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  1. Spike Spiegel

    Project New Shuttle

    So far, the design of the tail and the nose section remind me of a dolphin. You could call it that. I don't know if that's exactly "majestic". :) So long, and thanks for all the fish!
  2. Spike Spiegel

    Trying to "create" an equation

    Thanks Izack and Martin. I have to say Martin, you've gone quite a bit over my head there. It's as if I'm here on the ground and you're somewhere up in orbit. :) Izack to some degree as well. (I had to look up what a ~ meant, so you can imagine how my head feels after looking at Martin's...
  3. Spike Spiegel

    Trying to "create" an equation

    Trying to "create" an equation. And failing miserably. I've been working on a science fiction story for a ridiculously long amount of time, and I'm trying to nail down the properties of a particular piece of fictional technology. I'd like to do this as accurately as I can, to the point where an...
  4. Spike Spiegel

    Poll Does God exist? Is science true ? (Multiple choice!)

    I've got a question. Does anyone believe that there is any amount of logic or reason, from any side of the argument, that is sufficient to change the mind of a person who is already certain in what they believe? These sort of arguments tend to go on and on with no resolution. Also, I like to...
  5. Spike Spiegel

    Flight Question Aerobraking on earth is hard

    I actually did some trial and error with this, using a DGIV coming back from the Moon. I did a quicksave while I was on my way towards Earth, but far enough away that it was still really easy to adjust periapsis with just the RCS thrusters. Then I could just keep trying different values until I...
  6. Spike Spiegel

    TransX Graphics Glitch

    I'll second this request. I've experienced the same thing (or something very similar). It may have something to do with the Map MFD (just a random guess), as well as when the stage changes automatically. The reason I suspect the Map MFD is because when the glitch occurs, the text in TransX gets...
  7. Spike Spiegel

    Sealing a Centrifuge?

    I was thinking about artificial gravity on a spacecraft, particularly a spinning section, and how to deal with pressurizing it. When the entire craft is spun (or a craft with 2 tethered sections that tumbles), no big deal. It's sealed anyway. Same thing when you've got a centrifuge that's...
  8. Spike Spiegel

    Flight Question How to turn the Delta-Glider XR1?

    It sounds like you just need some more experience flying things that don't behave like high-performance jet fighters. It's more like flying a Cessna or a passenger jet. Don't bother with the rudder; bank gently, and keep the nose up by pulling back (elevon/elevator). Pay attention to the...
  9. Spike Spiegel

    Orbiter Screenshot Thread

    The Solar Truss Module (Solar Truss Module) has a shiny surface to begin with, so I took a screenshot with it at the right angle. Then in Photoshop I did some adjustments (Levels), then duplicated the layer so I could add a lens flare to the duplicate. I used the "105mm Prime" type of lens...
  10. Spike Spiegel

    Orbiter Screenshot Thread

    With a second XR5 launch, I've finished Phase II of my Space Station Ikaros. There's a longer main truss, a second radiator and solar panel array, and a couple more PMAs. A Dragonfly was brought up to assist in the assembly, and now remains docked to the station. I did a much better job flying...
  11. Spike Spiegel

    Orbiter Screenshot Thread

    I'm jumping on the bandwagon and building my own little space station. It's called Ikaros, and most of the modules I'm using come from the Orbiter Francophone site. I'm launching it with the XR5 so I can get it built somewhat quickly, and I've equipped the XR5 with Kulch's RMS arm. The station...
  12. Spike Spiegel

    Orbiter Screenshot Thread

    It's a Pelican dropship from the Halo universe.
  13. Spike Spiegel

    Favorite Fighter Planes?

    From WWII my favorite is the P-38... I just like the way it looks. I also like the looks of the F-18. The A-10 is probably one of my favorite planes, just for its pure utility and toughness. I also like the new F-35B. I hope it can do a good job like the Harrier.
  14. Spike Spiegel

    Total Lunar Eclipse tonight

    Can someone please get this blasted atmosphere out of my way? It is blocking the sky.
  15. Spike Spiegel

    Question What are you reading?

    I just finished reading Ender's Game (yes, I have some catching up to do with all the sci-fi classics). I read The Forever War before that. Both are excellent.
  16. Spike Spiegel

    Humor Acronym G.A.M.E.

    TERRESTRIAL: Theoretical Electronic Radially Recursive Extrasolar Stellar Thermal Reaction Interpolation ALgorithm Next: S.U.R.F.A.C.E.
  17. Spike Spiegel

    Auto Capture - How does it work?

    Thanks for all the responses so far. The theories do seem to share a few similarities, but the one Grover outlines has some details that appear to be more unlikely. About this Nice model; if the orbits of Uranus and Neptune became more eccentric to the point where they migrated further out...
  18. Spike Spiegel

    Habitation Domes

    Here's an example from my area of a glass dome structure: Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Maybe it will give you some ideas, though it seems these domes may have been designed for height rather than ground area.
  19. Spike Spiegel

    Auto Capture - How does it work?

    I've found this article about a comet that was temporarily captured by Jupiter: http://www.astronomy.com/asy/default.aspx?c=a&id=8616 And apparently there are a few others known. The problem is that it's temporary... this comet left orbit again. So, if an object can't approach a planet at a...
  20. Spike Spiegel

    Auto Capture - How does it work?

    I understand how to achieve a circular orbit with a spacecraft, thanks to Orbiter. What I don't understand is how natural objects do it. I saw a post in the forum asking the same question, but it was off-topic and the answer was basically "tidal interactions over a long time". (I'm paraphrasing...
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