[geoschmo]

Originally posted by Slick:
Another thing for you engineering types out there is that the reason most craft look symmetrical left/right is that it makes them handle the same in the left/right direction. Moment of inertia stuff even applies in the vacuum of space.

You are correct if you are talking about balance not symetry. As I pointed out earlier balance is not the same thing nessecarily as visual symetry. In atmosphere a craft could be balanced and asymetrical, and have differences in handling characteristics in turning left and right as you say. Because of aerodynamics, or fluid dynamics in a water craft. But in a vacuum if the ship is balanced and asymetrical it will turn just as fast to any direction you wish to turn it. Symetry doesn't affect moment of inertia. It's the balance of mass and center of gravity that affects that.

Geoschmo