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Subject: 
Re: Space Station/Base Names (was Re: Space stations?)
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.space
Date: 
Tue, 28 Sep 1999 20:39:25 GMT
Viewed: 
4808 times
  

On Tue, 28 Sep 1999 McSpamcakeBoy mentioned:

I like it, though in order to preserve "Alpha 1", should we wish to do so,
everything that has a letter should also have a number; so Surface Base LD-A
would really be Surface Base LD-A1.

It could go that way, or LD-A could refer to the installation as a whole,
and LD-Ax would be specific models within LD-A.

If LD-A1 is the whole site, then the first model in the site would be
LD-A2, right?

We could further modify the ID subcode to
mean "sector A, base number 1" or "sector A1", that is, if we want to
alphabetize the sectors.

We could, but I'd rather not.  That could lead to post office readdressing,
if the sectors filled in later.  My preference would be to apply the
letters to each installation, in order of chronological appearance.  (I'd
also prefer that the first installation be a Moonbase. ;)  If we manage to
get more than 26 installations,

But this also kind of depends on how big sectors are, and how they could be
subdivided and/or organized. We know about quadrants eh? How many sectors in
are in one? Are sections divisions of sectors?

My preference is to not do sectors/quadrants/octants/whatever.  Or at
least, not to (generally) use them as part of the name of installations.

Something else too:  I think that "LD" might eventually be dropped from common
usage, at it'll be assumed. And it does not seem to add distinction amongst
the various installations.

LD isn't supposed to distinguish between the installations.  It's supposed
to unify them.  In the same way that Datsville could have neighborhoods,
but all the neighborhoods would still be part of Datsville.

Steve
(going off to look at Tom's chart,
<http://www.baylug.org/space/installations.htm>)

   
         
   
Subject: 
Re: Space Station/Base Names (was Re: Space stations?)
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.space
Date: 
Tue, 28 Sep 1999 21:19:59 GMT
Viewed: 
4931 times
  

In lugnet.space, Steve Bliss writes:
On Tue, 28 Sep 1999 McSpamcakeBoy mentioned:

I like it, though in order to preserve "Alpha 1", should we wish to do so,
everything that has a letter should also have a number; so Surface Base LD-A
would really be Surface Base LD-A1.

It could go that way, or LD-A could refer to the installation as a whole,
and LD-Ax would be specific models within LD-A.

I your idea better.

If LD-A1 is the whole site, then the first model in the site would be
LD-A2, right?

I'd rather keep it that 1 means the first thing.

[...]
My preference would be to apply the
letters to each installation, in order of chronological appearance.  (I'd
also prefer that the first installation be a Moonbase. ;)

Good, and I agree. Duane hasn't been as vocal as we have but I know he wants
that base :-) I do too, and the moon is a great place to start. And again I'll
just say that I think the first installation should be the Alpha-1 Rocket
Base. Plus the cool name of "Moonbase Alpha" is applicable too :-)


We could further modify the ID subcode to
mean "sector A, base number 1" or "sector A1", that is, if we want to
alphabetize the sectors.

We could, but I'd rather not.  That could lead to post office readdressing,
if the sectors filled in later.

True. That could get ugly.

But this also kind of depends on how big sectors are, and how they could be
subdivided and/or organized. We know about quadrants eh? How many sectors in
are in one? Are sections divisions of sectors? If we manage to
get more than 26 installations,

My preference is to not do sectors/quadrants/octants/whatever.

My thinking behind using sectional units was only if someone ever wanted to
map out how space was being populated, or where their "cool spacebase" was, it
might be fun.

Maybe, if at all, were you thinking to label sections of space with more
proper names, such as "Badlands", "Star Nursery", or after major nearby stars,
and other terms like that?

Or at
least, not to (generally) use them as part of the name of installations.

True again, especially where mobile installations are concerned.

Something else too:  I think that "LD" might eventually be dropped from • common
usage, at it'll be assumed. And it does not seem to add distinction amongst
the various installations.

LD isn't supposed to distinguish between the installations.  It's supposed
to unify them.  In the same way that Datsville could have neighborhoods,
but all the neighborhoods would still be part of Datsville.

I get you now. I must've been under medication earlier.

-Tom McD.
when replying, umm.. yeah. spamcake. find it. remove it.

