Always have no idea the design decision of the square starport

jk2l · Jun 3, 2015

Why there is only one entrance instead of one in one out. If it is small ship it doesn't really matter, but for large ship like T9 or clipper the entrance can't really fit both.

ExRex · Jun 3, 2015

jk2l said:
Why there is only one entrance instead of one in one out. If it is small ship it doesn't really matter, but for large ship like T9 or clipper the entrance can't really fit both.

Are you looking for a lore/rp reason more than "because it's a game and needs difficulty or sorts?"

Whiterose · Jun 3, 2015

To maintain the low gravity atmosphere you can only have one port. Plus the other end of the station holds the entire manifold for the station, so if you had two ports, too much air would escape and secondly with the manifold the structure would become unsound.

ohmikkie · Jun 3, 2015

Whiterose said:
To maintain the low gravity atmosphere you can only have one port.

Where do get that from? I find that explanation illogical.

Asp Explorer · Jun 3, 2015

Where would you put the noob-skewers?

jk2l · Jun 3, 2015

Whiterose said:
To maintain the low gravity atmosphere you can only have one port. Plus the other end of the station holds the entire manifold for the station, so if you had two ports, too much air would escape and secondly with the manifold the structure would become unsound.

can always put another entrance next to each other i guess. just have the long edge of the entrance stick together side by side with one for entrance and one for exit

Joe Spivey · Jun 3, 2015

These stations were built by the lowest tender. Two entrances cost more than one. So... one entrance.

jk2l · Jun 3, 2015

ExRex said:
Are you looking for a lore/rp reason more than "because it's a game and needs difficulty or sorts?"

hm... more like a proper realistic design reason. even for car park you get separated entrance and exit side by side.

Cody · Jun 3, 2015

<chortles> It's a funny old game, Saint.

Space Fan · Jun 3, 2015

I guess one advantage is that there's only one entrance to control; to seal, and to defend.

Frankfort · Jun 3, 2015

jk2l said:
Why there is only one entrance instead of one in one out. If it is small ship it doesn't really matter, but for large ship like T9 or clipper the entrance can't really fit both.

It was the only station in the original elite and why change it if it gives the older ELITE players a sense of nostalgia

Petersen · Jun 3, 2015

jk2l said:
Why there is only one entrance instead of one in one out. If it is small ship it doesn't really matter, but for large ship like T9 or clipper the entrance can't really fit both.

*gasp* You mean one player might actually have to wait a handful of seconds on another?! THE HORROR!

Space Fan · Jun 3, 2015

Or maybe they tried back entrances, but they ended up surrounded by smokers.

Robert Maynard · Jun 3, 2015

If there were two docking tunnels, one at either end, then we would be practically guaranteed that a form of survival racing would ensue whereby players would try to boost in through one, through the length of the station, and out the other end without asking for docking permission.

Also, if there were two, which one would we need to leave from and how would it be enforced?

Whiterose · Jun 3, 2015

ohmikkie said:
Where do get that from? I find that explanation illogical.

From the original User Requirement Specification and the Engineering Design Specification. Have you any idea how much paperwork would be involved to put in an additonal port?

norty303 · Jun 3, 2015

I'm surprised nobody has yet queried why it is a slot rather than a simple circle.
that would've been the most logical engineering solution as well as being the strongest shape in terms of dealing with internal/external pressures.
Say goodbye to all that 'matching rotation' stuff though...

Vasious · Jun 3, 2015

There are those really big spire things on the opposite end of the docking portal

They must be something important

Space Fan · Jun 3, 2015

norty303 said:
I'm surprised nobody has yet queried why it is a slot rather than a simple circle.
that would've been the most logical engineering solution as well as being the strongest shape in terms of dealing with internal/external pressures.
Say goodbye to all that 'matching rotation' stuff though...

A slot encourages you to sync your rotation with the station before entering - rather than after!. If the entrance were circular you could enter with a relative rotation.

jk2l · Jun 3, 2015

Petersen said:
*gasp* You mean one player might actually have to wait a handful of seconds on another?! THE HORROR!

lol it is not about the waiting, it is just going in the entrance when somone from the other side going in as well can get awkward. there are few time i hit them and few time i need to do hard stop and reverse

Robert Maynard said:
If there were two docking tunnels, one at either end, then we would be practically guaranteed that a form of survival racing would ensue whereby players would try to boost in through one, through the length of the station, and out the other end without asking for docking permission.

Also, if there were two, which one would we need to leave from and how would it be enforced?

er... green and red light? we do have it already, it is just not able to fit them

Robert Maynard · Jun 3, 2015

jk2l said:
er... green and red light? we do have it already, it is just not able to fit them

Ah yes - the lights.... Do they signify "port" and "starboard" or "enter this side" and "no entry" (especially given that the Type 9 sakes up most of the slot....)?

Always have no idea the design decision of the square starport

Frankfort