Space Shuttle: Journey Into Space
Platform: Atari 2600
Region: USA
Media: Cartridge
Controller: Joystick
Gametype: Licensed
Release Year: 1983
Developer: Activision
Publisher: Activision
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It is the 101st Shuttle mission of the Space Transportation System.  You are at the helm of the Space Shuttle Discovery.  Approximately 210 nautical miles above the Earth is your target: an orbiting satellite with intentionally programmed gyroscope problems.

Your mission is to launch, rendezvous, and dock with the satellite as many times as you can, using the minimum of fuel, then return safely to Earth. A word of caution: Each time you successfully dock, the satellite has been programmed to become even more erratic.

This is a total test of your piloting capabilities.  You will be evaluated at the end of your flight.

~From the Manual

Space Shuttle was truly a technical achievement for the Atari 2600 in the sense that it introduced a fairly sophisticated technical simulation to the Atari 2600, and it required the user to make use of just about every switch on the console. Special overlays, one for the six switch model and one for the four switch model, were included with the game, as well as a reference sheet and a rather thick manual. Simply put, the objective of just launching the shuttle is a very big task in that the player must monitor several item, make sure everything is set up properly, and then make sure they don't make any critical mistakes, otherwise the launch will be aborted. Once the player successfully makes it to space and into orbit, the game's excellent graphics are really shown to the fullest. 

Your goal once in orbit is to dock with a satellite one or more times before returning to Earth. The player needs to take care that their shuttle is properly configured for reentry to avoid burning up in the atmosphere or crashing upon landing. A player who managed to complete four dockings and return with at least 4,500 units of fuel would earn a Space Shuttle Pilot patch from Activision upon submitting a photo demonstrating said requirements were met. If a player was truly good enough, and completed six dockings and returned with at least 7,500 units of fuel, they would get a special message, and sending a photograph of that would allow them to receive a special Space Shuttle Commander patch. (Contributed by Larcen Tyler)

http://www.atariage.com/software_page.html?SoftwareLabelID=466
