.com.unity Forums
  The Official e-Store of Shrapnel Games

This Month's Specials

Raging Tiger- Save $9.00
winSPMBT: Main Battle Tank- Save $5.00

   







Go Back   .com.unity Forums > Shrapnel Community > Space Empires: IV & V

 
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Prev Previous Post   Next Post Next
  #8  
Old January 8th, 2001, 04:22 AM

apache apache is offline
Corporal
 
Join Date: Dec 2000
Posts: 93
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
apache is on a distinguished road
Default Re: Solar Sail???????

Well, lets remember we are also using planet destroying weapons, things that 'collapse' black holes, and quantum reactors that can create infinite energy.
A solar sail definitely needs a star nearby to work. I also know that using Newtonian principles, you can definitely get the sail to work in at least a 180 degree arc of movement. Using a magnetic sail would result in the ability to move in a full 360 degrees (ie: both away and towards the star).
Now, as has already been mentioned, there is no such thing as drag in a vacuum. This is true, but much of space is not a total vacuum. A nebula, obviously, is a large area comprised of stellar gasses, and most certainly would create drag. A solar wind also creates a 'drag' force on an object in space, though it requires a very large ship and/or long distances to affect it noticeably. It also depends on direction of motion as to whether it is actually a drag force or a propelling force (the original principle of a solar sail).
So my point is that the solar sail is actually less ridiculous than a quantum reactor or 'collapsing' a black hole, so it should stay in the game. However, it should definitely not be allowed to work in nebula and black hole sectors.
Reply With Quote
 

Bookmarks


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:13 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.1
Copyright ©2000 - 2025, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©1999 - 2025, Shrapnel Games, Inc. - All Rights Reserved.