Space Travel - Revision history

Mike: /* Space Travel */

2026-08-16T19:49:31Z

Space Travel

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:49, 16 August 2026
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	For a while, "home" will be the party, not a ship. The Mission: Impossible team comes to mind. If the players eventually obtain a Deep Space Vehicle (DSV), that will indeed change things—but such vessels are rare, expensive, and difficult to acquire.		For a while, "home" will be the party, not a ship. The Mission: Impossible team comes to mind. If the players eventually obtain a Deep Space Vehicle (DSV), that will indeed change things—but such vessels are rare, expensive, and difficult to acquire.

			Al that said, for more of a Tramp-Trader style game, the GM can simply move the clock forward a couple decades.

	It is useful to organize In-System spacecraft by drive type, as many of their operating rules are not interchangeable:		It is useful to organize In-System spacecraft by drive type, as many of their operating rules are not interchangeable:

Mike: /* Space Travel */

2026-08-16T19:46:28Z

Space Travel

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:46, 16 August 2026
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	= Space Travel =		= Space Travel =

	Spacecraft are specialized, with most designed around one or two specific jobs. A vehicle that is excellent at launching from Earth ~~is usually~~ a poor choice for crossing the Solar System, and vice versa.		Spacecraft are specialized, with most designed around one or two specific jobs. A vehicle that is excellent at launching from Earth would be a poor choice for crossing the Solar System, and vice versa.

	A major adventure is likely to involve several different spacecraft rather than one beloved tramp trader. Think James Bond more than Firefly. Or, lacking a mission, think of the wanderer: Kung Fu, Reacher, or the cowboy who rides into town.		A major adventure is likely to involve several different spacecraft rather than one beloved tramp trader. Think James Bond more than Firefly. Or, lacking a mission, think of the wanderer: Kung Fu, Reacher, or the cowboy who rides into town.

Mike at 19:24, 16 August 2026

2026-08-16T19:24:30Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:24, 16 August 2026
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	For a while, "home" will be the party, not a ship. The Mission: Impossible team comes to mind. If the players eventually obtain a Deep Space Vehicle (DSV), that will indeed change things—but such vessels are rare, expensive, and difficult to acquire.		For a while, "home" will be the party, not a ship. The Mission: Impossible team comes to mind. If the players eventually obtain a Deep Space Vehicle (DSV), that will indeed change things—but such vessels are rare, expensive, and difficult to acquire.

	It is useful to organize In-System spacecraft by ~~engine types~~, as ~~much~~ of their rules are not interchangeable:		It is useful to organize In-System spacecraft by drive type, as many of their operating rules are not interchangeable:

	[[Chemical Drive Spacecraft]]<br>		[[Chemical Drive Spacecraft]]<br>

Mike: /* Laser Thermal Rockets (LTRs) */

2026-08-16T19:22:56Z

Laser Thermal Rockets (LTRs)

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:22, 16 August 2026
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	tbd		tbd
			will need to get across that these are more like trains than trucks

	=== Electric Propulsion ===		=== Electric Propulsion ===

Mike: /* Laser Thermal Rockets (LTRs) */

2026-08-16T19:21:57Z

Laser Thermal Rockets (LTRs)

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:21, 16 August 2026
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	=== Laser Thermal Rockets (LTRs) ===		=== Laser Thermal Rockets (LTRs) ===

			tbd

	=== Electric Propulsion ===		=== Electric Propulsion ===

Mike: /* Propulsion Systems */

2026-08-16T19:21:42Z

Propulsion Systems

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:21, 16 August 2026
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	For these reasons, NTR-powered ships are large. During the period covered by ''In-System'', there are no small Nuclear Thermal Rocket spacecraft.		For these reasons, NTR-powered ships are large. During the period covered by ''In-System'', there are no small Nuclear Thermal Rocket spacecraft.

