 October 9, 2017 - 12:59pm | I was wondering about Clarion Station and Fortress Redoubt. Where should we position these in orbit? Opposite sides fo the planet? Lagrange Points? L1 for Earth is something like 160 KHs hexes from the planet. I might not be a dralasite, vrusk or yazirian but I do play one in Star Frontiers! |
October 9, 2017 - 1:00pm |  I might not be a dralasite, vrusk or yazirian but I do play one in Star Frontiers! |
 October 10, 2017 - 9:29am | I wouldn't put them as far away as Legrange points. They wouldn't be able to defend the planet. I just assume that they are in a medium orbit so they don't have to worry about atomosphereic drag but otherwise are right there by the planet. Ad Astra Per Ardua! My blog - Expanding Frontier Webmaster - The Star Frontiers Network & this site Founding Editor - The Frontier Explorer Magazine Managing Editor - The Star Frontiersman Magazine |
October 10, 2017 - 12:40pm | I wouldn't put them as far away as Legrange points. They wouldn't be able to defend the planet. I just assume that they are in a medium orbit so they don't have to worry about atomosphereic drag but otherwise are right there by the planet. Good points. We should keep the Legrange points in mind though for station placement- if you're writing an adventure and want to station to be associated with a planet but somewhat isolated. For example Laco Research station would be a good candidate for parking in a Legrange point. Put it in the L2 point and call the adventure the Dark Side of Laco or at the L1 point and call it "On the Bright Side" I might not be a dralasite, vrusk or yazirian but I do play one in Star Frontiers! |
October 10, 2017 - 12:56pm | The only problem with L1, L2, & L3 is that they are unstable positions. It takes active measures to keep objects there (i.e. engines) or they will eventually drift away from those spots. It doesn't take a lot to maintain position but stations, which don't usually have engines, would have a hard time. Ad Astra Per Ardua! My blog - Expanding Frontier Webmaster - The Star Frontiers Network & this site Founding Editor - The Frontier Explorer Magazine Managing Editor - The Star Frontiersman Magazine |
October 10, 2017 - 1:00pm | The only problem with L1, L2, & L3 is that they are unstable positions. It takes active measures to keep objects there (i.e. engines) or they will eventually drift away from those spots. It doesn't take a lot to maintain position but stations, which don't usually have engines, would have a hard time. Good to know, so the only suitable spot for a station are the L4 & L5 points? I might not be a dralasite, vrusk or yazirian but I do play one in Star Frontiers! |
October 10, 2017 - 2:52pm | Yep, unless you have some means of propulsion to use for station keeping. Ad Astra Per Ardua! My blog - Expanding Frontier Webmaster - The Star Frontiers Network & this site Founding Editor - The Frontier Explorer Magazine Managing Editor - The Star Frontiersman Magazine |
 October 10, 2017 - 9:08pm | Wouldn't all stations need attitude thrusters to adjust for orbit decay and to correct spin and wobble? -iggy |
October 11, 2017 - 2:13am | We could invent a new piece of equipment: Heavy duty Station Keeping thrusters I'm reminded of DS9 when they discover the wormhole and move the station from orbit to the worm hole location. it was a slow-ish process but got the station there in time to establish the claim and control of the worm hole for the Bajorans. For Star Frontiers HD station trusters would allow for a station to not be as mobile as what was protrayed by DS9 but perhaps a station could part in one of these parking points and keep station. even experience some atmospheric drag and be able to compensate. or shift the station about a million km (around the range of moving it from orbit to one of these points. HD thrusters are by station size and the recharge isn't cheap so while some "feats" can be done with them the cost involve mean you only do it if absolutely necessary. I might not be a dralasite, vrusk or yazirian but I do play one in Star Frontiers! |
