What your donation actually pays for
Keep it real: donations don’t “make someone rich.” They keep the lights on and reduce friction so updates happen faster and the project stays available.
- Website + downloads: domain, hosting, bandwidth, backups, mirrors for large files.
- Hardware prototyping: controller boards, switches, wiring, connectors, test panels, spare parts.
- Tools & consumables: solder, crimp terminals, heatshrink, labels, mounting hardware, replacement components.
- Documentation: checklists formatting, diagrams, packaging, and “make it usable” work people forget about.
- Demo / transport readiness: keeping the cockpit portable means extra structure, connectors, and reliability work.
Suggested donation tiers (pick what feels fair)
Donation tiers exist for one reason: to help you decide quickly. If you already know your amount, ignore the tiers and donate whatever you want.
- Ground Support - €5: a quick “thanks” for a useful freeware sim.
- Booster - €15: helps cover hosting/bandwidth and keeps downloads online.
- Orbiter - €35: supports hardware testing parts (switches, connectors, boards).
- Mission Specialist - €75: funds a real chunk of prototype work or replacement components.
- Flight Director - €150+: significant support for bigger upgrades and demo readiness.
How to donate
Option 1 - PayPal (one-time or recurring):
PayPal recipient: donate@shuttlesim.be
Note/Message (optional): S3 Support
Option 2 - Bank transfer (EUR):
Account name: ShuttleSim Project
IBAN: BE71 7320 1234 5678
BIC/SWIFT: KREDBEBB
Bank: KBC Bank
Reference: S3 Donation
Option 3 - Hardware help (often more valuable than cash):
If you have spare components (switches, rotary encoders, wiring, crimp tools, connectors, display modules), you can contribute as “in-kind” support. Include a clear list of parts and their condition when you reach out.
Transparency: what you can expect (and what you can’t)
This is a hobby/engineering project, not a large organization. But transparency still matters. When supporters understand where funds go, trust goes up and the project is easier to sustain.
- Donations are used for project expenses (hosting, prototype parts, tools, demo build reliability).
- There is no “product entitlement” tied to donating; the simulator remains freeware.
- Major expenses and milestones are typically reflected in project progress notes.
Credit and thanks
If you want to be credited publicly, include your preferred name/alias in the donation note. If you prefer privacy, leave it blank and you’ll remain anonymous. Either way, your support directly reduces the friction of maintaining a freeware Space Shuttle simulator and cockpit build.