Build:Impulse Propulsion System - Revision history

Dan: /* 6.2.7 Impulse Thrusters */

2026-10-08T12:09:43Z

6.2.7 Impulse Thrusters

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:09, 8 October 2026
Line 184:		Line 184:
	'''Ref:''' ''Spacedock'', p 40		'''Ref:''' ''Spacedock'', p 40

	Ships of Size 5 and smaller can also install impulse thrusters, a special type of thruster which improves a ship’s speed and maneuverability. They add +.1c to the ship’s impulse speed (maximum of .95c) and provide +1 die to roll when the pilot makes ~~Shipboard Systems (Flight Control) Tests~~ to maneuver the ship at speeds of .6c and above. Impulse Thruster technology was not available prior to [[2326]].		Ships of Size 5 and smaller can also install impulse thrusters, a special type of thruster which improves a ship’s speed and maneuverability. They add +.1c to the ship’s impulse speed (maximum of .95c) and provide ''+1 die to roll'' when the pilot makes the [[Skills#Skill_Test\|Crew Skill Test]] to maneuver the ship at speeds of .6c and above. Impulse Thruster technology was not available prior to [[2326]].

	----		----

Dan: /* 6.2.6 Reaction Control System */

2026-10-08T12:07:25Z

6.2.6 Reaction Control System

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:07, 8 October 2026
Line 172:		Line 172:
	'''Ref:''' ''Spacedock'', pp 39-40		'''Ref:''' ''Spacedock'', pp 39-40

	The Reaction Control System (RCS), colloquially known as ~~“thrusters~~,” is used to move the ship while entering or leaving spacedock, or in other situations where precise control of the ship’s motion is necessary. RCS engines are located at appropriate points on the body of a ship. They consist of a gas-fusion reaction chamber, magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) energy field trap, and vectored-thrust exhaust nozzles. Some ships also have an auxiliary RCS system which functions at half strength; this costs 0.5 x Size in SUs. An auxiliary RCS improves a ship’s maneuverability.		The Reaction Control System (RCS), colloquially known as “thrusters”, is used to move the ship while entering or leaving spacedock, or in other situations where precise control of the ship’s motion is necessary. RCS engines are located at appropriate points on the body of a ship. They consist of a gas-fusion reaction chamber, magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) energy field trap, and vectored-thrust exhaust nozzles. Some ships also have an auxiliary RCS system which functions at half strength; this costs 0.5 x Size in SUs. An auxiliary RCS improves a ship’s maneuverability.

	When using the RCS system, which requires a Routine ~~(3) Shipboard Systems (Flight Control)~~ Test for most delicate operations, a ship moves at a top speed of .025c (one-quarter of a Movement Unit per round, in game terms). An RCS occupies 1 x Size in SUs and costs 2 Power per round of use. A ship can double its thruster speed to up to .05c for an additional 3 Power per round.		When using the RCS system, which requires a [[Skills#Skill_Test\|Routine Crew Skill Test]] for most delicate operations, a ship moves at a top speed of .025c (one-quarter of a Movement Unit per round, in game terms). An RCS occupies 1 x Size in SUs and costs 2 Power per round of use. A ship can double its thruster speed to up to .05c for an additional 3 Power per round.

	If a ship has no RCS, or its RCS is malfunctioning, it can try to use impulse engines as thrusters.		If a ship has no RCS, or its RCS is malfunctioning, it can try to use impulse engines as thrusters.

