GENERAL DISCUSSIONS

How does serenity ...you know...turn?

POSTED BY: STEVE580
UPDATED: Thursday, February 12, 2004 16:30
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Thursday, February 12, 2004 9:40 AM

STEVE580


Alright, I was watching the show the other day, and it occured to me that the side engines only move up and down, and the main engine doesn't move at all. So, maybe I'm a fool, but...how's the thing turn?

I feel like if there were a problem this glaring, then I'm probably just missing something. So, uh, what am I missing?
-Steve

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Thursday, February 12, 2004 9:52 AM

BROWNCOAT1

May have been the losing side. Still not convinced it was the wrong one.


Quote:

Originally posted by Steve580:
Alright, I was watching the show the other day, and it occured to me that the side engines only move up and down, and the main engine doesn't move at all. So, maybe I'm a fool, but...how's the thing turn?

I feel like if there were a problem this glaring, then I'm probably just missing something. So, uh, what am I missing?
-Steve



Did you see the Battlestar Galactica miniseries on Sci Fi? Remember how the Vipers used small jets located along the ships hull to adjust course? Same thing would apply w/ Serenity. Small jets firing small, short bursts to adjust the ships heading.

"May have been the losing side. Still not convinced it was the wrong one."


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Thursday, February 12, 2004 9:57 AM

TALONPEST


Couldn't they just reduce the thrust on the engine on the side they wanted to turn towards?

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Thursday, February 12, 2004 10:29 AM

WERESPAZ


That's what I thought too.

-The SpAz

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Thursday, February 12, 2004 10:29 AM

SHINY


There are definitely steering jets. In the train job (I think), you can see the steering jets fire to slow down the ship as it docks with Niska's skyplex. I think you may also see some when Serenity disengages with the derelict in Bushwhacked.

RIVER
Purple elephants are flying.
MAL
Good. Thanks for the update.

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Thursday, February 12, 2004 10:37 AM

GUNRUNNER


To turn they could just turn down the thrust of one jet to cause the ship to yaw in one direction or another. Then when the ship has turned to the proper berring, even out the thrust settings and the ship would behave like normal again.

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Thursday, February 12, 2004 10:48 AM

SNEAKER98


Yep, there are definately maneuvering thrusters (the little puffs of gas you see). But they aren't to actually change the velocity of the ship, they change the direction it's pointed... hope that makes sense to all of you who didn't take physics ;) Especially in space... a ship wouldnt start moving a different direction just because it's head was pointed a different way. You'd need thrust to start moving it there...

In atmo it's a bit different... although varying the thrust on the engines is definately the best way to go.

"I do the job... and then I get paid. Go run your little world."
-Malcolm Reynolds

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Thursday, February 12, 2004 11:11 AM

STEVE580


Quote:

Couldn't they just reduce the thrust on the engine on the side they wanted to turn towards?

I thought of that, but no good in space.
Quote:

Did you see the Battlestar Galactica miniseries on Sci Fi? Remember how the Vipers used small jets located along the ships hull to adjust course? Same thing would apply w/ Serenity. Small jets firing small, short bursts to adjust the ships heading.

That's what I was thinking; except I've never noticed such jets. You can see them in Train Job, can you? I'll have to watch that ep, if I ever get disk 1 back...
Quote:

Good question. Serenity wouldn't turn left and right, but rather roll and adjust course that way.
It is so hard to describe the picture in my head.


I see what you're saying; that would work, of course. Never actually see them do it; it'd look cool, I'll wager.

In 'The Message', they do a bunch of fancy manuevers in that canyon - I'll have to go back and watch that.

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Thursday, February 12, 2004 11:22 AM

LINDLEY


Quote:


I thought of that, but no good in space.



Why? Action/reaction works just as well in space as it does in atmo.

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Thursday, February 12, 2004 12:08 PM

KURUKAMI


Yeah, point the head in a direction somewhat near the vector you want to travel (possibly overturning a bit), then kick in the engines which point backward. Your vessel will describe a trajectory arc and eventually settle on the course you want to travel.

Pretty much just like piloting a hovercraft.

History doesn't always repeat itself. Sometimes it merely shouts "Weren't you listening the first time?!?" and lets fly with a club.

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Thursday, February 12, 2004 1:33 PM

STEVE580


Quote:

Originally posted by Kurukami:
Yeah, point the head in a direction somewhat near the vector you want to travel (possibly overturning a bit), then kick in the engines which point backward. Your vessel will describe a trajectory arc and eventually settle on the course you want to travel.


Ah right...I was thinking they couldn't use their side engines in space.

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Thursday, February 12, 2004 2:04 PM

RANGER


Quote:



Quote:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Did you see the Battlestar Galactica miniseries on Sci Fi? Remember how the Vipers used small jets located along the ships hull to adjust course? Same thing would apply w/ Serenity. Small jets firing small, short bursts to adjust the ships heading.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


That's what I was thinking; except I've never noticed such jets. You can see them in Train Job, can you? I'll have to watch that ep, if I ever get disk 1 back...



If you watch closely you can see them firing these little thrusters when Serenity backs away from the fuling station in 'The Message'. Since there is no sound in space, you can't hear them fire so it is very easy to miss.

Traveller, if you go to Sparta, tell them you have seen us lying here as the Law commands.

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Thursday, February 12, 2004 3:05 PM

FREMDFIRMA


The reverse-thrust setup appears to be similar to the "thrust reverser" on a 737 engine, and as for manuvering thrusters, it's probably (for simplicity and reliability's sake) a ducted arrangement fed by thrust from the primary engine and shutter-based.

Just some thoughts,

frem
diefuxdie

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Thursday, February 12, 2004 4:30 PM

SLOWSMURF


You might be forgetting in "Serenity".

Midway through when they change course, I forget exactly what happens, but thats how they turn.

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