Re:Kerbal Control Panel
by throwanem on Friday August 26, 2016 @01:34PM
(#12367846)
No one is disputing that there are analog joysticks with three or more axes; the matter under discussion is how to get the right axes.
The idea behind a controller like the one under discussion here is that its three axes are, first, all translational, and second, all in direct correspondence with the motion they impart to the spacecraft. With such a device, no mental mapping between control axes and motion is required. You just push the controller in the direction in which you want to add thrust.
If it's still unclear what that means, look at this diagram [1] of the Apollo translation controller. Disregard the limited rotational capability for which I have been unable to find documentation. Observe the translation axis diagram alongside the handle. Note the three degrees of freedom it depicts. Consider their correspondence with the three degrees of freedom in which a spacecraft may experience translational motion.
To provide a matching capability, the joysticks you're talking about would need to allow for pushing the handle into, or lifting it out of, the base. I doubt anyone makes a joystick like that, because it would not be a very useful capability to add, and the engineering requirements and effect on retail price would be significant.
The idea behind a controller like the one under discussion here is that its three axes are, first, all translational, and second, all in direct correspondence with the motion they impart to the spacecraft. With such a device, no mental mapping between control axes and motion is required. You just push the controller in the direction in which you want to add thrust.
If it's still unclear what that means, look at this diagram [1] of the Apollo translation controller. Disregard the limited rotational capability for which I have been unable to find documentation. Observe the translation axis diagram alongside the handle. Note the three degrees of freedom it depicts. Consider their correspondence with the three degrees of freedom in which a spacecraft may experience translational motion.
To provide a matching capability, the joysticks you're talking about would need to allow for pushing the handle into, or lifting it out of, the base. I doubt anyone makes a joystick like that, because it would not be a very useful capability to add, and the engineering requirements and effect on retail price would be significant.
[1] http://nassp.sourceforge.net/wiki/Image:THC_diagram.jpg