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1993-05-10
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Program STSORBIT PLUS Satellite Orbit Simulation Page 1
Program STSORBIT PLUS
Space Shuttle and Satellite Orbit Simulation
(Enhanced Version for 286/386/486 Computers)
Version 9320
May 10, 1992
by David H. Ransom, Jr.
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA USA
Bulletin Board Systems
----------------------
RPV ASTRONOMY BBS
(310) 541-7299 @ 14400/9600/2400 Baud
RPV HOTLINE BBS
(310) 544-8977 @ 2400/1200 Baud
BRIEF PROGRAM INSTRUCTIONS
--------------------------
This file is intended to help the experienced user get started with
program STSORBIT PLUS (referred to as STSPLUS hereafter). It is NOT
intended to be a substitute for the full program documentation!
STSPLUS is a program to track the NASA Space Shuttle and other
satellites. The program requires NASA/NORAD 2-line elements for orbital
data and may be used for all satellites as well as for the space shuttle.
The following steps should get the program "up and running" with as
little fuss and bother as practical.
1. A hard disk is required. Copy all files to a subdirectory called
STSPLUS.
2. Log into the STSPLUS subdirectory using the following commands (which
assume drive C:):
C:
CD \STSPLUS
3. If you have used a previous version of STSPLUS, note that STSPLUS will
not read data from file STSPLUS.INI if it was written by a different
program version. This will eliminate any problems if the format of the
Program STSORBIT PLUS Satellite Orbit Simulation Page 2
.INI file has changed and will reset all features to their default
conditions.
4. Enter the following command to start the program:
STSPLUS (for all CGA/EGA/VGA color systems)
STSPLUS /M (for all EGA/VGA monochrome systems)
5. The STSPLUS.EXE file is compressed and is decompressed at load time;
this may cause a brief delay depending upon the computer type used.
Once the program is properly loaded, a screen will appear which
requests that you set the UTC Offset for your time zone. Follow the
on-screen instructions and enter the UTC Offset and the Daylight Flag.
6. The distribution package includes a set of US Space Command 2-line
elements with a name like TLE155.TXT. This contains orbital data on
over 170 different satellites. Press F2 to load orbital information.
The screen will display a list of files having the extension .TXT. The
TLEnnn.TXT file should be one of them. Enter the file name at the
prompt and press ENTER. NOTE: The filename for 2-line elements from
Celestial BBS has changed from NASAnnn.TXT to TLEnnn.TXT.
7. The program will ask what satellite you wish to view with a default
response of "HST" (meaning the Hubble Space Telescope). Press ENTER to
accept the default or enter another satellite name (such as "MIR" or
"UARS"). If the name of the data file begins with the letters "STS",
the default satellite name will be "STS".
8. The program will search the data file for the requested satellite and
display its orbital data if found. If this is the satellite you wish,
press ENTER when asked. Press SPACE to continue searching.
9. After the satellite has been selected, STSPLUS will display a map of
the world and the ground track of the satellite. The satellite itself
will be a white symbol along the ground track. EGA and VGA systems
will display in color; CGA and HGC systems will display in monochrome.
10. Press ENTER at any time to return to the Main Menu.
11. STSPLUS has many features which are fully described in the program
documentation. Please read that documentation!
12. The latest version of STSPLUS and current NASA 2-line elements are
always available on my bulletin board system noted at the beginning of
this document. Eash system uses a power controller; if it hasn't
answered after the FOURTH RING, hang up and call back in two minutes.
The systems are often busy, so please be patient.
USING MISSION ELAPSED TIME WITH 2-LINE ELEMENTS
-----------------------------------------------
The standard NASA/NORAD 2-line orbital element format does not include
the launch time or launch date. However, this information is obviously
Program STSORBIT PLUS Satellite Orbit Simulation Page 3
required if Mission Elapsed Time (MET) is to be displayed. That information
must therefore be obtained independently and manually entered into the
program. The following steps are required:
1. Start program STSPLUS (see above).
2. Now load the desired 2-line elements using Function Key F2 on the Main
Menu. Press ENTER to return from the ground track display to the Main
Menu.
3. Press Function Key F5 to enter Launch Time and Launch Date. Enter the
appropriate information. Note that if you enter UTC or GMT Launch Time
(by adding the letter "U" or "G" at the end of the time, upper or
lower case), STSPLUS assumes that the date you enter will also be the
UTC/GMT Launch Date.
4. The information will be displayed for approval. Press ENTER to accept
the data, or press SPACE BAR to repeat the process.
5. Once the data have been accepted, press Function Key F6 to display
Mission Elapsed Time. Press F6 again to return to Time Elapsed Since
Epoch. While the ground track is displayed, Function Key F5 may be
pressed to switch between the two elapsed time calculations. (Press
Function Key F1 for help when the map is displayed with rectangular
projection. Help is NOT available with the orthographic projection.)
If a launch time and date have not been entered, these commands will
have no effect and time since epoch will always be displayed.
6. The launch time and launch date will be saved in file STSPLUS.LTD and
need only be entered once unless it must be changed for some reason.
The simulated time, taking into account any fast time that may have
been in effect up to that point, is shown at the lower left of the screen.
For reference, the launch or epoch time and the actual local time (as
determined by the computer's internal DOS clock) are also displayed. The
MET (Mission Elapsed Time) or T+Epoch display at the lower right of the
screen shows the current elapsed time in the mission and will include an
additional message, "(x10)" or "(x60)", when fast time is in effect.
The combination of the FAST and PAUSE modes will let you "look
ahead" and then freeze the display at a time of interest -- such as when
the satellite enters your circle of visibility. You can then use the "+"
and "-" keys to move the satellite position back and forward in time (using
Function Key F6 to select the time step interval, 1, 10 or 60 seconds) to
determine the times and positions throughout a pass.
USERS WITHOUT A MATH COPROCESSOR CHIP
-------------------------------------
STSPLUS makes very complex calculations to determine the position of
the Earth, Satellite, and Sun. In addition, graphics operations required to
display the maps and the satellite track and position also require many
calculations. Slow computers or computers not equipped with a math
coprocessor chip (8087, 80287, 80387, etc.) may not be able to perform all
Program STSORBIT PLUS Satellite Orbit Simulation Page 4
of the required calculations and still keep the display synchronized to
real time.
Note that the Sun terminator feature is NOT automatically disabled;
however, slower computers without a math coprocessor chip will be unable to
keep up with real time if this feature is enabled. From the Main Menu, use
F10+F3+F8 to disable this feature if necessary.
PROGRAM REGISTRATION
--------------------
See the file README for information on registering STSPLUS. While I
do not require registration of STSPLUS, I've put a great deal of time and
effort into the program for more than two years. Registering your copy and
sending along the very modest donation will encourage me to continue
maintaining and improving the program.
David H. Ransom, Jr.
7130 Avenida Altisima
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90274 USA