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| − | Specifically in reference to Faster Than Light '''''Propulsion''''', this article focuses on how the FTL drives covered in the Course Books work and how speeds are determined. Under simplest terms, a ship is able to travel faster than light by moving itself partially out of normal space. | + | Specifically in reference to Faster Than Light '''''Propulsion''''', this article focuses on how the FTL drives work and how speeds are determined. Under simplest terms, a ship is able to travel faster than light by moving itself partially out of normal space. |
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| − | ==FTL Jump Stages== | + | ==FTL Factor== |
| − | Going from sub-light to faster-than-light requires the ship to "jump", accelerating rapidly from the maximum normal-space speed(around 70 PSL) to several times faster than the speed of light. This requires a series of events to happen in very precise order.
| + | [[FTL Factor]] determines how fast a ship is moving. This is a relative speed, as ships traveling at FTL never stop accelerating. |
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| − | * 1. After plotting a course, the ship accelerates along it to it's maximum-possible sublight speed(not to be confused with it's [[Acceleration curve]].
| + | ==Gravitational Distortion Issue== |
| | + | Most FTL drives that keep the ship in normal space, such as Python and Slipstream drives, as subject to gravitational distortion. The gravity fields from stars and planets affect the drive field, and result in unpredictable bursts of acceleration. This precluded the use of FTL within most solar systems(though, jumps can be made from the outer solar system if there are no large planets in the way), and causes significant navigational concerns for FTL courses. Generally speaking, a course is plotted that does not pass near any intense gravitational fields. |
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| − | * 2. The Phython Reactor produces the energy mantle
| + | [[Category:Course Books]] |
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| − | * 3. The Gravity Field Generator(GFG) ramps output, reducing the ship's mass and increasing acceleration.
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| − | * 4. A burst of Pythons is released, either through the ship's N-space drive or through a special "jump" drive.
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| − | * 5. At the same time as the Python Burst, the GFGs reach their peek and reduce the ship's mass to 0, resulting in a sudden burst of extreme acceleration.
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| − | * 6. During the acceleration burst, the energy mantle moves the ship partially out of normal space.
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| − | * 7. The N-space drives kick in, and the ship is now traveling faster than light.
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| − | If everything goes right, the ship will accelerate from around 70 PSL to 2 or 3 times the speed of light in an instant. Compensation from inertial dampers is also critical, and must be precisely timed with the GFG output or the crew will end up as greasy little smears on the back wall of the ship.
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| − | Large vessels, such as capitol ships and large commercial carriers, are extremely vulnerable during the first stage. The ship must accelerate along a very straight, predictable trajectory. For some civilian ships, this stage may take several hours.
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| − | In general, a minimum velocity of fifty PSL is required to imitate a jump, though the transition is much smoother at higher speeds. The [[Star Hammer]] 90 PSL+ transitions from top speed to FTL so smoothly most passengers do not even notice.
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| − | ==Components==
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| − | ===Python Reactor===
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| − | The [[Python Reactor]] is the heart of the standard FTL drive. Many races and civilizations have created their own variations, but the principles are the same. The reactor serves a number of functions. It does not generate electrical power.
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| − | ===Photonic Core===
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| − | At the heart of the Python Reactor is the Photonic Core. This key component is made from exotic, extremely high-density materials and is, in simplest terms, a giant light bulb. The core produces large amounts of photons, and among the photons is a sub atomic particle called a Python. Pythons are capable of traveling faster than light.
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| − | Energy from the photonic core is routed through the photon traps, which filter out the photons and leave mostly Pythons. A purity rating of 80% is the absolute minimum for a successful jump, 90% is generally recommended. High-preformance, well-tuned engines can reach 95. The [[Star Hammer]] used a unique, multi-spatial trap, and is the only known FTL drive to produce 100% pure Python particles.
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| − | Unused photons are routed back into the photonic core, where they react to produce additional pythons.
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| − | ===Energy Mantle===
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| − | The energy mantle is projected by the Python Reactor, and is itself composed of Python Particles. The interactions between the ship and the mantle are very complicated and multi-dimensional:
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| − | *The mantle "breaks" the hyperspace tension in the same way birds flying information rely on the lead bird to help overcome air resistance. This allows both for faster speeds and lower power consumption on the N-space drive.
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| − | *As the ship continues to accelerate, the mantle begins to "draw" the ship along after it, providing even higher speeds, greater efficiency, and, at maximum performance, allowing a ship to shut down it's N-space drive all together(this level is typically only achieved during inter-galactic journeys).
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| − | *The mantle also provides a sort of cushion or buffer between the ship and the higher planes of space, protecting the crew during the journey, and providing one of the most important safety functions of the entire drive system.
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| − | ==Safety==
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Specifically in reference to Faster Than Light Propulsion, this article focuses on how the FTL drives work and how speeds are determined. Under simplest terms, a ship is able to travel faster than light by moving itself partially out of normal space.
FTL Factor
FTL Factor determines how fast a ship is moving. This is a relative speed, as ships traveling at FTL never stop accelerating.
Gravitational Distortion Issue
Most FTL drives that keep the ship in normal space, such as Python and Slipstream drives, as subject to gravitational distortion. The gravity fields from stars and planets affect the drive field, and result in unpredictable bursts of acceleration. This precluded the use of FTL within most solar systems(though, jumps can be made from the outer solar system if there are no large planets in the way), and causes significant navigational concerns for FTL courses. Generally speaking, a course is plotted that does not pass near any intense gravitational fields.
