Do you drive, fly or sail a spaceship?

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Do you drive, fly or sail a spaceship? (Page 1 of 2)

Posted: 4/23/2017 1:27:08 AM EDT

What's the proper set of verbiage for operating a spaceship? Is it driving? Flying? Sailing? Or some other set of terminology?

I've seen all types used in various sci-if books and movies. Which do you think is most appropriate?

Posted: 4/23/2017 1:28:32 AM EDT

[#1]

Piloting

Or

Space-captaining

Posted: 4/23/2017 1:28:33 AM EDT

[#2]

Pilot, or command.

Posted: 4/23/2017 1:28:38 AM EDT

[#3]

You operate a spaceship. Duh.

Posted: 4/23/2017 1:32:17 AM EDT

[#4]

Spaceships seem to be mostly based on earth's navy and space is the equivalent of a four-dimensional ocean so it makes sense to 'sail'.

Posted: 4/23/2017 1:32:31 AM EDT

[#5]

Operate. Pilot. Fly. Whatever floats your boat.

Posted: 4/23/2017 1:33:35 AM EDT

[#6]

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Quoted: Whatever floats your boat.

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So, sailing then?

Posted: 4/23/2017 1:34:36 AM EDT

[#7]

Boldly going.

Posted: 4/23/2017 1:37:04 AM EDT

[#8]

Quoted:
What's the proper set of verbiage for operating a spaceship? Is it driving? Flying? Sailing? Or some other set of terminology?

I've seen all types used in various sci-if books and movies. Which do you think is most appropriate?

View Quote

Depends on if it's a capital ship, a death star, or a fighter.

Posted: 4/23/2017 1:37:38 AM EDT

[#9]

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Quoted:and space is the equivalent of a four-dimensional ocean so it makes sense to 'sail'.

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Is it? Space is a vaccum. Does a ship actually float in a vaccum?

But likewise, they don't really fly either, because there is no atmosphere in which to fly.

I think we need a new term to describe what they do.

Posted: 4/23/2017 1:39:36 AM EDT

[#10]

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Quoted:

Depends on if it's a capital ship, a death star, or a fighter.

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A death star would be more akin to a space station, so it make sense to operate, in the same way that you operate an apartment building or a gas station, etc...

Posted: 4/23/2017 1:40:26 AM EDT

[#11]

Conning. Mastering. Commanding.

Posted: 4/23/2017 1:44:58 AM EDT

[#12]

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Quoted:
Conning. Mastering. Commanding.

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So...

"I'm going to con my spaceship from Mars to Jupiter".

"I'm going to master my spaceship from Mars to Jupiter".

"I'm going to command my spaceship from Mars to Jupiter"

None of those really sound right to me.

Posted: 4/23/2017 1:46:53 AM EDT

[#13]

Quote History

Quoted:
Is it? Space is a vaccum. Does a ship actually float in a vaccum?

But likewise, they don't really fly either, because there is no atmosphere in which to fly.

I think we need a new term to describe what they do.

View Quote View All Quotes

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Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:and space is the equivalent of a four-dimensional ocean so it makes sense to 'sail'.

Is it? Space is a vaccum. Does a ship actually float in a vaccum?

But likewise, they don't really fly either, because there is no atmosphere in which to fly.

I think we need a new term to describe what they do.

You're right of course, in space there's nothing to float on, everything is falling.

but earthly aeronautics don't apply either, there's no drag against thrust and lift is meaningless in vacuum while you can't tell the difference between grav and acceleration.

I'm tempted to say navigate, but the term betrays its earth navy roots.

Posted: 4/23/2017 1:48:13 AM EDT

[#14]

Quote History

Quoted:

So...

"I'm going to con my spaceship from Mars to Jupiter".

"I'm going to master my spaceship from Mars to Jupiter".

"I'm going to command my spaceship from Mars to Jupiter"

None of those really sound right to me.

View Quote

I can't help you with that. Maybe some therapy?..?

