Difference between revisions of "Spaceflight"
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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}} | 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= | + | 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. | + | 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. 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]]. | + | 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 and 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]]. 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. | + | 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}} |
== References & Contributors ([[Sources]]) == | == References & Contributors ([[Sources]]) == | ||
Revision as of 04:56, 13 August 2019
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 parsecs.
- Starflight most often involves FTL Jump Drives. Spaceflight is about NAFAL Maneauver Drives.
Description (Specifications)
No information yet available.
Flight Terminology
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 rockets. 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 planets require thousands of tons of fuel and huge dedicated launch facilities, furthermore they are quite dangerous. [1]
Rocketry progresses until the discovery of gravity control technology. Gravitic lifters can move payloads from a planetary surface to orbit much more safely and efficiently. The Gravitic Drive is an outgrowth of gravitic lifters, and civilizations that develop the technology make a significant leap in their interplanetary capability. [2]
As gravitics become less expensive, spaceflight goes from being the exclusive purview of governments, to the business of corporations, 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 shuttles are capable of sustained journeys, even to the outer solar system using a 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. [3]
At TL-11, thruster tech becomes the most efficient means of interplanetary travel. These drives provide efficient reactionless thrust out to 1000 diameters from any large body. [4]Civilizations that develop thrusters 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. [5]
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.[6] 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. [7]
References & Contributors (Sources)
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- Author & Contributor: Lord (Marquis) and Master of Sophontology Maksim-Smelchak of the Ministry of Science
- ↑ Martin Dougherty, Bryan Steele. Central Supply Catalogue (Mongoose Publishing, 2009), page 6.
- ↑ Marc Miller, Robert Eaglestone, Don McKinney. Starships (Far Future Enterprises, 2019), page 56.
- ↑ Marc Miller. Referee's Companion (Game Designers Workshop, 1988), page 33-35.
- ↑ Marc Miller, Robert Eaglestone, Don McKinney. Starships (Far Future Enterprises, 2019), page 56.
- ↑ Citation Missing - Solomani and Aslan
- ↑ J. Andrew Keith, Marc Miller, John Harshman. Zhodani (Game Designers Workshop, 1985), page 7.
- ↑ J. Andrew Keith, Loren Wiseman. K'kree (Game Designers Workshop, 1984), page 4.