A question for those who have read the Star Wars: X-Wing series.

[Jodan]

This is a question for anyone who has read the X-Wing series of Star Wars books. I have recently started to reread them, and in every time I have read them in the past, one technical question has never been answered.

How does ruddering work on a starfighter? It is used all the time, but ruddering as we know it (on aircraft) doesn't work in a vacuum with no atmosphere. I was wondering if anyone who has read the books knows, or has come up with a theory on how it works. The best I can come up with is that the term rudder in terms of a starfighter means that the pedals are linked to maneuvering jets on the ship, that turn it, but there are some problems with that, which I don't feel like going into at the moment.

Has anyone come up with anything better, or know the answer for sure?

[Cheesethief]

As far as I can ascertain, there are just pitch+roll control pedals at the pilot's feet. The controls are similar to the T-16 Skyhopper, if that helps.

[Jodan]

I guess I should rephrase my question- how can a starfighter turn, roll, climb and dive in a vacuum? Are there thrusters that are used to push the ship up or down and left or right, or is it some other mechanism that maneuvers the ship?

And another technical question I've always wondered about, what does a stabilizer do and how does it work?

[Cheesethief]

I guess it's all hydraulics.

I reckon a stabiliser...stabilises.

[Jodan]

I know that, I mean what does it stabilize.

[Cheesethief]

Sorry, I was joking. :D

No idea. probably the engine systems as a whole, or just steering.