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Apollo Mission Simulator
This document describes the Apollo Mission Simulator -- Version 2.1, a program
that simulates manned lunar exploration. Topics include:
Philosophy
Version 2.1 Description
Hardware and Software Requirements
Reference and Mission Disks
Acronyms and Abbreviations
Glossary
Document Descriptions
Program Descriptions
Miscellaneous File Descriptions
*** PRESS the "PgDn" key to go to the next page
*** PRESS the "Esc" key to exit this program
Philosophy
The Apollo Mission Simulator is, by design, NOT an easy game to master. It may
be several weeks before you attempt a full mission, and it may take a dozen
tries before you land successfully. DO NOT DESPAIR! Tutorials and training
missions will help you become familiar with flying the Landing Vehicle. After
sufficient practice, you will achieve a 90-95% success rate.
Feel free to copy and share this program. You can ┌─────────────────────────┐
register by sending $20. Registration entitles you │send registration, │
to unlimited "free" updates and a hard copy of the │ suggestions, etc, to: │
documentation. I would also appreciate reports of │ │
bugs or inconsistencies you might find as well as │ Al Reynolds │
suggestions for improvements or additions. │ 1558 Cottontree Drive │
│ Creve Coeur MO 63146 │
└─────────────────────────┘
IMPORTANT: You will avoid a lot of frustration if you read through ALL of the
documentation and go through ALL of the tutorial lessons at least once before
starting the Apollo Mission Simulator. Then begin, on your own, with the
simple training missions. For those of you who just can't wait, typing
"AMS 14" at the DOS prompt will show you the final phases of landing on the
moon.
Version 2.1 Description
Version 2.1 contains the following improvements and changes:
(1) An 8087 or 80287 math coprocessor is no longer required. If you have this
option and would like a version that executes much faster, you can get one by
registering or by sending me $2 or a blank disk and $1. The coprocessor
version of the program is called "2.1cr" for "coprocessor required".
(2) An online HELP command "F10" has been added. The HELP command displays a
list of commands.
(3) Additional prompting has been added to make the multi-key commands easier
to use.
(4) The display portions of the programs were rewritten to make them faster
and more compact.
(5) If you have a ".SAV" file created under version 2.0 and want to continue
the game under version 2.1, I have a utility "20to21" to do the conversion.
Hardware and Software Requirements
The following describes computer systems on which the Apollo Mission Simulator
is known to run:
IBM PC, PC/XT, PC/AT, PS/2 model 50 and compatibles
Monochrome or color display and monitor
256K RAM
DOS 2.0 or later
360K disk drive
"IBM" is a registered trademark of International Business Machines.
Reference and Mission Disks
On a floppy-disk based system, Apollo Mission Simulator files may be split
into reference and mission disks as shown below. Use the reference disk to
read the documentation, generate maps, and run tutorials. Use the mission
disk to initialize and run your own missions.
REFERENCE DISK MISSION DISK
-------------- --------------
READ .EXE NEW .EXE
* .DOC AMS .EXE
MAP .EXE LUNAR .REF
LUNAR .REF
AMS .EXE
* .SAV
* .KEY
* .CMT
"*" means "include all files with the extension shown."
Acronyms and Abbreviations
ACRONYM MEANING
------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
AMS Apollo Mission Simulator
DOI Descent Orbit Insertion
DSN Deep Space Network
EVA Extravehicular Activity
HB Permanent Lunar Habitat
INS Inertial Navigation System
LV Landing Vehicle
MB Mobile Base
OL Orbiting Laboratory
MET Mission Elapsed Timer
PDI Powered Descent Initiation
PL Portable Life Support System (also "PLSS")
RCS Reaction Control System
RV Roving Vehicle
UN Manned Maneuvering Unit
UT Universal Time
Glossary
TERM MEANING
----------- -----------------------------------------------------------------
apolune highest point in orbit around the moon
perilune lowest point in orbit around the moon
rille long narrow valley
Document Descriptions
The following documents, with the extension "DOC", are provided with the AMS.
They may be read using the program READ.
DOCUMENT
NAME CONTENTS
-------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
AMS synopsis of programs, documents, and files
MODELS details of physical models
COMMANDS list of commands
DISPLAYS description of the display screen
MISSIONS instructions for lunar exploration and training missions
PHYSICS tutorial on orbital mechanics and related physics
LUNARMAP map of lunar near side and lists of manmade objects and major surface
features
Program Descriptions
The following programs, with the extension "EXE", are provided with the AMS.
PROGRAM CONTENTS
-------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
READ read AMS documentation
MAP generate maps of the lunar surface
NEW initialize AMS parameters to begin a new game
AMS Apollo Mission Simulation program with tutor
Each program is executed by typing the program name at the DOS prompt.
Program Descriptions (continued)
READ allows you to browse through documents provided with the AMS. To read a
document, type "READ" followed by a document name, e.g., type "READ AMS" to
read this document. Five commands are recognized by READ:
COMMAND KEY EFFECT
------- ------- --------------------------------------------------------------
HOME Home view first page of document
PAGEUP PgUp view previous page of document
PAGEDOWN PgDn view next page of document
END End view final page of document
RETURN Esc exit READ program
If you do not type a document name or READ cannot find the one you specified,
it will display an error message. Make sure the document is present in the
current directory and try again. DO NOT TYPE the extension "DOC" following the
document name, since READ appends it before searching for the file.
