Can Battlestar Galactica's Maneuvers be Realistic?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the realism of maneuvers depicted in the television series Battlestar Galactica, particularly focusing on the instantaneous turning and stopping of ships. Participants explore the physics behind such movements, comparing them to other science fiction series like Firefly and Star Trek, while considering the implications of faster-than-light (FTL) travel and navigation in space.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question the feasibility of the rapid maneuvers shown in Battlestar Galactica, suggesting that they would require time to slow down and turn.
  • Others argue that the viper battles appear more realistic compared to the battlestars, while acknowledging the need to suspend disbelief due to FTL elements.
  • One participant claims that it is possible for objects to change direction of rotation quickly, provided they are structurally strong and pilots can endure physical stresses.
  • Concerns are raised about the orientation of spacecraft in space, with some suggesting that having a consistent 'up' and 'down' is useful for navigation despite the lack of a universal reference.
  • Participants discuss the coordinate systems used in various sci-fi universes, noting that they often rely on the galactic plane for orientation.
  • There is a debate about the presence of FTL travel in Firefly, with some asserting that it does not exist and that the series is more aligned with current physics understanding.
  • One participant expresses confusion about the mechanics of "jumping" in Battlestar Galactica, indicating a desire for clarification on the process.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a mix of opinions, with some agreeing on the realism of certain aspects of Firefly while others maintain that Battlestar Galactica has its merits. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the specifics of maneuverability and the implications of FTL travel.

Contextual Notes

Participants note various assumptions about structural integrity, physical stresses on pilots, and the nature of navigation in space, which may affect the realism of the depicted maneuvers.

paulf
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In the remake of the battlestar galactica the ships spin around almost instantly and stop with a thrust in the opposite direction. Is this possible like its done on the show cause i may not be physicist but it looks like it would require a certain amount of time to not only slowdown but to turn as well. Thanks in advance...
 
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Do you mean the battlestars, or vipers?

The viper battles tend to look pretty realistic, in my opinion, but physicists currently have to suspend disbelief to enjoy any show in which FTL drive is a plot element. Incidentally, I tend to think Firefly did a better job..
 
I agree more with the physics of Firefly, but I like Battlestar Galactica almost as much.
 
It is possible for objects to change direction of rotation as quickly as depicted in those scenes. The fighters would have to be structurally quite strong (which is generally true for contemperary jet-fighters), and the pilots would undergo considreable physical stresses.
 
Well.. Each time 2 spacecraft s encounter each other (Mostly Star Trek : TNG and others) They always encounter face to face... Nose to nose.. Exactly in the same angle and opposite directions... When traveling into space, Your orientation becomes useless. I understand they have computers and all.. But anyway. Its like there was a ceiling and a floor in space... and that's not true.
 
DaxInvader said:
Your orientation becomes useless
While that is proper, I can see that for navigation purposes, it makes sense to have an 'up' and 'down'. That allows consistency of relative bearings to other locations. In a universe full of space-farers, it can also help maintain traffic control.

And what are you doing in my van?
 
Danger said:
In a universe full of space-farers, it can also help maintain traffic control.

Of Course I understand... But with speacies (Is that it?) Light years away... How could they possibly have chosen the same "up" and "down"?

Even thought.. How do you determine it?


Btw Danger... Hotels costs too much so I found that Van... Near the Twillight Zone... :rolleyes:
 
DaxInvader said:
Well.. Each time 2 spacecraft s encounter each other (Mostly Star Trek : TNG and others) They always encounter face to face... Nose to nose.. Exactly in the same angle and opposite directions... When traveling into space, Your orientation becomes useless. I understand they have computers and all.. But anyway. Its like there was a ceiling and a floor in space... and that's not true.
Well, they do use a coordinate system that's based on the galactic plane...
 
And they told other races what plane it was and so on... It was just bugging me :P
 
  • #10
I'm not a serious Trekker, by any means, but according to stuff like the Concordium and various books, Federation space is very specifically layed out as to which way is which. As Dave said, it's based upon the plane of the galaxy. In-system co-ordinates go by the plane of the stellar family, and standard orbits appear to be equatorial.
 
  • #11
Thats does indeed answer my question. Thanks!
 
  • #12
cesiumfrog said:
Do you mean the battlestars, or vipers?

The viper battles tend to look pretty realistic, in my opinion, but physicists currently have to suspend disbelief to enjoy any show in which FTL drive is a plot element. Incidentally, I tend to think Firefly did a better job..
I don't think that Firefly had FTL travel at all. If I remember correctly, the whole plot took place in a single solar system that a group of people migrated to via slower-than-light travel. In fact, for a sci-fi series, I can't think of anything in it that was excluded by our modern understanding of physics.
 
  • #13
It seems that people have already answered your question, so I am just going to say that I love the show :smile:

I must have missed the episode where they explained what the hell happens when they "jump" though... Like, do they just speed up? Do they do something sci-fi ish, or what? Ill just look it up:redface:

EDIT: Lol, I have a battlestar font on my computer

EDIT2: I'm still amazed at the kind of stuff they can do on a tv series budget O__O
 
Last edited:
  • #14
Manchot said:
I don't think that Firefly had FTL travel at all. If I remember correctly, the whole plot took place in a single solar system that a group of people migrated to via slower-than-light travel. In fact, for a sci-fi series, I can't think of anything in it that was excluded by our modern understanding of physics.

That's (part of) what I meant when I endorsed Firefly over BSG. ..Although there was that one scene where the firefly, chased at high velocity through the atmosphere, manages a sudden 180 while the occupants just "hold on" without ill result. :smile: ..back to work
 
  • #15
Manchot said:
I don't think that Firefly had FTL travel at all. If I remember correctly, the whole plot took place in a single solar system that a group of people migrated to via slower-than-light travel. In fact, for a sci-fi series, I can't think of anything in it that was excluded by our modern understanding of physics.
Waitaminnit. Firefly ranges over many, many solar systems.
 

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