Can Battlestar Galactica's Maneuvers be Realistic?

  • Thread starter paulf
  • Start date
In summary: That's what the browncoats were fighting for. They were a group of solar systems that had been more or less abandoned by the central government. There were "core" planets that were central to the government, but the majority of the people in the show were on the fringe, in the "rim planets".In summary, the conversation revolves around the physics and realism of space travel depicted in various sci-fi shows such as Battlestar Galactica and Firefly. It is possible for objects to change direction of rotation as quickly as depicted in those shows, but it would require strong structures and cause physical stress on pilots. The concept of orientation in space is also discussed, with some pointing out the use of a coordinate system based
  • #1
paulf
1
0
In the remake of the battlestar galactica the ships spin around almost instantly and stop with a thrust in the opposite direction. Is this possible like its done on the show cause i may not be physicist but it looks like it would require a certain amount of time to not only slowdown but to turn as well. Thanks in advance...
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
Do you mean the battlestars, or vipers?

The viper battles tend to look pretty realistic, in my opinion, but physicists currently have to suspend disbelief to enjoy any show in which FTL drive is a plot element. Incidentally, I tend to think Firefly did a better job..
 
  • #3
I agree more with the physics of Firefly, but I like Battlestar Galactica almost as much.
 
  • #4
It is possible for objects to change direction of rotation as quickly as depicted in those scenes. The fighters would have to be structurally quite strong (which is generally true for contemperary jet-fighters), and the pilots would undergo considreable physical stresses.
 
  • #5
Well.. Each time 2 spacecraft s encounter each other (Mostly Star Trek : TNG and others) They always encounter face to face... Nose to nose.. Exactly in the same angle and opposite directions... When traveling into space, Your orientation becomes useless. I understand they have computers and all.. But anyway. Its like there was a ceiling and a floor in space... and that's not true.
 
  • #6
DaxInvader said:
Your orientation becomes useless
While that is proper, I can see that for navigation purposes, it makes sense to have an 'up' and 'down'. That allows consistency of relative bearings to other locations. In a universe full of space-farers, it can also help maintain traffic control.

And what are you doing in my van?
 
  • #7
Danger said:
In a universe full of space-farers, it can also help maintain traffic control.

Of Course I understand... But with speacies (Is that it?) Light years away... How could they possibly have chosen the same "up" and "down"?

Even thought.. How do you determine it?


Btw Danger... Hotels costs too much so I found that Van... Near the Twillight Zone... :rolleyes:
 
  • #8
DaxInvader said:
Well.. Each time 2 spacecraft s encounter each other (Mostly Star Trek : TNG and others) They always encounter face to face... Nose to nose.. Exactly in the same angle and opposite directions... When traveling into space, Your orientation becomes useless. I understand they have computers and all.. But anyway. Its like there was a ceiling and a floor in space... and that's not true.
Well, they do use a coordinate system that's based on the galactic plane...
 
  • #9
And they told other races what plane it was and so on... It was just bugging me :P
 
  • #10
I'm not a serious Trekker, by any means, but according to stuff like the Concordium and various books, Federation space is very specifically layed out as to which way is which. As Dave said, it's based upon the plane of the galaxy. In-system co-ordinates go by the plane of the stellar family, and standard orbits appear to be equatorial.
 
  • #11
Thats does indeed answer my question. Thanks!
 
  • #12
cesiumfrog said:
Do you mean the battlestars, or vipers?

The viper battles tend to look pretty realistic, in my opinion, but physicists currently have to suspend disbelief to enjoy any show in which FTL drive is a plot element. Incidentally, I tend to think Firefly did a better job..
I don't think that Firefly had FTL travel at all. If I remember correctly, the whole plot took place in a single solar system that a group of people migrated to via slower-than-light travel. In fact, for a sci-fi series, I can't think of anything in it that was excluded by our modern understanding of physics.
 
  • #13
It seems that people have already answered your question, so I am just going to say that I love the show :smile:

I must have missed the episode where they explained what the hell happens when they "jump" though... Like, do they just speed up? Do they do something sci-fi ish, or what? Ill just look it up:redface:

EDIT: Lol, I have a battlestar font on my computer

EDIT2: I'm still amazed at the kind of stuff they can do on a tv series budget O__O
 
Last edited:
  • #14
Manchot said:
I don't think that Firefly had FTL travel at all. If I remember correctly, the whole plot took place in a single solar system that a group of people migrated to via slower-than-light travel. In fact, for a sci-fi series, I can't think of anything in it that was excluded by our modern understanding of physics.

That's (part of) what I meant when I endorsed Firefly over BSG. ..Although there was that one scene where the firefly, chased at high velocity through the atmosphere, manages a sudden 180 while the occupants just "hold on" without ill result. :smile: ..back to work
 
  • #15
Manchot said:
I don't think that Firefly had FTL travel at all. If I remember correctly, the whole plot took place in a single solar system that a group of people migrated to via slower-than-light travel. In fact, for a sci-fi series, I can't think of anything in it that was excluded by our modern understanding of physics.
Waitaminnit. Firefly ranges over many, many solar systems.
 

FAQ: Can Battlestar Galactica's Maneuvers be Realistic?

Can Battlestar Galactica's maneuvers be realistically executed in space?

It is highly unlikely that Battlestar Galactica's maneuvers can be executed in space due to the laws of physics. The show often depicts ships making sharp turns and quick changes in direction, which would require massive amounts of energy and thrust that currently do not exist in real-life spacecraft.

How do the movements of Battlestar Galactica's ships compare to real-life spacecraft?

The movements of Battlestar Galactica's ships are more similar to airplanes than actual spacecraft. In space, ships do not need to bank or turn in order to change direction, as there is no air resistance. Instead, they use small thrusters to make subtle adjustments in movement.

What are some examples of unrealistic maneuvers on Battlestar Galactica?

Some examples of unrealistic maneuvers on Battlestar Galactica include the ships making sharp turns at high speeds, changing direction without slowing down, and using their main engines for short bursts of acceleration.

Are there any aspects of Battlestar Galactica's maneuvers that are realistic?

While most of the maneuvers depicted on Battlestar Galactica are unrealistic, there are some aspects that are based on real-life space travel. For example, the use of thrusters to make small adjustments in movement and the use of gravity assists to conserve fuel are both realistic tactics used by spacecraft.

How important is it for science fiction shows to accurately portray space maneuvers?

It is not necessary for science fiction shows to accurately portray space maneuvers, as they are often used for dramatic effect and to enhance the storytelling. However, it is important for viewers to understand that these maneuvers are not realistic and should not be attempted in real-life space travel.

Similar threads

Human capacity for G-forces, Energy calculation, and thrust
Replies
2
Views
2K
I Banning the terms "realist" & "anti-realist" -- do you agree?
Replies
11
Views
1K
Writing: Input Wanted Turning an interstellar ship around before reaching coasting speed?
Replies
15
Views
2K
How Can a Ship Safely Brake in Space Without Crushing Its Inhabitants?
3
Replies
90
Views
8K
Writing: Input Wanted How to Handle a Fire Onboard a Generation Ship?
3
Replies
74
Views
3K
I Time travel is a fact or fiction.?
Replies
9
Views
2K
Writing: Input Wanted Captain's choices on colony ships
Replies
4
Views
2K
Is my fictional Solar System stable and realistic?
Replies
21
Views
2K
I After entanglement swapping, how can we verify the new entanglement?
Replies
5
Views
1K
Intersteller: Lecture by Kip Thorne
Replies
1
Views
1K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top