Posted: 4/23/2017 1:55:18 AM EDT

[#15]

Quote History

Quoted:

You're right of course, in space there's nothing to float on, everything is falling.

but earthly aeronautics don't apply either, there's no drag against thrust and lift is meaningless in vacuum while you can't tell the difference between grav and acceleration.

I'm tempted to say navigate, but the term betrays its earth navy roots.

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What about something based on the type of propulsion used?

Like rocketing? Or solar sailing? Or warping? Or Electromagnetic driving?

Navigating is the act of setting, maintaining and correcting your course. You can navigate in a car, airplane, or boat, as well as a spaceship.

Posted: 4/23/2017 1:55:20 AM EDT

[#16]

All of the above

Posted: 4/23/2017 1:57:24 AM EDT

[#17]

I fly a starship, across the universe divide ...

Posted: 4/23/2017 2:12:23 AM EDT

[#18]

Since they're called pilots I would go with 'Fly'.

Posted: 4/23/2017 2:15:34 AM EDT

[#19]

In ARFCOM tradition, the proper terminology would be - fo, foing, and fent.

Posted: 4/23/2017 2:16:28 AM EDT

[#20]

Quote History

Quoted:
Since they're called pilots I would go with 'Fly'.

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You can pilot a ship on the ocean also.

What about ride? Like ridding a horse...does that fit?

Posted: 4/23/2017 2:17:12 AM EDT

[#21]

Quoted:
What's the proper set of verbiage for operating a spaceship? Is it driving? Flying? Sailing? Or some other set of terminology?

I've seen all types used in various sci-if books and movies. Which do you think is most appropriate?

View Quote

Depends on the vessel.

A solar sail based craft - you would sail
A fighter type - you'd pilot
A Winnebago type you'd drive.
A fully automated ship, you'd ride

Posted: 4/23/2017 2:19:23 AM EDT

[#22]

Quote History

Quoted:
In ARFCOM tradition, the proper terminology would be - fo, foing, and fent.

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Hmm....I willing to get behind this if we can't come up with a better term.

Think we can start a movement to get everyone to start using fo, foing, and fent as the verbiage for operating a spaceship outside of an atmosphere?

Posted: 4/23/2017 2:24:41 AM EDT

[#23]

Submarines would be the closest equivalent

Posted: 4/23/2017 2:32:56 AM EDT

[#24]

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Quoted:
Submarines would be the closest equivalent

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What's the term used to describe the operation of a submarine? Sailing?

Posted: 4/23/2017 2:36:41 AM EDT

[#25]

You could sail a space craft. There is such thing as solar wind and there was a concept of a ship using the solar wind as propulsion.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_sail

EDIT: I should read before being beaten.

I like the idea of describing piloting based on the craft that is being traveled in.

Posted: 4/23/2017 2:40:28 AM EDT

[#26]

Quote History

Quoted:

What's the term used to describe the operation of a submarine? Sailing?

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the people actually at the controls I think use the term drive...

But there's also a captain who commands the boat... and they put to sea...

Posted: 4/23/2017 2:42:39 AM EDT

[#27]

Quote History

Quoted:

What's the term used to describe the operation of a submarine? Sailing?

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Posted: 4/23/2017 2:46:43 AM EDT

[#28]

Also there is a term for moving... or maneuvering around in space that's already in use.

Translating.

If you listen to NASA broadcasts when they're doing an EVA or a cargo ship is coming in to dock... or be birthed to the station... they use translate to describe its motion.

For example a controller say. "Translate to the Nader(Earth facing) side of the module" to an astronaut on EVA. Translate could replace fly as the term.

In physics, translation (Translational motion) is movement that changes the position of an object, as opposed to rotation.

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/translatory%20motion

Posted: 4/23/2017 2:47:51 AM EDT

[#29]

Quote History

Quoted:
the people actually at the controls I think use the term drive...

But there's also a captain who commands the boat... and they put to sea...

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And just when I thought driving was it of the running!

For the sake of this discussion, let's assume we are talking about those who are actually manipulating the controls of the spaceship, rather than the commanding officer, since obviously their duty would be commanding or captaining the ship.

