Prophesy Designs

[TheBigDog]

Originally Posted by KickAssClown

Sounds like what I mentioned way back when about using Gyros to shift the force of rotation to else where, and therefore aid in spin and despin. So sounds good.

You are correct KAC. And I want to insure that people get the proper credit for their input! The thread has gotten so big that I was having trouble with finding all the original suggestions on the matter. (and I was tired and ready for bed)

Bill

[Jay-qu]

Hence the sub forum

Problem is we cant sort the thread out and keep it intact, ie posts cant be copied, only moved.. and I dont feel comfortable just hacking up our nice big thread when it could potentially cause more confusion than clarity

[GAHD]

Hmm, On the weights on the prophercy roll-over thing i think this article may point to some ideas...http://hypography.com/forums/astrono...ve-rolled.html

[Kayra]

Originally Posted by GAHD

Hmm, On the weights on the prophercy roll-over thing i think this article may point to some ideas...http://hypography.com/forums/astrono...ve-rolled.html

Should work if we are in a gravity well

[Kayra]

Originally Posted by KickAssClown

Sounds like what I mentioned way back when about using Gyros to shift the force of rotation to else where, and therefore aid in spin and despin. So sounds good.

I still say placing a series (2 per module?) of thrusters pointing along the axis of the ship should suffice for steering. By firing them in sequence at 90 degrees to the intended direction change intended, you can actually use the precession effect of the rings to turn the ship.


If you do not do this, then you had better be prepared from some pretty severe stresses where the outer rings and the inner flywheel connect to the ship. They may be able to counter each others angular momentum nicely, but that does not meant that that momentum does not exists. Every time you try to turn the ship, those areas will be straining at their repsective load bearing points.

[TheBigDog]

Originally Posted by Kayra

I still say placing a series (2 per module?) of thrusters pointing along the axis of the ship should suffice for steering. By firing them in sequence at 90 degrees to the intended direction change intended, you can actually use the precession effect of the rings to turn the ship.


If you do not do this, then you had better be prepared from some pretty severe stresses where the outer rings and the inner flywheel connect to the ship. They may be able to counter each others angular momentum nicely, but that does not meant that that momentum does not exists. Every time you try to turn the ship, those areas will be straining at their repsective load bearing points.

With the size of the ship the load on the ends of those spokes is huge indeed. But she turns very slowly. My concern with using propellent is how much it will take. I like the idea of being able to orient the ship using the electrical energy from her reactor. It gives us virtually unlimited manuvering.

Bill

[Kayra]

Originally Posted by TheBigDog

My concern with using propellent is how much it will take.
Bill

Probably drastically less then the amount of mass in the fly wheel
Just a guess though.

Redundancy as well. If even one thruster is capable of firing, turns can still be made (eventually). If that flywheel blows a bearing.. getting out and pushing would be our only alternative.

There is something to be said for changing course electrically though.

[TheBigDog]

The ship could in theory be equipped to do both. Having the thrusters as a backup to the flywheel for the sake of redundancy. We could also use some creative engineering with our MEL's, and various satellite chassis to create a commputer controlled thruster system as needed. McGyverneering.

Bill

[Kayra]

Originally Posted by TheBigDog

The ship could in theory be equipped to do both. Having the thrusters as a backup to the flywheel for the sake of redundancy. We could also use some creative engineering with our MEL's, and various satellite chassis to create a commputer controlled thruster system as needed. McGyverneering.

Bill

LOL. I like it.
We do not have to "McGyverneering" then unless we require it. Just having the capability should be enough, and pre-engineering the fit and controls should suffice.

I had envisioned the spin up/down process requiring thrusters as well, but the flywheel would resolve that quite handily.

So how much mass would a flywheel add to our ship?
I am guessing that would be dependent on the speed we spin it at , but there are limitations on just how fast you can make something that massive go.

[KickAssClown]

I've had an idea for electro-magnetic powered Maneuvering drives for quiet sometime now. I don't know how well they would work, but hey.