It uses magnetic fields to produce a constant stream of high-energy particles, as well as to provide vectored thrust. The particle impulse engine is the next evolutionary step of the PL 6 ion engine. Tactical Speed Bonus: + 1,000 feet (+2 squares). The induction engine requires no fuel and produces no exhaust it’s ideal for atmospheric, orbital, or deep-space work. ![]() Hands-down the best engine available at this or any previous Progress Level, the induction engine uses artificial gravity to provide incredible thrust and maneuverability. Purchase DC: 10 + one-quarter the base purchase DC of the starship (per set of photon sails). Photon sails are completely useless in atmosphere, in fact, they’re instantly destroyed by atmospheric entry, making a secondary propulsion system a virtual necessity for most sail-ships. Accordingly, most sail-ships carry a secondary propulsion system (such as thrusters or an ion engine) for emergency maneuvering and sailing against the sun. The sail-ship continues on its last course and retains its former speed until the sails are replaced. In combat, any weapon hit against a sail-driven starship destroys the deployed photon sails and prevents the ship from moving until the sails are replaced. Unfortunately, it takes 12 hours to replace damaged sails, though deployment or stowage of the sails takes only 1 minute. The sails can be wrecked by minor damage, but every ship equipped with photon sails carries at least three spare sets. The sails acceleration rates drop to half if the ship is beyond the edge of a star system and drop to one-quarter if the only available light is starlight. Light pressure from a nearby star (or laser drive station, when available) provides motive force. Photon sails are immense but extremely fragile foil structures only a few molecules thick. Purchase DC: 15 + one-half the base purchase DC of the starship Ion engines don’t function in any kind of atmosphere, so most ships with this kind of power plant also come equipped with thrusters.Ī ship using an ion engine as its primary source of propulsion must refuel after every five battles or interplanetary trips. It doesn’t provide as effective a mass-thrust ratio as the fusion torch, but it’s more fuel efficient, and its exhaust is not nearly as dangerous. The ion engine generates power to break down molecules of a fuel material to create ions, and then expels them by means of a magnetic impeller. Tactical Speed Bonus: + 500 feet (+1 square). Fusion torch fuel has a purchase DC of 23. The fusion torch uses hydrogen for fuel.Ī ship using a fusion torch as its primary source of propulsion must refuel after every three battles or interplanetary trips. Otherwise, they must remain permanently in space, relying on shuttlecraft to reach a planets surface. Many ships fitted with fusion torch rockets use thrusters for atmospheric travel. The fusion torch is intended for space-only applications its exhaust stream would melt anything it landed on and incinerate everything within a few hundred yards of ground zero it also expels a tremendous amount of radiation. This engine consists of a fusion reactor with one wall of the magnetic bottle missing, directing the thrust in the form of super-heated plasma. Purchase DC: 10 + one-half the base purchase DC of the starship Common types of thrusters include the scramjet, chemical rocket, repulsion thrust, or powered airfoil, although the exact form doesn’t matter.Ī ship with thrusters as its primary source of propulsion must refuel after every battle or every orbital mission. Thrusters also serve as secondary engines when primary engines fail or shut down. Thrusters can propel a ship through a planetary atmosphere and land it safely on a planetary surface. Tactical Speed Bonus: The bonus that the engine provides to the starship’s tactical speed, given in feet and squares. ![]() Minimum Ship Size: The minimum size the starship must be to have this type of engine.Ĭruising Speed: The speed at which the engine allows a ship to travel while out of combat. The various types of engines are listed below. A character without a mechanical tool kit takes a -4 penalty on the skill check. Installing an engine requires a successful Craft (mechanical) check (DC 30) after investing 60 hours in the process. The character must also make a Wealth check against the engine’s purchase DC. To build a starship engine from scratch, a character must succeed at a Craft (mechanical) check (DC 30) after investing 120 hours in its assembly. In space, fuel-burning engines rely on vector jets to adjust their course, using fuel only in short, controlled burns to increase momentum. In addition, certain low-tech engines burn fuel of some sort, increasing the operational cost. The more efficient the engine, the faster it can move the ship and the more expensive it is. A starship’s engine determines how fast the ship moves.
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