Where's the Air Force in Science Fiction?

[Asher]

Not my fault you can't name your ships properly.

[Elok]

Spacecraft are generally conceived of as large vehicles with substantial crews, more analogous to ships than to aircraft. Their motion, while far faster than any planetbound craft and three-dimensional, is "slow" relative to the distances covered and is largely between planets, which might as well be islands in an ocean. All this has already been said, but really, why would you expect people to use the USAF as a model? Especially given that the AF is a relatively new force with new traditions, unlike the concept of a navy which has a deep, appealing heritage for an artist to mine for parallels. I don't even know if the USAF has generals or admirals or what, and I suspect few Americans who aren't members or relatives of members know a whole lot better.

[Al B. Sure!]

Spacecraft are generally conceived of as large vehicles with substantial crews, more analogous to ships than to aircraft. Their motion, while far faster than any planetbound craft and three-dimensional, is "slow" relative to the distances covered and is largely between planets, which might as well be islands in an ocean. All this has already been said, but really, why would you expect people to use the USAF as a model? Especially given that the AF is a relatively new force with new traditions, unlike the concept of a navy which has a deep, appealing heritage for an artist to mine for parallels. I don't even know if the USAF has generals or admirals or what, and I suspect few Americans who aren't members or relatives of members know a whole lot better.

It doesn't have to be the US Air Force specifically. the point is why is it never any air force? The air force is closer to space exploration than the navy is and when the US military thinks of ways to militarize space, the Air Force is leading the way. I assume Russia's forays into militarizing space are also air force-led, not navy-led.

[GePap]

It doesn't have to be the US Air Force specifically. the point is why is it never any air force? The air force is closer to space exploration than the navy is and when the US military thinks of ways to militarize space, the Air Force is leading the way. I assume Russia's forays into militarizing space are also air force-led, not navy-led.

Again, current US doctrine has little to do with this use of terminology - you can look at my previous post on the matter.

As per this:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_Space_Forces

Seems in Russia space forces are an independent command.

[Tattila the Hun]

Yeah but aircraft carriers launch planes... that plane just carries them.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McDonnell_XF-85_Goblin

[Patroklos]

Yeah but it shouldn't be always Navy, right? Is there a game or movie or show (besides Stargate) that you can think of where it's not?

It's odd because when you think of militarizing space now, you never think of the Navy. You think the US Air Force. Air forces going into space is more logical than the navy.

You might not, but the reality is the Navy has always had a huge influence on the US space program. A large number of astronauts are from the Navy.

As for science fiction, a good part of it is trying to transport the age of sail INTO SPACE! When you think airforce you think individual dude in a fighter jet, but in the Navy you have crews who interact with each other.

[Asher]

Patty is right. The Navy played a big part in picking up the trash after a launch.

[MikeH]

And picking up trash on the docks.

[Vanguard]

Of course Akron and Macon belonged to the navy, so I guess they don't really count. But flying aircraft carriers anyway.

[Darius871]

Patty is right. The Navy played a big part in picking up the trash after a launch.

"Every time we've gotta go someplace and [crash-land a space capsule], you fellas always give us a ride."

[onodera]

I assume Russia's forays into militarizing space are also air force-led, not navy-led.

Space forces, like ICBM forces and paratroopers (which are our counterpart to American marines), are an independent command. Of course, most cosmonauts are former fighter pilots, because they have skills modern space flight needs (G-force tolerance, 3D awareness). But in science fiction space flight these skills are not required, as there's artificial gravity present more often than not and any acceleration is minor. Naval skills, especially submarine-related skills, are in greater need. And Asher will confirm that Navy uniform is much more fabulous than Air Force one and looks better on screen.

[BeBMan]

[onodera]

WTF is this monstrosity? Looks like it was drawn by someone with both USSR and penis fetishes.

[DaShi]

Isn't that redundant?

[BeBMan]

WTF is this monstrosity? Looks like it was drawn by someone with both USSR and penis fetishes.

This 'Coolhand' guy at scifi-meshes has created a private little universe full of hypothetical Soviet space fighters, space warships etc. Whatever his fetishes are technically his stuff is brilliant CGI