Core Module Progress (Dev)

Development of the Core Module is going well.

Here are a few more dev shots showing the progress.  Visible are the new RCS nozels and EVA hand rails.  The radiators can also be seen in retracted configuration, although not mounted into the module.

Toehold Station Core Module (dev)

Here are some development shots of the Toehold Station Core Module.

They show:-

-Docking ports for XR5 and DG class vessels

-Module docks (4 side|1end)

-Docking/Cargo viewport window (module’s cockpit/view location)

-Spinal Robotic Arm (animated)

-Solar array truss in collapsed and extended configurations (animated truss| arrays gimble/rotate)

-Rough concept of how the station will grow

Toehold Project leaves the drawing board

AIA has finally begun building work for the Toehold Project and the first space station module is currently being constructed.  This core module will be the first launched into orbit and will become the heart of the completed station.

Pictures are as yet unavailable, but the following information can be released, the module:

- is designed to utilise the ample lifting capabilites of the XR5 Vanguard.

- will have it’s own substatial solar power arrays.

- will have docking facilities for XR5 and small DG class vessels.

- will have it’s own robotic arm.

- will become the rooting point for further station expansion, with docks for further modules.

(It will be a SC3 coded model with animations and XR5 compatability.)

Rebranding of the Racing Project

Due to powers beyond my control (lawyers), I have been forced to rebrand our Orbiter racing development.  So for now it has been branded the Orbiter Racing Project (ORP), which may change into something sexier later on.

I just want to say to any of those few readers that I have, that this project to-date was never endorsed by the real Rocket Racing League(TM) and was never intended to compete against it… But it seems our uber creative skills at developing free open-source content for a free virtual spaceflight simulator aimed at increasing people’s interest in real space technology and engineering, convinced somebody that we were however.

ho-um.

Quiet again

As any followers of my addon dev will have noticed, I have gone quiet… again.  This happens.  My development comes in fits and starts, partly due to RL, partly due to my creative motivations.  But I’m sure I will return to things in due course, as before.

Thanks for all the downloads and support for my work so far, I’m glad my offerings are used and enjoyed by some.

WHAP

ORRL development going well

All things regarding the ORRL are going very well and development is coming on apace.

There will now be two seperate releases of this addon:

AIA ORRL package: This will contain all the necessary content for OFFLINE play only.  It will allow you to fly all the courses against the clock, either for practice/fun or for entry into the Offline league tables.  This package is essentially complete, technically.  It just requires finalisation of courses, the RCPMFD and documentation.  It will be released as soon as the beta is complete in the new year.

SF ORRL OMP package: This is a larger, collaborative and open source effort between multiple Orbiter developers and contributers.  This is aimed at the ONLINE multiplayer side of the ORRL, using Face’s OMP server/client architecture.  Once the project is out of early beta and running as intended, we plan to run MP sessions, with league tables, for Orbitnauts to join in and race or just spectate.  This project will take longer than the offline version to establish and will be an ongoing developmental project.

Here are some screens of a new racing skin I have been playing with for the XR2, featuring the ORRL sponsors to date.

ORRL in-house testing begins

The ORRL closed BETA play-tests are under way, with most functionality in place.  Following feedback and bug hunting, more content will be added and the general release will be compiled – hopefully within a week or so.

Generic Hangars Released

Following request, AIA is releasing the 2 main hangars used at Wideawake International for easy inclusion in other people’s bases.

Included:

DG class hangar

XR5 class hangar

Hangar texture

(These are plain grey versions)

The large sign has a customizable/replaceable texture.

They can be downloaded HERE

On your marks…

AIA has started development and contractual work in order to launch the Orbiter Rocket Racing League.  It is hoped that the Racing League shall be officially started on the new year, with the addon released within the next week.

Sponsorship for the League has begun to trickle in, here are a few shots of the test billboarding and finish line.  Also see a baloon pylon design which shall be used as a race marker and advertising/sponsor space.

update: new pics added.

Beyond Phase 2…

Now that Wideawake International is operational, Phase 2 of the Ascension Project is complete.  This marks an important step for AIA.  Although there are some plans for further expansion of the Wideawake base, they are not short term goals and therefore are not next on the development agenda.  It is time for AIA to turn it’s gaze away from Earth…

Currently, AIA are focusing time to the following areas:-

-Orbiter Rocket Racing League – KSC-WIN Time Trial Challenge

-Toehold Project – development of core station module

-XR5 Payloads – HOOP and other projects

-General R&D – AIA has a few other projects on the drawing board

It is likely that the ORRL time trials will be the next release from AIA, hopefully by the new year.  Following that will come the more substantial Toehold Project.  It is, as yet, undecided what shall be developed and produced first to support this effort.  But it is known that the Jupiter V-X (by AndyMC) and the XR-5(by dbeachy & RussH) have been selected as the operational vessels for the project.