Acceleration curve
Revision as of 22:17, 31 January 2011 by CourseDirector (talk | contribs) (Created page with 'The acceleration curve is a linear graph measuring how quickly a space craft accelerates, which in turn is used to calculate its various maximum speeds. The [[Ion-vacuum dri…')
The acceleration curve is a linear graph measuring how quickly a space craft accelerates, which in turn is used to calculate its various maximum speeds.
The Ion-vacuum drive has a maximum exhaust velocity of around seventy-percent of the speed of light(PSL). Thus, every ship using this engine has a theoretical maximum speed of 70PSL.
However, depending on the engine's specific impulse, it may or may not have enough delta-V to reach 70PSL within an allotted time-frame. The acceleration curve is used to calculate the various speed ratings. The exact velocity differs greatly from ship-to-ship, and changes as well according to role. A carrier is, for example, expected to have a very different acceleration curve than a fighter.
