Can you orbit planets in this game?

[FPS__Dawg]

?

[Dan2D3D]

No but a good Engineer will be able to build something Very similar, some have already done using GPS coords.

[FPS__Dawg]

Originally posted by Dan2D3D:

No but a good Engineer will be able to build something Very similar, some have already done using GPS coords. :caster_wink:

ok thanks for help

[generaalsab]

You can't unless the planet start moving whic they dont in this game but indeed with Gps coords you can make something similair

[VanGoghComplex]

You can fly in a circle around the planet and pretend it's an orbit.

[casualsailor]

Originally posted by generaalsab:

You can't unless the planet start moving whic they dont in this game but indeed with Gps coords you can make something similair

Isn't it less an issue of plantary movement and more the inability to achieve the speeds necessary for the momentum to overcome the gravitational pull? And isn't there an issue with how SE simulates gravitational pull which would preclude acheving stable orbits even if the speeds required were possible?

@Van You are apparently not a good "engineer." But neither am I, apparently.

[FPS__Dawg]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVVfUz2NQ9g

It's possible but it's super difficult because of the sudden change of gravity after 5km

[Azzinoth]

You can't have a stable orbit in space engineers, because in SE the gravitational acceleration is proportional to 1/r^7 (compared to 1/r^2 in real life). This makes even a circular orbit inherently unstable, meaning that even an infinitesimal deviation from the circular path will cause the spacecraft to leave its orbit and either fly to infinity or fall into the planet. It doesn't matter how good an engineer you are, because even the error caused by the finite precision of computater calculation will be enough to destroy your orbit.

[VelxraTV]

Just setup way points around the planet and be done. Or just find affixed places around the planet and form a laser network. It will require extended laser mods to work unless you want to create a laser source every 50k.

Also long ago there was a script to achieve orbiting. But I no longer know the name of it.

[plaYer2k]

With all that said, you could aim your satellite to earth and maintain altitude through thrusters. It's no "natural" but "artificial orbit" though it's one after all.

[Manwith Noname]

It requires "imagination". Just get to space and park up, geostationary orbit achieved.

Edit:

P.S. Yes, I know this thread is old but this hasn't changed since planets were added so it's still relevant.