Asymmetrical Ship Sets

[Suicide Junkie]

As I was going to say before the power went out...

Getting back in the general direction of the topic; the MegaMaid in Spaceballs was pretty asymmetrical.

[geoschmo]

Originally posted by Suicide Junkie:
As I was going to say before the power went out...

Getting back in the general direction of the topic; the MegaMaid in Spaceballs was pretty asymmetrical.

"Now, commence operation 'VacuSuck.'"

[ October 02, 2002, 23:33: Message edited by: geoschmo ]

[disabled]

SIR! We've gone from SUCK to BLOW!

[Slick]

Almost all organic things I have seen have been quite symmerical, although this may not apply to aliens.

Another thing for you engineering types out there is that the reason most craft look symmetrical left/right is that it makes them handle the same in the left/right direction. Moment of inertia stuff even applies in the vacuum of space.

It would be kinda funny to be able to turn faster going one way than the other.

But let's not apply our real world technology to this game. I also love to see the new and different, symmetrical or not, designs.

Slick

[geoschmo]

Originally posted by Slick:
Another thing for you engineering types out there is that the reason most craft look symmetrical left/right is that it makes them handle the same in the left/right direction. Moment of inertia stuff even applies in the vacuum of space.

You are correct if you are talking about balance not symetry. As I pointed out earlier balance is not the same thing nessecarily as visual symetry. In atmosphere a craft could be balanced and asymetrical, and have differences in handling characteristics in turning left and right as you say. Because of aerodynamics, or fluid dynamics in a water craft. But in a vacuum if the ship is balanced and asymetrical it will turn just as fast to any direction you wish to turn it. Symetry doesn't affect moment of inertia. It's the balance of mass and center of gravity that affects that.

Geoschmo

[disabled]

Anyone remember that one alien nation movie where they showed the alien mothership... Looked like those little worms you find in really old apple cider.....

Anyways, I think more exotic ships are fun.

[capnq]

It would be kinda funny to be able to turn faster going one way than the other.

Several World War I airplanes behaved that way. They were light enough that the torque of the engine made them turn slightly; the pilots actually had to use a bit of rudder to fly in a straight line.