Newtonian modelling

Newtonian flight modelling is the style of space craft simulation used in Frontier Elite 2 and Frontier First Encounters, and is distinct from the type of flight model used by classic Elite and Oolite. The goal is more realistic flight modelling - objects in the simulated space of Frontier and FFE should behave as they would in the real vacuum of space. A space craft or any other object set on a given course, will remain at that speed and direction unless deflected by something else (for example, a collision or activation of one of the ship's thrusters). Compared to classic Elite, the player will see high speeds relative to planetary bodies and is unlikely to encounter the 'speed limit'. The ship can also be rotated without changing the direction of flight. Players used to the classic Elite "aeroplane in space" flight model are likely to be confused by a Newtonian flight model when they encounter it for the first time.

The name, Newtonian flight model, comes from the name of Sir Isaac Newton's laws of motion and laws of gravity. The simulation is somewhat imperfect.

Relative speeds

There are three basic control methods in FE2/FFE, absolute manual (also known as "Engines Off"), set speed (also known as "Engines On")and Autopilot. Yuo can cycle through these three modes by pressing the Tab key. Absolute manual involves the manual firing of both the main (use the Enter key) and retro (right Shift) keys in order to achieve your speed. This mode will be necessary in order to do delicate manoeuvring and dogfighting, but can be somewhat tedious for interplanetary travel. Set speed involves stipulating a speed (increasing with Enter and decreasing with Shift), which the computers will then attempt to maintain automatically. Lastly, and probably most importantly is the Autopilot. This should be one of your first purchases, as it can be somewhat difficult to dock with space stations or even get into orbit around planets without it. This essentially takes the judgement and piloting out of interstellar travel, and as travel can take many minutes (subjective) or days (objective), this saves you both a lot of time and effort.

The speeds in FE2/FFE are all expressed as kilommetres per second (to the power of minus one), but the can be a highly confusing figure. Much of this confusion stems from the fact that the speeds are always expressed relative to another body. For instance, if you were travelling in the Sol [0,0] system, heading for the star at the centre, your relative speed would fluctuate during your journey, even if your absolute speed (measured against the star, which doesn't move for the purposes of space travel) remained the same because your speed calculation would change due to its being measured against different bodies within the system. At the bottom-left of your screen there should be the name of a planet, star or space station. This is what your relative speed is being measured against. If this name changes, your relative speed will be measured against the new named body. Your absolute speed will not change, although if you are in engines on mode (above), your ship will attempt to match the relative speed you have set.

This article is a stub. You can help EliteWiki by expanding it.