This update adds a search feature to the Mission Pad -> Checklists page, rolls out a full overhaul of the CM Academy lesson 8 (SPS burn planning) and CM Academy lesson 9 A (Atmospheric Entry). It also fixes and improves many internal systems in the Apollo Command Module, fixes quite a few of internal and reported VR issues and general bug fixes.
As mentioned during the 1.0 release, the current phase of development has been mainly focused on fixing zero-day issues, crash to desktop issues, stability, Quality-of-Life fixes and in-game content (academy, missions, checklists, language) based on feedback from you who play the game.
I want to thank you all for helping me improve the game to the best of my ability, and for being part of shaping this product. At this point, these types of reports are slowing down a bit. I will continue to remain in this phase for a few more patches before shifting gears towards the 1.1 bits. Check the in-game Roadmap for details about all of this.
Note: If this patch causes new issues for you, please report them. You can always revert back to a previous version using the Steam Betas tab for the game. The latest previous version is: 1.0.29.
Checklist Search
A text field is added to the checklist page that provides search capabilities on the checklist names. Typing anything into this field will filter the checklists in the Mission Pad, and clearing it will revert the results back to normal. Use this to quickly find the checklists you need.
For example, filtering on P52 will reduce the visible checklists to all those containing P52 in its header.
Recall that you also have the Checklist Bookmarks that you can use to favorite various checklists.
This system has rolled out to all Mission Pads, making it available in Mercury, Gemini and Apollo.
CM Lesson 8 and Lesson 9 overhaul
I have completely overhauled the Apollo Command Module lesson 8 (SPS burn planning) and Lesson 9 A (Atmospheric Entry). The lessons should now guide you through all the actual procedures and better hold your hand as you learn how to master these more advanced topics.
Checklist Tab as a back button
In the previous patch I rolled out a feature that would take you back to the checklist overview if you press the Checklist Tab button, acting like a "back" button.
I have refined this logic to only call that "back" logic if you press the Checklist Tab while it's already open. This is because a player might want to visit the Transcript Tab, the Map Tab, etc, to verify things, while still walking through the checklist.
Virtual Reality
I have refined the new VR Hands Menu to support the old hot keys, and made so you can toggle it on or off. I also made quite a lot of improvements in the internal implementation of these to make this more stable. In addition, I refined the time scale buttons in the Mission Pad -> VR screen to match the changed internal values.
Updates to the SPS logic and electrical systems
I have fixed some issues and improved the entire electrical system and logic behind the Service Propulsion System (SPS) and its surrounding systems. These includes the SPS He Valves and the SPS Pilot Valves circuit breakers, the SPS He Valves talkback indicators, the A/B arming logic and the systems driving these components.
No major procedural changes to these systems except the importance of handling the various system circuit breakers, and that the previous required order of first having to set the A/B ΔV THRUST before the DIRECT THRUST switch no longer exist. The systems now support, as in real life, enabling these in any order to ignite the SPS engine (SCS direct mode).
Command Module ΔV THRUST switch changes
I have made a small change to the ΔV THRUST switches in the Command Module. In real life, if you would close the protective covers of these, the switch would also be pushed to the down position. This is also now true in-game. It is important to be aware of this as closing them can disarm the SPS, so keep them OPEN during any SPS maneuver.
Command Module Three-phase electric power (3ϕ)
I improved the internal three-phase electric power (3ϕ) for multiple systems. This wires the Suit compressor cbs, Cabin fan cbs and Glycol Pump cbs to the new logic. This system still keeps things gamified but makes the operation of these circuit breakers important.
Command Module Fixed Cabin light and flood light power sources
I have improved the Command Module lighting system where each flood light is driven by their respective MNA/MNB connections (instead of general DC availability), and connected their Fixed light switches to the logic. This will allow you to set the Fixed switched to FIXED for full brightness, or OFF for dim control. This will let you briefly illuminate the selected flood light fully if needed without having to turn/change your preferred dim setting.
I have added this logic to the Left, Right and LEB flood light systems.
P40 fixes
I have made a fix to the Program 40 (P40) thrusting program in the CMC that would prevent it from moving from V06 to V16 automatically, leading to an excessive PRO button push that could potentially confuse you as you progress through the procedures.
Gemini Retroburn Plannet Set button fix
The Gemini Retroburn planner had an issue with the SET button that could, in some cases, prevent the timer from being set. You will also now get a radio message when the Time to Retro has been updated.
Broken links in the Flight Documents (SHIFT+M) pad
NASA has made multiple changes to their site hierarchy and moved things around. This has led to some links in the Flight Documents folder to be broken (such as finding the Apollo 13 Flight Plan in the Apollo 13 Historic Mission).
MOCR panel and texture fixes
Based on reports and feedback I have made multiple fixes to the various panels and textures used in the Apollo Mission Control Room (MOCR).
Gemini Voltmeter Fix
An issue in the Gemini Voltmeter would typically indicate 0 volts on the Main DC bus (M) configuration. The issue is seen below:
Gemini Rendezvous program
I made a fix to the Gemini Rendezvous OBC module that would illuminate the inverted IVI arrow indicator on the left/right axis. This module is used to align the attitude/orientation of the spacecraft relative to Agena, and on the IVIs show what direction you need to translate to align your position relative to Agena.
Special thanks to Freeze, Folgers, GoForTLI and the Test Pilots for the help with these Command Module system improvements.
Patch notes:
Checklist and mission fixes
Added a checklist search filter to allow searching for checklists in the current context
Complete overhaul of CM Academy lesson 8 (SPS burn planning)
Complete overhaul of CM Academy lesson 9 A (entry)
Improved the "Checklist" tab click to only revert to main checklist selection if the checklist tab is already open (to allow using other tabs while still getting back to where you left off in a current checklist)
VR: Bound the new VR Hand Menu to the Comms button to allow visibility toggle
VR: Implemented so you can toggle VR Current Objectives and VR Mission Pads using hot keys while in VR mode
VR: Updated time scale labels in VR Mission Pads to match updated logic
CM: Re-added the logic where closing the dv Thrust A/B switch covers will set them to OFF/Down
CM: Suit Compressor three state AC wiring
CM: Cabin Fan three state AC wiring
CM: Glycol Pump three state AC wiring
CM: Implemented the P5, P8 and P100 Fixed Light switch
CM: Improved the Flood Light logic
CM: Fixed an issue where P40 would not move from V06 to V16 in some cases (indicating burn completion), resulting in an additional PRO push.
CM: Updates to the SPS logic and SPS electrical flow
Fixed the CLOSE (X) button on the S-IVB Burn planner
Improved CJK (Chinese/Japanese/Korean) font character sets
Fixed an issue with the Gemini Retroburn Planner time set logic
MOCR texture typo fixes
Updated some broken links in the Flight Documents browser for Apollo
Gemini: Fixed an issue with the "M" setting of the Voltmeter
Gemini: Inverted rendezvous IVI suggestions fix