Difference between revisions of "Maneuver Drive"

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In the period before gravitic drives were introduced, a number of systems were used, often for very different purposes.
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[[File: Imperial-Sunburst-Yellow-wiki.png|right|125px]]
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"[[Maneuver Drive]]" is the general term referring to one of the three primary engineering systems used in [[starship]]s and [[spaceship]]s. The ''Maneuver Drive'' moves ships through [[N-space|normal space]], throughout [[system]]s, and to and from [[planet]]ary surfaces.
 +
* They are also commonly called ''[[Interplanetary Drive]]s'', ''[[Relativistic Drive]]s'' or ''[[Reaction Drive]]s'' ''(but see below)'', as they move a vessel thru ''[[Normal Space]]'' (aka ''Einsteinian Spacetime''). 
 +
** ''Maneuver Drives'' that operate by altering a vessel's momentum are properly referred to as ''"'''[[Impulse Drive]]s'''"''.
 +
** ''Maneuver Drives'' that operate by expelling on-board ''Reaction Mass'' as ''propellant'' are known as ''"'''[[R-Drive|Reaction Rocket]]s'''"''. 
 +
** ''Maneuver Drives'' that are ''propellantless'' and operate by altering momentum via interaction with an external force field are known (in full) as ''"'''Field-Propulsion Impulse Reaction Drives'''"''. ''(Note that they are sometimes inaccurately referred to as "Reactionless Drives".)''
 +
** ''Maneuver Drives'' that are ''propellantless'' and operate by altering their own momentum without an apparent alteration or transfer of momentum in opposite reaction to other bodies or material within [[Normal Space]] are properly referred to as ''"'''Reactionless Drives'''"''.
 +
* The term "''Maneuver Drive''" is a generic term that refers to [[STL]] [[Relativistic Drive]]s in general.
 +
* In common (but technically inaccurate) usage, the term ''[[Impulse Drive]]'' tends to be restricted in its usage to that subset of ''[[Impulse Drive]]s'' that are ''propellantless'' and thus do not qualify as ''[[R-Drive|Reaction Rocket]]s'', (i.e. ''Field-Propulsion Impulse Reaction Drives'' and ''Reactionless Drives'').
 +
* The term "[[Maneuver Drive]]" should not be confused with the term ''"'''[[M-Drive]]'''"'' (= "''[[M-Drive|Maneuver Drive]]''"), which refers specifically to the common modern high performance propellantless ''[[M-Drive|Field-Propulsion Impulse Maneuver Drive Reaction Engine]]'' that reacts against the curvature of [[spacetime]] (i.e. [[gravity|gravity-gradient]]) that is in use at standard [[TL]]s throughout [[Charted Space]], and also underlies both the [[NAFAL]] [[N-Drive]] ''[[N-Drive|Long-Range Field-Propulsion Impulse Maneuver Drive Reaction Engine]]'' and the ''Advanced [[Thruster Plate|Type-T<small><sub>N</sub></small>]] [[Thruster Plate|"Reactionless" Gravito-Nuclear Impulse Field Thruster]]'' used as a ''[[Deep Space Maneuver System]]'', which have all also been occasionally referred to as ''"[[Thruster Plate]]s"''.
 +
* The two other primary engineering systems are [[Jump Drive]] and [[Power Plant]].
 +
* It is a kind of [[Ship Equipment]].  
 +
  
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== Resistojet ==
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== Description ([[Specifications]]) ==
 +
Because the [[M-Drive]] carries the word ''"Maneuver"'' in its title, various references to ''"Maneuver Drives"'' can be confusing: the word may refer to a specific type of drive (...the Maneuver Drive or [[M-Drive]]), or to a general class of [[drive]]s that propel ships by changing their momentum ([[Impulse Drive]]s). The meaning can usually be derived from context. {{Page cite|name=T5 Core Rules|page=323|citeName=T5-323}}
  
−
The earliest and simplest form of propulsion for space vehicles. They are akin to huge teakettles heating quantities of water into high-pressure vapor-which is then released to create thrust. Although simple and inexpensive, they not very inefficient. Miniature resistojets are often used for station keeping and attitude change by much more advanced craft.
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The specific technology used for the maneuver drive depends upon the [[Technology level]] of the worlds producing the ships.
−
 
