Ascent of the Jarvis B/Antares rocket.

In orbit, with the spent second stage on the background.

Is there anybody in there?

The cockpit of the Antares.

Lunar orbit.

Final reentry: parachute opened.