In a previous thread induviduals are stating that certain ships are destroyed on atmospheric entry.

Continued from thread:

http://therebelfaction.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5644

In this case specifically frigates, ships about 300-400 meters long.

In my readings I have never heard of a ship that could not enter an atmosphere save for the very large ships. From my understanding, all ships are capable of entering an atmosphere so long as they have shields, inertial dampeners, engines and repulsors. All standered equipment on star ships.

There are ships that lack landing gear but that does not mean that they burn up in the upper most levels of the atmosphere.

The official word on this would be appreciated.

Not all ships carry repulsors. I don't think that is standard equipment on all ships.

Most vessels of a combat rating or higher of Heavy Frigate cannot enter atmopsheres, notable exception being the Victory-class Star Destroyer. Ships smaller than that have repulsor lifts as standard equipment.

Yeah. You'd think it hadn't already be explained, or something...

Well you said it was a frigate, but never said what kind of frigate. Since the Observers mainly built their own unique craft, it would be safe for you to assume they are your Training-Class Frigates, which are capable of going in the atmosphere, since they have an atmospheric rating of 500 km/h. And despite it's name it does have weapons and even a couple types of cloaks. So if you say you were using one of the cloaks (it will probably be easier on you to say you were using the Vanish Mark 2 one) that would explain why the Imps didn't notice you at the start. So I'd say in this case it would be allowed, though of course I'm not staff.

Link for Training-class frigate

http://pub33.ezboard.com/fswalliancefrm24.showMessage?topicID=136.topic

Most ships seem to come equiped to handle at least some limited atmospheric travel in any case. Such as in the upper atmosphere where gravity is lowwer and the atmosphere is thin. All that a ship has to do is maintain enough thrust to keep from being drawn into the thicker atmosphere where gravity is stronger and the majority of damaging friction would occur.

This is one of the issues. Just by saying a ship is going into an atmosphere does not mean a ship is going to completely enter the atmosphere where destruction could occur.

There are also frigate sized, or larger, frieghters that do this regularly in the SWU. Dreadnaughts also enter atmospheres without issue.

THere are contradictions here and no rule to handle this except for personal opinion.

I am refering to generalizations about frigates and what they can do not R&D specific ships. Generalizations help no one so I wanted to see the offical RF response on the matter.

You did not just compare a warship to a civilian freighter... Of course most freighters can enter atmosphere - they have to in order to efficiently load and unload their cargoes.

Warships are not subject to this neccessitty. They do not come standard with repulsors because the space is better used.

And whether or not Dreadnaughts can enter atmosphere is irrelevent. The point in question is your frigates - which you haven't proved can enter atmosphere. Failing that, the default would be that they cannot, because unless it is specifically stated that they can (or stated that they have repulsors, or an atmosphereic speed is given) then they cannot.

kthxby

Even the space shuttle can maintain a higher orbit in the upper amosphere without being destroyed as long as they have sufficient forward thrust.

And I am addressing the issue to frigate size ships in general of how to deal with contradictions.

I think that, as a rule, anything used primarily for war would not have atmospheric capability. Civilian craft might, maybe, it depends on their use. Putting repulsors on a large craft could be an arduous and wasteful chore. WHy do it when you can offload to a spacedock?

Atmospheric capability covey’s no real advantages to large craft. Entering and exiting gravity gives no additional advantages to a craft dedicated to war, bulk cargo, etc.

Unless noted in its official description, or in the movies, no, a craft would not have atmospheric capabilities. It’s a waste of energy and weight.

Alright, then what about traveling in the upper atmosphere. Where gravity is less and the air is thin. The second question I pose here is whether or not a ship can still travel in the upper atmosphere without issue.

My thought is that it is possible for frigate sized craft so long as they maintain their forwards motion. Just as the space shuttle does when it holds a lowwer orbit inside the atmosphere.