Microsoft Space Simulator is a space flight simulator program for Microsoft DOS/Windows. It is one of the first general-purpose space flight simulators (and arguably the best until the arrival of Orbiter) and caters to arm-chair astronauts, space flight enthusiasts and sci-fi fans alike. Although as a space flight simulator it requires from their users knowledge of some hard-to-grasp concepts of astrodynamics and celestial mechanics Space Simulator prooved to be ramarkably easy to handle even for inexperienced (but sufficiently determined) users.

Highlights

What has to be remembered is that this is a simulation, not a game. It can often be frustrating, complex and difficult due to its realism, but it can be rewarding for the skilled flightsimmer at the same time.

Features include:

• Wide number of spacecraft - spacecraft range from a compact manned maneuvering unit (Shuttle's MMU)to an interplanetary passanger transport (Galactic Explorer) and a giant interstellar freighter (Zander Freighter)
• Wide number of destinations - including space stations (both almost-historical e.g. Space Station Freedom and futuristic e.g. Ring Station 1), bases (e.g. Kennedy Space Center or futuristic Marineris Base on Mars) and celestial bodies (including comets) in both solar system and outside (e.g. in the Polaris or Vega star system)
• Spacecraft instrument panel - standardized, common to all spacecraft panel providing attitude and velocity information
• Photograph and video recording -
• Predefined missions - which task users with acomplishing certain objectives (like Apollo 17 moon landing or docking Shuttle to Space Station Freedom )
• Autopilot and Flight computer - autopilot can be used to execute 15 maneuvers of different complexities (ranging from attitude/orientation control to automatic landing). Maneuvers can be also compiled into a complete flight plan that can be automatically executed
• Observatory mode - that can be used as a planetarium for star- and other celestial body-viewing
• Slew control mode

It should be noted that this is the only space flight simulator that allows for a interstellar journey.

Physics engine:

• Space flight- Simulator uses Newtonian laws of motion. It however takes account of relativistic effects by decreasing spacecraft acceleration as it's speed approaches speed of light. It does not take account of time dillatation.
• Atmospheric flight - atmosphere is not modeled
• Surface -

Genesis and evolution

Microsoft Space Simulator was released by Microsoft in 1994. It was developed by BAO Ltd. (the company run by Bruce Artwick who was also behind development of Microsoft Flight Simulator) with Charles Guy as lead developer.

See Also

• Orbiter - a freeware, space flight simulator