Dan: /* 6.2.6 Reaction Control System */

2026-09-01T16:28:07Z

6.2.6 Reaction Control System

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:28, 1 September 2026
Line 169:		Line 169:
	'''(Required)'''<br>		'''(Required)'''<br>
	'''Cost:''' 1 x Size (Primary), 0.5 x Size (Auxiliary)<br>		'''Cost:''' 1 x Size (Primary), 0.5 x Size (Auxiliary)<br>
	'''Power Requirement:''' <span style="background-color: red;">2 Power per round (Primary)</span><span style="background-color: yellow;">1 Power per round (Auxiliary)</span><br>		'''Power Requirement:''' <span style="background-color: red;">2 Power per round (Primary)</span><span style="background-color: yellow;">''1 Power per round (Auxiliary)''</span><br>
	'''Ref:''' ''Spacedock'', pp 39-40		'''Ref:''' ''Spacedock'', pp 39-40

Dan: /* 6.2.6 Reaction Control System */

2026-09-01T16:27:47Z

6.2.6 Reaction Control System

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:27, 1 September 2026
Line 169:		Line 169:
	'''(Required)'''<br>		'''(Required)'''<br>
	'''Cost:''' 1 x Size (Primary), 0.5 x Size (Auxiliary)<br>		'''Cost:''' 1 x Size (Primary), 0.5 x Size (Auxiliary)<br>
	'''Power Requirement:''' <span style="background-color: red;">2 Power per round</span><br>		'''Power Requirement:''' <span style="background-color: red;">2 Power per round (Primary)</span><span style="background-color: yellow;">1 Power per round (Auxiliary)</span><br>
	'''Ref:''' ''Spacedock'', pp 39-40		'''Ref:''' ''Spacedock'', pp 39-40

Dan: /* 6.2 Impulse Propulsion Systems */

2026-08-26T12:03:08Z

6.2 Impulse Propulsion Systems

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:03, 26 August 2026
Line 7:		Line 7:

	Starships use impulse propulsion systems (IPS) to move slower than the speed of light, which is required for travel within a star’s gravity well, through solar systems, in starship combat, and similar situations. Impulse drives use fusion reactors to generate standard thrust via a standard Newtonian reaction—the thrust “pushes” the ship forward through space. Starships usually drop to impulse when they encounter another ship to facilitate contact (or combat).		Starships use impulse propulsion systems (IPS) to move slower than the speed of light, which is required for travel within a star’s gravity well, through solar systems, in starship combat, and similar situations. Impulse drives use fusion reactors to generate standard thrust via a standard Newtonian reaction—the thrust “pushes” the ship forward through space. Starships usually drop to impulse when they encounter another ship to facilitate contact (or combat).

	IPSs have four components: the impulse reaction chamber (IRC), or fusion reactor, of which there are three per impulse engine; the accelerator/generator (A/G); the driver coil assembly (DCA); and the vectored exhaust director (VED). Energy released in the IRC by the fusion reaction is channelled to the A/G, which raises the velocity of the plasma and feeds it on to the DCA. Electroplasma system (EPS) taps run from the A/G to divert some energy to power other systems on the ship. The DCA creates a field effect which aids the impulse propulsion process, then passes the energy on to the VDA, which directs it to thrust the vehicle in the desired direction.

	===6.2.1 Chemical Propulsion Systems===		===6.2.1 Chemical Propulsion Systems===
Line 66:		Line 64:
	'''Power Requirement:''' <span style="background-color: red;">1 Power per 0.1 ''c'' used per round</span><br>		'''Power Requirement:''' <span style="background-color: red;">1 Power per 0.1 ''c'' used per round</span><br>
	'''Available:''' [[2063]]		'''Available:''' [[2063]]

			Impulse propulsion systems (IPS) have four components: the impulse reaction chamber (IRC), or fusion reactor, of which there are three per impulse engine; the accelerator/generator (A/G); the driver coil assembly (DCA); and the vectored exhaust director (VED). Energy released in the IRC by the fusion reaction is channeled to the A/G, which raises the velocity of the plasma and feeds it on to the DCA. Electroplasma system (EPS) taps run from the A/G to divert some energy to power other systems on the ship. The DCA creates a field effect which aids the impulse propulsion process, then passes the energy on to the VDA, which directs it to thrust the vehicle in the desired direction.

