Tutorials
Tutorial 1: Launch to Space and Back
Step 1: Define the Scope
The easiest mission which may be accomplished, is to launch the rocket straight up, allowing it to reach space by it getting above 100 km (a.k.a the "Kármán line"), followed by a return to Earth with a safe landing. For this simple mission, a single-stage rocket, along with (almost) no maneuvers is sufficient, as it will be simply travelling up and down.
Step 2: Set Mission Name and Duration
First, launch the app, tap on Plan button, view the mission planning menu. Give the mission a name and set its maximum duration. To do so, tap on the Mission box. The box will go into edit mode, allowing the user to enter the name and duration in their respective fields. Choose and enter a descriptive Name for the mission. For the mission duration, it should not take more than 1000 seconds. Enter 1000 into the Duration field. If the duration is wrong, the user may change it later. To confirm the entered data, tap on the checkmark button. Done!
Step 3: Select Location for the Launch Site
From the same mission menu, tap on the Launch Site button, and the Launch Site selection view will appear. From this menu the user can pick the location from the map, enter coordinates manually, or select it from the list. For this mission, go with one of the standard launch sites - Florida. By default, it should be set anyway, but in the case it isn't, go ahead and select it, by double-tapping its record in the list below the map. Once done, go back to the mission planning menu for the next step.
Step 4: Build the Launch Vehicle
From the mission planning menu, tap on the Launch Vehicle button, allowing for the Launch Vehicle configuration screen to appear. A single-stage rocket with no maneuvers is needed. First, remove the extra stages. To do so, select each stage that is to be removed and slide it to the left - the stage will disappear. Continue until there is only one stage left. Next, configure that stage with the proper amount of propellants, number of engines, and throttle. Tap on the stage to select it. Its description will appear in the box at the top of the view. Tap anywhere in this box, to go into edit mode. Enter 35000 kg for Propellants Mass, and set the number of Engines to 1. Such a light load, does not require too much thrust, thus one engine would suffice. Furthermore, to reduce this engine's thrust, set Throttle to 70%. To complete the setup, tap on the checkmark button.
Step 5: Disable Maneuvers
Next, disable all the maneuvers. To do so, tap on the first maneuver button in the stack on the right. Its description will appear in the box at the top of the view, the same way as it did for the stage. Tap on the box to put it into edit mode, making sure that the first line - Maneuver Status - is Disabled. If it is Enabled, then toggle this value by tapping on it. Once done, tap on the checkmark to complete. Repeat this procedure for the rest of the flight maneuvers in the stack.The vehicle now is configured. Go back to the Mission Plan menu for the next step.
Step 6: Finalize Configuration
The mission now is ready, save it in the list. To do so, simply tap on Save button, a new record will appear in the list of saved and standard configurations. Now the mission planning is complete, and it is time for preflight preparations. Go back to the main menu.
Step 7: Prepare for Launch
Once back in the main menu, notice that Prepare button is now enabled. Tap on it and observe the progress of the mission preparation. When completed, observe three more enabled buttons: Review, Launch and Export. For now, skip Review, and go directly for Launch.
Step 8: Launch
Tap the Launch button, allowing for the visual simulator to appear. The vehicle on the pad will begin countdown to its launch. On both the left and right of the screen, view two menus. The left menu controls mission playback - allowing the user to pause, reverse, fast forward, skip 15 minutes forwards or backwards, and also terminate the simulation. The menu on the right allows to control the flight information display, in-flight map, call app manual for help and also change the mode of simulator view to altitude tracker mode. If the menus are not used for some time, they will fade and collapse. To expand them again, tap on the left or right edge of the screen, respectively.
Step 9: Explore Simulator Controls
While in the main simulator mode, the default view is from directly above the launch vehicle, looking straight down. To change viewpoint, use two-finger touches: pinch the screen to zoom in / out, rotate the view by moving two fingers around center of the screen, and pan the vertical viewing angle by moving two fingers up and down. To restore the viewpoint to default, double-tap with two fingers. To exit from the simulation, call the playback menu on the right and press the stop button to return to the main menu.
Step 10: Review Mission Results
To review the main mission results, tap on the Review button in the main menu. In Review, view main mission parameters, events, as well as diagrams showing how various mission characteristics change over time. Parameters and events can be scrolled vertically, and diagrams - horizontally. Once finished with review, go back to the main menu.
Step 11: Trim the Mission and Re-Launch
In Review, the user may notice that the mission was aborted. This happened, since the command module did not separate from the service module before reentry. To correct this aspect, go back to the Plan menu, then into Launch Vehicle view. Select the lowest flight maneuver button - Deorbit - and its description will appear in the box above. Tap this box to enter into edit mode, change its status to Enabled, and set Flipover Start time to 215 s. Since deorbit boost itself is not necessary, set Ignition Time to 215 s, and for Boost Duration enter 0 seconds. Leave Throttle with existing value.
Go back to the Plan menu and repeat steps 6 to 10: Save the mission, prepare for launch, launch, observe the flight and subsequently review the mission. In Review, notice that the mission mode is now nominal.
Step 12: Export the Results
As a final step, the user may export their mission results to their device for further access outside the app. To do so, tap on the Export button in the main menu. Once complete, go to the device's Files app and find a folder named Rocket Science. Inside, open Exported Files, and there will be a directory with the latest exported mission simulation results. Inside this directory find 3 files - two of them are .csv spreadsheets containing mission configuration and summary, as well as a .kml file with vehicle flight trajectory.
The mission is now complete. Thank you!