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Earlier quoted context omitted.
They do, Dragon 2 docking is fully automated. The manual controls are a backup.
Did they get approved for full auto? Last I looked, only Kurs-equipped were allowed, everyone else got moved with Canadarm.
Dragon 2 has already done an autonomous docking to the ISS, as part of the DM-1 mission.
Nailed it first time!! I was super excited too, cos it was so obvious that this so-called “simulation” was in reality a test to find pilots to save the ISS from some top secret calamity that we don’t know about. Surely this was going to be like in “the last Starfighter”, except that Elon Musk would be the one knocking on my door, needing a new pilot. Sadly it just said “congratulations” :(
And when you counter, don't forget to mention how much a successful docking would save them.
Surprised they don't have a computer do this.
Fully automated docking for Soyuz capsules called Kurs[1] was developed in 80's for flights to Mir. When USSR dissolved and it turned out that this system was fully owned by Ukraine, Russian space agency tried to test how viable is to dock via manual bakup docking system TORU[2], which failed and damaged the space station. On the other hand, there is at least one occasion when Kurs failed and the manual backup saved the docking.
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kurs_(docking_navigation_syste... [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TORU
I’m glad this is available online. This is a very standard docking UI for spacecraft - everyone in the industry has an almost identical design. ULA has shown a simulator exactly like this in conferences for years now.
Really? I'd have thought they'd give the astronauts a proper 6DoF controller (e.g. a SpaceBall or SpaceMouse) instead of making them mash buttons like this.
On the other hand, being able to stop the module and zero all unnecessary movement before proceeding to dock is something I can't do with aircraft on Earth.
Very good illustration how "full inertial physics" works (in contrast to what can be seen in sci-fi movies). This is a huge potential procrastination catalyst :-)
"Gravity" was quite accurate, no?
Is this the way it is done in real life? Wouldn't it be better to let a computer handle this?
I've flown enough "flight assist off" in Elite Dangerous so this worked exactly like I expected it to :) I hope someone makes a game like Elite Dangerous without care for actual gameplay, and even more realism. For example, with FA off in ED, there's still a speed limit that varies from ship to ship.