Uploaded March 2020 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
After discovering how to use World Origin Position control in the Unreal Engine (4.25) to allow for smooth and accurate computations over the full lunar landscape (200 million sq kilometers) to reduce computational errors due to UE limited 32 bit floating point. I also had to reverse engineer program 12 in the APU to recreate the same path Neil Armstrong & Buzz Aldrin took as the made the ascent from Tranquility base into orbit to dock with the CMS. This video captures almost nine minutes from lift off to orbit insertion with four camera perspectives, including a camera view very similar to actual camera footage taken from above the LM Pilot window. As mentioned I ran similar computations to insert the VR LM into orbit and I am proud that even though my readings are not identical to the LM on that day, they are still within NASA orbital calculations and only slightly off the actual Eagle. I contribute this to the delta time variation, differences between real world numbers and simulated, as well as not having that actual constants used at the time. I also decided to not fully implement attitude adjustments with my RTS algorithms but adjust the axis directly through a two second iterative approach. I did this because frankly axis translation in Unreal seems to stop position translation creating an unrealistic pause. I also decided to remove the artificial sway for the same reason. The sway in the actual craft is due to the delta times used to fire the RTS and momentum not allowing it to stop on a dime and causing a pendulum type movement. The LM can also be controlled in full manual mode if you want to try and make orbit without the APU in either APU assisted attitude control or fully manual. In the second level of this VR Experience you will be in circular orbit around the moon about 2 kilometers out to either dock automatically or manually with the CSM. Keep in mind orbital mechanics makes the latter much more difficult.
We are hoping to have at least the beta ready by April 11th, 2020 if not sooner to help in keeping people off the streets.
After discovering how to use World Origin Position control in the Unreal Engine (4.25) to allow for smooth and accurate computations over the full lunar landscape (200 million sq kilometers) to reduce computational errors due to UE limited 32 bit floating point. I also had to reverse engineer program 12 in the APU to recreate the same path Neil Armstrong & Buzz Aldrin took as the made the ascent from Tranquility base into orbit to dock with the CMS. This video captures almost nine minutes from lift off to orbit insertion with four camera perspectives, including a camera view very similar to actual camera footage taken from above the LM Pilot window. As mentioned I ran similar computations to insert the VR LM into orbit and I am proud that even though my readings are not identical to the LM on that day, they are still within NASA orbital calculations and only slightly off the actual Eagle. I contribute this to the delta time variation, differences between real world numbers and simulated, as well as not having that actual constants used at the time. I also decided to not fully implement attitude adjustments with my RTS algorithms but adjust the axis directly through a two second iterative approach. I did this because frankly axis translation in Unreal seems to stop position translation creating an unrealistic pause. I also decided to remove the artificial sway for the same reason. The sway in the actual craft is due to the delta times used to fire the RTS and momentum not allowing it to stop on a dime and causing a pendulum type movement. The LM can also be controlled in full manual mode if you want to try and make orbit without the APU in either APU assisted attitude control or fully manual. In the second level of this VR Experience you will be in circular orbit around the moon about 2 kilometers out to either dock automatically or manually with the CSM. Keep in mind orbital mechanics makes the latter much more difficult.
We are hoping to have at least the beta ready by April 11th, 2020 if not sooner to help in keeping people off the streets.
