How about a Solar Sail ship?

[Tenacity]

So, I'm big into sailing, and I know a few other people around the forums are as well. Something that's come up in a few science fiction novels, movies, and games before is the idea of a solar sail ship - a spacecraft that is powered by catching solar wind (electromagnetic radiation of varying forms) in large, reflective sails. They're not necessarily fast craft, but the same kind of peaceful, nature-y vessels that sailboats are on the water.

Ideally we'd have to get the "moving ship parts" to work properly so that the sail could be deployed or retracted, my original idea was that you have zero impulse speed in the ship (just a standard thruster for propulsion without the sail) and then when you activate cruise the sail unfolds and you go up to maybe slightly higher than impulse speed for other craft.

Of course, this is in no way a combat ship. My thought is that it would be built by Orbital Spa and Cruise, but available on the open market as a civilian ship. I'd probably give such a ship freighter-like stats for armor/shields/powercore, but maybe only one fighter turret, or even no turrets. The ship is meant for civilian excursions rather than combat.

Thoughts/Comments? Anyone around that would like to go sailing in space? =P

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[Anonymous User]

hmm i have nice pictures of it in my head:D

have a lot of ideas for it... but to tired to stard moddin' now...

gn8 maybe tomorrow if i am bored ;D

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[Tenacity]

Threw together a quit gimp-up of what it could look like, general idea anyways:

Really wish I could get 3dsm to work on my new comp >.< sucks not being able to do models anymore.

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[Dusty Lens]

Sadly my first thought was "4-5 of those will look really cool stuck in front of a jumpgate/planet/whatever blocking traffic"

[Anonymous User]

Threw together a quit gimp-up of what it could look like, general idea anyways:

piccu

piccu

Really wish I could get 3dsm to work on my new comp >.< sucks not being able to do models anymore.

youve tried Metaseq? i dont know 3dsm but maybe you can use it until you have any other, maybe better program

i am a totally noob in modelin' and i can use it... so you will have no prob i think lol

so enough for today *drop*

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[Tenacity]

I have metaseq, but it's a horrible modelling program.

Comparing metasequoia to 3d studio max is like... comparing play-dough to steel and concrete. It's more of a toy than a real modelling program, it doesnt have the accuracy or detail I'm used to =/

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[Nomad-Chong]

Extreme solar suicide surfing. Make your angle and distance towards the sun define your movement. Solar wind and your skill vs gravity. Who needs jumpdrives on a surfbaord? Launch from luxury liner Hawaii and show those noobs who can gets the best tan without vaporaizing. Why, that idea is just excellent, Tenacity.

[ryeguy146]

I've wanted to see something like this for a long time.

[Eppy]

I love solar sails (and sailing in general). I've thought about making a solar sail ship a few times, but I need some kind of material to base it off of, and Dooku's solar sailer from Star Wars II is not it.

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Quick comment - we thought that Panzer was the Leader, Swift. -Agmen

Which Dreadnought was that?

One of your nine.

[JohnSmith]

you watched Tron, new movie remake has ubber sail ship