   
         
     
Subject: 
Re: Space Station/Base Names (was Re: Space stations?)
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.space
Date: 
Wed, 29 Sep 1999 13:43:51 GMT
Viewed: 
4817 times
  

In lugnet.space, Tom McDonald writes:
In lugnet.space, Steve Bliss writes:
On Tue, 28 Sep 1999 McSpamcakeBoy mentioned:

I like it, though in order to preserve "Alpha 1", should we wish to do so,
everything that has a letter should also have a number; so Surface Base LD-A
would really be Surface Base LD-A1.

It could go that way, or LD-A could refer to the installation as a whole,
and LD-Ax would be specific models within LD-A.

I your idea better.

If LD-A1 is the whole site, then the first model in the site would be
LD-A2, right?

I'd rather keep it that 1 means the first thing.

[...]
My preference would be to apply the
letters to each installation, in order of chronological appearance.  (I'd
also prefer that the first installation be a Moonbase. ;)

Good, and I agree. Duane hasn't been as vocal as we have but I know he wants
that base :-) I do too, and the moon is a great place to start. And again I'll
just say that I think the first installation should be the Alpha-1 Rocket
Base. Plus the cool name of "Moonbase Alpha" is applicable too :-)


<Clears Throat>

I agree. That was the first thing that came up in my mind. To begin with,
it would be easy to add on to, just add a baseplate.

I really don't have too much input as to the naming conventions used. I
just want to build. Has anyone had any luck in designing the docking port?
I started working on a couple of docking ideas the other night, and came
away with a battle droid. (How the two are related, I'll never know) Any
thoughts on how large a footprint we want the airlock to have? I've tried
to stay around 6 X 6, or 6 X 8.

You know Tom, I'm beginning to think that you're a pretty good guy, no
matter what Larry says about you. :-)

-Duane

   
         
   
Subject: 
Re: Space Station/Base Names (was Re: Space stations?)
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.space
Date: 
Wed, 29 Sep 1999 16:45:20 GMT
Viewed: 
5358 times
  

On Tue, 28 Sep 1999 21:19:59 GMT, "Tom McDonald"
<radiotitan@yanospamhoo.com> wrote:

Good, and I agree. Duane hasn't been as vocal as we have but I know he wants
that base :-) I do too, and the moon is a great place to start. And again I'll
just say that I think the first installation should be the Alpha-1 Rocket
Base. Plus the cool name of "Moonbase Alpha" is applicable too :-)

Hmm. Would we have to mark it as mobile? ;-)

So what's the nature of Moonbase LD-A?  Before we decide that, we should
decide on the background environment, so we'll know what's appropriate and
inappropriate.  I'll take that to another thread, 'kay?

My thinking behind using sectional units was only if someone ever wanted to
map out how space was being populated, or where their "cool spacebase" was, it
might be fun.

How big a chunk of space do you want to start with?  And should use real
space-time, or just make it up?  And what method of surveying do would be
best?  Where would the origin be?  Galactic center?  Sol?  Something
arbitrary?

I'm against using real space--there's too much research involved.  But if
someone *wants* to do the necessary research, don't let me stop 'em.

Maybe, if at all, were you thinking to label sections of space with more
proper names, such as "Badlands", "Star Nursery", or after major nearby stars,
and other terms like that?

Something like that.  But I'm not feeling a strong opinion here.

when replying, umm.. yeah. spamcake. find it. remove it.

Oh no!  He drew a blank!  Is this the beginning of the end for McSpamcake?
Stay tuned...

Or was it a very subtle, obscure movie reference that I missed?

Steve

   
         
     
Subject: 
Re: Space Station/Base Names (was Re: Space stations?)
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.space
Date: 
Wed, 29 Sep 1999 23:13:54 GMT
Viewed: 
5156 times
  

In lugnet.space, Steve Bliss writes:
On Tue, 28 Sep 1999 21:19:59 GMT, "Tom McDonald"
<radiotitan@yanospamhoo.com> wrote:

Plus the cool name of "Moonbase Alpha" is applicable too :-)

Hmm. Would we have to mark it as mobile? ;-)

lol

So what's the nature of Moonbase LD-A?  Before we decide that, we should
decide on the background environment, so we'll know what's appropriate and
inappropriate.  I'll take that to another thread, 'kay?

k

How big a chunk of space do you want to start with?

Note below when you get there.*

And should use real
space-time, or just make it up?

