Editing Microsoft Space Simulator

{{Short description|1994 video game}}
{{Infobox video game
|title = Microsoft Space Simulator
|image = Microsoft space simulator cover.jpg
|developer = [[Aces Game Studio|Bruce Artwick Organization Ltd.]]
|publisher = [[Microsoft]]
|designer = Charles Guy
|engine = 
|released = {{Start date and age|1994}}<ref>{{cite web |author=Lee Buchanan|title=The Final Frontier | url=http://www.planetmic.com/mlahren/spasim6.htm | publisher=PC Gamer | accessdate=December 10, 2016|date=November 1994}}</ref>
|genre = [[Space flight simulator]]
|modes = [[Single player]]
|platforms = [[MS-DOS]]
}}

'''''Microsoft Space Simulator''''' is a [[space flight simulator]] [[Computer program|program]], based on ''[[Microsoft Flight Simulator]]'' for [[MS-DOS]]. It was one of the first general-purpose space flight simulators and it incorporated concepts from [[astrodynamics]], [[motion]], and [[celestial mechanics]].

==Development==
''Microsoft Space Simulator'' was released under the [[Microsoft Home]] line in 1994. It was developed by [[Bruce Artwick#BAO Ltd.|BAO Ltd.]], a company run by [[Bruce Artwick]] (who was also behind the development of ''[[Microsoft Flight Simulator]]'') with Charles Guy as lead developer.

It provided support for [[8-bit color|256-color]] graphics on three [[Display resolution|resolutions]]: 320x400, 640x400, and 800x600.
The graphics featured [[dither]]ed [[gouraud shading]] [[3D computer graphics|3D]] vessels, with [[texture mapped]] planets, moons, and [[deep-sky object]]s.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ibiblio.org/GameBytes/issue21/greviews/spacesim.html|title=MICROSOFT SPACE SIMULATOR by BAO (Bruce Artwick Organization)|website=www.ibiblio.org}}</ref>

==Physics engine==
''Microsoft Space Simulator'' uses [[Newton's laws of motion]] but takes account of [[relativistic equations|relativistic effects]] by decreasing a spacecraft's acceleration as its speed approaches the [[speed of light]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sf-encyclopedia.com/entry/microsoft_space_simulator|title=Media : Microsoft Space Simulator : SFE : Science Fiction Encyclopedia|website=www.sf-encyclopedia.com}}</ref> It does not take account of [[time dilation]].

Atmospheric effect are not modeled and all [[planetary surface]]s are treated as flat spheres. A limited [[collision detection]] between vessels is implemented by using docking ports.

==Features==
The simulator featured 14 different spacecraft, most of them futuristic.
Historical or current tech craft include the [[Space Shuttle]] (with its [[Manned Maneuvering Unit]]) and [[Apollo Command/Service Module]] and [[Lunar Module]].

==Reception==
''[[PC Gamer]]'' gave the simulator a score of 84% in its September 1994 issue, praising its graphics and realistic approach to space travel, while criticizing the poor or non-existent sound and the interface. Others praised the lack of sound indicating how it added realism. <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.planetmic.com/mlahren/spasim7.htm|title=MS Space Simulator - March 1995 PC Gamer Review|website=www.planetmic.com}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* {{MobyGames|id=/microsoft-space-simulator}}
* {{Internet Archive game|id=msdos_Microsoft_Space_Simulator_1994}}

{{Microsoft Flight Simulator}}

{{simulation-videogame-stub}}

[[Category:1994 video games]]
[[Category:DOS games]]
[[Category:DOS-only games]]
[[Category:Microsoft games]]
[[Category:Realistic space simulators]]
[[Category:Single-player video games]]
[[Category:Space flight simulator games]]
[[Category:Video games developed in the United States]]