Reentry - A Space Flight Simulator · published · build 22317438
This patch rolls out a new Apollo Command Module lesson designed to teach you the most important housekeeping procedures required during full length Apollo missions. It also aims to improve the current FDAI ball drive logic used during a GDC align logic and a LM coarse align logic. It also improves the CO2 absorber logic, updates various checklists and typos, and refines the CM battery charger.
Update: Version 1.0.54 was rolled out as a minor hotfix for some additional logic related to the Attitude Indicator Alignment drive logic.
You can always revert to a previous version via the Steam Betas tab if needed. The latest previous version is: 1.0.42. The rollback option is there to ensure smooth user experience in case something does not behave as expected.
Command Module House Keeping
Most of the in-game missions related to Apollo has been split up into multiple chapters due to the length of an Apollo mission. However, the recently introduced Flight Plan Modes (Apollo 8, Apollo 11, Apollo 16 so far), multiplayer modes, and the Free Play missions lets the player fly the full missions from the launch pad to landing. During a full Apollo mission, you are required to maintain a healthy craft by following scheduled housekeeping tasks (also referred to as coasting tasks).
These tasks are for example purging the fuel cells (O2/H2 purge), stirring the cryogenic tanks, changing the CO2 absorber elements, charging the batteries, draining the waste water tanks, and so on.
A new checklist has been added to the Timeline tab where the player can, unless provided by the mission, follow a generic schedule of when to perform these housekeeping tasks.
A new Academy Lesson for the Apollo Command Module has been added to teach you the main procedures, why they are done, and where to find them in the checklists.
Attitude Indicator Drive Logic
I have updated the Attitude Indicator (FDAI) drive logic and alignment logic to better support GDC Align and the LM to CM coarse alignment logic. You can still use the simplified mode, or you can try to follow the more realistic procedure (in the GDC to IMU alignment checklist) backed up with manual slew. All modes are explained in the checklist.
Update: The 1.0.54 hotfix fixed additional issues with this logic.
CO2 Filtering
I have updated the CO2 filtering logic and CO2 absorber element replacement logic in the Apollo Command Module. The replacement schedule is provided by the mission or the new housekeeping checklist, and you are now able to open the actual CO2 doors, see the exposed CO2 absorber element, and see a small animation when replacing them.
CM Battery Charger
I have continued to build upon the changes from the previous patch to improve the CM battery charger. It should now behave better after having some issues due to some fundamental EPS changes a while back. No changes to the procedures, but the charge amps and voltage should show the current charging state.
Reflection Probe Test
This patch rolls out a new test implementation for the reflection probes setting. If you select the TESTING setting, the reflection probes will update in real time again, but with a low resolution of 16x16. If this mode seems to work with some broader testing, I will iterate the implementation with the ability to select what resolution the real-time probes will have. This is a very hardware demanding setting as updating the reflection probes in real-time is an expensive rendering task.
Patch notes:
New Apollo CM lesson: Lesson 19 - Housekeeping
CM GDC Align fixes
LM IMU coarse align
CM CO2 Absorber replacement logic updates
CM LiOH Canister modelling
Checklist fixes and updates
Connected CM panel 306 to the LEB integral light system
Fixed an issue with the Gemini burn time estimator
Continued to refine the CM battery charger logic
Reflection Probe testing option: lowered resolution to allow no time slicing (very hardware demanding)