Just to maintain some equality, should we stick with:
1 parsec = 3.26 light years = 30.8x10^12 km = 206,265 AU

I vote yes, just so we can come out somewhat consistent.

And what method of surveying do would be
best?

Where would the origin be?

Note below when you get there.**

Galactic center?

Hard to say based on current science, which has revised it's figures on the
diameter of the M0 (Milky Way) galaxy within the last few years. I suppose we
could leave that figure alone for awhile, unless we're going to be zooming all
the way across the galaxy in a matter of hours.

I'm against using real space--there's too much research involved.  But if
someone *wants* to do the necessary research, don't let me stop 'em.

I think it might be cool to just start with what we *very* generally know
about how real space is arranged so far, and then let imagination take over.
That way we could still use some known real names and objects, but are not
strictly limited to them.

* How about we start with 100 parsecs (pc) / 326 light years (ly)? Too big?
Too little?

** If you all want to see it, I've got a map from which we could possibly
start. It's from an old Star Trek Tech Manual which shows major stars (48 of
them in fact) in a sphere within 7 pc, 22.82 ly, centered round our own star
Sol (though the original Federation was much bigger than that, more along the
lines of 4kpc+). And it does not show any other objects, such as nebulae,
black holes, etc. As it's not very detailed, it'll leave plenty of room for
creativity. I don't want to imitate Star Trek (or any other established
paradigm necessarily, though I imagine it'll happen to a degree or two),
except possibly by convenience of adopting spacial measurements.

Which reminds me: if we use faster than light (FTL) velocities, what kind of
velocity scale do we want to adopt?

I also am not against someone wanting to do real research about "what's real"
though I think that once we establish some sort of map, it should be "first
come, first served" so that if someone finds out that IRL there's a huge black
hole where we've put a densely populated set of solar systems, then the hole
has to be relocated. Unless, maybe, someone wants to go to the trouble of
staging an emergency mass-exodus of moving civilizations because a rogue black
star is approaching! That could be another story :-)

Maybe, if at all, were you thinking to label sections of space with more
proper names, such as "Badlands", "Star Nursery", or after major nearby • stars,
and other terms like that?

Something like that.  But I'm not feeling a strong opinion here.

I'll go either way about this, just so long as we can agree and document where
areas are. But please explain what you were thinking, as I'm curious. Start a
new thread!

when replying, umm.. yeah. spamcake. find it. remove it.

Oh no!  He drew a blank!  Is this the beginning of the end for McSpamcake?
Stay tuned...

Or was it a very subtle, obscure movie reference that I missed?

Hee, no movie reference intended. I sorta had a headache when I wrote that, so
the spamcake creativity section was temporarily distracted.

-Tom McD.
when replying, spamcake in pellet form was used in early '60's beanbag chairs.

    
          
     
Subject: 
Re: Space Station/Base Names (was Re: Space stations?)
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.space
Date: 
Thu, 30 Sep 1999 17:18:00 GMT
Viewed: 
5324 times
  

On Wed, 29 Sep 1999 23:13:54 GMT, "Tom McDonald"
<radiotitan@yanospamhoo.com> wrote:

I think it might be cool to just start with what we *very* generally know
about how real space is arranged so far, and then let imagination take over.
That way we could still use some known real names and objects, but are not
strictly limited to them.

If we start with the just the Moonbase, we can put off making this decision
at least until the second installation is started.  If not longer.

* How about we start with 100 parsecs (pc) / 326 light years (ly)? Too big?
Too little?

Hmm.  Do you mean 100 cubic parsecs? Or a sphere with a radius of 100
parsecs (that's 4.2 cubic mega parsecs).

Which reminds me: if we use faster than light (FTL) velocities, what kind of
velocity scale do we want to adopt?

Parsecs per hour?  Which might not apply, depending on the technology.

I also am not against someone wanting to do real research about "what's real"
though I think that once we establish some sort of map, it should be "first
come, first served" so that if someone finds out that IRL there's a huge black
hole where we've put a densely populated set of solar systems, then the hole
has to be relocated.

Agreed.  Not that I expect it to be an issue.

Maybe, if at all, were you thinking to label sections of space with more
proper names, such as "Badlands", "Star Nursery", or after major nearby • stars,
and other terms like that?

Something like that.  But I'm not feeling a strong opinion here.

