Editing 1356: Orbital Mechanics
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==Explanation== | ==Explanation== | ||
− | + | {{incomplete|Potentially complete, does not duplicate content that can be learned elsewhere}} | |
− | Orbital mechanics can be somewhat | + | {{w|Orbital mechanics}} can be somewhat counter-intuitive. The art of changing orbits involves relative velocities, positions and times in a complex interaction. As soon as you try to deviate from a perfectly regular orbit, or start having to deal with {{w|N-body problem}}s and {{w|orbital resonances}}, you have to coordinate your movements in possibly counter-intuitive ways. It's no longer a matter of just pointing where you want to go (the events in the film {{w|Gravity (film)|Gravity}}, notwithstanding) and hoping for the best. |
− | + | Here Randall roughly plots how High School Physics, undergraduate-level physics and (according the the title text) a rather osmotic learning process at work, whilst within {{w|NASA}} itself to undertake ostensibly unrelated work, somewhat increased his knowledge of the subject. But this learning (and some fading away of the learning, through non-use) was apparently of nothing compared to the 'direct' experience of playing with {{w|Kerbal Space Program}}, the sandbox rocket building and piloting game. | |
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+ | See also: | ||
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+ | * [[1244: Six Words]] ("it works in Kerbal Space Program" it is not good argument for NASA) | ||
+ | * [[1106: ADD]] ('land a rocket on the moon in Kerbal Space Program' was a task finished) | ||
==Transcript== | ==Transcript== | ||
+ | {{incomplete transcript}} | ||
:How Well I Understand Orbital Mechanics: | :How Well I Understand Orbital Mechanics: | ||
− | :[There is a graph with the | + | :[There is a graph with the X-axis labeled as 'time' increasing in the positive X. The Y-axis is unlabeled but it can be assumed that it could be labeled 'understanding'. The line stays flat until the first bump, which is annotated "Took High School Physics". The line decreases, then grows to a higher maximum with the annotation "Got Physics Degree". There is a small amount of decrease until a gradual bump in the graph labeled "Actual Job At NASA". It gradually decreases to pre-NASA levels, but then begins to increase exponentially. The annotation reads "Started Playing Kerbal Space Program".] |
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{{comic discussion}} | {{comic discussion}} | ||
− | [[Category: | + | [[Category:Charts]] |
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