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[[File:Ship_Directions.jpg|500px|right|Diagram illustrating the six degrees of freedom (Pitch, Roll, Yaw, Heave, Surge, Sway).]]
The '''six degrees of freedom''' (6DoF) is the definition for movement in three-dimensional space. It defines how space-based vehicles such as a [[starship]] or [[shuttlecraft]] orientates and moves in space. The six degrees are divided into three rotational axes (changing orientation) and three translational axes (changing position). Control is primarily managed from the [[Helm]] station.

== Pitch (Rotation) ==
'''Pitch''' describes the angular movement of the ship's [[Help:Glossary#Bow|bow]] (front) either upwards towards the [[Help:Glossary#Dorsal|dorsal]] side or downwards towards the [[Help:Glossary#Ventral|ventral]] side.

* '''Axis of Rotation:''' Pitch occurs around the ship's '''lateral''' (or transverse) axis, the imaginary horizontal line running through the ship's center from [[Help:Glossary#Port|port]] to [[Help:Glossary#Starboard|starboard]].
* '''Effect of Movement:''' Pitching up points the bow towards the ship's top; pitching down points the bow towards the ship's bottom. This is analogous to nodding your head.
* '''Control in [[Starship Simulator]]:''' Controlled via [[RCS Thrusters|RCS]]. Default keys: '''W''' (Pitch down) / '''S''' (Pitch up); Alt: Numpad '''8''' / '''5'''. See [[Tutorial:Helm|Helm Controls Tutorial]].

== Roll (Rotation) ==
'''Roll''' describes the angular movement of the ship around its [[Help:Glossary#Bow|bow]]-to-[[Help:Glossary#Stern|stern]] axis, causing the port and starboard sides to raise or lower relative to each other, like dipping an aircraft's wing.

* '''Axis of Rotation:''' Roll occurs around the ship's '''longitudinal''' axis, the imaginary line running through the ship's center from bow to stern.
* '''Effect of Movement:''' Rolling port dips the port side down and raises the starboard side; rolling starboard does the opposite. This is analogous to tilting your head sideways.
* '''Control in [[Starship Simulator]]:''' Controlled via [[RCS Thrusters|RCS]]. Default keys: Numpad '''7''' (Roll Port/Left) / Numpad '''9''' (Roll Starboard/Right). See [[Tutorial:Helm|Helm Controls Tutorial]].

== Yaw (Rotation) ==
'''Yaw''' describes the angular movement of the ship's [[Help:Glossary#Bow|bow]] either left towards the [[Help:Glossary#Port|port]] side or right towards the [[Help:Glossary#Starboard|starboard]] side, without rolling or pitching.

* '''Axis of Rotation:''' Yaw occurs around the ship's '''vertical''' (or normal) axis, the imaginary line running vertically through the ship's center from [[Help:Glossary#Dorsal|dorsal]] to [[Help:Glossary#Ventral|ventral]].
* '''Effect of Movement:''' Yawing port points the bow left; yawing starboard points the bow right. This is analogous to shaking your head "no".
* '''Control in [[Starship Simulator]]:''' Controlled via [[RCS Thrusters|RCS]]. Default keys: '''A''' (Yaw Left) / '''D''' (Yaw Right); Alt: Numpad '''4''' / '''6'''. See [[Tutorial:Helm|Helm Controls Tutorial]].

== Heave (Translation) ==
'''Heave''' describes the linear vertical movement of the entire ship either up towards the [[Help:Glossary#Dorsal|dorsal]] side or down towards the [[Help:Glossary#Ventral|ventral]] side, without changing its orientation (pitch, roll, or yaw).

* '''Axis of Translation:''' Heave occurs along the ship's '''vertical''' (or normal) axis.
* '''Effect of Movement:''' Moves the entire vessel straight up or down relative to its current orientation. Often referred to as vertical translation.
* '''Control in [[Starship Simulator]]:''' Controlled via [[RCS Thrusters|RCS]]. Default keys: '''R''' (Heave Up) / '''F''' (Heave Down). See [[Tutorial:Helm|Helm Controls Tutorial]].

== Surge (Translation) ==
'''Surge''' describes the linear movement of the entire ship either forward along its longitudinal axis Forward or backward along that same axis, without changing its orientation.

* '''Axis of Translation:''' Surge occurs along the ship's '''longitudinal''' axis (bow-to-stern).
* '''Effect of Movement:''' Moves the entire vessel straight forward or backward. Often referred to as forward/backward thrust or acceleration/deceleration.
* '''Control in [[Starship Simulator]]:''' Primarily controlled via the main '''Sublight Engines''', managed by the throttle controls. Default keys: Numpad '''+''' (Throttle Up) / Numpad '''-''' (Throttle Down); Numpad '''*''' (Max Throttle) / Numpad '''/''' (Min/Zero Throttle). [[RCS Thrusters|RCS]] might provide minor surge capability. See [[Tutorial:Helm|Helm Controls Tutorial]].

== Sway (Translation) ==
'''Sway''' describes the linear sideways movement of the entire ship either left towards the [[Help:Glossary#Port|port]] side or right towards the [[Help:Glossary#Starboard|starboard]] side, without changing its orientation.

* '''Axis of Translation:''' Sway occurs along the ship's '''lateral''' (or transverse) axis (side-to-side).
* '''Effect of Movement:''' Moves the entire vessel straight left or right relative to its current orientation. Commonly referred to as strafing or lateral translation.
* '''Control in [[Starship Simulator]]:''' Controlled via [[RCS Thrusters|RCS]]. Default keys: '''Q''' (Sway Left) / '''E''' (Sway Right). See [[Tutorial:Helm|Helm Controls Tutorial]].

== See Also ==
* [[Help:Glossary|Glossary]]
* [[Tutorial:Helm|Helm Controls Tutorial]]

==External Links==
*[[wikipedia:Six degrees of freedom|Six degrees of freedom]] on [[wikipedia:Main Page|Wikipedia]]

[[Category:Gameplay Mechanics]]
[[Category:Space Travel]]