Technology level 9

Technology level 9 is the tenth of the Technology level classifications. The defining characteristics of a society reaching TL–9 are two major new practical technologies. The first is a practical fusion power plant, which has the capability of supplying huge amounts of energy in a relatively compact package. The second is the practical control of the forces of gravity. This breakthrough allows for the neutralization of weight and lateral thrust.

In terms of classification TL–9 is the Technological Period of Ur-Tech, the initial planetary bound cycle of development. It also occurs within the Technological Epoch know as the Processor Epoch.

Theoretical Technologies

Physical Science

Detailed gravity manipulation

Jump space described

Material Science / Manufacturing

Crystaliron

industrial composite metals,

Fluidics

Biological Science

Introduction of Cybertechnology

Cultural Science

Quality of Life Technologies

Energy

Early Fusion

Chemical explosive power generators

Information

Non-volatile data storage,

High Data robots

Voice command

Communications

Holovideo recording and transmission

Medicine / Life sciences

Cryogenics suspension

Limb Regeneration

Environment

Arcologies

Orbital Cities

Transportation Technologies

Land transportation

Early Grav Vehicles

Ultra High-Speed Trains

Water

Artificial Gills

Air

Early Grav Vehicles

Rocket Assist Suborbital

Space

Jump-1 possible

Sublight Stellar - NAFAL Drive

Maneuver Drive

Military Technologies

At Technology level 9 advances in electronics begin to level off, but increased space exploration and development of early Jump Drives spurs interest in energy weapons. Impractical for most surface vehicles due to the power and size limitations, but potentially used in surface-based planetary defense arrays. There are few new developments except for marginal advances in fire control systems.

Most warring cultures either finally embrace peace or bomb themselves back a few tech levels and try again. The extremely expensive and hard to defend infrastructure needed to develop jump capability makes it nearly impossible in a wartime environment. Military forces may be called upon to quell local hot spots or otherwise act in a policing role. They may take a strong interest in interstellar ships if it is known that there are other civilizations nearby that have or may soon gain that capability.

Electrostatic armor (ESA) projects a low powered static field around a protected target (usually a vehicle or aircraft). This is linked to a high energy capacitor. When an object enters the field the capacitor discharges its energy which vaporizes the target. Originally designed as a counter to hyper velocity tank rounds, but it is difficult to generate sufficient power to completely vaporize the dense penetrators of most large caliber CPR guns and mass drivers. The ESA is ineffective against laser or particle accelerator weapons, but is highly effective against HEAP rounds and Plasma or Fusion weapons.

See Also

Technology levels

§ == ( Please refer to the following AAB Library Data for more information: ) == §

• Technological Systemics
  • Technology Level
  • Tech Level Comparison Chart
  • Technological Epoch
  • Technological Period
  • Universal Technological Profile
• Foundational Period
  • Tool Making Epoch
    • TL–0
    • TL–1
    • TL–2
    • TL–3
  • Division of Labor Epoch
    • TL–4
    • TL–5
    • TL–6
  • Processor Epoch
    • TL–7
    • TL–8
    • TL–9
• Interstellar Period
  • Gravitics Epoch
    • TL–10
    • TL–11
    • TL–12
  • Biologicals Epoch
    • TL–13
    • TL–14
    • TL–15
  • Artificials Epoch
    • TL–16
    • TL–17
    • TL–18
• Galactic Period / Accelerating Tech Level
  • Matter Transport Epoch
    • TL–19
    • TL–20
    • TL–21
  • Transformations Epoch
  • Psionics Epoch
  • Trans-galactic Epoch
  • Pocket Universe Epoch
  • Post-Technological Period

References & Contributors

This list of sources was used by the Traveller Wiki Editorial Team and individual contributors to compose this article. Copyrighted material is used under license from Mongoose Publishing or by permission of the author. The page history lists all of the contributions.

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• Marc Miller. Referee's Companion (Game Designers Workshop, 1988), 26-34.
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• Jeff Zeitlin. "An Analysis of Tech Levels." Freelance Traveller 012 (2010): 10-12.
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• Marc Miller, Robert Eaglestone, Don McKinney. Starships (Far Future Enterprises, 2019), 223-237.
• Marc Miller, Robert Eaglestone, Don McKinney. Worlds and Adventures (Far Future Enterprises, 2019), 19.