Space Flight on VATSIM

[Guest]

It is with great regret that SimNASA must announce that it will no longer be using the VATSIM online environment for its launch and recovery operations. We know this will impact those who enjoyed watching as SimNASA pushed the envelope beyond atmospheric flight, as well as the enjoyment of our pilots who have used the SATCO and VATSIM environments for several years.This decision was not made by SimNASA. In fact, SimNASA as the sole virtual space agency conducting regular space missions on VATSIM and a member of the VATSIM Special Operations Division was not even consulted or allowed to present its case directly to VATSIM Board of Governors. The VATSIM Board of Governors has purportedly concluded SimNASA space flights, or more accurately the launches and recoveries of these missions, are an unwanted and significant drain on VATSIM bandwidth. Considering SimNASA averages less than 20 missions a year, with launch and recovery operations involving less than a dozen pilots online for no more than three hours, we feel the assumption driving this decision is not based on any experiential evidence. We would have been more than willing to provide factual information to the VATSIM administration and were in fact working very closely with a designee of the Board of Governors when the space flight ban was handed down. All missions are also based on the SimNASA PAMPADI policy drafted in 2002 under the direction and approval of the VATSIM administration.Making this action even more confusing is that within the last month SimNASA received an email from a member of the VATSIM Board of Governors stating:

[Guest]

I could not believe my eyes when I read this. I had to read it again but still cannot believe it. VATSIM has some serious problems to resolve if this is what they purport to be "Advancing the hobby of sim-flying". I quote from their own website:"The Virtual Air Traffic Simulation Network, known as VATSIM.net or "VATSIM" was created in 2001 by a group of individuals who came together with a goal of creating an organization which truly served the needs of the flight simulation and online air traffic control community. With an eye towards more than just providing a network of computers for users to log into, VATSIM is an online community where people can learn and, at the same time, enjoy the pastimes of flight simulation and air traffic control simulation all while making new friends from all over the world."I guess they are saying that their "community" is not large enough to support the occasional space operation. As any NASA astronaut will tell you, you have to be a damn good pilot to become an astronaut.Now, I am not a part of SimNASA, but I have to admit that I had thought about it. I know that there are many others out there with the same thoughts, but if VATSIM does not reconsider this, or if SimNASA is not allowed to operate in an online environment somewhere, their membership, and ultimately the entire organization, will suffer the consequences. I for one will sign their petition to the BOG.

[Guest]

Thank-you for your support. We must do what we can to promote this fine hobby for everyone.Kind Regards,Mike CarusoPublic Affairs OfficerSimNASAhttp://www.simnasa.org