ANTARESLONG RANGE MANNED SPACECRAFT

By Orbiter Forum ItaliaVersion 2.1 – April 2011

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:

Vinka’s Multistage2 Vinka’s 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 Antares-LR 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 Vinka’s 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 astronaut’s focus): reentry (only in a range of 3 meters from the hatch).

Technical description – Spacecraft modules

Command Module

Gross Mass: 13,350 kgEmpty Mass: 12,500 kgPropellant: 850 kgLength: 6.30 m Diameter: 6.00 mMain engine: 4 x solid retrorocketsThrust (vac): 4 x 23.260 kNBurn time: 29 secRCS thrust (vac): 16 x 180 NRCS propellants: N2O4/MMHMax Delta V: 210.97 m/secCrew: 2 – 6 (up to 10 in emergency)

Command Module – Rescue Vehicle

Massa lorda: 12,270 kgMassa a vuoto: 11,420 kgMax Delta V: 230.22 m/secEquipaggio: None (up to 10 in emergency)

Service Module – Long Range version

Gross Mass: 24,850 kgEmpty Mass: 5,650 kgPropellant: 19,200 kgLength: 9.20 m Diameter: 6.00 mMain engine: 2 x modified AJ10-190 Thrust (vac): 2 x 66.685 kNBurn time: 511 secRCS thrust (vac): 16 x 840 NRCS propellants: Lox/LCH4Solar 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

antennaMax 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 kgEmpty Mass: 2,900 kgPropellant: 5,350 kgLength: 4.70 m Diameter: 6.00 mMain engine: 1 x S5.92Thrust (vac): 1 x 19.600 kNBurn time: 875 secRCS thrust (vac): 16 x 490 NRCS propellants: N2O4/MMHSolar panels: 8 two-sided panels (total surface

77.44 mq; total span 23.90 m)SIM bays: NoCommunications: 1 small diameter high gain

antennaMax 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: 95,000 kgEmpty Mass: 8,570 kgPropellant: 86,430 kgLength: 8.00 m Diameter: 8.38 mMain engine: 5 x VinciThrust (vac): 5 x 180.000 kN.Isp: 467 sec.Burn time: 440 secPropellants: 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: 118 kgLength: 2.20 m Diameter: 1.30 mThrust (vac): 66.685 kNIsp (vac): 362 secPropellants: 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: 75 kgLength: 1.03 m Diameter: 0.84 mThrust (vac): 19.600 kNIsp (vac): 327 secPropellants: N2O4/UDMH

Bibliography

Encyclopedia Astronauticahttp://www.astronautix.com/craft/apolocsm.htmhttp://www.astronautix.com/craft/cev.htmhttp://www.astronautix.com/craft/orion.htmhttp://www.astronautix.com/engines/aj10.htmhttp://www.astronautix.com/engines/ome.htmhttp://www.astronautix.com/engines/s592.htm#S5.92http://www.astronautix.com/engines/r1.htmhttp://www.astronautix.com/engines/r4.htmhttp://www.astronautix.com/lvs/jarvis.htm

Wikipediahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_spacecrafthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orion_(spacecraft)

Othershttp://www.russianspaceweb.com/fregat.htmlhttp://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.