Another really useful update has been made to the impulse maneuver panel, allowing selection of the number of maneuvering cycles that a held bearing lasts for. Once that number of cycles is done, the hold is automatically released.
The Martian Star evolution has been updated with a new overview video that incorporates the new Impulse Flight console panel. For a limited time the evolution will be availbale to all members so take a look.
The video accompanying the Martian Star evolution has been updated to reflect recent changes to gimbal limits, etc in the sim. It also includes the new Impulse Flight panel.
Submitted by Chief_Sonya on March 31, 2021 - 17:19
Anyone who's tried to navigate a course with more than a few coursepoints will probably remember having to juggle a tablet with the course points on it. Not anymore! A new panel has been added to the helm to make impulse navigation much easier.
The Impulse Navigation panel assists with the navigation of pre-plotted courses during impulse operations.
The panel consists of a scrollable list of course points and a 2D impulse map displaying the location of the course points, Astronomical Objects (AOs) and the vessel.
The helm has been updated with latest data from engine simulations, with some significant changes to vessel handling.
It turns out the helm was significantly under-reporting EM output from helm maneuvers in cruise mode. The changes mean that achieving the maximum bearing for a given speed will require100% thrust - and 100% EM output. So to reduce EM output during a helm maneuver in cruise mode, best to select a smaller bearing (for example a bearing that is 60% of the maximum available bearing will only require 60% thrust to achieve).
This impulse navigation evolution involves maneuvering the vessel in a series of inbound and outbound approaches around a planet (Mars). When completed, the maneuvers can be visulaised as forming a simple star pattern around the planet.
Another really useful update has been made to the impulse maneuver panel, allowing selection of the number of maneuvering cycles that a held bearing lasts for. Once that number of cycles is done, the hold is automatically released.
The Martian Star evolution has been updated with a new overview video that incorporates the new Impulse Flight console panel. For a limited time the evolution will be availbale to all members so take a look.
Anyone who's tried to navigate a course with more than a few coursepoints will probably remember having to juggle a tablet with the course points on it. Not anymore! A new panel has been added to the helm to make impulse navigation much easier.
The last Saturday Meetup was focussed on impulse navigation, so we thought it was a good opportunity to give a quick video tour of the helm. 