+
−
 
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=== Typical Drive Designations ===
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== Solid Fuel Rocket ==
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The following '''''[[Impulse Drive]]''''' types are all [[Gravitics]]-based ''Propellantless "'''[[Field-Propulsion Drive]]'''"'' systems found in relatively common use:
 +
* [[Z-Drive]] ([[Lifter]]) or "[[Contragravity]]-Lifter"
 +
* [[G-Drive]] ([[Gravitic Drive]]) ''<small>(Standard Gravitic-Thruster)</small>''
 +
* [[M-Drive]] ([[Gravitics|Gravitic]] "[[M-Drive|Maneuver Drive]]") ''<small>(High-performance Intermediate-Range Gravitic-Thruster / Relativistic Interplanetary Drive)</small>''
 +
* [[N-Drive]] ([[Gravitics|Gravitic]] "[[NAFAL]]" [[NAFAL Drive|Drive]] ''<small>(= "'''N'''ot '''A'''s '''F'''ast '''A'''s '''L'''ight")</small>'')  ''<small>(Long-Range Gravito-Nuclear Thruster / Relativistic Interstellar Drive)</small>''
  
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Usually associated with the propulsion of unmanned missiles. Solid rockets play an important role in the early stages of spaceflight. They can be dangerous to use since, once ignited, they cannot be turned off. As a result, any failures within solid rocket systems have a high probability of catastrophic results. However, the solid rocket retains the advantage of a very high power-to-weight ratio.
+
* [[T-Drive|T<small><sub>N</sub></small>-Drive]] ([[Thruster Plate|"Reactionless" Field Thruster]]) <small>''- (Advanced Gravito-Nuclear [[Thruster Plate]] / Relativistic Interstellar Drive)''
−
 
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</small>
−
 
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:* ''[[Deep Space Maneuver System]]''
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== Liquid Fuel Rocket ==
 
−
 
 
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The basic start-up technology most civilizations use to get off their planet and into space. The high power of these engines makes them good bootstraps, but also makes them voracious fuel eaters. While some energy can be gained from rockets, this is usually ignored or used to charge batteries since rocket operation is usually very short. The rockets most frequently encountered in known space (98% of the time) are cryogenically fueled (liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen). Others use hydrocarbons, although the costs and environmental disadvantages of using that fuel type generally outweigh any conceivable advantages.
 
−
 
 
−
 
 
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== Ion Drive ==
 
−
 
 
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Becomes practical for manned vehicles at TL7. The thrust in this system is created by electronically reducing the fuel to a stream of charged particles (ions) which creates a very low thrust. The ion engine indicated on the chart is actually comprised of more than 100 separate 5O-centimeter thrusters. The primary advantage of this system is its endurance, low power requirements and reliability. However, the low velocities generally relegate vessels of this type to short range runs taking weeks or even months. The fuels used for this are known as ’ionizates. ”This term includes mercury, d u m and a variety of liquefied noble gases (argon, neon, krypton, etc.).The values given for this fuel represent an average since some of these substances would be more than indicated and others lighter. Ionizates are found as trace elements on most Earth-like atmospheres, but are more frequently gathered from certain gas giants and their moons, which occasionally boast large concentrations of noble gases.
 