	A main impulse engine (MIE) capable of propelling a starship consists of four linked impulse engines. These engines may be grouped together, or divided into two groups of two to provide balanced thrust for structures such as separated saucer sections.		A main impulse engine (MIE) capable of propelling a starship consists of four linked impulse engines. These engines may be grouped together, or divided into two groups of two to provide balanced thrust for structures such as separated saucer sections.

	An impulse engine is rated for the amount of velocity it can provide, expressed as a percentage of c (the speed of light). Thus, an impulse engine might be said to provide .5c thrust, meaning it can propel a vehicle at half the speed of light. Regardless of an engine’s maximum sublight speed, Star Fleet generally limits impulse travels to .25c (paradoxically referred to as “full impulse”) to minimize the time-dilation problems which occur as a ship approaches speed of light travel. An impulse engine’s Standard speed is .25c or its listed Sustainable speed, whichever is less. Only in starship combat situations do starships commonly move at impulse velocities in excess of .25c.		An impulse engine is rated for the amount of velocity it can provide, expressed as a percentage of ''c'' (the speed of light). Thus, an impulse engine might be said to provide .5c thrust, meaning it can propel a vehicle at half the speed of light. Regardless of an engine’s maximum sublight speed, Star Fleet generally limits impulse travels to .25c (paradoxically referred to as “full impulse”) to minimize the time-dilation problems which occur as a ship approaches speed of light travel. An impulse engine’s Standard speed is .25c or its listed Sustainable speed, whichever is less. Only in starship combat situations do starships commonly move at impulse velocities in excess of .25c.

	Impulse travel costs 1 Power per 0.1c used per round (round fractions of .5 or lower down) (if the ship has multiple impulse engines, it only pays this cost once; additional engines only generate Power, they don’t propel the ship). Thus, a ship traveling at .75c must spend 7 Power per round to use its impulse engine. The Narrator may allow a crewmember to make a Challenging (8) Propulsion Engineering (Impulse) Test to increase the output of the impulse engines slightly (+.10c if the Test succeeds exactly, +.20c if it succeeds by 2 points or more; a ship’s impulse speed cannot exceed .95c). Any additional impulse speed obtained in this way costs 4 Power per 0.1c per round and lasts 1 + 1d6 rounds. For example, if a ship with a Class 3A impulse drive was made to move at .95c, it would cost 15 Power (7+4+4) per round to do so.		Impulse travel costs 1 Power per .1c used per round (round fractions of .05 or lower down) (if the ship has multiple impulse engines, it only pays this cost once; additional engines only generate Power, they don’t propel the ship). Thus, a ship traveling at .75c must spend 7 Power per round to use its impulse engine. The Narrator may allow a crewmember to make a Challenging (8) Propulsion Engineering (Impulse) Test to increase the output of the impulse engines slightly (+.10c if the Test succeeds exactly, +.20c if it succeeds by 2 points or more; a ship’s impulse speed cannot exceed .95c). Any additional impulse speed obtained in this way costs 4 Power per 0.1c per round and lasts 1 + 1d6 rounds. For example, if a ship with a Class 3A impulse drive was made to move at .95c, it would cost 15 Power (7+4+4) per round to do so.

	Impulse engines are also equipped with impulse capacitance cells which can provide a tiny burst of power to them. By releasing the cells’ power directly into the driver coils, a ship can generate a one-second burst of impulse speed when the engines are otherwise not functioning due to lack of power.		Impulse engines are also equipped with impulse capacitance cells which can provide a tiny burst of power to them. By releasing the cells’ power directly into the driver coils, a ship can generate a one-second burst of impulse speed when the engines are otherwise not functioning due to lack of power.