			=== Laser Thermal Rockets (LTRs) ===

	=== Electric Propulsion ===		=== Electric Propulsion ===

Mike: /* Space Travel */

2026-08-16T19:20:22Z

Space Travel

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:20, 16 August 2026
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	[[Nuclear Thermal Drive Spacecraft]]<br>		[[Nuclear Thermal Drive Spacecraft]]<br>
	[[Electric Drive Spacecraft]]<br>		[[Electric Drive Spacecraft]]<br>
			[[Laser Thermal Drive Spacecraft]]<br>

	== Spacecraft by Function ==		== Spacecraft by Function ==

Mike: /* Freighters */

2026-08-16T19:19:41Z

Freighters

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:19, 16 August 2026
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	These vessels are common throughout the Solar System and may serve as the setting for adventures involving salvage, piracy, labor disputes, repossessions, rescue missions, cargo claims, etc.		These vessels are common throughout the Solar System and may serve as the setting for adventures involving salvage, piracy, labor disputes, repossessions, rescue missions, cargo claims, etc.

	Note that the new Laser Hiway will force some of these vessels into to roles~~, or obsolete them~~.		Note that the new Laser Hiway will force some of these vessels into to roles.

	== Propulsion Systems ==		== Propulsion Systems ==

Mike: /* Ion Freighters */

2026-08-16T19:16:47Z

Ion Freighters

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:16, 16 August 2026
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	=== ~~Ion~~ Freighters ===		=== Freighters ===

	~~Ion~~ Freighters are the heavy cargo carriers of the Solar System. Unlike Deep Space Vehicles, they are not designed for speed or flexibility. Instead, they use extremely efficient Ion freighters use [[#Electric Propulsion\|electric propulsion]] to move enormous amounts of cargo over journeys lasting years.		Freighters are the heavy cargo carriers of the Solar System. Unlike Deep Space Vehicles, they are not designed for speed or flexibility. Instead, they mainly use extremely efficient Ion freighters use [[#Electric Propulsion\|electric propulsion]] to move enormous amounts of cargo over journeys lasting years.

	Most ion freighters spend their entire voyage under low continuous thrust. They typically accelerate for roughly half the journey, rotate, then decelerate for the remainder.		Most ion freighters spend their entire voyage under low continuous thrust. They typically accelerate for roughly half the journey, rotate, then decelerate for the remainder.
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	Ion Freighters are often crewed by only a handful of people, assisted by sophisticated automation and maintenance robots. Many voyages last several years.		Ion Freighters are often crewed by only a handful of people, assisted by sophisticated automation and maintenance robots. Many voyages last several years.

	~~Typical~~ characteristics ~~include~~:		A summary of typical characteristics:

	* electric (ion) propulsion		* electric (ion) propulsion
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	* minimal crew		* minimal crew

	~~Although few player groups would choose to own an ion freighter, these~~ vessels are common throughout the Solar System and ~~frequently~~ serve as the setting for adventures involving salvage, piracy, labor disputes, rescue missions, ~~and~~ cargo claims.		These vessels are common throughout the Solar System and may serve as the setting for adventures involving salvage, piracy, labor disputes, repossessions, rescue missions, cargo claims, etc.

			Note that the new Laser Hiway will force some of these vessels into to roles, or obsolete them.

	== Propulsion Systems ==		== Propulsion Systems ==

Mike at 19:10, 16 August 2026

2026-08-16T19:10:35Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:10, 16 August 2026
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	For a while, "home" will be the party, not a ship. The Mission: Impossible team comes to mind. If the players eventually obtain a Deep Space Vehicle (DSV), that will indeed change things—but such vessels are rare, expensive, and difficult to acquire.		For a while, "home" will be the party, not a ship. The Mission: Impossible team comes to mind. If the players eventually obtain a Deep Space Vehicle (DSV), that will indeed change things—but such vessels are rare, expensive, and difficult to acquire.

			It is useful to organize In-System spacecraft by engine types, as much of their rules are not interchangeable:

			[[Chemical Drive Spacecraft]]<br>
			[[Nuclear Thermal Drive Spacecraft]]<br>
			[[Electric Drive Spacecraft]]<br>

	== Spacecraft by Function ==		== Spacecraft by Function ==
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	DSVs are uncommon. Only a few dozen exist during the early years of the setting.		DSVs are uncommon. Only a few dozen exist during the early years of the setting.



	=== Ion Freighters ===		=== Ion Freighters ===