Are you working on Firefly blueprints??????
POSTED BY: WaddleDoodle
UPDATED: Wednesday, November 2, 2005 18:49
VIEWED: 11454
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Ok, Based on a lot of recent info from the movie.
Serenity is NOT a starship.
The worlds and moons in Joss`s `verse are all terraformed bodies located in a single solar system. My best guess, assuming that FTL does not exist at all in the `verse is that the central star is either Tau Ceti or 61 Cygni, since they are similar type stars to the Sun and close enough to be reachable assuming drives capable of high sub light speeds.
Serenity appears to have two drive systems, an anti gravity/thruster type drive for atmospheric flight and an in-system fusion drive which appears to cause a small thermonuclear explosion when used in atmosphere, (see the firefly pilot episode).
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I would like to know if anybody has info on a model kit of serentiy????
what about a die cast toy or something?
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Quote:
Originally posted by Rabbit2:
Ok, Based on a lot of recent info from the movie.
Serenity is NOT a starship.
The worlds and moons in Joss`s `verse are all terraformed bodies located in a single solar system. My best guess, assuming that FTL does not exist at all in the `verse is that the central star is either Tau Ceti or 61 Cygni, since they are similar type stars to the Sun and close enough to be reachable assuming drives capable of high sub light speeds.
Serenity appears to have two drive systems, an anti gravity/thruster type drive for atmospheric flight and an in-system fusion drive which appears to cause a small thermonuclear explosion when used in atmosphere, (see the firefly pilot episode).
Agreed....she's not a starship. Matter of fact, the only real magic is the gravity drive and the gravity generated by lifesupport. Otherwise it's a bucket with high power thrusters that beat the laws of phsyics into submission, like a helicopter.
I like your thoughts on star system locations. We can only assume that generationships where used after high speed robot terraformer vessels were sent in advance to prep the destination. This "Exodus" may have been in waves over 2 or 3 generations. Personally, the "Earth got used up" part is rather vague and far too hollywood. We can only assume it means we polluted ourselves off the Earth. If so, then why not use the terraforming tech to clean the atmo? It's not like the Genesis Device from Star Trek 2, is it? That would be a wonder far beyond the Firefly universe's science because at it's core is matter transformation...the same principles behind the replicators, transporters, etc. I think it's just a lazy premise for why we left. I'd prefer that man did something far more stupid and probable, like a nuclear winter following a global war. I suppose it's an "educational experience" if you go he other way.
Regarding the ship - My thoughts were that for atmo flight they use conventional high-thrust vtol engines that suck air and blow it. But in a vaccum they act as hydrogen scram jets used primarily for steering. We see the nacelles venting blue, which I think is the engine sucking in and venting compressed particles, probably via the same gravity field control system the primary engine uses. HOWEVER, with all that said, the nacelles can also simply burn a liquid fuel/oxy mix that would work in and out of atmo.
I don't think the primary interstellar drive is fusion based because Wash references "Fuel Cells" that might run out if "they burn too hot" PLUS I don't recall ever hearing the term fusion in reference to planetary power grids, ships, etc. I think the turning portion of the engine, what we see as the heart of the ship, is a high power generator that powers all other systems, including a much larger Gravity Drive section that encloses the rear of the ship. This Gravity drive generates the (-to us, the theoretical-) particle known as a graviton. The gavitons are vented and give forward linear thrust while the nacelles provide steering. The "Firefly effect" of the venting may be exactly that, vented fuel that's ignited to create an afterburner thrust for a high power impulse. The act of venting in atmo with a strong planetary magnetic field may distrupt the ships systems and cause the fuel dump to be under less control, hence the danger of a blowback that Zoe mentioned in the pilot. I'm guessing the gravity drive works best in space away from large plantery bodies and there grav wells.
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I REALLY hate to pick at nits, here, but I have to raise one semantic point.
There are no more "blueprints". Nobody has made a "blueprint" in nearly 30 years.
A "blueprint", which was a diazo-process reproduction of an original drawing on a translucent medium, usually either vellum or drafting linen, had white lines on a dark blue background.
A "blue line" drawing has blue lines on a faint blue background. It also is a a diazo-process reproduction of an original drawing on a translucent medium.
Large format drawings are properly "construction documents" or "technical drawings." Originals are nowadays produced in CADD software and printed on a plotter, either ink-jet or xerographic, and the copies are usually made on what's essentially a large format laser printer. They have black lines on a white background.
Some small operations still make blue-lines (cheap copies), but blueprint paper has not been available for many years, and the machines that used it were junked long ago.
To enjoy the flavor of life, take big bites. Moderation is for monks. --Robt. Heinlein
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Quote:
Originally posted by R1Z:
I REALLY hate to pick at nits, here, but I have to raise one semantic point.
There are no more "blueprints". Nobody has made a "blueprint" in nearly 30 years.
A "blueprint", which was a diazo-process reproduction of an original drawing on a translucent medium, usually either vellum or drafting linen, had white lines on a dark blue background.
A "blue line" drawing has blue lines on a faint blue background. It also is a a diazo-process reproduction of an original drawing on a translucent medium.
Large format drawings are properly "construction documents" or "technical drawings." Originals are nowadays produced in CADD software and printed on a plotter, either ink-jet or xerographic, and the copies are usually made on what's essentially a large format laser printer. They have black lines on a white background.
Some small operations still make blue-lines (cheap copies), but blueprint paper has not been available for many years, and the machines that used it were junked long ago.
I think you answered the wrong question....you wanted to post that answer in "A brief history of engineering schematics" -AKA- "How I learned to love the Blueprint"
Anyhow....