Program Descriptions (continued)
MAP generates maps of the lunar surface. To generate a map, type "MAP". MAP
requires the file LUNAR.REF, which must be in the current directory. Maps are
saved in MAP.DOC and consist of five pages, each 64 latitude by 16 longitude
cells. A 1:1 map (1° by 2° cells) of the lunar near side is provided in
LUNARMAP.DOC. Features are described in MODELS.DOC. West longitude and south
latitude are specified by negative numbers. Three input parameters are
required to specify the center location and scale of the map:
PARAMETER NOTES
--------- -------------------------------------------------------------------
Latitude latitude north of the lunar equator in degrees
Longitude longitude east of the subearth meridian in degrees
Scale scale factor:
(L)arge 1:1 scale (30.3 x 60.7 km cells => 64 x 80 ° map)
(M)edium 64:1 scale ( 475 x 950 m cells => 30.3 x 60.7 km map)
(S)mall 4096:1 scale ( 7.5 x 15 m cells => 475 x 950 m map)
If MAP cannot find LUNAR.REF, it will display an error message. Make sure this
file is in the current directory and try again.
Program Descriptions (continued)
NEW initializes AMS parameters to begin a new game or to continue an old game.
To start a new game, type "NEW". NEW creates or modifies the file AMS.SAV,
which contains all of the parameters required by the AMS. NEW first asks if
you want to continue an old game. Type "Y" if you do. Make sure that a copy
of AMS.SAV is in the current directory. If you continue an old game, the only
parameters modified are the coordinates of the landing site. If you start a
new game, NEW will also ask for the coordinates of the Mobile Base. Two input
parameters are required to specify the landing site or Mobile Base location:
PARAMETER NOTES
----------- ------------------------------------------------------------------
LANDING SITE (both new and continued game):
Latitude latitude north of the lunar equator in degrees
Longitude longitude east of the subearth meridian in degrees
MOBILE BASE (new game only):
Latitude latitude north of the lunar equator in degrees
Longitude longitude east of the subearth meridian in degrees
If you want to use the Mobile Base in the new game, station it about 1km
(0.03°) north or south of the landing site.
Program Descriptions (continued)
AMS is the primary simulation program. To execute, type "AMS". The program
requires the files LUNAR.REF and AMS.SAV, which must be in the current
directory. Commands accepted by the AMS are given in COMMANDS.DOC. Make sure
the keyboard "Caps-Lock" and "Num-Lock" features are OFF. AMS accepts commands
until a QUIT or ESCAPE command is received, or the pilot dies. When the AMS is
exited via the QUIT command, AMS.SAV is updated with current parameters so the
game may be resumed. When the pilot dies, the game is over and AMS.SAV is not
changed. To exit without saving parameters, press the ESCAPE key.
The complete sequence for beginning a mission is as follows:
(1) A> MAP -- generate maps of the lunar surface to choose a landing site
[enter map center coordinates and scale]
(2) A> READ MAP -- read maps generated by MAP
(3) Repeat steps (1) and (2) until you find a suitable landing site
(4) A> NEW -- initialize new game parameters (create AMS.SAV)
[enter landing site and Mobile Base coordinates]
(5) A> AMS -- start new game [exit with QUIT command to save game]
(6) Repeat step (5) as necessary to continue playing the game
Program Descriptions (continued)
The tutorial version of the AMS is executed by typing "AMS" followed by a
lesson number, e.g., "AMS 11" to begin the first lesson. To run a tutorial,
LUNAR.REF and lesson files with extensions "SAV", "KEY", and "CMT" must be in
the current directoy. The tutorial version of AMS responds to time flow
commands REAL_TIME, FAST_TIME, WAIT, HELP, and ESCAPE. Lessons include:
LESSON COMMENTS DURATION
------ ------------------------------------------------------------- --------
1-1 initial pass over target, subearth meridian, and terminator (20 min)
-2 LV transfer/checkout + undocking + separation from OL (30 min)
-3 plane change maneuvers + Descent Orbit Insertion (30 min)
-4 Powered Descent Initiation + landing (20 min)
2-1 EVA preparation + RV and MB operation + EVA termination (25 min)
-2 MB remote operation + sample collection and stowage (25 min)
-3 preparation for liftoff (30 min)
3-1 liftoff + orbit circularization (15 min)
-2 transfer orbit + plane change maneuver (15 min)
-3 circularization + transition to stationkeeping (45 min)
-4 final approach + docking to OL (25 min)
4-1 on-orbit EVA + UN operation (25 min)
Miscellaneous File Descriptions
FILE NAME CONTENTS
------------ -----------------------------------------------------------------
README .BAT startup batch file
LUNAR .REF reference for generating lunar maps
* .SAV tutorial parameter save files
* .KEY tutorial command files
* .CMT tutorial comment files
FILES list of files
AMS .SAV parameters required by the AMS
RANSEED .DAT random number generator seeds
The last two files are created by programs NEW and AMS and are not supplied on
the game disk.