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== Mass Drivers ==
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=== Alternative Drive Types ===
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In addition to the widely-available gravity-based vector movement drives, other drives are available. These are used by cultures who never developed, or don't have access to, the [[Gravity Control Technology|grav based]] drive systems.
 +
* [[Rocket Drive|Reaction Drive]] <small>(R-Drive)
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: '' - (Reaction Rocket - using reaction-mass):''</small>
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:* [[Rocket Drive#Chemical_Rockets|Chemical Rocket]] <small>(R<sub>C</sub>-Drive)</small>
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:* [[Rocket Drive#Electric_Rockets|Electric Rocket]]
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::* ''Electrostatic:'' [[Ion Drive]] <small>(R<sub>E</sub>-Drive)</small>
 +
::* ''Electromagnetic:'' [[Magneto-plasma Dynamic Drive|MPD Drive]] <small>((R<sub>M</sub>/P<sub>M</sub>) R<sub>P</sub>-Drive)</small>
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::* ''Electrothermal:'' [[VASIMR|VASIMR Drive]] <small>((R<sub>T</sub>/P<sub>T</sub>) R<sub>P</sub>-Drive)</small>
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:* [[Rocket Drive#Nuclear_Rockets|Nuclear Rocket]]
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::* [[Nuclear Thermal Rocket]] (NTR) - <small>(R<sub>N</sub>/P<sub>N</sub>-Drive)</small>
 +
:::* [[High Efficiency Plasma Recombustion]] ([[HEPLaR]]) <small>(R<sub>H</sub>/P<sub>H</sub>-Drive)</small>
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::* [[Fusion Drive]] ([[Fusion Torch Rocket|Fusion Torch]]) <small>(R<sub>F</sub>-Drive / F-Drive)</small>
 +
::* [[Orion Drive]] ([[O1-Drive|Fission Orion  <small>(O<sub>1</sub>-Drive)</small>]] and [[O2-Drive|Fusion Orion <small>(O<sub>2</sub>-Drive)</small>]])
 +
:* [[Wikipedia:Antimatter rocket|Antimatter Rocket]]s
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::* [[Orion Drive]] ([[O2.5-Drive|Hybrid Orion <small>(O<sub>2bis</sub>-Drive)</small>]]/[[Wikipedia:Antimatter-catalyzed nuclear pulse propulsion|ANPR]] and [[O3-Drive|AM Orion <small>(O<sub>3</sub>-Drive)</small>]])
 +
::* [[Antimatter Thermal Rocket]] (ATR) - <small>(R<sub>A</sub>-Drive)</small>
 +
::* [[Antimatter Pion Drive]] <small>(A-Drive)</small>
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* [[Solar Sail]] <small>''- (using external particle or field pressure)''</small>
 +
:* [[Light Sail]]
 +
:* [[Plasma Sail]]
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:* [[Magnetic Sail]]
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:* [[Shkadov Thruster]]
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* [[Reactionless Drive]]
 +
:* [[T-Drive]] ([[T-Drive|Reactionless Motion Thruster]])
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::* [[Dean Drive|Gyroscopic Inertial Thruster]] (GIT)
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::* [[Dean Drive|Dean Space-drive Thruster]]
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:* [[T-Drive|T<small><sub>N</sub></small>-Drive]] ([[Thruster Plate|Reactionless Field Thruster]])
 +
::* [[Deep Space Maneuver System]] <small>''- (Advanced Gravito-Nuclear [[Thruster Plate]])''
 +
</small>
  
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MDs use electromagnetic repulsion (the principle used by the weapons of the same name) to generate thrust. Wily, just as firing a gun will impart acceleration to the firer in Zero-G, so will the electronic firing of rocks-which in this case are propelled in (and discharged from) an endless treadmill of steel containers. The primary darwback to such systems is that they require tremendous amount of raw mass as propellant. Poor prospectors find this vice to be a virtue-can put a pressure  dome on a small asteroid (very small), emplace one or two mass drivers and begin firing pieces of the rock for propulsion. Another major use of this system is to propel promising asteroids out of a belt and toward mining vessels which can then reduce the asteroids to useable ores.
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=== STL Drive Specifications ===
 +
:{| class="wikitable sortable"
 +
|+ STL Drive Specifications ([[Starship]] Propulsion)
 +
! Category
 +
! Specifications
 +
! Remarks
 +
|- valign="top"
 +
| Name
 +
| Generic [[Impulse Drive]] / [[Reaction Drive]]
 +
| [[Reaction Drive|Reaction Rocket]]; Propellantless Field [[Impulse Drive]]; Reactionless [[Thruster]]
 +
|- valign="top"
 +
| Drive Type
 +
| [[Relativistic Drive]] [[STL]]
 +
| Sublight [[Normal Space|Relativistic space]] [[drive]].
 +
|- valign="top"
 +
| Velocity
 +
| 6-9 G
 +
| Few fighters can exceed sustained 6-9 G acceleration due to pilot limitations. Compensators can sometimes allow higher acceleration. Missiles and unmanned craft can exceed 9 G.
 +
|- valign="top"
 +
| Duration
 +
| Limited by reaction mass or fuel tankage.
 +
| Smallcraft rarely carry more than a few hours of sustained reaction mass or fuel.  
 +
|- valign="top"
 +
| Hazards
 +
| Collision or drive failure
 +
| The vacuum is an unfriendly environment for most lifeforms and life support is always potentially failure ridden.  
 +
|- valign="top"
 +
| Physical<br> Constraints
 +
| Biophysiological limitations
 +
| [[Lifeform]]s tend to be fragile even with [[inertial compensator]]s.
 +
|- valign="top"
 +
| Geometry
 +
| ~ "Euclidean" ''(Perceived)''<br>(Riemannian / Geodesic Trajectories)
 +
| Conventional [[space-time]]
 +
|- valign="top"
 +
| Levels
 +
| 1 level
 +
| Conventional [[space-time]] or [[normal space]]
 +
|- valign="top"
 +
| Entry
 +
| n/a
 +
| n/a
 +
|- valign="top"
 +
| Exit
 +
| n/a  
 +
| n/a  
 +
|- valign="top"
 +
| Fuel
 +
| Drive-Dependent
 +
| Typically conventional reaction mass or hydrogen fuel
 +
|- valign="top"
 +
| Resource<br> Requirements
 +
| Machinery, fuel, electricity, etc.
 +
| Fusion power plants are in widespread use. Other plant types also exist.  
 +
|- valign="top"
 +
| Inventor
 +
| Various
 +
| Various
 +
|- valign="top"
 +
| Characteristics
 +
| Various
 +
| Starships typically make use of a number of disparate technologies and drives.  
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
  
