Chemical Drive Spacecraft - Revision history

Mike at 20:04, 16 August 2026

2026-08-16T20:04:10Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:04, 16 August 2026
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	Chemical reaction drives work much like modern rockets. A fuel is mixed with an oxidizer, ignited, and expelled at high speed through a nozzle to create thrust.		Chemical reaction drives work much like modern rockets. A fuel is mixed with an oxidizer, ignited, and expelled at high speed through a nozzle to create thrust.

	Most of the information on this page is "fluff," as In-System organizes spacecraft movement around a simpler concept called "[[Burn]]s." Skip to the charts below during actual game-play.		Most of the information on this page is "fluff," as In-System organizes spacecraft movement around a simpler concept called "[[Burn\|burns]]." Skip to the charts below during actual game-play.

	The efficiency of a rocket fuel is measured by its '''specific impulse''' (usually abbreviated '''Isp'''). Higher Isp generally means that the engine can produce more change in velocity from a given amount of propellant.		The efficiency of a rocket fuel is measured by its '''specific impulse''' (usually abbreviated '''Isp'''). Higher Isp generally means that the engine can produce more change in velocity from a given amount of propellant.

Mike at 20:03, 16 August 2026

2026-08-16T20:03:24Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:03, 16 August 2026
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	Chemical reaction drives work much like modern rockets. A fuel is mixed with an oxidizer, ignited, and expelled at high speed through a nozzle to create thrust.		Chemical reaction drives work much like modern rockets. A fuel is mixed with an oxidizer, ignited, and expelled at high speed through a nozzle to create thrust.

	Most of the information on this page is 'fluff,' as In-System organizes spacecraft movement around a simpler concept called ~~'burns~~.' Skip to the charts below during actual game-play.		Most of the information on this page is "fluff," as In-System organizes spacecraft movement around a simpler concept called "[[Burn]]s." Skip to the charts below during actual game-play.

	The efficiency of a rocket fuel is measured by its '''specific impulse''' (usually abbreviated '''Isp'''). Higher Isp generally means that the engine can produce more change in velocity from a given amount of propellant.		The efficiency of a rocket fuel is measured by its '''specific impulse''' (usually abbreviated '''Isp'''). Higher Isp generally means that the engine can produce more change in velocity from a given amount of propellant.

Mike at 20:02, 16 August 2026

2026-08-16T20:02:28Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:02, 16 August 2026
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	Chemical reaction drives work much like modern rockets. A fuel is mixed with an oxidizer, ignited, and expelled at high speed through a nozzle to create thrust.		Chemical reaction drives work much like modern rockets. A fuel is mixed with an oxidizer, ignited, and expelled at high speed through a nozzle to create thrust.

	~~The efficiency~~ of ~~a rocket fuel~~ is ~~measured by its '''specific impulse''' (usually abbreviated '''Isp''~~'~~). Higher Isp generally means that the engine can produce more change in velocity from a given amount of propellant. But you don~~'~~t have to worry about that unless you want to;~~ In-System organizes spacecraft movement around a simpler concept called 'burns.'		Most of the information on this page is 'fluff,' as In-System organizes spacecraft movement around a simpler concept called 'burns.' Skip to the charts below during actual game-play.

			The efficiency of a rocket fuel is measured by its '''specific impulse''' (usually abbreviated '''Isp'''). Higher Isp generally means that the engine can produce more change in velocity from a given amount of propellant.
	By 2158, three fuel combinations dominate:		By 2158, three fuel combinations dominate:

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	The technology is mature, dependable, and supported by nearly two centuries of industrial development.		The technology is mature, dependable, and supported by nearly two centuries of industrial development.


	== Chemical Drive Spacecraft by Function ==		== Chemical Drive Spacecraft by Function ==

Mike at 19:57, 16 August 2026

2026-08-16T19:57:39Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:57, 16 August 2026
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	Chemical reaction drives work much like modern rockets. A fuel is mixed with an oxidizer, ignited, and expelled at high speed through a nozzle to create thrust.		Chemical reaction drives work much like modern rockets. A fuel is mixed with an oxidizer, ignited, and expelled at high speed through a nozzle to create thrust.

	The efficiency of a rocket fuel is measured by its '''specific impulse''' (usually abbreviated '''Isp'''). Higher Isp generally means that the engine can produce more change in velocity from a given amount of propellant. But you don't have to worry about that unless you want to; ~~the game is organized~~ around a simpler concept called 'burns.'		The efficiency of a rocket fuel is measured by its '''specific impulse''' (usually abbreviated '''Isp'''). Higher Isp generally means that the engine can produce more change in velocity from a given amount of propellant. But you don't have to worry about that unless you want to; In-System organizes spacecraft movement around a simpler concept called 'burns.'

	By 2158, three fuel combinations dominate:		By 2158, three fuel combinations dominate:

Mike at 19:56, 16 August 2026

2026-08-16T19:56:36Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:56, 16 August 2026
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	Chemical reaction drives work much like modern rockets. A fuel is mixed with an oxidizer, ignited, and expelled at high speed through a nozzle to create thrust.		Chemical reaction drives work much like modern rockets. A fuel is mixed with an oxidizer, ignited, and expelled at high speed through a nozzle to create thrust.

	The efficiency of a rocket fuel is measured by its '''specific impulse''' (usually abbreviated '''Isp'''). Higher Isp generally means that the engine can produce more change in velocity from a given amount of propellant.		The efficiency of a rocket fuel is measured by its '''specific impulse''' (usually abbreviated '''Isp'''). Higher Isp generally means that the engine can produce more change in velocity from a given amount of propellant. But you don't have to worry about that unless you want to; the game is organized around a simpler concept called 'burns.'

