Discussion Solving the problems of space combat in Orbiter

[Hielor]

Good catch on the open-ending bit, although there should be a way to keep the round firmly in the firing chamber while the rest of the craft (or even the cannon if it's swiveled) wildly goes on a merry-go-round.

Well, once you start looking at it as a rocket launcher rather than a gun, I think problems like that become simpler. You don't even really need a barrel at that point, just guide rails (if you're using that to guide the projectile), and a simple mechanical latching system could be used to prevent unintentional release of the weapon.

 

[Ghostrider]

Well, why not. However there are a numbers of simple tricks to keep the round from moving inside the firing chamber. Having simple rails or a latticework-like barrel would also solve most heating or cleaning problems.

 

[Andy44]

Why have a barrel at all? Like you said, A latticework of guide rails will guide the projectile while it spools up under it's own propellant. Easier to cool. Basically we're talking about a recoiless rifle with no need to protect the user, since it isn't shoulder-fired.

 

[spaceranger]

Not sure if this discussion is still going but when I saw this article, of course of thought of y'all ... :tiphat:

http://gizmodo.com/5426453/the-physics-of-space-battles

 

[chourave]

If you want to make a fun space fighter warfare, beacause space fighter is fun, machine gun is fun and macho pilots like to impress girls of interbreedable speecies. The easiest way is to follow the rules from the good old science fiction.

1 - Placing the battelground on a non orbital situation like the protection of a space citie somewere in the vacuum. It reduce the chance of bad re-entry and the space citie is a good Mc Guffin.

2 - Fixing the maximum speed to 500 kmh.

3 - Choose a enemie who want to be hit or a very dumb and unexperiencied space pirates.

4 - Ban the vicious space ninja or your enemy list.