Difference between revisions of "M-Drive"

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The [[M-Drive]], or ''[[Maneuver Drive]]'', a {{TL|9}}+ [[Gravity Control Technology|gravity control]] based technology used as the standard [[Maneuver Drive]] in [[Starships]]. Also know as ''Thrusters'' or ''Thruster Plates'' due to their design, and ''Reactionless Thrusters'' from their apparent operation.  
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[[File: Wiki Navy.png|right]]
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The [[M-Drive]], or ''[[Maneuver Drive]]'', a {{TL|9}}+ [[Gravity Control Technology|gravity control]] based technology used as the standard [[Maneuver Drive]] in [[Starships]].  
 +
* It is also known as a [[Thruster Plate]], and also (somewhat inaccurately) as a [[Reactionless Drive]] or [[Reactionless Thruster]] due to their design and their apparent mode of operation, though they are more correctly described as a ''propellantless field-drive'' as they do interact with and react against local gravitational fields and bodies via spacetime curvature.
 +
* The term ''"M-Drive"'' refers specifically to the [[Thruster Plate]] [[Maneuver Drive]] system that reacts against the curvature of [[spacetime]] (i.e. gravity) that is in use at standard TL throughout [[Charted Space]], and should not be confused with the generic term "''[[Maneuver Drive]]''" that refers to [[Impulse Drive]]s and other [[Relativistic Drive]]s in general.
  
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See also:
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* [[G-Drive]]
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== Description ([[Specifications]]) ==
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* [[Z-Drive]]
 
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* [[NAFAL N-Drive]]
 
−
 
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== Description ==
 
 
The fourth significant development came from the search for a [[starship]] maneuver drive that did not lose efficiency when away from a strong gravity well. [[Gravity control technology|Artificial gravity]] and [[Nuclear damper|damper]] technology led to yet another sub-atomic force-based technology. This new, artificially generated force pushes against a vessel's "thrust plates" themselves, which make true reactionless thrusters a reality for starship sized vessels. {{Page cite|name=Referee's Manual|page=56}}
 
The fourth significant development came from the search for a [[starship]] maneuver drive that did not lose efficiency when away from a strong gravity well. [[Gravity control technology|Artificial gravity]] and [[Nuclear damper|damper]] technology led to yet another sub-atomic force-based technology. This new, artificially generated force pushes against a vessel's "thrust plates" themselves, which make true reactionless thrusters a reality for starship sized vessels. {{Page cite|name=Referee's Manual|page=56}}
  
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Unlike the ant in the earlier example, however, the slope of the bowl has a different effect on the gravitic-drive ships. They depend upon the slope for propulsion. Beyond a certain point, quantum-gravitic effects drastically reduce the efficiency of a gravitic drive ship by a factor of a hundred or more, and thus they cannot maneuver effectively in deep space. {{Page cite|citeName=S71}}  
 
Unlike the ant in the earlier example, however, the slope of the bowl has a different effect on the gravitic-drive ships. They depend upon the slope for propulsion. Beyond a certain point, quantum-gravitic effects drastically reduce the efficiency of a gravitic drive ship by a factor of a hundred or more, and thus they cannot maneuver effectively in deep space. {{Page cite|citeName=S71}}  
  
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Thruster plates work normally until the curvature of space reaches a threshold. Below that threshold, quantum-gravitic effects drastically cut the effectiveness, by a factor of a hundred or more. That cutoff level turns out to be around 1,000 Diameters (about 2,000 AU for most main sequence stars). Thus Thruster plate equipped ships can't maneuver effectively in deep space. Ships intended to routinely operate out beyond the cutoff are generally designed with some form of auxiliary propulsion ([[Fusion Drive]]s or [[HEPlaR]] are the most popular).{{Page cite|name=Fire, Fusion & Steel|page=65}}
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Thruster plates work normally until the curvature of space reaches a threshold. Below that threshold, quantum-gravitic effects drastically cut the effectiveness, by a factor of a hundred or more. That cutoff level turns out to be around 1,000 Diameters (9.3 AU for the sun, within the orbit of Saturn. Red Dwarfs can have limits as small as 1 AU, and Blue Giants can have limits as large as 30 AU). Thus Thruster plate equipped ships can't maneuver effectively in deep space. Ships intended to routinely operate out beyond the cutoff are generally designed with some form of auxiliary propulsion ([[Fusion Drive]]s or [[HEPlaR]] are the most common),{{Page cite|name=Fire, Fusion & Steel|page=65}} or an alternative [[Deep Space Maneuver System]] (DSMS).
 +
 
