Lo Eye,

As a new-born space adept I can assure you that the complexity is VERY manageable in Easy mode. I was talked into this one by a flightsim buddy after initially being too intimidated. But it is remarkable accessible. The learning curve is inverse with most flightsims. To compare it to Black Shark: there you must go to the library first and study; I have sit in the cockpit completely flummoxed because I had no clue what to do without prior study. In this sim it is opposite. You sit in the cockpit and "do as you are told". You read a line, look for a yellow arrow and push a button. At this point ANY simmer will ask: and where is the fun in this? It sounds.... boring? Procedural? And this is where the magic comes in. Because in a strange, mysterious, unlogical way this sim pulls a vacuum and sucks you right in. And before you know, you read an authentic IBM/NASA manual on the on board computer system, its OS, its system calls, and the more you learn, the more meaningful a mission becomes. It starts to make sense.
But without "going to the library first" I managed to take off, do the mission and land the first part in this sim just following screen cues.

So although space sims and procedural sims are not my natural cup of tea, I keep coming back for more in this sim.
Additionally, incredible value for money; free mission updates (!) and further development of the sim. Good community support on the site, although I must confess I find the moderator rather harsh in community management...

So if you are triggered by this *very good* AAR, try the demo!!
This sim is as complex as you want to make it. But you will never watch any shuttle footage on television with the same eyes. I felt really sorry for the lady who lost her bag in space for example. And I actually watched a lot of live webcamfootage on the nasa site during the last shuttle mission. Wanr your environment, for some time you start to behave rather quirkie :-)

Regarding video, You Tube is your best friend and shows some very good impressions if not some excellent tutorials (iirc).

But I do agree with those stating this sim deservers more clients than they serve right now.

Ejecto out

Awesome, stuff great report - thank you!

Which cockpits do the sims have? IIRC there have been 3 different ones over the life of the program, starting with the original layout in the 80s, an updated one in the 90s, and a final "glass" cockpit that was introduced about 10 yrs ago or so.
Those shots look like the current cockpit, which would make the one in the actual HST mission almost 20 yrs ago having either the original or first update.



The Jedi Master

Only the final glass one in SSM 2007, I mention this in the AAR I think. The developers state in the manual they didn't want to force the user to learn three cockpit variations to play the sim. They apologize to the purists who can't handle that on the next page.

vertical

I've been meaning to do a review of this for SimHQ, and I'm struggling to find the time. This AAR is quite motivating, however. I will attempt to get off my butt.

Why not ask Vertical to do it - he's certainly got a great start.

I would be more than happy to do a review of SSM if I wouldn't be stepping on Joe's toes.

vertical

vertical,

The sim supports the Matrox TripleHead2Go, which is why I'm the one reviewing it. I need to explore those capabilities.

I will be in touch to get your input, though, how's that? We can do it together.

By god I've beeen waiting what, 16 years for a successor to Virgins "Shuttle"! Even all the panels/switches have the same look and feel...!

I don't even have Track IR, so I wouldn't be able to give any input that you couldn't. How is SSM with the goggles? I bet it's a scream.

vertical