ORBITER Space Flight Simulator

News & events

London, 10 October 2006
I have been invited to present Orbiter 2006 at this year's 3rd International Workshop on Astrodynamics Tools and Techniques, 2-5 October 2006, at ESTEC in Noordwijk. For anybody interested, here is the presentation in PowerPoint [12MB] and PDF [2.5MB] format. The presentation was followed by a live Orbiter demo of a Vega launch and delivery of a satellite into a polar orbit. The talk and demo were very well received, in no small part thanks to many individuals who allowed me to use their addons.

London, 29 September 2006
The first patch for Orbiter 2006 has been released today, bringing the current version to Orbiter 2006-P1 (build 060929). The patch provides some essential improvements and bug fixes, and in particular addresses long-term stability and accuracy of orbit integration.

London, 4 May 2006
Orbiter 2006 has been released today. The new version adds a number of significant new features, including a flight recorder, scenario editor, and support for higher resolution planetary surface graphics.

London, 16 January 2005
Orbiter Edition 2005 (v.050116) has been released today. Hot on the heels of Huygens' successful touchdown on Titan, the new version of the successful space flight simulator has landed! A Press Kit, including feature list and screenshots, is available.

London, 16 September 2004
I have had the opportunity to present the upcoming Orbiter 2004 edition at the the 2nd ESA Workshop on Astrodynamics Tools and Techniques, 13-15 September 2004, at the ESTEC facility in Noordwijk, The Netherlands. I am grateful to ESA to for the invitation and the chance to present Orbiter in front of a professional audience. The presentation, including a practical demonstration of a beta version of the new release, was very well received, and since the talk may be of interest to a wider audience, I have uploaded it here in PowerPoint and PDF format.

Orbiter in the press

Le Monde.fr Le Monde, October 27, 2001 "Un simulateur spatial complet, a mi-chemin entre le realisme et la science fiction..."
FlightXPress FlightXPress, No. 10, October 2001 "Insgesamt ist die bei einem solchen Programm ueberaus wichtige Anleitung hervorragend umgesetzt. Hier koennen sich so manche kommerzielle Produkte ein Vorbild nehmen!"
PCFormat PC Format, August+September 2002 double feature "Fly the Space Shuttle - This is probably as close as you're going to get ..."
PC Pilot PC Pilot, issue 19, November/December 2002 "The visuals are wonderful, especially the view of Earth from space, and the whole launch and re-entry sequences look fabulous."
Computer Pilot Computer Pilot, April 2003 "Orbiter is an in-depth simulation, based on complex physics models for space travel, planetary motion and atmospheric effects ..."
Micro Simulateur Micro Simulateur, August 2003 "Si vous cherchez de nouvelles sensations de pilotage, alors Orbiter est fait pour vous..."
Espace Magazine Espace Magazine, March/April 2005 "Orbiter space flight simulator, mettez un vaisseau spatial dans votre PC"
PC Answers PC Answers, July 2005 "Orbiter 2005 - Take control of a variety of spacecraft in this highly realistic flight simulator."
PC Gamer PC Gamer UK, November 2005 "If you're still reconciling the dream of being an astronaut with the reality of life, then try Orbiter. It's a horrifically detailed simulation of the near-future of space travel."
BBC Sky at Night BBC Sky at Night Magazine, January 2006 (Orbiter 2005 Edition on the cover disc): "Orbiter - Fly to the Moon and play among the stars with this realistic flight simulator. You'll pilot a whole fleet of spacecraft to space stations and the planets."
PC Zone PC Zone, August 2006: "This freeware spaceflight sim does an astounding job of replicating excactly how I'd imagine space exploration to be: hugely complicated and visually stunning."
Astronomie Heute Astronomie Heute, October 2006: "Das Computerpgrogramm Orbiter laesst Sie selbst zu den Sternen fliegen - mit realistischen Flugmanoevern echter und fiktiver Raumschiffe."
Discover Magazine Discover, April 2008: "Orbiter lets users pilot historical and fictional spacecraft around the solar system; options include flying a shuttle resupply mission to the space station and guiding a glider through the hazy skies of Venus."
PC-Simulation Magazine PC-Simulation Magazine.com, April 2008: (Feature article on AMSO): "Excellent équilibre entre réalisme et facilité d´utilisation. Travail complet et beau! Verdict: Un must."