"Would starships be painted" Topic

I did not want to hijack this thread TMP link

I understand the argument in that thread that camouflage could confuse optical sensors as to the direction a ship would be pointed but movement would still be detectable with an optical system to give you direction and vector. If that is the case it seems camouflage would be mute.

Next, how do you paint starships built in orbit? I suppose components built plantetside and lifted into orbit could be painted on the ground. But, if camo is not a factor it seems paint is usually to prevent corrosion. Would there be corrosion in space? Why not just leave the ship the color of the metal/ceramics, whatever, that it is constructed from?

Powder coating via electrostatic coating and cooking by solar mirrors. Paint can do a lot more than just color something…ablative, absorbative ect.

I could probably formulate all sort of arguments for why a particular race would paint their star ships. Ranging from it being a stealth coating down to it having some sort of religious significance. What it really comes down to I think is aesthetics. Most races would have some sort of idea of what is pleasing to their senses. for some that might be what is practical. Lots of bare metal surfaces and little or not streamlining. Other races may only launch a ship after its painted red, because the red ones are faster. Colours can also be used to frighten or intimidate the enemy, or be used for identification if the enemy vessels are similar in configuration. Because it is science fiction, I don't think we should get too obsessive about it. Unless you feel that it will become a major plot point in your games.
Just my 2 credits worth.
Cheers.
GeorgeD

Racing stripes show up better over white….

Not sure why you couldn't just send paint up in space of you need to.

But agreed, would expect most of the time no paint. Maybe it helps with ion storms and other "space weather?"

Da red uns go fasta.

Mugwup, I suppose you could do electro static paint.

Right George. As a friend of mine used to say, "shut up and play" I do ships in just about any color scheme I can devise but I do not like those comic/clown car looks you get on the GW 40K Ork tanks.

Technique aside. Can you imagine painting a ship of the sizes envisioned by most of the SF genre? Racing stripes would be a quarter mile wide and 5 miles long. The needed paint gun would be ship the size of a current destroyer.

First 20 seconds for Allen57 . . .

YouTube link

My name is Earl Scheib and I can paint that spaceship for 49.95!

Million that is. Quatloos. 49.95 million quatloos.

That's not even the classic, GR C17. That's after they broke the original model and made up the CG one. Much easier to paint CGI.

You could paint the outside of the ship with a paint which would change colour if exposed to the atmosphere inside the ship as a method of leak detection.

My name is Earl Scheib and I can paint that spaceship for 49.95!

Million that is. Quatloos. 49.95 million quatloos

Good one EC!

Why not just leave the ship the color of the metal/ceramics, whatever, that it is constructed from?

The space shuttle and Saturn V were white. One would ask why add the weight of paint?

It turns out the color helped keep things cool.

Ok, why put cool black stripes on the Saturn?

So cameras at the time could track roll rate.

Painting will always have a practical reason I'm guessing.

Like the teeth on the WW II Flying Tigers, right?

Are you implying that morale and unit identity / esprit de corps are not practical?

You gotta admit, the teeth probably had an effect on the enemy too:

So, why not a little cool "nose art" logo on the front of your spaceship?

Perhaps to enhance fear of what's on board:

Dan

Next, how do you paint starships built in orbit? I suppose components built plantetside and lifted into orbit could be painted on the ground. But, if camo is not a factor it seems paint is usually to prevent corrosion. Would there be corrosion in space? Why not just leave the ship the color of the metal/ceramics, whatever, that it is constructed from?

As mentioned before, the Shuttle was "painted" for temperature control reasons.

Not to mention crew morale boosters.

They will be painted, if for no other reason than to keep the Red Dwarf crew busy.

Graycat, I believe that image is the classic footage, cut out to fit the CG model. Can you imagine being so cheap you'd do that instead of just cg-modelling a new figure there?

That's not fear for what's inside, those are snacks left to long outside…