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Orbiter FAQ

Technical problems are addressed on the official Orbiter FAQ page.Also be sure to check out the Orbiter Tips page.

Is the Orbiter program Free?
Is Orbiter program compatible with Windows Xp?

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How do I start playing?
Where do I get a manual?
Does Orbiter support multiplay?
Does Orbiter have an auto-pilot?
Is there a way to stop all motion of my ship?
Does Orbiter have crash detection?
Is there sound?
Where can I get add-ons?
Can I use my joystick?
Can I use my mouse?
Is there a warpdrive?
How do I fly to other star systems?
How can I change the date and time in Orbiter?
How do I start from a different spaceport?
How do I save my place in Orbiter?
How do I take screenshots?
How do I learn all this space jargon?
Explain how to establish an orbit with Orbiter?
How do I launch the space shuttle?
Can you use the DeltaGlider to take off the runway like a normal plane?
Can I have more stations added to any scenario?
Why doesn't my new add-on work?
I don't see my question here
Who are you guys?
What can be done about spam in Orbiter Forum?
What if a known spammer ask a legitimate question?
Can a known spammer ever regain repect in the Forum?

 

Is the Orbiter program Free?
Yes. There are also many free addons provided by the user community. These can be downloaded at avsim.com.

Is Orbiter program compatible with Windows Xp?
Yes, Orbiter runs well on Windows XP systems. However some people have difficulties using certain joysticks in MS Windows..

How do I start playing?
There is no installation wizard for Orbiter. Just unzip the two required packages (Base and Textures)  into the director of your choice. All the files should be sorted in their proper place. Your extraction utility should create the sub folders automatically. There are no files that install into your registry and no short cuts are created for the "start menu". Run the orbiter.exe file to open Obiter's main menu, called launchpad. From "launchpad" you should tab through and configure your settings. From the Scenario tab choose a scenario then click the Orbiter button. Note: you will also need Patch 3 for 021202

Once up and running check the addon reviews
Must have Add-ons | Vessels Historic | Vessels Fictitious | Scenery

This is not a game but a realistic simulation of space flight in our solar system. Therefore the learning curve is steep but achievable through the help of the manual and online tutorials.

Where do I get a manual?
The manual comes with the Orbiter download. It can be found in the Doc folder where you installed Orbiter. Example: C: \program files\Orbiter\doc\orbiter.pdf

Does Orbiter support multiplay?
No.

Does Orbiter have an auto-pilot?
Yes and No. Orbiter does not have a built in feature to write a flight plan and set it on auto-pilot. Therefore there is no point to point hands off auto-pilot. However Orbiter has several wonderful auto-pilot functions that rotate or maintain the ships relative position. These are well document in the manual and they make many of the in flight maneuvers simple.

A new add-on is out that lets you create and manage flight plans. Redshift

Is there a way to stop all motion of my ship?
No. This is a realistic simulation where everything is in motion, as it should be. Therefore a ship can not stop and stand still in space. However all thrust can be killed with the numpad [*] key and all rotation can be killed with numpad [5] key.

Does Orbiter have crash detection?
Orbiter will detect contact when a ship lands or crashes on a planet surface. All other objects are currently not detected and will pass right through one another. The exception to this is in docking mode. In this mode you can dock at the assigned port. If you miss the port or come in too fast, your ship will pass right throug as if it isn't there.

Is there sound?
Yes. It's one of the many free add-ons and probable the first addon you should get. It doesn't come with the Orbiter download, you must go to one of the add-on websites to get it.

Where can I get add-ons?
You can download add-ons from avsim.com.

Can I use my joystick?
Yes. A joystick can be used but is not necessary to use the program. Some joysticks have difficulty operating correctly with Orbiter, particularly the throttle.

Can I use my mouse?
Yes. The mouse functions in the main menu launchpad and with panel buttons.

Is there a warpdrive?
No. But you can speed up time by pressing [T] on the keyboard. Pressing [R] will slow time back to normal again.

How do I fly to other star systems?
You can't fly to other star systems. This program simulates our solar system only. However you can download some imaginary planetary systems as addons. You just can't fly from our solar system to other solar systems or stars.
http://orbit.m6.net/discuss/philboard_read.asp?id=3738

How can I change the date and time in Orbiter?
You can not change the date from within the program. However you can change the date in any scenario file with notepad. For example open Deltaglider Mk3.scn in the scenarios folder and look under; BEGIN_ENVIRONMENT

  System Sol
  Date MJD 51981.6201266667

You can set any scenario to current date and time by adding a semicolon after MJD.

Date MJD ;

How do I start from a different spaceport?
The scenario you select will place you at a particular location. Within a scenario you can select other ships [F3] at other locations if they are available. Otherwise you must fly to the other ports and stations. Therefore when you arrive at a port you may want to save it as a new scenario.

How do I save my place in Orbiter?
You create a new scenario. Simple press [Ctrl][S] when you want to save. Exit to the main menu Launchpad and under the scenario tab select the save current button. Type in a scenario name.

How do I take screenshots?
Press print screen and it will save your screen to the clipboard. You must then get out of Orbiter and open any image program. You should be able to paste the saved clipboard image into this program and save it to the desired file type.

A better way is to use MultiGrab. This utility allows multiple screen grabs using the standard Windows
PrintScrn function. You won't need to exit Orbiter, capture as many shots as you want during play.
MW Graphics page

How do I learn all this space jargon?
It takes some time but little by little you will pick it up. Start by checking the acronyms page, then try learning space stuff at the JPL website. JPL-Basics of Space Flight
.

Explain how to establish an orbit with Orbiter?
For your first orbit you should select the Delta Glider. Save the Space Shuttle Atlantis for when you have experience. Read the flight checklist in the manual or run any of the fine tutorials on this subject available on the web.
http://orbit.m6.net/discuss/philboard_read.asp?id=3618

How do I launch the space shuttle?
http://orbit.m6.net/discuss/philboard_read.asp?id=3286

Can you use the DeltaGlider to take off the runway like a normal plane?
Yes, in the new version of Orbiter. Here's how to do it in older versions. The DeltaGlider does not have enough wing to lift it off the ground on it's own. But you can turn on the thrusters until the wheels just come off, then set the wheels back down by knocking the thrusters back down a notch. You should now be able to run down the runway and take off with a little bit of wing lift as speed increases.

Can I have more stations added to any scenario?
Yes. New stations that you download are not limited to the scenarios that come with them. To add them to any other scenario use notepad to copy their details over from the original download to the scenarios you want.

Why doesn't my new add-on work?
You must enable the module in the modules tab of the Orbiter Launchpad

I don't see my question here.
If your questioned hasn't been answered here go to the Orbiter Forum and ask for help. All the questions and answers on this page came from the forum..

Who are you Guys?
S
ee whos who at Orbiter Forum.

What can be done about spam in Orbiter Forum?
Never reply to spam or to a known spammer. If you respond in anger the spammer wins and gets his post back on top. If everyone abides by this rule then all replies to spam can be assumed to be the spammer revealing his multiple identities.

What if a known spammer ask a legitimate question?
Never reply to a known spammer. Sometimes a known spammer will ask a simplistic question too once again drag attention to himself.

Can a known spammer ever regain repect in the Forum?
Yes. A spammer can clear his name by taking a two week leave from the Forum. Absolutely no post or replies. After two weeks are up their identity may return but only with no mention of their past indiscretions. Nothing should ever link to who they were, no apologies, no personal messages and no "Hey everyone I'm back". Simple stick to the topic of the Forum. Top

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