F-Sim | Space Shuttle 2

iOS, (SkyTale Studios)

Space Shuttle 2 is a landing simulator as opposed to a battle sim, allowing you to guide the shuttle through its final approach and touchdown at Edwards Airforce Base, Kennedy Space Center, or the recently added White Sands Missile Range.

Set the time, date, and weather, then tilt your device to navigate while keeping the terms "subtlety" and "restraint" in mind. You and the meticulously correct glide route are the only two things in the way because there are no buttons to get in the way.

This isn't for everyone, but if you like flight simulators, the briefness of each run, along with the Space Shuttle's inherent oddity and high difficulty level, make you want to give it another shot. Later this year, an Android version is anticipated.

Here is the long-awaited successor to our critically acclaimed flight simulator. It simulates the Space Shuttle approach and landing in incredible detail and accuracy.

This is a remaster of our original F-Sim Space Shuttle, completely rewritten from scratch. New features include:

- Console quality graphics

- Interactive tutorials

- White Sands as a third landing site option

- Orbit mode

F-Sim Space Shuttle combines realistic flight simulation with stunning graphics and fun gameplay.

You’ve never landed a Space Shuttle before? We’ve got you covered: Included are several tutorials with varying degrees of autopilot assist. Our landing analysis and scoring system tells you exactly how to improve your next landing. It will make you come back and try again.

Each flight starts at either 10,000 feet, already aligned with the runway, or at up to 50,000 feet, before banking into the heading alignment cone. During descent, the Orbiter is an unpowered glider, so you will only have one chance to get it right. Astronauts used to call it a flying brick: Because of its 200,000 lbs. gross weight and low lift over drag ratio, the approach is six times steeper and two times faster than a typical airliner approach. After your first safe touchdown, chase that perfect landing, compare your high scores online with your friends, earn medals, and unlock achievements. Experiment with different wind conditions, night approaches, and even emergency scenarios or system failures. At the end of each flight, watch a replay from different camera angles.

You control the Orbiter’s pitch and roll axes by tilting your device. Alternatively, you may switch to on-screen analog sticks or use a gamepad. Rudder, speed brake, gear, and chute are usually handled by the autopilot, but you can have full manual control if you like. For beginners, we’ve added rectangles that visualize the desired approach path. Simply try to stay within the corridor of rectangles, and they’ll guide you right to the touchdown point. Advanced pilots can turn them off and rely on the instruments in the head-up display (HUD) instead. The simulated guidance, navigation and control (GNC) systems are authentic replications of their counterparts in the real Orbiter, and the HUD features all the instruments real Space Shuttle commanders used to employ to skillfully land this unique aircraft. Now it’s your turn to give it a try.

A new orbit mode lets you take the Orbiter for a spin around the planet, and we’re working on a full atmospheric re-entry scenario, which, among other new features, will be released as free updates in the coming months.

Download F-Sim | Space Shuttle 2