Andrew Probert's ST:TMP Dry Dock to be Orbited by 2020!

[GodThingFormerly]

^ Thank you for the response, Andrew. If I may ask, was an actual "roof" designed for ST:TMP's dry dock miniature or did Richard Taylor and/or Douglas Trumbull ask you to leave the internal framework exposed so it could be more easily suspended from the ceiling of the motion-control stage?

TGT

[Probert]

The God Thing wrote:

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If I may ask, was an actual "roof" designed for ST:TMP's dry dock miniature or did Richard Taylor ask you to leave the internal framework exposed so it could be more easily suspended from the ceiling of the motion-control stage?

TGT

I drew it,... they built it. The people at 'Magicam' decided how it would be best supportable, considering how fragile the components were in the real (film) world of a one-g environment. As I recall, the top was left open to cool the lighting components and, yes, help suspend it. Besides, no high camera angles were envisioned so no top was necessary.

Andrew-

[Tallguy]

Probert wrote:

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I drew it,... they built it. The people at 'Magicam' decided how it would be best supportable, considering how fragile the components were in the real (film) world of a one-g environment. As I recall, the top was left open to cool the lighting components and, yes, help suspend it. Besides, no high camera angles were envisioned so no top was necessary.

Andrew-

Thanks as always, Andrew. Is there any place where these drawings (or pics of the top of the model) have been published?

The other question I always had about the drydock is other than supporting a lot of lights and looking wonderously cool, what does it do?

[GodThingFormerly]

Probert wrote:

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I drew it,... they built it.

Ah! I would love to see an illustration or photograph of the dry dock's intended upper surface on ProbertDesigns.com if and when you find the time. May I ask if you recall whether Magicam also built miniatures of the additional "clip-on" habitat modules featured in this sketch?

The people at 'Magicam' decided how it would be best supportable, considering how fragile the components were in the real (film) world of a one-g environment.

Regarding your original triangular-truss dry dock concept (the miniature of which you surmised would have collapsed under its own weight on the mo-con stage), is this the speculative real-world fabrication mechanism you had in mind when designing it?





How ironic that now, when CGI technology can render delicate, filigreed microgravity structures just as easily as it can a lead pipe, we get overbuilt docks that look far more like something to be found in a Tulsa car wrecking yard than LEO/MEO.

TGT

[Herkimer Jitty]

The God Thing wrote:

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How ironic that now, when CGI technology can render delicate, filigreed microgravity structures just as easily as it can a lead pipe, we get overbuilt docks that look far more like something to be found in a Tulsa car wrecking yard than LEO/MEO.

TGT

It's so it can withstand the full force of that movie's stupidity.

[Psion]

The God Thing wrote:

---

Regarding your original triangular-truss dry dock concept (the miniature of which you surmised would have collapsed under its own weight on the mo-con stage), is this the speculative real-world fabrication mechanism you had in mind when designing it?





How ironic that now, when CGI technology can render delicate, filigreed microgravity structures just as easily as it can a lead pipe, we get overbuilt docks that look far more like something to be found in a Tulsa car wrecking yard than LEO/MEO.

TGT

GREAT SCOTT!

What are you thinking, TGT?! Are you honestly expecting us to believe anyone was seriously considering manufacturing things in orbit? Space is dangerous and construction workers might get hurt!

They should build those fantastically long girder structures on the ground where it's safe and lllllllaunch 'em into orbit! It'd be cooler that way too!

[wipes spittle from mouth and sits down]