Space port?

[Azathoth]

What would be another name for a "spaceport"? (You know, like an airport, except it's for space travel). I don't really want to use that term for a story I'm writing, because it's too retro. Any ideas?

[cornelius]

errr, stargate?

star/ space haven?

I don't know, I don't master English that well...

[Prefx]

Dock
Docking Station
Ship Yard

[chrispenycate]

Is the faculty on the planetary surface, or in orbit around the planet (for transfer from interstellar craft to planetary service craft)? If on the planetary surface, do the ships land on runways, like aircraft, descend on a pillar of plasma or drift down like falling leaves? Do they land on a hard surface, or, to refuel and cool down, plunge into the ocean? Each of these possibilities suggests possible synthetic words that might come into being, suggesting the situation without reiterating existing terms. Still, just as "airport" derives from water transport, I fear the most likely is a derivative of dock, port or harbour, in the language of the dominant culture at the time the things were being built.

[Azathoth]

Thanks for your help, everyone!

Cornelius - that's okay, I haven't mastered my secondary language either.

Prefx - Docking Station...that's the perfect replacement for the term "loading bay" I've been using. Thanks a million!

Chrispenycate - Hmmm...well, the dominant culture is the corporate one; the future I'm creating is based on the concept of corporate-feudalism. So maybe something extremely bland and business-like would work. "Space Transportation Facility," perhaps? I'll have to think this one through. Thanks!

[Culhwch]

Originally Posted by chrispenycate

Is the faculty on the planetary surface, or in orbit around the planet (for transfer from interstellar craft to planetary service craft)? If on the planetary surface, do the ships land on runways, like aircraft, descend on a pillar of plasma or drift down like falling leaves? Do they land on a hard surface, or, to refuel and cool down, plunge into the ocean? Each of these possibilities suggests possible synthetic words that might come into being, suggesting the situation without reiterating existing terms. Still, just as "airport" derives from water transport, I fear the most likely is a derivative of dock, port or harbour, in the language of the dominant culture at the time the things were being built.

I would never have thought it through that far, but you do make some salient points, Chris, as usual. I like 'hard-dock' for a land-based port, and maybe a variation of that for an atmospheric or orbital station. 'Cold-dock', 'vacuum-dock', 'void-dock', I don't know, those are a little trite. 'O-dock' for orbital dock?

Hope that helps a smidge....

[Azathoth]

Man, you guys are making some excellent suggestions! I really like the sound of hard-dock - it describes the landing/take-off platform perfectly. Would you mind if I stole that idea from you?

[Culhwch]

Not in the least. Though I expect 3.84% of any royalties accrued....

[I, Brian]

It's also worth noting airports and ports are often referred to simply by name - so if you wanted to avoid generic use of a term, you could simply designate a proper name, that when used in context, tells the reader that it is a "spaceport" without ever having to call it one.

[cornelius]

Originally Posted by Azathoth

Cornelius - that's okay, I haven't mastered my secondary language either.

for me, It's my third

[Azathoth]

I, Brian - Is everyone a genius on this board? That's a wonderful suggestion, Brian!

Cornelius - Damn dude, I suck at languages. Have you been speaking all three since you were little or did you learn one or two of them later?

Culhwch - Make it 3.83% and you have yourself a deal (heh heh, I'm a crafty businessman)

[cornelius]

Originally Posted by Azathoth

Cornelius - Damn dude, I suck at languages. Have you been speaking all three since you were little or did you learn one or two of them later?

I actually learned three later, only spoke one as a kid ( though I learned my english mostly by watching TV, I spoke a word or two since I was six)

we aren't all geniuses, I for instance , am not. Adress to others in your search for IQ over 150 ( I think Chrispenycate has 152)

but that's totally off topic, I guess.