View Single Post
Old 2007-10-08, 13:45   Link #109
4Tran
Senior Member
 
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Quote:
Originally Posted by edf91
Of course it does - in space, the only way you can CHANGE direction in the way you move is by using thruster in the opposite direction.
Incorrect. In space, there are two types of directions: facing and heading. One changes facing by rotating the vehicle - a trivial task compared to actually accelerating it to any degree. One changes heading by applying thrust in any direction other than that directly opposite the current heading.

Quote:
Originally Posted by edf91
In order to avoid being shot at, you need good ability to change directions. A missile, by design, have all the main thrusters at the back, so you can move in the forward direction faster. Not saying it cannot move sideway, but it's sideway movement aren't very good or mobile.
You're incorrect on both points. First off, the shape of a missile is designed to maximize performance in an atmosphere, so this same shape is unnecessary in space. Second, anti-air missiles are actually much more maneuverable than aircraft are.

Quote:
Originally Posted by edf91
Every try to turn a car when you are moving fast? Your momentum will move you forward when you are turning in another direction, so in space, you need to apply some decent sideway acceleration in order to do a smooth turn.
However, cars don't even behave like spacecraft at all. Intuitively, the faster you're going, the harder it is to turn (in the sense of changing one's facing). But velocity is irrelevant when you've got no medium to contend with, so spacecraft can turn at full efficiency no matter how fast it is going.

Quote:
Originally Posted by edf91
Most MS design, including V2, has the main thrusters on the back, so yes, V2 can move forward very quick, but its sideway movement is still relatively speaking limited by its side thrusters, so when in typical "dogfights", V2 will need to slow down if it wants to do tight turns or change directions.
That isn't true at all. A space vehicle's turning radius is effectively 0 no matter how fast it is going. However, a vehicle with higher acceleration can generally do so quicker than one with lower acceleration.

Quote:
Originally Posted by edf91
Common sense still applies - just how often they applies is up to the discretion of the show creators
I suppose the Gundam creators use common sense; unfortunately, it's an especially bad idea to do so when they're dealing with counter-intuitive concepts.
__________________
The victorious strategist only seeks battle after the victory has been won...
4Tran is offline   Reply With Quote