S.F. Spacecraft propulsion and anti gravity

[kane007]

Got to thinking a bit about SF and future spacecraft propulsion systems. In most SF spacecraft have “rocket” engines at their aft to provide their acceleration. Yet for landing and lift off most of these vehicles employ an anti gravity type system or anti gravity systems are in use for local transportation. Seems illogical. Examples are the Death Star, speeders, Han Solos’ carbonite from Star Wars, Gravity plating in Star Trek, Battlestar Galictica, etc,etc. Engine exhaust ports remain evident everywhere. Why?<br /><br />I would think using the push/pull effect of various gravity fields would provide a more efficient means of (de)acceleration. Null fields to counteract the effects of acceleration appears as another by product of this anti gravity technology but the authors still profess a need for the aesthetic rocket nozzles. Pointless but looks good.<br /><br />Personally I think in the future the most efficient design of spacecraft will be either saucer/spheroid/cigar shaped. Lots of extra acreage to mount sensors, rail guns, lasers, plasma canons, etc!<br />

 

[nacnud]

<font color="yellow">Pointless but looks good. <br /><br /><font color="white">Got the nail on the head there</font></font>