Do you have the blueprints of the ship or don't ya?
If you do, I hope they're on crumbling papyrus which was hand painted by the high priest's of Ur. Ya know, extra "ancient-like" just to inflame your already agitated nit that you can't stop picking.
Anyhow...back to our regularly scheduled post...
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Quote:In the absolutely literal sense, you are quite correct!
Originally posted by R1Z:
I REALLY hate to pick at nits, here, but I have to raise one semantic point.
There are no more "blueprints". Nobody has made a "blueprint" in nearly 30 years.
The term became something of a misnomer generations ago, but it's also an idiom, so it remains a valid synonym for a detailed plan or diagram.
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=define%3Ablueprint&btnG=Google+Se
arch
You want a true misnomer?
Dig this: Fireflies are actually beetles, not flies.
---------------
Deep Thoughts
by Jack Handey...
"Whether they ever find life there or not, I think Jupiter should be considered an enemy planet."
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Quote:
Originally posted by WaddleDoodle:
This "Exodus" may have been in waves over 2 or 3 generations. Personally, the "Earth got used up" part is rather vague and far too hollywood. We can only assume it means we polluted ourselves off the Earth. If so, then why not use the terraforming tech to clean the atmo? It's not like the Genesis Device from Star Trek 2, is it? That would be a wonder far beyond the Firefly universe's science because at it's core is matter transformation...the same principles behind the replicators, transporters, etc. I think it's just a lazy premise for why we left. I'd prefer that man did something far more stupid and probable, like a nuclear winter following a global war. I suppose it's an "educational experience" if you go he other way.
Love your idea about a nuclear winter, beats my idea about running out of raw materials, which in retrospect could have been harvested from the rest of our system. Now we have to figure out who started the war and who lost the war. Probably by looking for various nationalities no longer present in 500 years...
About the destination of the exodus-ships, keep in mind that it would be far more energy efficient to keep the passengers in a deep state of hibernation, or stasis (not sure about the efficiency of stasis... since the technology isn’t real yet). if stasis was used, then the stellar system the 'verse is set in could be allot further away than we are thinking- what's 10000 years if none of your race is awake during them?
I think in 'serenity: the 10th character' it’s mentioned as a fusion drive, and if it is then the fuel cells could be used to initiate bubble-fusion.
Are we sure river didn’t say radon, or was it definitely radion?
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Quote:
Originally posted by PurpleYin:Quote:
Originally posted by WaddleDoodle:
This "Exodus" may have been in waves over 2 or 3 generations. Personally, the "Earth got used up" part is rather vague and far too hollywood. We can only assume it means we polluted ourselves off the Earth. If so, then why not use the terraforming tech to clean the atmo? It's not like the Genesis Device from Star Trek 2, is it? That would be a wonder far beyond the Firefly universe's science because at it's core is matter transformation...the same principles behind the replicators, transporters, etc. I think it's just a lazy premise for why we left. I'd prefer that man did something far more stupid and probable, like a nuclear winter following a global war. I suppose it's an "educational experience" if you go he other way.
Love your idea about a nuclear winter, beats my idea about running out of raw materials, which in retrospect could have been harvested from the rest of our system. Now we have to figure out who started the war and who lost the war. Probably by looking for various nationalities no longer present in 500 years...
About the destination of the exodus-ships, keep in mind that it would be far more energy efficient to keep the passengers in a deep state of hibernation, or stasis (not sure about the efficiency of stasis... since the technology isn’t real yet). if stasis was used, then the stellar system the 'verse is set in could be allot further away than we are thinking- what's 10000 years if none of your race is awake during them?
I think in 'serenity: the 10th character' it’s mentioned as a fusion drive, and if it is then the fuel cells could be used to initiate bubble-fusion.
Are we sure river didn’t say radon, or was it definitely radion?
I'll start my answer from the end and work back.
I harvested the River line from the script and felt obligated to maintain it rather than change it to Radon. Though Radon only gives a marginally better clue. Oh well, I'm in a prison of my own making...LOL. I researched both the use of Radon (from the periodic table) -AND- "Radion" (an as unyet discovered element, NOT radioactive nor fuel though) and decided to go with Radion. Another X-Factor/Magic future science
The using up all of our raw materials angle is a popular myth like over population was in the 1970's. It's soooooooooooo Hollywood chic because it requires no actual thought, it's "like, just the way it is man"
Cooler heads who review the numbers know better (numbers don't lie) while those with an agenda bend and twist and scare for their own ends.
SIDEBAR:
Here's a teaser for a very interesting article from WIRED mag:
"Statement: Urban sprawl is paving over the United States, including much "prime agricultural land" and recreational areas.
Fact: All the land used for urban areas plus roadways totals less than 3 percent of the United States.... Each year 1.25 million acres are converted to efficient cropland by draining swamps and irrigating deserts.... A million acres yearly goes into additional wilderness recreation areas and wildlife refuges, and another 300,000 acres goes for reservoirs and flood control."
You can read the source for that here: http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/5.02/ffsimon_pr.html
BACK!
As to the who, I have a history that I wrote out that in part covers the colonization as well. Man began colonizing this other solar system out of a drive to EXPLORE...not as some last ditch way to save the race. In the end the global war and its effects caused an exodus to the colonies as a last refuge.
I think stasis isn't a bad idea, but I figured larger generation ships following high thrust robot prep ships seemed more "non-magical." Basically we're talking a very large self sustaining craft that could house several hundred or thousand and would take decades to reach the final destination. Who's to say that there aren't way stations strung between our solar system and "the 'verse"
You may be right re: the fusion. But I opted to go the simpler w
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