Re: Controls and Maneuverability

> From: [email removed]
> Subject: Controls and maneuverability
>
> However, the normal traveller spacecraft is capable of at least 1G
> acceleration for maneuvering.  Now let's look at a comparable
> performance:  The only aircraft *I* know of with a large production
> that has a 1 to 1 thrust to weight ratio (hence 1G acceleration)

  Eh, looks like we're back to the old agility vs acceleration thread again:)

  If you are going to compare the maneuverability of a 1G ship and a
jet fighter, you can't use the fighters engine acceleration as a input,
since the fighter uses airfoils to turn, not thrust.

  The comparision should be made between the ship that can do 1G turns and
the aircraft that can do 9G turns (And probably 15G for high-TL hybrids that
mount 6G compensators).

  So while a good scout ship (2G) should be able to outclimb almost anything
TL8 or less (except SAM's:) almost anything including a WWI fighter should
be able to outturn the scout ship.

  (It won't do them any good however, since almost all spaceships mount
turreted weaponry)

> I don't know for certain, but I'm willing to bet you
> that the Skylab, Salyut, Mir, and the proposed Station Freedom all
> had/have/will have joystick attitude controllers for the rare times
> that the stations need re-alignment.

  I'm resonably certain that the Shuttle use a joystick for in-orbit
maneuvering.

> Scott 2G Kellogg

- -bertil-
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"Ack! Phht!" - Bill the Prez