Re: Vector Rules

Samuel Penn writes:

@:) I know I've had this argument (sorry, we're all friendly here
@:) aren't we? - discussion :) ) on this list before, but small does
@:) not necessarily mean fast.
@:) 
@:) If 50% of your mass is devoted to engines and propellant, then
@:) (assuming equal technology for both ships) a big ship is going to
@:) be as 'fast' as a small ship. In fact, some things work out more
@:) mass-efficient on big ships, allowing the big ship to be faster,
@:) given the same proportion of drive systems.

  Nevertheless, the problems of structual integrity, to borrow a
Status: RO

phrase, scale up quickly with volume.  No matter what kinds of engines
they can mount, larger ships will be forced to move more slowly or
they will tear themselves apart.  The penalty for greater stability is
greater (proportional) mass.

@:) Of course, a lot of people like the 'cinematic' idea of small is
@:) fast, big is slow though.

  That, too.

@:) Realistically, it all depends on the length of the turn. If you're
@:) assuming 15 minute turns, most ships should be able to complet a
@:) 360 degree rotation in a turn. If turns are 15 seconds long, then
@:) this won't be so.

  This is true.

-joachim