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== Nuclear Thermal Rockets ==
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== History & Background ([[Dossier]]) ==
 +
The earliest [[spacecraft]] in most sophont societies tend to utilize [[rocket]]s or [[rocket drive]]s. As the technology base for a society grows so too does an array of ever more sophisticated [[drive]]s.
  
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These need a dedicated, on board nuclear power plant in order to function. They use the heat from the reactor to excite liquefied gases for a high-pressure release. This gives them the nickname “nuclear teakettles.” Nuclear thermal rockets are very efficient, but very expensive, systems-they require the addition of a separate power plant. They are most effective when using liquefied hydrogen, although most non-oxidizing atmospheric gases will do in a pinch. This gives the vehicle an excellent self-refueling capability-which is handy since it is still a fairly voracious consumer of fuel.
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By the [[TL:10-12]] [[technological epoch]], [[gravity control technology]] tends to become commonplace and [[Gravitic Drive]]s or [[G-Drive]]s become widely available on [[world]]s able to support the [[technology]].
  
 +
=== Technological Overview of Projected Propulsion Technology ===
 +
''Expected Drive Development Sequence: [[NAFAL]] to [[FTL]]''
 +
* [[Relativistic Drive]] ([[STL]] / [[NAFAL]]) → [[Jump Drive]] → [[Hop Drive]] → [[Skip Drive]] → [[Leap Drive]] → [[Bound Drive]] → [[Vault Drive]] → [[Six Drive|"Six" Drive]] → [[Seven Drive|"Seven" Drive]] → [[Eight Drive|"Eight" Drive]] → [[Nine Drive|"Nine" Drive]]
  
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== MPD ==
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<br>
 +
-----
 +
-----
  
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Magneto-plasma-dynamic drives utilize hydrogen plasma to create thrust. This is, in effect, a crude, very low temperature plasma gun. With this technology, true in system commerce can begin to flourish freely and easily.
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== Library Data Referral Tree ==
 +
Please refer to the following [[AAB]] [[Library Data]] for more information:
  
 +
<br>
 +
'''[[Starship]]s:''' <br>
  
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== Fusion Rockets ==
+
-----
 +
-----
 +
{{hidden
 +
  |header = Speed-of-Travel
 +
  |ta1 = left
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  |headercss =  
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  |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
 +
}}
 +
-----
 +
-----
  
−
Identical to those in [[COACC]], but given the importance of space exploration and utilization, this technology is pressed into intrastellar use long before it becomes common in COACC military craft. Generally, after first being used as an energy source, fusion technology is next employed in spacecraft because of its excellent power-to-thrust ratio and because it produces considerable power to run the ship’s other systems. Even after gravitic drives arrive on the scene, many designers prefer fusion because these drive-unlike gravitics do not experience decreased performance when they venture more than 100 diameters from a significant gravity source. Of course, this limitation to gravitic drives disappears at TL11, when fusion drives lose their last tangible advantage. Experimental fusion rockets (more properly called plasma rockets) are used at the very end of TL8. With fusion moving just past the break-even stage, they represent the first application of this immature technology in a spaceflight role.
 
