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

POSTED BY: Steve580
UPDATED: Friday, February 13, 2004 02:30
VIEWED: 3365
PAGE 1 of 1

STEVE580

Thursday, February 12, 2004 7:40 PM

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

RAPTORX

Thursday, February 12, 2004 7:43 PM

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.

But if your hand touches metal, I swear by my pretty floral bonnet, I will end you.

BROWNCOAT1

Thursday, February 12, 2004 7:52 PM

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."

TALONPEST

Thursday, February 12, 2004 7:57 PM

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

WERESPAZ

Thursday, February 12, 2004 8:29 PM

That's what I thought too.

-The SpAz

SHINY

Thursday, February 12, 2004 8:29 PM

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.

GUNRUNNER

Thursday, February 12, 2004 8:37 PM

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.

SNEAKER98

Thursday, February 12, 2004 8:48 PM

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

STEVE580

Thursday, February 12, 2004 9:11 PM

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.

LINDLEY

Thursday, February 12, 2004 9:22 PM

Quote:

I thought of that, but no good in space.

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

KURUKAMI

Thursday, February 12, 2004 10:08 PM

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.

STEVE580

Thursday, February 12, 2004 11:33 PM

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.

RANGER

Friday, February 13, 2004 12:04 AM

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.

FREMDFIRMA

Friday, February 13, 2004 1:05 AM

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

SLOWSMURF

Friday, February 13, 2004 2:30 AM

You might be forgetting in "Serenity".

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