What exactly do docking rings do? Every planet in Sirius that has human life on it has one. The fact that they exist implies that a ship, by itself, isn't able to dock with a planet. So, what does the docking ring do to allow these ships to reach the surface safely?
I've only been able to think of a few things, and I might even start a poll soon once I get a feel for the popular answers. One idea is that it's like a space elevator, so it just carries smaller ships down to the surface. They could also slow the descent of ships so the heat of reentry isn't a huge deal, but I don't know how they'd do it.
Another thing to keep in mind is that the models of most fighter/bomber class ships aren't aerodynamic. Take the Turanic fighter for example. In an atmosphere, that thing would fly about as well as the rocks outside my house. Sure, it has an engine, but it certainly doesn't generate any other lift in any way similar to modern aircraft, so that would have to be a crazy-powerful engine. Granted, I don't study aerodynamics. so my thoughts on this may be off.
I'd just like some thoughts about this. I know Freelancer isn't the most realistic of games, but some pseudo-reasonable explanation about docking rings would be cool. Thanks.
WARNING: Do not attempt planetary landing without using a Docking Ring.
A Docking Ring is part of an orbital elevator system invented by Ageira Technologies. Through the use of super strong crystalline polymers and frictionless bearings, Docking Rings assist the smooth atmospheric entry and exit of interstellar vessels with landing capability.
its described as a passage that is safe to enter the planetary atmosphere through.
so there are several ideas about the docking rings...
- they innitiate some sort of docking beam - like a tractor beam that "drags" ships down to the landing pad, which would mostly apply to ships that are not capable of non space flight.
- they mark the spot where entering the atmosphere is harmless, due to magnetic fields etc. - while any other place would require a much higher piloting skill to avoid melting in the atmosphere.
most ships are VTOL anyway. they have wings to manouver easier in dense particle clouds like gases, but not to really fly in a planets atmosphere. so - i think that docking rings provide the ships with a safe passage to descent onto the planets surface, more like an automatic docking sequence. - bit like that the pilot does not really need the skill to launch / dock / land - but can concentrate on flying.
like - imagine an aircraft carrier that made it possible to to have planet launch and land without the pilot having to pay a single thought on it - ... such a device would make aircraft carriers quite formidable and accessable to a lot more pilots.
I like to think planet is surrounded by a defense shield, and the docking ring is the "hole" in and out. Otherwise, how many citizens would you kill when you crash into the planet;)
(Note: there have been RP stories where planets were bombarded. I guess they either crashed right thru the defense shield, or disabled it in some way)
' Wrote:WARNING: Do not attempt planetary landing without using a Docking Ring.
A Docking Ring is part of an orbital elevator system invented by Ageira Technologies. Through the use of super strong crystalline polymers and frictionless bearings, Docking Rings assist the smooth atmospheric entry and exit of interstellar vessels with landing capability.
This is not a theory, it's directly copied from the information you get in-game :D
I think a trade lane creates an invisible tunnel to the next ring and each of the rings propels you through a section of the tunnel. When it's disrupted, the tunnel basically breaks and the ring can't propel you to the next ring, so you exit the lane.
Carlos Rivera: Corsair Brotherhood Pirate - Retired, shifted to Tripoli Shipyard's Research and Development engineering teams Anthony Cameron: Guild Core Bounty Hunter - Killed in Action, committed suicide after being trapped in Omicron Minor following its destruction Juan Ruiz: Outcast Ghost of Razgriz Pirate - Killed in Action, killed by the Sirius Coalition Revolutionary Army during Bretonian piracy raid Michael Winchester: Liberty Security Force Agent - Missing in Action, likely killed during Rheinland espionage mission or trapped in Rheinland Space Eric McCormick: Order Pilot - Retired, shifted to planetside training of new recruits
' Wrote:At that, how would a tradelane work? I know it makes superluminal travel possible in system but, err, how?
The exact workings of a tradelane and a jumpgate are strictly classified information. If this information was allowed to get released to the general public, Ageira's monopoly on the tradelane and jumpgate manufacturing industry would be comprimised. There are many other greedy corporations eager to get their hands on this knowledge, and with their locations and the resources available to them, it would only be a matter of time before one produced another tradelane similar to ours. This is why our corporate secrets are so closely guarded.
-Ageira XO [Lane_Security].Bravo
You ask me why Im weary, why I cant speak to you.
You blame me for my silence, say Its time I changed and grew.
But the war's still going on dear, and theres no end that I know...
And I cant say if were ever...
I cant say if were ever gonna be free.
' Wrote:The exact workings of a tradelane and a jumpgate are strictly classified information. If this information was allowed to get released to the general public, Ageira's monopoly on the tradelane and jumpgate manufacturing industry would be comprimised. There are many other greedy corporations eager to get their hands on this knowledge, and with their locations and the resources available to them, it would only be a matter of time before one produced another tradelane similar to ours. This is why our corporate secrets are so closely guarded.
-Ageira XO [Lane_Security].Bravo
There are those who take their RP seriously, and those who work for Ageira.
And I know how a tradelane works, I just mean how a tradelane works.