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Lunar Flight 'simulator'

L

Lionheart

SOH-CM-2014
Hey all,

Anyone pick up the Lunar Flight game? Its a simulator for the Lunar Module (Apollo project) where you have to run back and fourth to bases dropping off cargo, pilots, surveying, etc. It was recently on sale for like $5.50 at SimMarket.com. Also available at Steam.


So..... Dang if this isnt one difficult sim to fly... I have crashed about 200 times or more in the several nights Ive had it and flown it. Tonight, however, I found a YouTube that someone posted where he flies two missions in it, so I got to see how that was done and behold.... I was landing 'on' the little base landing pads (finally) and right side up, no explosions, no leaking fuel or explosive decompressions, etc. I even finished one mission tonight! Cargo intact even. heh..


Once you kind of figure a few things out on it, its not so bad.



Anyone else have this?


For more information on it, go here; http://www.shovsoft.com/lunarflight/



Bill
 
about 8-10 years ago here was this space sim and we use to have a forum for it but saddly id died out and it was very hard to do to.
 
I heard about that last night on YouTube, Ickie. This seems to be a new version of that one, different people and different game, but same idea.

At first, I was really put back by how difficult it is. Just that one YouTube flight of a guy doing two missions without crashing was all it took for me to click into how it is flown. The way the ship keeps drifting if you do not negate a turn in bank angles is really difficult to manage. All the axis of the different turning directions is crazy. I DO NOT see how the astronaughts did it when landing the real things.

Today, I would think we would have automated flight controls from computers that would manage stability. Basically we would just tell it what to do, where to go, and it would do the rest, like the new F-35B STOVL jet fighter. It will hover over the same spot, even in a cross wind, proper heading, etc. Joystick input will then tell it to raise, lower, turn, tilt, etc.



Bill
 
There was another called Eagle Lander 3D that was quite good and highly detailed, but I don't know what it's current status is. Here's some video that's dated from 2009:


There is a website for it, but I'd avoid trying to download the demo version; last time I did it took me to a malware site. I know that the demo worked OK with Windows XP, but I don't know what the status of the sim would be for Vista or Windows 7 machines. I should really try getting in touch with the developer as it was a fun space Sim.

N.
 
Haven't tried Lunar Flight, I enjoy doing the historical flights in Orbiter. Here Neil at Tranquility Base.

Neil.jpg
 
Bill, Lunar Flight will get easier when you start to upgrade your Lander, especially with better, more efficient thrust, RCS, and larger fuel tanks for example.
Then you can take on the harder missions that pay out more, like recovering items and returning them to a base.

Sounds like the SimMarket version is a little bit behind, as there is a new Mars update for when you become an Expert. ;)
 
Dain Arns said:
Bill, Lunar Flight will get easier when you start to upgrade your Lander, especially with better, more efficient thrust, RCS, and larger fuel tanks for example.
Then you can take on the harder missions that pay out more, like recovering items and returning them to a base.

Sounds like the SimMarket version is a little bit behind, as there is a new Mars update for when you become an Expert. ;)
Click to expand...


I saw the Mars version, coming soon to SimMarket. I'll be sure to get the update.

Looks pretty darn cool.


I wish we had some cooler looking landers instead of the Model-T of all landers. ;)
 
Sue, it will be very difficult at first. You are warned. Watch and do the flight school YouTube movies. I'll see if I can find that YouTube vid where he does 2 successful flights.

Bill
 
Sue,

If you got the 'Mars Simulator' that shows the Lunar Rover vehicle, (not the flying Lunar Lander), then you got a different sim. This one here is 'Lunar Flight' and has a Mars option now.


Bill
 
Lunar Crasher- LOL

No, definitely " Lunar Flight". Or in my case Lunar Crasher, tricky indeed. I have my HOTAS set up for it, but can't figure out navigation quite yet. I follow the arrows, and end up out of bounds, or hit a mountain, Perseverance! And a You Tube search. Watched the tutorials...

:mixedsmi:
Sue
 
Sue,

This is that flight that I was talking about. He does two successful flights in a row on this. You learn so much from this one video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ys2z3oB6AzM

Note on these flights, he doesnt rock the ship, like angular motion like the guy does in the demos. He keeps it steady and straight up.

