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  • Subject: A Question
Subject: A Question

I'm just wondering how Halcyon-Class Cruisers (Or any of the more current military vessels, for that matter) are not rated for atmospheric entry/exit.

The Pheonix-Class Colony Ships were first made almost two-hundred years before the first Halcyon-Class Cruiser. Not only that, but they are also more than twice their size.

If we already have the know-how to allow large ships to do atmospheric entry/exit, then why is it not a standard design feature?

[Edited on 03.08.2011 8:43 AM PST]

  • 03.08.2011 8:42 AM PDT

I think "rated for atmosphere" is more of being in atmosphere and able to do things, such as frigates providing fire support.

I believe a Halcyon can land and launch, but doing other things(Providing fire support, hovering, etc) is out of the question.

  • 03.08.2011 8:45 AM PDT
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The PoA was doing a pretty good job hovering at the end of Reach.

I am gonna go out on a limb and say "rated for atmosphere" means the ship is equipped with something or other which makes it more effective in atmosphere.

The dude in Halo 3 said "Is the Dawn rated for Atmosphere?"

You can surmise that, from this comment, that not all Frigates, or UNSC ships for that matter, are equipped to handle Atmosphere roles. That's why some ships were being built in orbit, and other ships were being built on the ground, as seen during Long Night of Solace and Boneyard respectively.

So any ship class can work in Atmosphere, it just might require some special piece of equipment or engine configuration or something.

But this is just speculation.

  • 03.08.2011 9:00 AM PDT


Posted by: Naked Crook
The PoA was doing a pretty good job hovering at the end of Reach.
Not really. It had help with detachable thrusters.

  • 03.08.2011 9:11 AM PDT

I think it just means wether or not it's good for anything in atmosphere. For example, the spirit of fire could easily hover in atmosphere and lower down the core to the surface(As seen in one of the cut scenes).
And the dawn in halo 3 pretty much landed, and dropped off tanks and other vehicles.
The pillar was probably never designed for atmospheric use. And the only reason it probably was on reach, was more than likely because the covenant had destroyed any orbiting repair stations. And that'd also be why it had a set of single use thrusters, to get it back out into space.

[Edited on 03.08.2011 12:04 PM PST]

  • 03.08.2011 12:03 PM PDT
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It makes you wonder if a Marathon would be rated for Atmosphere.

  • 03.08.2011 12:15 PM PDT