[oleg]

Originally posted by Aloofim:

quote:

---

Originally posted by oleg:
But first they must accelerate to that speed, right ? That means to make the trip in time, the peak velocity would be much higher than apparent _average_ velocity.

There is a big diference between 625 Km/sec and 300 000 Km/sec.......
Ships in SE4 are traveling at 1/480s of light's speed. [/QB]

---

You are completely wrong. The SE speed of light has been estimated before :
http://www.shrapnelgames.com/cgi-bin...=008034#000003

and here:

http://www.shrapnelgames.com/cgi-bin...3;t=007281;p=4

According to these canon opuses, on average SE ships move at 1-3 % c. It is also mean that maximum ship speed can be even higher. For example, we can assume that combat speed, which is twice faster than "strategic" speed is in fact the max. speed. Then it can be as high as 0.05c !
Now, the battle usually takes place around planet.
Obviously, matter density between Earth and Moon is much higher than between Sun and Epsilon Eridani.Now I'm pretty convinced that at max. battle speed SE warships can easily get a measurable resistance. Hence, sleek and aerodynamic ships should get an advantage !

Another argument: tanks have sloped armour not because of the air drag but because of a chance to reflect shells. Surely, it would be a nice bonus if your ship can ricochet lasers or DUC shells !