This live stream captures an extended, largely unprepared session with the procedural spaceflight simulator Re-Entry, attempting missions in the Mercury, Apollo, and Gemini capsules. The host navigates the complex Mercury suborbital checklist with limited success (1:45-12:31), achieves splashdown (27:10), but immediately demonstrates severe ineptitude trying to execute the Apollo Earth entry procedure (56:15-1:57:40), consistently failing to interface correctly with the Apollo Guidance Computer (AGC) and abandoning the mission. The stream is intermittently padded with discussions of historical space hardware (e.g., Saturn V pad tour 28:57) and appeals for merchandise support, underscoring the high cognitive load and procedural precision required by the simulation.
Re-Entry: A Procedural Spaceflight Simulation Teardown
1:45 Mercury: Checklist Compliance: The host begins a Mercury suborbital certification flight, diligently following the extensive pre-launch checklist, noting the necessity of switch flipping for critical systems like the ultra-retro and landing bag.
13:23 Mercury Launch and Ascent: Launch sequence initiated. Altitude and elapsed time trackers verified. Successful automatic tower jettison (15:50) and capsule separation (15:56).
18:11 Mercury Re-entry: The pre-retro checklist involves setting maximum cooling (suit temp to 7) for atmospheric entry. The retro system is jettisoned (19:38). The descent uses the drogue (23:06) and main parachute (23:49) for a successful splashdown and mission completion (27:10).
28:57 Saturn V Pad Tour (Distraction): Following the mission, the host takes time to walk around the highly detailed Saturn V virtual launch complex, focusing on specific engineering features like umbilical connections (29:07), the flame diverter (31:21), the inertial alignment blockhouse ("Guidance is internal," 31:45), and the crew escape slide/rubber room bunker (35:39).
56:15 Apollo: Procedural Failure: The host attempts the Apollo atmospheric entry lesson (Earth orbit entry). He struggles immediately with the checklist flow and the precise requirements of the AGC, admitting he cannot locate several required displays/forms (1:01:47).
1:10:01 AGC Interface Ineptitude: Repeated attempts to use Program 30 (P30) for de-orbit burn planning and subsequent alignment (P52) fail due to sequence errors and misunderstanding the Verb/Noun commands, despite the simulation providing prompts (1:23:34, 1:35:32). As far as I can tell, the required attitude maneuver (V49) fails to complete or is prematurely ended, preventing correct burn attitude.
1:50:01 Abandonment: After repeated failure to execute the burn maneuver or find the correct checklist step, the Apollo mission is deemed unsalvageable and abandoned (1:57:40).
1:57:40 Gemini: Ascent Attempt: A quick attempt at a Gemini ascent checklist (using the later fuel cell equipped capsule) is made. The host rushes through the lengthy electrical and squib checks (2:01:38-2:06:41).
2:12:19 Gemini Launch: The Titan II launches. The host misses the timing for the D-ring stowage (2:15:56) but successfully manages the manual fairing jettison (2:19:30) after some confusion about the required mouse click (2:20:24). The mission reaches orbit, but the host notes the tutorial is "confused" (2:21:38).
2:25:09 Conclusion and Availability: The stream ends with the host showcasing the Gemini capsule hatch open in orbit ("convertible spacecraft") and promoting the game Re-Entry: A Spaceflight Simulator on Steam, while acknowledging potential bugs or his own procedural lack of rigor.