Subject:
|
Re: Universal Docking Ring ideas?
|
Newsgroups:
|
lugnet.space
|
Date:
|
Sat, 7 Apr 2001 19:44:23 GMT
|
Viewed:
|
995 times
|
| |
|
|
In lugnet.space, William R. Ward writes:
>
> I'm trying to invent a good docking system for my spacecraft. Before
> I invest too much time and effort into it, I'd like to first see what
> other people have come up with. Are there any of you out there who
> have a good design for a docking ring, preferably with close-ups or
> CAD designs available online?
>
> Here are some of my thoughts on the design issues...
>
> 1. Kinds of Vessels - there are three basic types of vessels that I
> can see would need to be considered. Each of these has its own
> requirements.
>
> A. Surface-to-orbit shuttles need to be capable of reentry. So they
> must not have Technic posts sticking out or other things which would
> in the real world burn off. They must be symmetrical and streamlined.
> They shouldn't have doors in the middle of the heat shield (except for
> landing gear).
>
> B. Space stations and interplanetary craft need to be able to mate
> with various shuttle craft. If the docking rings have "sexes" then
> the needs of surface-to-orbit craft will probably dominate which type
> of vessel gets which "sex" of the docking ring.
>
> C. Orbit-to-moon, intra-orbit shuttles, etc. also have no strong
> requirements for aerodymanics or such, as they will never enter an
> atmosphere. But they probably should have the same "sex" as the
> surface-to-orbit shuttles, so they can mate with the same larger
> vessels - again, only if the docking standard has "sexes".
>
> 2. Docking Angle - I would like to have it be possible to dock in more
> than one or two orientations. This is because different ships may
> have various protuberances such as wings, tails, modules, solar
> panels, antennae, etc. which would get in the way of docking. I think
> ideally it should be possible to dock in any of 4 different
> directions.
>
> 3. Size - The minimum requirement is to allow minifigs and gear no
> larger than a minifig to pass from one vessel to another. I don't
> think large cargo units would need to be in a pressurized space as a
> general rule. However if larger access is needed, a separate standard
> can be developed.
What about having different sized docking rings? A small one for mini-figs
and small equipment, and larger ones for cargo transports and carriers to
load and offload big materials.
> 4. Sex - should there be separate "male" and "female" sides or should
> each side be identical? If Technic pegs are used for connecting two
> ships, should all the pegs be attached to one of them, or should each
> ship have half of them? The problem with this is that
> surface-to-orbit craft need to be smooth and symmetrical. You could
> put a peg in diagonal corners on both pieces, and a hole in the other
> two corners, but the pegs on the landing craft would be vulnerable to
> burning off, barring some bulky construction which would protect them.
> So I think it makes more sense for the surface-to-orbit craft to be
> "female": having Technic beams that can receive pegs from the
> "mothership" when docking.
It would definetly be more convient if all rings could dock to each other,
and we don't need space tugs carrying adapting rings.
> With all that in mind, the design that seems to me to be best is to
> utilize the fact that 6 studs = 5 bricks. By placing the Technic
> studs and the beam-holes with that spacing, you can mount in any of 4
> possible orientations, according to the needs of the shapes of the
> various craft. Since Technic holes are typically mounted between two
> studs, a spacing of 6 studs means that the brick structure would have
> to be 7 studs wide. However, positioned vertically, it would be 5
> bricks tall. So if you can picture a square that is 7 studs wide and
> 5 bricks tall, with Technic pegs and/or holes in the corners, it could
> be rotated 90 degrees and still fit together with its opposite.
>
> Any comments?
Rob
robo2705@hotmail.com
|
|
Message is in Reply To:
 | | Universal Docking Ring ideas?
|
| I'm trying to invent a good docking system for my spacecraft. Before I invest too much time and effort into it, I'd like to first see what other people have come up with. Are there any of you out there who have a good design for a docking ring, (...) (25 years ago, 6-Apr-01, to lugnet.space)
|
11 Messages in This Thread:
 
 
- Entire Thread on One Page:
- Nested:
All | Brief | Compact | Dots
Linear:
All | Brief | Compact
|
|
|
|
