Orbit around planets

Cheri50000 · Post by **Cheri50000** » Fri Mar 08, 2013 11:47 pm

Hi, guys!

I'm not 100 % sure, is it possible to orbit around the planet and see the orbital sunrise and sunset in Evochron Mercenary? Thanks! Evochron Mercenary 2.408 is looking really good! Thanks!

Cheers,
Vincent and Cheri

Nigel_Strange · Post by **Nigel_Strange** » Sat Mar 09, 2013 2:23 am

Allo, Cheri,

Last time I checked, the gravity system was still a kind of velocity vector rather than acceleration, so orbiting is not really possible.

However, I have heard there were some changes to the gravitation system. So far, though, I have not managed an orbit.

-splosives- · Post by **-splosives-** » Sat Mar 09, 2013 10:22 am

I have managed to get a fairly stable orbit several times, but I think it's impossible to get a 100% stable one without fuel usage. You'll need to make small adjustments to keep your altitude and speed up to the right levels. I did manage to fly around a planet by using like 6 fuel only. You should try it out sometimes.

Post by **DaveK** » Sat Mar 09, 2013 2:57 pm

Vice has been working hard on rewriting the gravity behaviour in response to multiple requests. I think that it is (or at least soon will be) possible to orbit.

How cool will it be to be able to "go into orbit" around a planet

Just a thought: definition of a split second . . . . ?

. . . the time between people realising that you can orbit a planet or star and the vocal demands for stations and moons orbiting planets and planets orbiting stars

(select the blue text of you can't read the answer!

)

-splosives- · Post by **-splosives-** » Sat Mar 09, 2013 3:33 pm

strations orbiting planets and planets orbiting star brings a lot more technical difficulties, so it probably can't be realized. At least not with the current evochron engine.

In evochron, we're flying around with absolute space and absolute time. But if we had orbiting objects, we would need relative space and time.
Imagine trying to dock at a station that orbits at 5000 speed around a planet while the planet is turning at 10000 speed around the star. Where would we be with our 2000 IDS speed?
Imagine a planet coming towards you at such high speeds that you actually have to "dodge the planet"

I can think of tons more of these situations that won't work with absolute spacetime like we have now in evochron. Funny thoughts if you ask me.

Post by **DaveK** » Sat Mar 09, 2013 3:40 pm

From post: 159669, Topic: tid=10674, author=-splosives- wrote:strations orbiting planets and planets orbiting star brings a lot more technical difficulties, so it probably can't be realized. At least not with the current evochron engine.

In evochron, we're flying around with absolute space and absolute time. But if we had orbiting objects, we would need relative space and time.
Imagine trying to dock at a station that orbits at 5000 speed around a planet while the planet is turning at 10000 speed around the star. Where would we be with our 2000 IDS speed?
Imagine a planet coming towards you at such high speeds that you actually have to "dodge the planet"

I can think of tons more of these situations that won't work with absolute spacetime like we have now in evochron. Funny thoughts if you ask me.

I know, I know . . .

. . . but it hasn't stopped people asking for it either for "coolness" or to make Evochron "more realistic"!!

The usual response is to go and play with the Orbiter Space Flight Simulator.

Still, I predict some hopeful soul will suggest it

I find it hard enough on planets when cities keep wandering away from the nav point I set up!

Post by **Marvin** » Sat Mar 09, 2013 6:35 pm

From post: 159670, Topic: tid=10674, author=DaveK wrote:I find it hard enough on planets when cities keep wandering away from the nav point I set up!

I currently take screenshots of every hard-coded cargo pod and shipwreck on a planet as a reference when directing new players who find it difficult to navigate rotating planets.

Post by **DaveK** » Sat Mar 09, 2013 10:50 pm

you should publish it!

(or let it go into the hint and tips guide)

PlasmaJedi · Post by **PlasmaJedi** » Mon Mar 18, 2013 6:51 pm

Are there any remnants of the old velocity vector physics? That may be why perfect orbits won't work, but while I'm not sure if I'd like it, one possible fix is to make the grav well larger, so you can go longer before crashing.

Even as it is now, it's cool, and more realistic. No more hovering in a star corona with engines off! Now u can either burn some of the fuel you collect, slowing collection down, or set up an orbit around the star!

I'm thinking of making an orbit tutorial, unless a physics major beats me to it... (coughsplosivscoughcough)

[Edited on 3-18-2013 by PlasmaJedi]