 +
=== STL Drive Specifications ===
 +
:{| class="wikitable sortable"
 +
|+ STL Drive Specifications ([[Starship]] Propulsion)
 +
! Category
 +
! Specifications
 +
! Remarks
 +
|- valign="top"
 +
| Name
 +
| Impulse Field Thruster
 +
| "Maneuver Thruster"
 +
* "M-Drive"
 +
|- valign="top"
 +
| TL
 +
| 12
 +
| Standard TL
 +
|- valign="top"
 +
| Drive Type
 +
| Field Impulse Drive
 +
| Propellantless
 +
|- valign="top"
 +
| Acceleration
 +
| 1-9''g''
 +
| TBD
 +
|- valign="top"
 +
| Duration
 +
| TBD
 +
| TBD
 +
|- valign="top"
 +
| Hazards
 +
| TBD
 +
| TBD
 +
|- valign="top"
 +
| Physical<br> Constraints
 +
| 1000 diameter operational range
 +
| TBD
 +
|- valign="top"
 +
| Geometry
 +
| TBD
 +
| TBD
 +
|- valign="top"
 +
| Levels
 +
| 1-9
 +
| TBD
 +
|- valign="top"
 +
| Entry
 +
| TBD
 +
| TBD
 +
|- valign="top"
 +
| Exit
 +
| TBD
 +
| TBD
 +
|- valign="top"
 +
| Fuel
 +
| Electrical power
 +
| TBD
 +
|- valign="top"
 +
| Resource<br> Requirements
 +
| External Gra
 +
| TBD
 +
|- valign="top"
 +
| Inventor
 +
| TBD
 +
| TBD
 +
|- valign="top"
 +
| Characteristics
 +
| Integral Inertial Dampers/Acceleration Compensation
 +
| TBD
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
 
 +
== History & Background ([[Dossier]]) ==
 +
The theoretical underpinnings of M-Drives involve the strength of gravitational fields from [[star]]s and [[world]]s. The practical result is that In-System Drives operate within specific distances of [[star]]s and [[world]]s, and are essentially unusable beyond those distances. {{Page cite|name=T5 Core Rules|page=323}}
 +
 
 +
Power for the drives is provided by the ship's [[power plant]]. [[Technology level]] requirements for maneuver drives are imposed to cover the [[Gravity control technology|grav plates]] integral to most ship decks, and which allow high-G maneuvers while interior G-fields remain normal.
 +
 
  
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The theoretical underpinnings of M-Drives involve the strength of gravitational fields from stars and worlds. The practical result is that In-System Drives operate within specific distances of [[star]]s and [[world]]s, and are essentially unusable beyond those distances. {{Page cite|name=T5 Core Rules|page=323}}
+
<br>
 +
-----
 +
-----
 +
== Library Data Referral Tree ==
 +
Please refer to the following [[AAB]] [[Library Data]] for more information:
  
−
Power for the drives is provided by the ship's power plant. [[Technology level]] requirements for maneuver drives are imposed to cover the [[Gravity control technology|grav plates]] integral to most ship decks, and which allow high-G maneuvers while interior G-fields remain normal.
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<br>
 +
'''[[Starship]]s:''' <br>
 +
 
 +
-----
 +
-----
 +
{{hidden
 +
  |header = Speed-of-Travel
 +
  |ta1 = left
 +
  |headercss =
 +
  |content =
 +
{{:Referral-Tree-Speed-of-Travel}}
 +
  |contentcss =
 +
  |ta2 = left
 +
}}
 +
-----
 +
{{hidden
 +
  |header = Impulse-Drives
 +
  |ta1 = left
 +
  |headercss =
 +
  |content =
 +
{{:Referral-Tree-Impulse-Drives}}
 +
  |contentcss =
 +
  |ta2 = left
 +
}}
 +
-----
 +
{{hidden
 +
  |header = Interstellar-Drives (Advanced)
 +
  |ta1 = left
 +
  |headercss =
 +
  |content =
 +
{{:Referral-Tree-Interstellar-Drives (Advanced)}}
 +
  |contentcss =
 +
  |ta2 = left
 +
}}
 +
-----
 +
-----
  
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== History and Background ==
 
−
''No information yet available.''
 
  
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== References and contributors ==
+
== References & Contributors ([[Sources]]) ==
 +
{{Metadata}}
 
{{Intermediate}}
 
{{Intermediate}}
−
{{Detail}}
 
 
{{Sources
 
{{Sources
−
|S1= {{Ludography cite|name=Referee's Manual|page=56}}  
+
| S1= {{Ludography cite|name= Referee's Manual |page= 56}}  
−
|S2= {{Ludography cite|name=Fire, Fusion, & Steel|page=72-73}}
+
| S2= {{Ludography cite|name= Fire, Fusion, & Steel |version= Traveller The New Era |page= 72-73}}
−
|S3= {{Ludography cite|name=Starships|version=Marc Miller's Traveller|page=71}}
+
| S3= {{Ludography cite|name= Starships|version= Marc Miller's Traveller |page=71}}
−
|S4= {{Ludography cite|name=Fire, Fusion & Steel|page=65}}
+
| S4= {{Ludography cite|name= Fire, Fusion & Steel |version= Marc Miller's Traveller |page=65}}
−
|S5= {{Ludography cite|name=T5 Core Rules|page=323-327}}
+
| S5= {{Ludography cite|name= Starship Operator's Manual |version= MegaTraveller |page= 2-4}}
−
|S6= Author & Contributor: Lord (Marquis) and Master of Sophontology [[User:Maksim-Smelchak|Maksim-Smelchak]] of the [[Ministry of Science]]  
+
| S6= {{Ludography cite|name= Starship Operator's Manual |version= Mongoose 2nd |page= }}
 +
| S7= {{Ludography cite|name= T5 Core Rules |page=323-327}}
 +
| S8= {{Ludography cite|name= Starships |version= Traveller 5th |page= 55-56, 63, 76-79, 100-109}}
 +
| S9= [https://arxiv.org/pdf/2507.00084 ArXiv.org Facets of Brachistochronic Trajectories]
 +
| S10= [https://transfercalculator.com/ Planetary Transfer Calculator]
 +
| S11= [[Traveller Wiki Editorial Team]]
 +
| S12= Author & Contributor: Lord (Marquis) and Master of Sophontology [[User:Maksim-Smelchak|Maksim-Smelchak]] of the [[Ministry of Science]]  
 
