Problems with spaceships: attitude control

Let's consider DCR-97, HMSS Liberty, 300 kilotonnes (or 300 Gg) of dreadnought-carrier ship. It's a big one.

Let's say it can move forward. Let's say it could potentially move backward, or at the very least slow down. Now it would be top if it could just steer left/right/up/down without gravity-assist.

How do I accomplish that?

So we're on the same page: I guess "attitude control" is a more descriptive term than "steering", so strike any mention of steering and replace it. The question is indeed about changing the direction the ship is pointing, not the direction the ship is moving.

I'm aware of RCS though I don't know if it applies to such an heavy warship. I've heard of gyroscopic wheels, though once again, I don't know much beyond basic principle.

Requirements: Attitude control should be able to rotate the ship in any of the 3 axes in place if the ship is not moving (i.e. when docking). If the ship is moving, there is no hard requirements on turning radius, I'd just like to be able to turn left before the end of the solar system is all.

Don't forget fuel requirements if applicable.

Attitude control can also help propulsion in translation, though it isn't obligatory.

posted over 8 years ago

AmiralPatate‭

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