Thrust Panels

[Roen Soul]

Thrust Panels

Instead of having a huge rocket engine I suggest using panels full of micro engines that combine their power.
Sometime small works more efficiently than a large one. This technology is seriously on table in NASA research.

The future of rocket engineering means that everything needs to be smaller, and more effective.
This time the small engines have less problems than large ones and are more powerful than any other type.

1. Small engines can be replaced from the panels and the material can be easily fixed in labs.
2. Heat of the small engines is far less than big ones.
3. While one single engine is very weak, it actually gives a lot of precision to controls and maneuvers.
4. Combined micro engines are far more effective than one same size large one. - Less problems with heat.
5. They are stronger than large ones. - Material problems are solved easier.
6. The panels have more stealth in space and does not give out the position as easily. - Less heat means less light.

Therefore...

In future designs of the ships, it is OK to have panels around the ships that does the thrust.
This design would be used specially in stealth military ships and definitely is used in generation ships.

Roen Soul

Consider large rocket engine to be halogen lights, and the micro engines to be LEDS. The point is very same.

 

[Sylow]

Everything you write is correct, but you forgot one small detail: thrust panels violate the rule of cool. That's why we need to have massive rear facing thrusters.
.

 

[StalkerMac]

Sounds good to me and it would give another option to the game as to what engines to use on different ships.

Fly safe Cmdr's
o7

 

[Roen Soul]

Rule of cool? - Well.. It all depends of who designs it.

In my perspective the panels can be cut to any shape and be placed to almost any spot in the ship. You will have your old boosters in the back... Well as you wish... But panels are a lot more functional.

Also the fact is that micro panels outlast big engines due fact the damage can be repaired by taking off the section which is broken. In large engine that is not so possible. This is why NASA is seriously thinking about this.

 

[Camulus]

But big jets are rock and roll. Panels are country and western......

 

[comdr0303]

This is why NASA is seriously thinking about this.

Is that the same NASA that eats billions of $$$$ each year and is flying around earth like...euh forever and ever ?

NASA & the government are not what you think, lets talk about the new space age where alot of corporations could go to space BUT never do they go...
Some of you may remember Sombrero island and Mr Beal's adventure, look it up if not, he was ready to go to space & build his own rockets ect...NASA & the US gov. got him on his knees and he had to abandon everything.
The site is still on Sombrero island to visit, he had by then the biggest rocket but could'nt get kerosene because of the 2 former named.
So think again if you think NASA is ever going to space further than earth, why do you think the USSR space program had to be stopped, why is china still nowhere ? Because NASA buy's them all out, with YOUR $$$.
NASA is just another tool of the shadow gov. but enough of politics.

In Space it would not matter how big they are or how much they consume, as we have all the mats and fuel we want in this universe...so why invest in futuristic thing when cheaper is available ?
And the noice & heat dont even matter where we live now, we just dont care enough, so in space it's no problem @ all.

What we need is to combine 2 ships behind one another to make one long exploration ship, add fueltanks like on the space shuttle. The ships we have are no haulers @ all, we should be able to put extra's on the outside.

 

[metatheurgist]

You've never noticed your lateral thrusters can move your ship as fast as the mains?

 

[comdr0303]

Like on the sea harrier the nozzle turns ? That would be in real space if i would design a ship...

 

[varonica]

But big jets are rock and roll. Panels are country and western......

And most importantly, where would we write "We brake for No-one!"

 

[CMDR X CYBER SCYTHE]

Follow up thought

Thrust Panels

Instead of having a huge rocket engine I suggest using panels full of micro engines that combine their power.
Sometime small works more efficiently than a large one. This technology is seriously on table in NASA research.

The future of rocket engineering means that everything needs to be smaller, and more effective.
This time the small engines have less problems than large ones and are more powerful than any other type.

1. Small engines can be replaced from the panels and the material can be easily fixed in labs.
2. Heat of the small engines is far less than big ones.
3. While one single engine is very weak, it actually gives a lot of precision to controls and maneuvers.
4. Combined micro engines are far more effective than one same size large one. - Less problems with heat.
5. They are stronger than large ones. - Material problems are solved easier.
6. The panels have more stealth in space and does not give out the position as easily. - Less heat means less light.

Therefore...

In future designs of the ships, it is OK to have panels around the ships that does the thrust.
This design would be used specially in stealth military ships and definitely is used in generation ships.

Roen Soul

Consider large rocket engine to be halogen lights, and the micro engines to be LEDS. The point is very same.

All of this was an awesome idea but if I may make a slight alternate suggestion. What if these were also provided as uttility mounts for increased maximum thrust and maneuverability as well as an alternative to the current thruster design?