Six degrees of freedom
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 bow (front) either upwards towards the dorsal side or downwards towards the 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 port to 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. Default keys: W (Pitch down) / S (Pitch up); Alt: Numpad 8 / 5. See Helm Controls Tutorial.
Roll (Rotation)
Roll describes the angular movement of the ship around its bow-to-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. Default keys: Numpad 7 (Roll Port/Left) / Numpad 9 (Roll Starboard/Right). See Helm Controls Tutorial.
Yaw (Rotation)
Yaw describes the angular movement of the ship's bow either left towards the port side or right towards the 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 dorsal to 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. Default keys: A (Yaw Left) / D (Yaw Right); Alt: Numpad 4 / 6. See Helm Controls Tutorial.
Heave (Translation)
Heave describes the linear vertical movement of the entire ship either up towards the dorsal side or down towards the 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. Default keys: R (Heave Up) / F (Heave Down). See 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 might provide minor surge capability. See Helm Controls Tutorial.
Sway (Translation)
Sway describes the linear sideways movement of the entire ship either left towards the port side or right towards the 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. Default keys: Q (Sway Left) / E (Sway Right). See Helm Controls Tutorial.