I'll go either way about this, just so long as we can agree and document where
areas are. But please explain what you were thinking, as I'm curious. Start a
new thread!

I wasn't thinking anything specific, except I wanted to avoid names like
"Space Station <3.45, 4.65, -2.56>".

Steve

    
          
     
Subject: 
Re: Space Station/Base Names (was Re: Space stations?)
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.space
Date: 
Sat, 2 Oct 1999 11:08:08 GMT
Viewed: 
5257 times
  

Which reminds me: if we use faster than light (FTL) velocities, what kind • of
velocity scale do we want to adopt?

Parsecs per hour?  Which might not apply, depending on the technology.


That sounds fast enough to me!  I mean, on a bad morning, some people
get a headache *walking* from the bedroom to the bathroom!

It all comes down to distance and time (doh!).  The further apart the
installations, the faster we need to go.  Would a week/month's travel
between installations be about right?  If so, work out v and s from t!

I wasn't thinking anything specific, except I wanted to avoid names like
"Space Station <3.45, 4.65, -2.56>".


This got me thinking about the way that towns and cities on Earth have
picked up their names.  I mean, I live in Congleton which is from the
Roman meaning "Corner Town" as the town grew up in the inside corner
of a bend in a river.  Just up the road, there's Newcastle-Under-Lyme,
from the time when a New castle was built (to replace the old one)
at the bottom of the hill where the old castle was (among a field of
lyme trees).

So Space Station <3.45, 4.65, -2.56> could well have that designation
and be nicknamed "Tertiary Trading Outpost" if it does a lot of trade
and is near a tertiary star system?

Whatever!

David.


Steve

   
         
   
Subject: 
Re: Space Station/Base Names (was Re: Space stations?)
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.space
Date: 
Sat, 2 Oct 1999 11:00:10 GMT
Viewed: 
5179 times
  

Good, and I agree. Duane hasn't been as vocal as we have but I know he • wants
that base :-) I do too, and the moon is a great place to start. And again • I'll
just say that I think the first installation should be the Alpha-1 Rocket
Base. Plus the cool name of "Moonbase Alpha" is applicable too :-)

Hmm. Would we have to mark it as mobile? ;-)

Very funny!  8-)


How big a chunk of space do you want to start with?  And should use real
space-time, or just make it up?  And what method of surveying do would be
best?  Where would the origin be?  Galactic center?  Sol?  Something
arbitrary?


I think the centre of the galaxy would be a good idea, if only as it
will simplify the Maths!  If we said that Earth was (0,0,0) then the
x,y and z axes would be moving all the time.  For one season the Sun is at
(1,0,1) and the next it's at (-1,0,1).  Having said that, it might
help if we always considered the sun to be at the origin (0,0,0) and
the x axis always points to the Earth.  Except the whole universe then
starts rotating at one revolution per year?

I'm against using real space--there's too much research involved.  But if
someone *wants* to do the necessary research, don't let me stop 'em.

I've just tried it and it's hard work.  Just put the name of the
place you want to go into a computer and let it work out the route for you!

Just a thought.

David.

   
         
   
Subject: 
Re: Space Station/Base Names (was Re: Space stations?)
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.space
Date: 
Sun, 3 Oct 1999 19:52:08 GMT
Viewed: 
5208 times
  

On Sat, 2 Oct 1999 11:00:10 GMT, "Mr D Leese"
<MRLEESE@genius1.freeserve.co.uk> wrote:

How big a chunk of space do you want to start with?  And should use real
space-time, or just make it up?  And what method of surveying do would be
best?  Where would the origin be?  Galactic center?  Sol?  Something
arbitrary?

I think the centre of the galaxy would be a good idea, if only as it
will simplify the Maths!  If we said that Earth was (0,0,0) then the
x,y and z axes would be moving all the time.  For one season the Sun is at
(1,0,1) and the next it's at (-1,0,1).  Having said that, it might
help if we always considered the sun to be at the origin (0,0,0) and
the x axis always points to the Earth.  Except the whole universe then
starts rotating at one revolution per year?

It's too detailed for the discussion at hand, but I was wondering if it
would be practical to use several systems.  For interstellar travel, use
galactic coordinates.  For in-system travel, use solar coordinates.  On a
planet's surface, use the local latitude/longitude.  Basically, use the
nearest large gravity well as a reference point. ;)

Steve

 

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