Interplanetary Explorer
- Thread starter Tarek71
- Start date
It's going to be hard from an engineering point of view to rotate the modules if you have them as part of the spokes. Take a look at the Phaeton from "Virtuality" for some ideas :
(you'll have to scroll down the page to find the clickable diagram)
http://drexfiles.wordpress.com/2009/06/29/virtuality-vfx-and-the-good-ship-phaeton/
Also, your com antennas are going to have a lot of interference from the spinning habitation ring as they are currently situated. The easiest fix for this may be to put a second set ahead of the ring.
I used the "barbell" design on this ship. The booms spin providing centripetal force to the habitat modules when the ship is not accelerating. (one set of booms counter-rotates to the other set, canceling the momentum upon the entire ship out) Under acceleration the habitat modules swing in (the blue position) to align with the direction of motion.
Eventually I plan to model a much bigger ship in this "universe" using full habitat rings.
Edit: Wow, just realized that image is pretty busy. Hope you can make out the the parts I am getting at.
(you'll have to scroll down the page to find the clickable diagram)
http://drexfiles.wordpress.com/2009/06/29/virtuality-vfx-and-the-good-ship-phaeton/
Also, your com antennas are going to have a lot of interference from the spinning habitation ring as they are currently situated. The easiest fix for this may be to put a second set ahead of the ring.
I used the "barbell" design on this ship. The booms spin providing centripetal force to the habitat modules when the ship is not accelerating. (one set of booms counter-rotates to the other set, canceling the momentum upon the entire ship out) Under acceleration the habitat modules swing in (the blue position) to align with the direction of motion.
Eventually I plan to model a much bigger ship in this "universe" using full habitat rings.
Edit: Wow, just realized that image is pretty busy. Hope you can make out the the parts I am getting at.
Indeed. There are ways, but they seem worse and harder than the alternatives. I came across these interesting variants on the "atomic rockets" website:
http://www.projectrho.com/rocket/rocket3u.html
This "USS Valiant" is an interesting design. And then a second one with a system that is more like that of the Phaeton:
I think I would tend toward this "ezekiels wheel"/phaeton design.
I considered that. I was essentially copying the ICAN II, but their dishes are point to aft. Perhaps for that reason, I am not sure.
S'okay, looks great. I am a ways from that, but I get the idea. Great link and input. Definetly alot more to do, but seeing some of the great designs that are similar in principle is good inspiration and instruction.
I love these design because I think that not solving everything with technowank widgetry and phlebotinum makes things alot more realistic, believable and more of a departure from the ordinary experience of the viewer. The Ent-D corridors look like carpeted Hotel/Cruise ship decks. These designs have the added advantage of reminding you that you arent on Earth or in Kansas anymore.
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I thought of that as well, but then I think they mounted the dishes as rotational to keep them clear of the spokes when needed. Or is that bs, and it would interfere anyhow?
Im assuming the ICAN II designers have them rotate to keep them staggered with the spokes in case they would interfere, and to ensure that at least one dish could always have a clear path no matter the angle. I cant think of why else they would have them rotate except to ensure 360 degree unobstructed coverage. Im looking at the model to see if there is an angle at wish both dishes would be obstructed no matter how they rotated. I cant see one, but there could be a blind spot im not seeing. In addition the dishes could independently swivel as well.