}}
 
}}
  
  
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{{LE|Technology}}
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[[Category: Ship Equipment]]
 +
{{LE|Propulsion|Drive}}

Latest revision as of 01:35, 16 January 2026

Wiki Navy.png

The M-Drive, or Maneuver Drive, a TL–9+ gravity control based technology used as the standard Maneuver Drive in Starships.


Description (Specifications)[edit]

The fourth significant development came from the search for a starship maneuver drive that did not lose efficiency when away from a strong gravity well. Artificial gravity and damper technology led to yet another sub-atomic force-based technology. This new, artificially generated force pushes against a vessel's "thrust plates" themselves, which make true reactionless thrusters a reality for starship sized vessels. [1]

The M-Drive use their own gravity field itself for propulsion, by "grabbing on" to the curvature of space and running along it much like an ant on the slope of a sugar-bowl. The M-Drive uses the stellar system itself as their reaction mass. [2]

Unlike the ant in the earlier example, however, the slope of the bowl has a different effect on the gravitic-drive ships. They depend upon the slope for propulsion. Beyond a certain point, quantum-gravitic effects drastically reduce the efficiency of a gravitic drive ship by a factor of a hundred or more, and thus they cannot maneuver effectively in deep space. [2]

Thruster plates work normally until the curvature of space reaches a threshold. Below that threshold, quantum-gravitic effects drastically cut the effectiveness, by a factor of a hundred or more. That cutoff level turns out to be around 1,000 Diameters (9.3 AU for the sun, within the orbit of Saturn. Red Dwarfs can have limits as small as 1 AU, and Blue Giants can have limits as large as 30 AU). Thus Thruster plate equipped ships can't maneuver effectively in deep space. Ships intended to routinely operate out beyond the cutoff are generally designed with some form of auxiliary propulsion (Fusion Drives or HEPlaR are the most common),[3] or an alternative Deep Space Maneuver System (DSMS).

STL Drive Specifications[edit]

STL Drive Specifications (Starship Propulsion)
Category Specifications Remarks
Name Impulse Field Thruster "Maneuver Thruster"
  • "M-Drive"
TL 12 Standard TL
Drive Type Field Impulse Drive Propellantless
Acceleration 1-9g TBD
Duration TBD TBD
Hazards TBD TBD
Physical
Constraints 		1000 diameter operational range TBD
Geometry TBD TBD
Levels 1-9 TBD
Entry TBD TBD
Exit TBD TBD
Fuel Electrical power TBD
Resource
Requirements 		External Gra TBD
Inventor TBD TBD
Characteristics Integral Inertial Dampers/Acceleration Compensation TBD


History & Background (Dossier)[edit]

The theoretical underpinnings of M-Drives involve the strength of gravitational fields from stars and worlds. The practical result is that In-System Drives operate within specific distances of stars and worlds, and are essentially unusable beyond those distances. [4]

Power for the drives is provided by the ship's power plant. Technology level requirements for maneuver drives are imposed to cover the grav plates integral to most ship decks, and which allow high-G maneuvers while interior G-fields remain normal.



Library Data Referral Tree[edit]

Please refer to the following AAB Library Data for more information:


Starships:

Speed-of-Travel
  • NAFAL (STL) - (Not As Fast As Light) / (Slower Than Light)
  • Light Speed (c)
  • FTL - (Faster Than Light) - "Superluminal"
» Imperial Standard Astronomical Unit
» Solomani Parsec
» Vilani Parsec ("Deshi")
» Imperial Standard Parsec
Impulse-Drives
(Field Propulsion Drives / Propellantless Drives)
Interstellar-Drives (Advanced)
» Hieronymous Nexus Linkage
  • Conjectural Drives
» Hieronymous Device
  • "Inertialess Drives":
» Inertialess Drive ("IM -Drive")
» Triplanetary Drive ("IT -Drive")


References & Contributors (Sources)[edit]

This article has metadata.
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.
Retrieved from "http://wiki.travellerrpg.com/index.php?title=M-Drive&oldid=1001808"