Some key details;
* Hover is all important. Note the V (vertical) climb/descent, and how to set your automatic thruster level with Spacebar and left Shift key. Set hover with cargo via the LOPTW screen. When you are cruising along the valley, note if you are doing straight flight, or climbing or descending. Hover is the most important thing, I think.
* With hover, note that you can preset it before you leave, then refuel for that 5% of fuel it took you to tune the setting.
* Hover again, note that you can take off at full thruster to a climb of .65 M/S, then turn on hover and you will continue to climb. Turn off auto thrust and wait till you start to decell, and when you are at 0.0 M/S VSI, hit auto thrust and you are hovering. To begin a light descent, blip the auto thrust off for a quick second, then back on and you are going downwards at say 5 or 10 M/S, great for a soft landing.


I usually start slowing down at 100 meters out. I also try to come in low and level (hover flight) and not in an arc, as I am not that good yet. I am starting to get paid in missions and making my way out of debt, lolol... Still no addons to my old clunker lunar lander, which must be held together with gum and duct tape by now. :S
 
I do the same thing.
I generally don't tip the Lander, like it shows in the game's trailer.
Mostly just use my RCS sparingly to get around.
Someday I need to learn how to do the 'ballistic arc' thing like the developer can do.
 
Dain Arns said:
Someday I need to learn how to do the 'ballistic arc' thing like the developer can do.
Click to expand...


I think its in the joystick. He really has a good ability to do that tilting, but its like, how can he see where he's going when he's doing that? I lose site of the target zone, etc, etc. I tried rigging my Saitek X-52 to the sim and found issues trying to get it to work. I noticed that in his tutorials, he saves a ton of fuel doing that.

Once, last night, I was doing a run, learning the tilt thing (trying) and got myself up to over 4.x M/S. I was almost to the landing site by then. I hadnt seen it climb that fast...
 
Lunar Crasher

Doing a bit better, landed once. The lag is a problem, I'm used to the Dodo. This is NOT a helicopter!
Having fun though. I'll get there. Thanks Bill ! I'll check that video out tomorrow, when I can turn the sound up. Room mate is asleep, not a good time for rockets!
LOL
Sue
 
Naismith said:
Interesting thread, btw Orbiter still has a lot to offer and it is FREE

http://orbit.medphys.ucl.ac.uk/
Click to expand...


The last time I went to download the newest Orbiter, I went to download the high rez planet graphics and flashes and popups came up and bing, I had a virus that planted itself on the HD and my anti virus systems could not remove it. I had to redo my entire hard drive, which is two parts; Apple and WinXP. Took me over a week to reload everything.

Tried to explain this to the guy at Orbiter and he said it was clean. I wanted to let me know that some bad things were there, for safety sake.


Ive had Orbiter before, years ago now. Great sim. This sim is fun, quick, mission based. Nothing really sophisticated. Thanks though for your advice. Always appreciate heads up and new sims news. Outerra should be pretty awesome when its done.



Bill
 
Naismith said:
Interesting thread, btw Orbiter still has a lot to offer and it is FREE

http://orbit.medphys.ucl.ac.uk/
Click to expand...


Lunar Flight can often be found on STEAM for 50% off, or $4.99USD.
At $9.99 it is still very reasonable for what is offered.
Plus the developer is still very interested in his project, and has made regular updates to it.
Three updates so far this year since the game was released this spring.

So I think sending a few bucks to a developer for his work on the game and continued support is more than fair. :salute:
 
Dain Arns said:
Lunar Flight can often be found on STEAM for 50% off, or $4.99USD.
At $9.99 it is still very reasonable for what is offered.
Plus the developer is still very interested in his project, and has made regular updates to it.
Three updates so far this year since the game was released this spring.

So I think sending a few bucks to a developer for his work on the game and continued support is more than fair. :salute:
Click to expand...


Yep, I agree.


I would like to have a cooler lunar lander, something more modern. Also, Mars! I must have Mars now!!!! :D
 
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