Simple DOS spacecraft simulator

Copyright (c) 2022, Michael Robinson

This is the source code for a physics-mostly-accurate spacecraft simulator I wrote, circa 1995. It is written in Microsoft QuickC for DOS, and is unlikely to build on any modern system. However, the .exe files do appear to work on DOSBox.

There are two versions of the program, with similar but distinct controls:

• sc2sima : Keyboard controls the thrusters
• scsimj : Game port connected joystick controls the thrusters

There are numerous differences as well. This was a program that I spend considerable time adjusting. These are two development snapshots at the time I left for college.

At least for sc2sima, the keyboard controls the thrusters. Some of these are disabled in scsimj, since the joystick controls the thrusters.

The ship's computer and the simulation itself also is under keyboard control

• second from bottom: your velocity
• bottom (three numbers): your x,y,z location
• top: tracking status, x,y,z: size, V:velocity, D:distance

• top dial (compass):
  • x,y vector (heading)
  • white needle: way your ship is pointing
  • green needle: way your ship is moving
  • white nicks: angle to object being tracked
• Bottom Dial (pitch meter):
  • pitch

• Horizontal:
  • graphic velocity representation
• Vertical at left:
  • thruster power
• Vertical at right:
  • Main engine power

• most right:
  • crash type:
    • green: crash off
    • Red: crash restarts program
    • blue: crash bounces spacecraft off course
• between dials:
  • compass alignment (doesn't always work)
• under horizontal meter
  • Auto track:
    • red: off
    • green: on
• Left of horizontal meter:
  • direction

• right, just below crash type indicator
  • Weapons status indicator unit
    • Red: weapon systems armed
    • Green: weapon systems disarmed
    • Plus sign (+) in unit: object tracked is in weapon range
    • Small vector: absolute direction of motion of track object