Lunar Lander code

dsyleixa:
are there perhaps some explanations available about the meanings of the variable names?
float L, A, V, M, N, G, Z, K, T, S, W, I, J;

and perhaps some comments about the processed calculations? e.g.
J=V+GS+Z(-q - (q2/2.0) - (q3/3.0) - (q4/4.0) - (q5/5.0));
I=A-GSS/2.0-VS+ZS*(q/2.0 + q2/6.0 + q3/12.0 + q4/20.0 + q5/30.0);

Fun program, but looks like the original author was trying to save bytes on variable names!

From a quick look at the code, I assume the variables might represent:

  • L=Absolute time (s)
  • A=Altitute (miles)
  • V=Velocity (miles/sec, positive down)
  • M=Total capsule weight (lbs, fuel + tare weight)
  • N=Tare weight (lbs)
  • G=Gravitational constant (miles/sec^2)
  • Z=? factor for velocity correction due to proportion of fuel burn weight reduction (miles/sec)
  • K=Fuel Burn rate (lb/sec)
  • T=Normal Time interval step (s, basis for relative calcs)
  • S=Adjusted Time interval step (s, used when finer precision time-step required, eg. when normal step would deplete fuel)
  • W=Velocity (miles/hr, positive down)
  • I=Next Altitute (miles)
  • J=Next Velocity (miles/sec)
  • Q=Proportion of capsule weight reduction during interval (fraction)