	By 2158, three fuel combinations dominate:		By 2158, three fuel combinations dominate:

Mike: /* Orbital Vehicles */

2026-08-16T19:42:26Z

Orbital Vehicles

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:42, 16 August 2026
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	=== Orbital Vehicles ===		=== Orbital Vehicles ===

	Orbital vehicles move people and cargo between stations, moons and colonies. Since they never have to fight Earth's gravity, they can carry enough propellant for repeated trips without becoming excessively large~~. Orbital vehicles normally use [[#Chemical Reaction Drives\|chemical reaction drives]]~~.		Orbital vehicles move people and cargo between stations, moons and colonies. Since they never have to fight Earth's gravity, they can carry enough propellant for repeated trips without becoming excessively large.

	Typical characteristics include:		Typical characteristics include:

Mike: /* Launch Vehicles */

2026-08-16T19:42:08Z

Launch Vehicles

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:42, 16 August 2026
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	=== Launch Vehicles ===		=== Launch Vehicles ===

	Launch vehicles exist for one purpose: escaping a planetary gravity well. They produce enormous thrust for a very short period of time and consume tremendous amounts of fuel in the process~~. Launch Vehicles use [[#Chemical Reaction Drives\|chemical reaction drives]]~~.		Launch vehicles exist for one purpose: escaping a planetary gravity well. They produce enormous thrust for a very short period of time and consume tremendous amounts of fuel in the process.

	Examples include the Apollo Saturn V, modern SpaceX launch vehicles, and the MAV from ''The Martian''.		Examples include the Apollo Saturn V, modern SpaceX launch vehicles, and the MAV from ''The Martian''.

Mike at 19:41, 16 August 2026

2026-08-16T19:41:31Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:41, 16 August 2026
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	* '''Hydrolox''' (liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen). Higher performance but considerably more difficult to store and handle.		* '''Hydrolox''' (liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen). Higher performance but considerably more difficult to store and handle.
	* '''Alulox''' (aluminum and liquid oxygen). Lower performance than either methalox or hydrolox, but well suited to lunar industry because aluminum is abundant on Luna and the lower gravity makes extreme thrust less important.		* '''Alulox''' (aluminum and liquid oxygen). Lower performance than either methalox or hydrolox, but well suited to lunar industry because aluminum is abundant on Luna and the lower gravity makes extreme thrust less important.

			The technology is mature, dependable, and supported by nearly two centuries of industrial development.


	== Chemical Drive Spacecraft by Function ==		== Chemical Drive Spacecraft by Function ==
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	Fans of ''The Expanse'' can think of Uncle Mateo's ice miner or the crowded Belt Transit Ferry that Detective Miller uses between Ceres and Eros. Those vessels are somewhat more advanced than those found in the ''In-System'' setting, but they fill a similar role.		Fans of ''The Expanse'' can think of Uncle Mateo's ice miner or the crowded Belt Transit Ferry that Detective Miller uses between Ceres and Eros. Those vessels are somewhat more advanced than those found in the ''In-System'' setting, but they fill a similar role.


	~~Every launch vehicle uses chemical propulsion. Orbital vehicles almost always do as well. The technology is mature, dependable, and supported by nearly two centuries of industrial development.~~

Mike at 19:36, 16 August 2026

2026-08-16T19:36:48Z

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 * '''Hydrolox''' (liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen). Higher performance but considerably more difficult to store and handle.
 * '''Alulox''' (aluminum and liquid oxygen). Lower performance than either methalox or hydrolox, but well suited to lunar industry because aluminum is abundant on Luna and the lower gravity makes extreme thrust less important.
 Every launch vehicle uses chemical propulsion. Orbital vehicles almost always do as well. The technology is mature, dependable, and supported by nearly two centuries of industrial development.

Mike: Created page with "Chemical reaction drives work much like modern rockets. A fuel is mixed with an oxidizer, ignited, and expelled at high speed through a nozzle to create thrust. The efficiency of a rocket fuel is measured by its '''specific impulse''' (usually abbreviated '''Isp'''). Higher Isp generally means that the engine can produce more change in velocity from a given amount of propellant. By 2158, three fuel combinations dominate: * '''Methalox''' (liquid methane and liquid oxy..."

2026-08-16T19:32:10Z

Created page with "Chemical reaction drives work much like modern rockets. A fuel is mixed with an oxidizer, ignited, and expelled at high speed through a nozzle to create thrust. The efficiency of a rocket fuel is measured by its '''specific impulse''' (usually abbreviated '''Isp'''). Higher Isp generally means that the engine can produce more change in velocity from a given amount of propellant. By 2158, three fuel combinations dominate: * '''Methalox''' (liquid methane and liquid oxy..."

New page

Chemical reaction drives work much like modern rockets. A fuel is mixed with an oxidizer, ignited, and expelled at high speed through a nozzle to create thrust.

The efficiency of a rocket fuel is measured by its '''specific impulse''' (usually abbreviated '''Isp'''). Higher Isp generally means that the engine can produce more change in velocity from a given amount of propellant.

By 2158, three fuel combinations dominate:

* '''Methalox''' (liquid methane and liquid oxygen). Reliable, inexpensive and widely available.
* '''Hydrolox''' (liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen). Higher performance but considerably more difficult to store and handle.
* '''Alulox''' (aluminum and liquid oxygen). Lower performance than either methalox or hydrolox, but well suited to lunar industry because aluminum is abundant on Luna and the lower gravity makes extreme thrust less important.

Every launch vehicle uses chemical propulsion. Orbital vehicles almost always do as well. The technology is mature, dependable, and supported by nearly two centuries of industrial development.