Back in the 70s, 3D graphics were far still in the future. We wrote flight sim programs that were essentially night flying. There were instruments in ASCII graphics with attitude, altitude, heading, VOR beacon, etc. Other favorites were Lunar lander and docking in orbit.
Docking in orbit is tricky, because thrusting toward the docking station moves you further away! To explain, suppose you are behind the dock in orbit, thrusting toward the dock increases your orbital velocity, moving you to a higher orbit, which being larger, causes you to fall behind, moving farther away. Similarly, if you are ahead of the dock in orbit, thrusting toward the dock decreases orbital velocity,dropping you to a lower orbit, which being smaller, cause you to surge ahead, moving farther away from the dock.
juncarlo over 5 years ago
Cliff, get ready for when Pam starts punching.
Bilan over 5 years ago
Keep talking so I can practice my night fighting.
Say What Now‽ Premium Member over 5 years ago
I can buy one of those from the dollar store. They are made of cloth.
GreggW Premium Member over 5 years ago
He’s also developed one simulating polar bears fighting in a snowstorm.
gantech over 5 years ago
Hey..this looks like one of those hypnotic spi…ra..ls….zzzzzzzz……
stuart over 5 years ago
Back in the 70s, 3D graphics were far still in the future. We wrote flight sim programs that were essentially night flying. There were instruments in ASCII graphics with attitude, altitude, heading, VOR beacon, etc. Other favorites were Lunar lander and docking in orbit.
Docking in orbit is tricky, because thrusting toward the docking station moves you further away! To explain, suppose you are behind the dock in orbit, thrusting toward the dock increases your orbital velocity, moving you to a higher orbit, which being larger, causes you to fall behind, moving farther away. Similarly, if you are ahead of the dock in orbit, thrusting toward the dock decreases orbital velocity,dropping you to a lower orbit, which being smaller, cause you to surge ahead, moving farther away from the dock.
David Huie Green LoveJoyAndPeace over 5 years ago
Let ouch the ouch Force ouch guide ouch, ouch you OUCH.
Gonzojr over 5 years ago
Brewster may escalate it to a View Master