Editing Spaceflight

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[[Spaceflight]] is a term for any flight outside of a [[planet]]'s [[atmosphere]] in the [[vacuum]]. In most cases, it means flight within a [[star system]].
* It stands in contrast to the term [[Starflight]], which indicates flight from one [[star system]] to another and may include vast distances in terms of [[parsec]]s.
* [[Starflight]] most often involves [[FTL]] [[Jump Drive]]s. Spaceflight is about [[NAFAL]] [[Maneauver Drive]]s.
 
=== Library Data Referral Tree ===
Please refer to the following [[AAB]] [[Library Data]] for more information: <br>
'''[[Starship]]:'''
{{:Referral-Tree-Starship-User-Types}}
{{:Referral-Tree-Advanced-Ship-Classifications}}
{{:Referral-Tree-Basic-Ship-Classifications}}
{{:Referral-Tree-Ships-by-Function}}
{{:Referral-Tree-Speed-of-Travel}}

== Description ([[Specifications]]) ==
Flight within a star system is typically conducted with a [[M-Drive|maneuver drive]]. Due to the efficiencies of the reactionless [[M-drive]] system and the abundant energy supplied by [[fusion]] power plants, [[ship]]s are capable of constant acceleration {{Page cite|name= Starship Operator's Manual|page= page 2|version= MegaTraveller}} . In-system travel between two [[world]]s typically involves departure from orbit around the starting world, acceleration to the mid-point of the journey, a "rollover" maneuver to turn the [[thruster]]s toward the destination, followed by deceleration into orbit around the destination world. The course for such a journey is planned by an [[astrogator]] who takes into account the relative positions and orbital velocities of the two worlds when plotting the maneuver. {{Page cite|name= The Traveller Book|page= page 49 et seq|version= Classic Traveller}}

Interface from orbit to surface may be through launch and landing of the [[ship]], or through the use of auxiliary [[small craft]].

=== Travel Formulae ===
'''Travelling in Charted Space:''' The travel formulae and diagram used by the [[Imperial Navy]] and [[Scout Service]] show a typical interplanetary journey, and equations which can determine time required (if distance and acceleration are known), acceleration required (if distance and time are known), and distance travelled (if time and acceleration are known]. All of the formulae use the MKS (meters, kilograms, seconds) unit system, and assume that the [[ship]] is undertaking a journey from rest, that it accelerates continuously to midpoint of the trip, and then decelerates to rest again. {{Page cite|name= Starships|page=4}}
 
[[File: Trav-Travel-Formulas.jpg|800px]]

== History & Background ([[Dossier]]) ==
Most [[sophont]] species discover spaceflight when an alien ship arrives in orbit around their [[homeworld]]. Those that remain uncontacted until [[TL-6]], and have a sufficient industrial base, will often experiment with chemical [[rocket]]s. Between [[TL-6]] and [[TL-8]], such devices are capable of sending both crewed and robotic probes around a single system, though at a significant cost in resources. Rockets capable of reaching even nearby [[planet]]s require thousands of tons of fuel and huge dedicated launch facilities, furthermore they are quite dangerous. {{Page cite|name= Central Supply Catalogue|page= page 6 |version= Mongoose Traveller}}

Rocketry progresses until the discovery of [[gravity control technology]]. [[Z-Drive|Gravitic lifters]] can move payloads from a planetary surface to orbit much more safely and efficiently. The [[G-Drive|Gravitic Drive]] is an outgrowth of gravitic lifters, and civilizations that develop the [[technology]] make a significant leap in their interplanetary capability. {{Page cite|name= Starships|page= page 56 |version= Traveller 5th}}

As gravitics become less expensive, spaceflight goes from being the exclusive purview of [[government]]s, to the business of [[corporation]]s, and ultimately to individuals. By [[TL-10]] it is not unusual for an individual sophont to own a personal [[grav vehicle]] capable of reaching orbit or even reaching a nearby moon. Larger [[shuttle]]s are capable of sustained journeys, even to the outer solar system using a [[G-drive|Gravitic drive]], though they are not as efficient outside of a gravity well, they still outperform chemical rockets in every category. By this [[tech level]] it is typical for a civilization to have multiple outposts throughout their star system. {{Page cite|name= Referee's Companion|page= page 33-35 |version= Megatraveller}}

At [[TL-11]], [[M-Drive|thruster]] tech becomes the most efficient means of interplanetary travel. These drives provide efficient reactionless thrust out to 1000 diameters from any large body. {{Page cite|name= Starships|page= page 56 |version= Traveller 5th}}Civilizations that develop [[thruster]]s can routinely travel outside of their star’s gravity well, and can establish colonies on suitable worlds within both their inner and outer system. Further gravitic research undertaken in the outer system may lead to the discovery of the [[jump drive]]. {{Page cite|name= Solomani & Aslan |page= page 19|version= Megatraveller}}

This is the typical course of a civilization’s space exploration, but there are exceptions. The [[Zhodani]] made their first space journeys using [[psionic]] [[teleportation]].{{Page cite|name= Zhodani|page= page 7|version= Classic Traveller}} The [[K’Kree]] eschewed rocketry and never bothered to take to space until they had developed gravitics to lift vessels large enough to carry them. {{Page cite|name= K'Kree|page= page 4 |version= Classic Traveller}}

=== Expected Technological Progression of Spacecraft Development ===
* [[Rocket]] → [[Aircraft]] → [[Shuttle]] → [[Spaceplane]] → [[G-Carrier]] → Advanced G-Carrier → [[Interstellar Spacecraft]] → [[Starcraft]]

== References & Contributors ([[Sources]]) ==
{{Intermediate}}
{{Detail}}
{{Sources
|S3= {{Ludography cite|name= T5 Core Rules |page= TBD}}
|S4= Author & Contributor: Lord (Marquis) and Master of Sophontology [[User:Maksim-Smelchak|Maksim-Smelchak]] of the [[Ministry of Science]]
|S5= Author & Contributor:[[user: Matthew Kerwin|Matthew Kerwin]] Baron [[Thon (world)|Thon]]
}}


{{LEN|Flight|Space}}