I write books. My latest is a YA science fiction novel called Homeland (it's the sequel to Little Brother). More books: Rapture of the Nerds (a novel, with Charlie Stross); With a Little Help (short stories); and The Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow (novella and nonfic). I speak all over the place and I tweet and tumble, too.

  • Matthew Heberger

    Well, I’ll be really impressed if they can build it to ±0.001 feet. 

    • Brainspore

      That’s impossible! Even for a computer.

    • http://twitter.com/ErnestValdemar Ernest Valdemar

      Consistent units. The amount of force required to displace one micropound-mass by one millifoot is exactly one midichlorian.

  • Brainspore

    Looks like most of the structure is going to be built out of wood. It will be interesting to see how well they manage to skin it convincingly.

    • Felton / Moderator

      Building a spaceship ain’t like dusting crops, boy!

    • nowimnothing

      Yeah I think that will be the major hurdle both outside and inside. The size is not THAT daunting. Probably on par with the amount of materials in the average barn.

      • Brainspore

        The size is not THAT daunting. Probably on par with the amount of materials in the average barn.

        I bet you could get that sucker done in a day if you got a bunch of volunteers from the Amish Homeworld.

      • hadlockk

        Probably on par with the materials required to construct a 65′ wooden sailboat. Total length is closer to 114′, but it only has to support it’s own weight in one direction (down) and has no external stresses on it beyond the occasional gust of wind. Keeping the thing caulked and free of leaks would be the bigger challenge. Raising funds would be as easy as finding a small town to raise a bond to build it as a tourist attraction.

        Though my biggest problem with that ship is the lack of bunks/quarters and head (bathroom). A ship that size should sleep six to eight with at least one head (bathroom). Pretty much any sailboat over 32 ft has two queen size beds and any ship over 42 ft has two bathrooms.

    • Chris Lee

      Concrete foundation and piers. Steel beam superstructure. Steel stud framing. Sheet metal and marine plywood skin. Fiberglass coat on all primary exterior detail pieces. Elastomeric spray-on roof coating everywhere else.

      • Brainspore

        I’d suggest duralloy plating, myself. Fiberglass does OK against the elements but it sucks against Imperial Blasters.

  • robotnik

    “building the laser-cannons”
    Can’t wait to see those in action.

    • Brainspore

      Don’t get cocky.

  • http://www.youtube.com/user/Freethinkersanon Christopher

    I wonder how often they’ll have to clean off mynocks. 

    • jimh

      ugh… mynocks. *shudder*

  • http://glitch.tl/ Michael Smith

    I want to know how they will handle the 90 degree bends in the direction of artificial gravity.

  • http://www.facebook.com/matthew.urso Matthew Urso

    seems like everyone wants to build the interesting bits but no one has tried to tackle the actual ship.  i have a feeling they’ll need some permits and building inspectors if this ever gets up and running

    • Chris Lee

      The structure itself is still being designed. The land I own where the build will take place is in an area that is remote enough not to have any local codes enforcement.

      • mccrum

        I’m pretty sure if it garners enough attention local code enforcement will find a way out there.  They always do.  Even in Mos Eisley.

        • Chris Lee

          You’re right, they probably will. That’s why we’re approaching it like a commercial building from that perspective.

          • Brainspore

            (Just be wary if you hear Chris announce that he’s “just made a deal that will keep the Government out of here forever.”)

          • mccrum

            In that case may I suggest you look into entertainment venue codes for theatres and the like?  You might be able to create a lower-level ambient light level than a standard commercial space, or be able to use non-traditional exit signage.  It’s always the exit signage that brings a themed space back to the harshness of reality…

      • Brainspore

        The land I own where the build will take place is in an area that is remote enough not to have any local codes enforcement.

        So basically an Outer Rim Territory.

    • http://glitch.tl/ Michael Smith

       Building inspectors can’t shoot straight anyway.

      • mccrum

        The trick is to shoot them first.

  • sinclair

    I find your lack of significant figures disturbing.

  • http://twitter.com/fossilfuels Funk Daddy

    Whatever, if they build it out of wood on the ground it’s going to take a looong time to cover 12 parsecs no matter how you figure it.

  • http://blog.doomsdayzen.com agonist

    Disney should build one and make it a walk through at Disneyland.

  • Ramone

    She may not look like much, but she’s got it where it counts. Eh? EH?! [ELBOW NUDGE]

    • http://www.jjsaul.com Jim Saul

      She’ll make the Kessell Run in 12 acres.

  • http://www.jjsaul.com Jim Saul

    Now that Disney owns the rights, you’re going to have Hutt & Hutt Associates crawling up your ass pretty fast, unfortunately.

    Otherwise I’d say build it inside a structure you can light and green screen for amateur film-making.

  • robuluz

    Everyone has dreamed of making a full scale Millenium Falcon

    I think that goes without saying.

  • Ian McMurtrie

    Shouldn’t the first rule of any maker be, USE METRIC!

    Such archaic units make R2D2 cry.

    • mccrum

      A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away?  I’m pretty sure they tried using parsecs for measuring time, which really must have flipped Artoo’s lid.

  • http://blog.insightvr.com John Harrison

    If you build it, they will come.

  • http://twitter.com/chrisjimson chris jimson

    The Millennium Falcon . . . that piece of junk?

  • jimh

    Awesome interior walk through:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iintEBWVAX8

  • danimagoo

    Ok, now I want a full scale Millennium Falcon that transforms into a giant robot.

  • http://twitter.com/WikiTruths Wiki-Truths

    I thought it was 30 thousand ft tall!! 

  • crenquis

    Just wait until Disney sends a burn-down notice…