2006-12-09 21:50:46 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
If the spaceship is equipped with booster, or retro rockets, then theoretically, the ship can make a U turn if the rockets are fired at the right times i.e. keep the power of the rockets on the right hand side on full and keep the rockets on the left hand side on reverse thrust.
It would also be possible for the engines to have diffusers on the thrust holes, which, when the control lever or 'joystick' as it is more formally known is turned, the diffusers make the engines fire the thrust over to one side when the craft is turning, in a similar way that the F-22 fighter plane does.
However, I dread to think how big the turning circle would be, especially if the craft is travelling in excess of 20,000mph.
Booster rockets are the only way of manouvring in space, because flaps would have no effect at all due to there being no air resistance. Using the gravitational field of planets and/or celestial bodies can create a 'slingshot' effect to return the spaceship back in the direction it came from.
2006-12-11 05:34:51 · answer #1 · answered by Rick G 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Possibly but it would make more sense to bring the ship about and apply thrust - the reason a U-turn would be very likely - and one reason why the space battles in star wars are so unrealistic - aircraft bank and turn around but air resistance makes possible several maneuvers which are not practical in space. To reverse direction a spaceship would have to apply as much force as it did getting up to that speed, unlike an aircraft - there's no air to help it slow down or change direction. Small thrusters could give the appearence of a U turn but it would be superfluous. Regards.
2006-12-10 06:03:25 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No absolutely not. In free space objects can only travel in straight lines assuming no gravity is exerted on the spaceship. Linear yes, angular no.
2006-12-11 19:36:02 · answer #3 · answered by manc1999 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, if there wasn't inertia absorbing device the crew would be red stains on the bulkheads when the warp engines started, so if the ship can cope with a instant massive increase of speed, then a U turn is a peace of cake!
2006-12-10 06:53:43 · answer #4 · answered by Avon 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes, but it's more economical to rotate 180° and apply thrust.
2006-12-10 05:53:16 · answer #5 · answered by Helmut 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes
2006-12-10 07:44:12 · answer #6 · answered by jhstha 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No reason why it couldn't
2006-12-10 05:52:32 · answer #7 · answered by Jon B 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