Dan: /* 6.2.2 Fission Propulsion Systems */

2026-08-26T11:27:13Z

6.2.2 Fission Propulsion Systems

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:27, 26 August 2026
Line 26:		Line 26:
	With the unveiling of the DY-B2 interplanetary drive in [[1991]], Humans were catapulted into the solar system in vessels far more capable than in the previous decade, equipped with the relatively limitless fuel of fission-powered nuclear thermal propulsion. By replacing the previous chemical propulsion systems, range was no longer limited to onboard fuel, but by the crew's capacity to generate its own oxygen and subsist on available food sources.		With the unveiling of the DY-B2 interplanetary drive in [[1991]], Humans were catapulted into the solar system in vessels far more capable than in the previous decade, equipped with the relatively limitless fuel of fission-powered nuclear thermal propulsion. By replacing the previous chemical propulsion systems, range was no longer limited to onboard fuel, but by the crew's capacity to generate its own oxygen and subsist on available food sources.

	'''Note:''' this was an addition for game-canon, as the 2nd generation of interplanetary drive modules clearly did not make use of chemical propulsion.		'''Note:''' this was an addition for game-canon, as the 2nd generation of interplanetary drive modules clearly did not make use of chemical propulsion. Velocities are established by the technology of the individual vessel classes and are not handled with that degree of granularity in these rules.

	===6.2.3 Fusion Propulsion Systems/Atomic Piles===		===6.2.3 Fusion Propulsion Systems/Atomic Piles===

Dan: /* Table */

2026-08-26T11:25:36Z

Table

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:25, 26 August 2026
Line 47:		Line 47:
	! Year		! Year
	\|-		\|-
	\|'''Type I ''' \|\| 5 \|\| 0.1c / 0.2c \|\| 6 \|\| [[2036]]		\|'''Type I ''' \|\| 5 \|\| .1c / .2c \|\| 6 \|\| [[2036]]
	\|-		\|-
	\|'''Type II ''' \|\| 10 \|\| 0.11c / 0.23c \|\| 8 \|\| [[2040]]		\|'''Type II ''' \|\| 10 \|\| .11c / .23c \|\| 8 \|\| [[2040]]
	\|-		\|-
	\|'''Type III ''' \|\| 15 \|\| 0.13c / 0.26c \|\| 10 \|\| [[2045]]		\|'''Type III ''' \|\| 15 \|\| .13c / .26c \|\| 10 \|\| [[2045]]
	\|-		\|-
	\|'''Type IV ''' \|\| 20 \|\| 0.14c / 0.29c \|\| 12 \|\| [[2049]]		\|'''Type IV ''' \|\| 20 \|\| .14c / .29c \|\| 12 \|\| [[2049]]
	\|-		\|-
	\|'''Type V ''' \|\| 25 \|\| 0.16c / 0.32 \|\| 16 \|\| [[2054]]		\|'''Type V ''' \|\| 25 \|\| .16c / .32 \|\| 16 \|\| [[2054]]
	\|-		\|-
	\|'''Type VI ''' \|\| 30 \|\| 0.17c / 0.35c \|\| 20 \|\| [[2058]]		\|'''Type VI ''' \|\| 30 \|\| .17c / .35c \|\| 20 \|\| [[2058]]
	\|}		\|}

Dan: /* Table */

2026-08-26T11:25:00Z

Table

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:25, 26 August 2026
Line 86:		Line 86:
	! SU		! SU
	! Sustainable / Maximum<br> Impulse Speed		! Sustainable / Maximum<br> Impulse Speed
	! Power<~~brGeneration~~		! Power<br>Generation
	! Year		! Year
	\|-		\|-

Dan: /* 6.2.4 Main Impulse Engines */

2026-08-26T11:18:38Z

6.2.4 Main Impulse Engines

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:18, 26 August 2026
Line 86:		Line 86:
	! SU		! SU
	! Sustainable / Maximum<br> Impulse Speed		! Sustainable / Maximum<br> Impulse Speed
	! Power		! Power<brGeneration
	! Year		! Year
	\|-		\|-

Dan: /* Table */

2026-08-26T11:18:21Z

Table

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:18, 26 August 2026
Line 44:		Line 44:
	! SU		! SU
	! Sustainable / Maximum<br> Impulse Speed		! Sustainable / Maximum<br> Impulse Speed
	! Power		! Power<br>Generation
	! Year		! Year
	\|-		\|-