Newcomer / Intro Slow down

[Cradle2Grave]

If I am heading straight for a star - with any planets around it or whathaveyou - why do I slow down. Wouldn't the gravity pull me in quicker rather than slow me down? If I'm heading straight for it that is.

 

[nicomak]

If I am heading straight for a star - with any planets around it or whathaveyou - why do I slow down. Wouldn't the gravity pull me in quicker rather than slow me down? If I'm heading straight for it that is.

It's not due to gravity, there's none in the game.

 

[Cradle2Grave]

Why do I slow down then?

 

[nicomak]

Why do I slow down then?

Well i'm not sure if there's any given reason that will satisfy you here, it's just the way the FSD works, It may be some safety, but it could also be physical or whatever. But it certainly isnt trying to reproduce gravity in any shape or form.

Or per haps "yes", in a way, as we see gravity being a distorsion of space-time, since the FSD works preciselly by creating some kind of space-time wave for you to travel on, you could say that both interracts in such a way that you'd be forced to slow down. But it's not just what is close to you, it's also what you've selected, so that "explanation" doesnt work perfectly anyway.

 

[Cradle2Grave]

Ok well, thanks. But if I am heading towards what I think is an unexplored star - the engine starts slowing down way before I reach it. And there's no explanation of this? Hmm ok
Thanks for taking the time to reply though mate.

 

[Hell Razor5543]

As I understand it, the FSD somehow 'inverts' gravity, so you are not falling down a steep slope, you are trying to climb up it. It is something like the Alcubierre drive.

 

[nicomak]

Ok well, thanks. But if I am heading towards what I think is an unexplored star - the engine starts slowing down way before I reach it. And there's no explanation of this? Hmm ok

Well it works that way because the dev find it "more interesting" like that, that's why.
After all that's 3300 technology, so you cant expect to understand every details and nuances of the 33rd century space flight mecanic, can you? ^^.

Edit : about the slow down way before you reach a star, space around a star would be distorded significantly throughout the whole system, or great part of it at least if it's not the main star. So you'd feel the effect way before you arrive.

 

[nicomak]

As I understand it, the FSD somehow 'inverts' gravity, so you are not falling down a steep slope, you are trying to climb up it. It is something like the Alcubierre drive.

The former no, no artificial gravity in ED, the latter yes, that's what it "is", or supposed to be related with.

 

[Cradle2Grave]

Most interesting guys - thanks!

 

[Evyl Minkey]

Since there is no gravity why do you slow down passing a planet on the way to a Res site? If you get too close you seem to make very little progress towards the destination selected but if you go in a wide arc you seem to progress as normal (getting closer but decelerating at the same time).

 

[nicomak]

Most interesting guys - thanks!

If it makes any sense ^^

you're welcome.

Since there is no gravity why do you slow down passing a planet on the way to a Res site? If you get too close you seem to make very little progress towards the destination selected but if you go in a wide arc you seem to progress as normal (getting closer but decelerating at the same time).

Well i cant add much more to what i said above. That's preciselly the problem we have, there's no good real physical reason to explain this, unless you make it up like i just did. While approaching an object, gravity would make you accelerate towards it, not slow you down. It's always attractive, never repulsive, what you see in game is not gravity, it's merely a gameplay mechanic, to make things more interresting, somewhat challenging maybe, and helpful when it comes to approaching a POI(...).

 

[Cradle2Grave]

It sort of does! I... think

 

[Avago Earo]

I thought it was to do with the mass of an object. Ignoring the fact that (Einstein) an object with mass cannot reach the speed of light and the ships in ED do, because time and the speed of light (constant) nearing an object with mass (which is to do with gravity) ... ah I give up.

If you're lucky someone in the know will read this thread and provide an answer.

 

[Cradle2Grave]

Where's Hawkings when we need him?

 

[nicomak]

I thought it was to do with the mass of an object. Ignoring the fact that (Einstein) an object with mass cannot reach the speed of light and the ships in ED do, because time and the speed of light (constant) nearing an object with mass (which is to do with gravity) ... ah I give up.

If you're lucky someone in the know will read this thread and provide an answer.

Well i'd be grateful if someone would create a fully working FSD to give us the answer, though more importantly we might then have a chance to see a couple more planets&systems in our lifetime ^^

 

[Dommarraa]

It's the way that makes the ships move at a sensible speed scaled to their environment. Trying to go round a planet at 100c, might take some piloting skills

 

[Cradle2Grave]

Yeah, but, it would be nice if it had some actual explanation of why stuff is affecting speed.

 

[Rhaedas]

My thinking of the FSD is that the heavier the gravitational field, the harder it is to fold space. So you get the higher pitch of the engine as you get closer to things, and eventual failure when you're too close and the gravity is great. It just can't warp space anymore without overheating. As for gravity itself, while there isn't any in game being calculated, if it was, it would contribute very little compared to the distances you're able to travel, and the time you're in one spot as you're moving. One reason why it's probably not in game, overhead for no benefit.

 

[withnail7]

Well i cant add much more to what i said above. That's preciselly the problem we have, there's no good real physical reason to explain this, unless you make it up like i just did. While approaching an object, gravity would make you accelerate towards it, not slow you down. It's always attractive, never repulsive, what you see in game is not gravity, it's merely a gameplay mechanic, to make things more interresting, somewhat challenging maybe, and helpful when it comes to approaching a POI(...).[/QUOTE]

For me, it's an excellent part of the gameplay...and interesting reading opinions & facts concerning it from those more deeply learned in the science & gameplay than I am...for me, my basic science knowledge tells me it's "gravity" & I'm happy with that (lack of) understanding

 

[cmdr lowest]

Well i'd be grateful if someone would create a fully working FSD to give us the answer, though more importantly we might then have a chance to see a couple more planets&systems in our lifetime ^^

As none of us are real space pilots I think it's a bit dismissive to say that the gravitational forces exerted on your ship when you are close to astronomical bodies is not due to gravity because it doesn't "speed you up" when you approach them. This sounds more like one person's take on the game, and a little ill-informed.

My personal opinion is that it is gravitational forces because what else could it be? Without being a real space pilot I really don't know if a planet would suck in your spaceship if you are close but I doubt it would at the distances we travel at. Remember that it looks like we are close to astronomical bodies but I don't think we are really that close at all. Until they implement planetary landings (fingers crossed) you won't realise how far away we are until we can fly in and land.

I'm looking forward to the day that the planet takes up more screen than I have.

I do feel that there is some kind of unwritten autopilot when you approach anything though as the speed seems to decrease even if you have nothing selected.