Mass Driver
A Mass Driver is a system that employs an electromagnetic field generated along a rail or within a coil to suspend and accelerate variable-sized masses of material along a straight trajectory at a high velocity.
- Mass Drivers can be used as:
- A Gun or weapons system (also known as a Rail Gun) that is an electromagnetic-propelled slug-thrower.
- A vehicular or craft-based propulsion system, utilizing electromagnetic-propelled mass as reaction mass.
- It is also known as Dyson's Slingshot.
Description (Specifications)[edit]
Device which generates a magnetic field to suspend and accelerate small masses of material along a straight track. The material is expelled at a high velocity on a straight line trajectory. Commonly used as a middle-tech artillery system. Mass drivers are often used to throw small masses over interplanetary distances, particularly in organized belt mining endeavors.
At higher TLs there were bay and spinal mounted versions in development. Most navies were not impressed with the outcome, though a few vessels are so mounted for orbital bombardment.
STL Drive Specifications[edit]
STL Drive Specifications (Starship Propulsion) Category Specifications Remarks Name Mass Driver Reaction Drive TBD Drive Type Electromagnetic Rocket Reaction Drive Velocity TBD TBD Duration TBD TBD Hazards TBD TBD Physical
ConstraintsTBD TBD Geometry TBD TBD Levels TBD TBD Entry TBD TBD Exit TBD TBD Fuel TBD TBD Resource
RequirementsMagnetic Reaction Mass TBD Inventor TBD TBD Characteristics TBD TBD
History & Background (Dossier)[edit]
They are available beginning at TL-8 for ground action as artillery or a Vehicle-mounted Weapon.
References[edit]
- J. Andrew Keith. Beltstrike (Game Designers Workshop, 1984), 10.
- Marc Miller. Referee's Manual (Game Designers Workshop, 1987), .
- Rik "Rycharde" Packham