drag in space
 

Well, vacuum is not exactly an emty space. If we have a spacecraft moving at sublight velocity, it can encounter some resistance even at very low concentration of particles in space. Does anybody know the website that can provide an estimate ? I'm just thinking that though most SE shipsets are sleek and aerodynamic for purely aesthetics reasons, there might be some sense in such design ?

Re: drag in space
 

Here are some good ones (used a google search for "atoms per cubic meter"):

http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/pao/Hi...177/ch4-6.html

http://hypertextbook.com/facts/2000/...inaCheng.shtml

http://hypertextbook.com/facts/2000/DaWeiCai.shtml

Slick.

Re: drag in space
 

WHEW!
I was afraid this thread was going to talk about some hairy ship wearing a dress.

Re: drag in space
 

Ain't gonna happen.
High heels, big wigs, and short dresses is not advisable in Zero-G conditions. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Sorry Oleg.
Can't help.

Re: drag in space
 

There is not enough mass in space to cause enough drag to make aerodynamic designs any better than non-aerodynamic designs.

Re: drag in space
 

How about in a nebula??

Re: drag in space
 

Real nebulae are nothing like nebulae you see in Star Trek, B5, SW, etc. I am fairly certain that the gasses and such are spread out really thin, and would not create much more drag than normal space.

Re: drag in space
 

Fyron, I'm very happy to hear that. My Tessalates are safe even if they are not esthetic. Hmm, Guess i beter get them zipped and up loaded. < Phew >

[ February 09, 2003, 05:41: Message edited by: Gryphin ]

Re: drag in space
 

It does cause a (barely) measureable drag, but it is something like a fraction of a percent decrease in speed, so it does not have very much of an effect overall, esp. with the speed of engines in SE4. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Re: drag in space
 

A while back in Discover magazine, I read an article which said that even "dark" nebulae that appear opaque are better vacuums than can be created here on Earth.