Build:Auxiliary Power Systems
7.4 Auxiliary Power
Cost: 3 SUs per additional fusion reactor (or 5 SUs x Size per additional fission reactor)
Available: 2033 (fission for pre-2033)
Power Generation: 5 Power per set (or 2 Power for fission reactor set)
Ref: Spacedock, pp 40-41
In addition to the fusion reactors which form the impulse engines, most ships carry another set of reactors simply to generate power. Each additional fusion reactor occupies 3 SUs and generates 5 points of Power per round. The crew holds auxiliary power in reserve for use in emergency or crisis situations, rather than using it at all times. Most ships have at least one auxiliary power generator for every 4 points of Size.
A crew can use one of a ship’s auxiliary power reactors to replace damaged or spent reactors in the impulse engines. This takes an hour and requires a Routine Crew Skill Test.
Note: Fission reactors are not produced in the antimatter era, so they are far less efficient and undeveloped after 2063. Fusion reactors, however, are still primary sources of power for most static facilities, including space stations.