So, a driver drives a car, a sailor sails a boat, a pilot fly an airplane...what do you do with a space ship?

Posted: 4/23/2017 2:50:16 AM EDT

[#30]

Wouldn't that depend on the method of propulsion?

I would go with squanch. I love to squanch my spaceship.

Posted: 4/23/2017 2:52:18 AM EDT

[#31]

You can't take the sky from me

Posted: 4/23/2017 2:52:22 AM EDT

[#32]

Helm

Posted: 4/23/2017 2:52:51 AM EDT

[#33]

Quote History

Quoted:
Also there is a term for moving... or maneuvering around in space that's already in use.

Translating.

If you listen to NASA broadcasts when they're doing an EVA or a cargo ship is coming in to dock... or be birthed to the station... they use translate to describe its motion.

For example a controller say. "Translate to the Nader(Earth facing) side of the module" to an astronaut on EVA. Translate could replace fly as the term.

In physics, translation (Translational motion) is movement that changes the position of an object, as opposed to rotation.

View Quote

Huh, interesting. Although translating sounds weird.

Posted: 4/23/2017 2:54:51 AM EDT

[#34]

Quote History

Quoted:

Huh, interesting. Although translating sounds weird.

View Quote

It does... but if an astronaut was in a ship and using the controls to say... move aft along the station... They would say that they are "Translating Aft along the station"

Posted: 4/23/2017 2:57:49 AM EDT

[#35]

to domineer or circumnavigate,...duh.

Posted: 4/23/2017 2:58:25 AM EDT

[#36]

Quote History

Quoted:
It does... but if an astronaut was in a ship and using the controls to say... move aft along the station... They would say that they are "Translating Aft along the station"

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ok, but does that describe the basic operation of the spaceship? Or just its operation in relation to the station?

Would you say "I translated my spaceship from Earth to Mars"? Or "I translated my spaceship for a joyride last weekend"?

Posted: 4/23/2017 3:04:55 AM EDT

[#37]

Quote History

Quoted:
ok, but does that describe the basic operation of the spaceship? Or just its operation in relation to the station?

Would you say "I translated my spaceship from Earth to Mars"? Or "I translated my spaceship for a joyride last weekend"?

View Quote

It describes any time you're at the controls making a change...

Most of the time in a space ship you aren't making any changes... you'd be coasting most of the way from Earth to Mars. The times when the most changes are being made is when you're near something else.

Posted: 4/23/2017 3:10:33 AM EDT

[#38]

Johnny Cash said
I fly a starship across the universe divide

The Highwaymen - Highwayman

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFkcAH-m9W0

Posted: 4/23/2017 3:11:00 AM EDT

[#39]

In EVE you spend a lot of time spinning.

Posted: 4/23/2017 3:15:28 AM EDT

[#40]

It could be sailing if it has solar sails, but otherwise you would pilot it.

Posted: 4/23/2017 3:23:13 AM EDT

[#41]

I think I'd use Ride for getting to space... I'd ride a rocket.

As for the Months of coasting from Earth to Mars or say a stay on the ISS... I'm not sure but I think they say something like "I flew on the ISS for X months"...

But these are descriptors more appropriate for passengers... which most of the time is what you are on a space ship. The computer is handling things most of the time. When you actually have to make a change by firing thrusters then you're translating.

Posted: 4/23/2017 3:25:29 AM EDT

[#42]

And then there is the general term spaceflight. Spacedriving and spacesailing are not really ever used.

Posted: 4/23/2017 3:31:51 AM EDT

[#43]

Being that it is MY spaceship, if I feel like driving, I will drive it. If I feel like flying, I will fly it. If I feel like sailing, I will sail it.

Posted: 4/23/2017 12:07:51 PM EDT

[#44]

We should post this question to Amy Shira Teitel, maybe she could do a Vintage Space video on the jargon of space flight.

Although the term "space flight" kinda seems to lean toward one answer . . .

ETA: No longer useless . . .