Are spacecraft looking more futuristic?

[barehl]

I was looking at the Dragon V2 mockup and thinking that it looked good enough to use as a movie set. Certainly I don't recall another craft with an exposed geodetic frame or flat screen monitor. The carbon fiber seats aren't too bad either. I assume the look is functional rather than artistic.

This vehicle is getting ready for a static test. Hopefully the first actual test with crash dummies will be before year's end.

 

[RussDill]

I was looking at the Dragon V2 mockup and thinking that it looked good enough to use as a movie set. Certainly I don't recall another craft with an exposed geodetic frame or flat screen monitor. The carbon fiber seats aren't too bad either. I assume the look is functional rather than artistic.

This vehicle is getting ready for a static test. Hopefully the first actual test with crash dummies will be before year's end.

Given the involvement of Elon Musk, I guarantee it's a combination of aesthetics and function.

 

[Doghouse Reilly]

I assume the look is functional rather than artistic.

I think you assume incorrectly.

 

[dlorde]

I like the spacesuit he's wearing - looks very comfortable

 

[Ray Brady]

I don't like the fact that the porthole is considered an Emergency Exit. That's just lazy planning.

 

[William Parcher]

The carbon fiber seats aren't too bad either. I assume the look is functional rather than artistic.

Are your feet just supposed to hang there like we see?

 

[tyr_13]

Are your feet just supposed to hang there like we see?

There is a bar down there, but that doesn't seem to be enough.

And what about arms? The head supports don't seem to be enough either. Is it, 'Screw you g-forces?'

 

[William Parcher]

There is a bar down there, but that doesn't seem to be enough.

Yeah I see the bar, but he's got his foot just hanging out there instead of perched on the bar.

 

[Corsair 115]

There is a bar down there, but that doesn't seem to be enough.

A bar? Sweet! I just hope its prices are better than the minibars in hotel rooms.

 

[alexi_drago]

I like the spacesuit he's wearing - looks very comfortable

Kind of like one of the early moon missions

Not quite sure how hanging basket chairs would work in space, though you do have to put your arms through some of the holes because of the shock forces, maybe on the V2 you just have to fold your arms to deal with them.

 

[Doghouse Reilly]

The whole thing looks like a joke.

 

[Doghouse Reilly]

And Googling additional images to the one linked to in the OP only cements my opinion further.

 

[RussDill]

There is a bar down there, but that doesn't seem to be enough.

And what about arms? The head supports don't seem to be enough either. Is it, 'Screw you g-forces?'

Ya, these seats are just horrible:

Clearly designed by a buffoon, and not feasible for actual spaceflight with real people, with arms, and g-forces.

 

[Ladewig]

I was looking at the Dragon V2 mockup and thinking that it looked good enough to use as a movie set. Certainly I don't recall another craft with an exposed geodetic frame or flat screen monitor. The carbon fiber seats aren't too bad either. I assume the look is functional rather than artistic.

To me, it seems far more artistic than functional because that getting in and out of the seat looks particularly difficult. If it is a zero-G environment, the cabin needs way more handrails and padding. If it is not, then there needs to be an easier way to reach the floor. Furthermore, in anything as complicated as a spaceship, there will always be a need for at least some indicator lights, dials, and gauges as well as manual switches. ETA removed last line.

Also, placing a small round porthole in an area that the pilot cannot see seems to have very little functionality.

 

[tyr_13]

Ya, these seats are just horrible:


[qimg]http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/04/02/article-0-190CCC5E000005DC-25_634x409.jpg[/qimg]

No they aren't. They have a proper headrest height with pads that depress providing lateral support, and leg supports without the legs shifting side to side or through easily. They could be better.

Clearly designed by a buffoon, and not feasible for actual spaceflight with real people, with arms, and g-forces.

I never claimed they were designed by a buffoon, nor that they wouldn't actually work. The seat design seems to largely be leaving it to the suit harness, which while it works isn't a design I'm fond of. I think the lobes should be on the leg rests and the ones on the seat should be taller with a redundant rest/catch.

 

[Jrrarglblarg]

He reminds me of Tim Curry in that picture. I like Tim Curry but I don't want him in charge of a space program. Unless it involves an orbital death ray network.

But the vehicle? I like it. The Apollo and Soyuz capsules set a pretty low bar for photogenics and ergonomics. If padding the launch suit and skimping on the seat pads seems cost/utility effective to them who am I to say?

 

[SezMe]

I don't like the fact that the porthole is considered an Emergency Exit. That's just lazy planning.

I'm not sure if you're pulling our collective legs but if not, I think that Exit sign is on the wall outside the "capsule" and just happened to be visible from the point where the camera was.

 

[Ladewig]

I'm not sure if you're pulling our collective legs but if not, I think that Exit sign is on the wall outside the "capsule" and just happened to be visible from the point where the camera was.

I am certain it was meant as a joke. Using something that size as an exit would require a pressure differential of astronomical proportions.

 

[Andy_Ross]

It looks more like one of those 'Concept Cars' you see at Motor Sows. All PR and plastic. Not something that is ever going to be used when the real engineers have to actually make it work.

 

[RussDill]

No they aren't. They have a proper headrest height with pads that depress providing lateral support, and leg supports without the legs shifting side to side or through easily. They could be better.

http://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/endeavour_closeout-_full_1.jpg
http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/202602main_flightdeck.jpg

(Clickable url due to huge image size). There are no lateral leg supports on the shuttle. And the head rest meets the same point of head as the Dragon capsule. I'm not sure why you think that pads that depress would provide any lateral support. Also note that there is actually a second launch pad attached to the back of the helmet or top of the suit.

I never claimed they were designed by a buffoon, nor that they wouldn't actually work. The seat design seems to largely be leaving it to the suit harness, which while it works isn't a design I'm fond of. I think the lobes should be on the leg rests and the ones on the seat should be taller with a redundant rest/catch.

I was being sarcastic, saying that by your logic the shuttle seats where designed by a buffoon and wouldn't actually work. And yes, the shuttle design seems to operate largely by leaving it to the harness. The Dragon capsules seem to be a bit of a hybrid between the shuttle purely restraint system, and the Mir bucket system.