  
 +
== References ==
 +
{{Intermediate}}
 +
{{Detail}}
 +
{{Sources
 +
| {{Ludography cite|name= Starships |version= Classic Traveller |page= 13,22}}
 +
| {{Ludography cite|name= High Guard |version= Classic Traveller |page= 22,23}}
 +
| {{Ludography cite|name= Imperium Staple 07 |page= TBD}}
 +
| {{Ludography cite|name= Imperium Staple 08 |page= TBD}}
 +
| {{Ludography cite|name= Referee's Manual |version= MegaTraveller |page= 56}}
 +
| {{Ludography cite|name= Starship Operator's Manual |version= MegaTraveller |page= 2}}
 +
| {{Ludography cite|name= Challenge 72 |article= Sublight Drives |page= TBD}}
 +
| {{Ludography cite|name= Fire, Fusion, & Steel |version= Traveller The New Era|page= 72-73}}
 +
| {{Ludography cite|name= Starships |version= Marc Miller's Traveller |page= 71}}
 +
| {{Ludography cite|name= Fire, Fusion & Steel |version= Marc Miller's Traveller |page= 65}}
 +
| {{Ludography cite|name= T5 Core Rules |page= 323-327}}
 +
| {{Ludography cite|name= Starships |version= Traveller 5th |page= 55-56, 63, 76-79, 100-109}}
 +
| {{Ludography cite|name= Starship Operator's Manual |version= Mongoose 2nd |page= 77}}
 +
| [https://arxiv.org/pdf/2507.00084 ArXiv.org Facets of Brachistochronic Trajectories]
 +
| [https://transfercalculator.com/ Planetary Transfer Calculator]
 +
}}
  
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Source: [[Hard Times]]
 
  
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{{LE|M|Technology}}
+
[[Category: Ship Equipment]]
 +
{{LE|Drive|Good|Propulsion|Technology}}

Latest revision as of 23:07, 16 January 2026

Imperial-Sunburst-Yellow-wiki.png

"Maneuver Drive" is the general term referring to one of the three primary engineering systems used in starships and spaceships. The Maneuver Drive moves ships through normal space, throughout systems, and to and from planetary surfaces.


Description (Specifications)[edit]

Because the M-Drive carries the word "Maneuver" in its title, various references to "Maneuver Drives" can be confusing: the word may refer to a specific type of drive (...the Maneuver Drive or M-Drive), or to a general class of drives that propel ships by changing their momentum (Impulse Drives). The meaning can usually be derived from context. [1]

The specific technology used for the maneuver drive depends upon the Technology level of the worlds producing the ships.

Typical Drive Designations[edit]

The following Impulse Drive types are all Gravitics-based Propellantless "Field-Propulsion Drive" systems found in relatively common use:

Alternative Drive Types[edit]

In addition to the widely-available gravity-based vector movement drives, other drives are available. These are used by cultures who never developed, or don't have access to, the grav based drive systems.

- (Reaction Rocket - using reaction-mass):
  • Solar Sail - (using external particle or field pressure)

STL Drive Specifications[edit]

STL Drive Specifications (Starship Propulsion)
Category Specifications Remarks
Name Generic Impulse Drive / Reaction Drive Reaction Rocket; Propellantless Field Impulse Drive; Reactionless Thruster
Drive Type Relativistic Drive STL Sublight Relativistic space drive.
Velocity 6-9 G Few fighters can exceed sustained 6-9 G acceleration due to pilot limitations. Compensators can sometimes allow higher acceleration. Missiles and unmanned craft can exceed 9 G.
Duration Limited by reaction mass or fuel tankage. Smallcraft rarely carry more than a few hours of sustained reaction mass or fuel.
Hazards Collision or drive failure The vacuum is an unfriendly environment for most lifeforms and life support is always potentially failure ridden.
Physical
Constraints 		Biophysiological limitations Lifeforms tend to be fragile even with inertial compensators.
Geometry ~ "Euclidean" (Perceived)
(Riemannian / Geodesic Trajectories) 		Conventional space-time
Levels 1 level Conventional space-time or normal space
Entry n/a n/a
Exit n/a n/a
Fuel Drive-Dependent Typically conventional reaction mass or hydrogen fuel
Resource
Requirements 		Machinery, fuel, electricity, etc. Fusion power plants are in widespread use. Other plant types also exist.
Inventor Various Various
Characteristics Various Starships typically make use of a number of disparate technologies and drives.


History & Background (Dossier)[edit]

The earliest spacecraft in most sophont societies tend to utilize rockets or rocket drives. As the technology base for a society grows so too does an array of ever more sophisticated drives.

By the TL:10-12 technological epoch, gravity control technology tends to become commonplace and Gravitic Drives or G-Drives become widely available on worlds able to support the technology.

Technological Overview of Projected Propulsion Technology[edit]

Expected Drive Development Sequence: NAFAL to FTL


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[edit]

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