Still thinking about David's setting: * While unmanned craft are probably 'realistic' with the rules for TL10 robotics, I will concentrate on manned craft for playability. Assume that AIs ain't quite as smart as advertised, or whatever ...
* Larger craft will have spin capsules or a spin hull for gravity. That leaves small, long-range craft like belt prospectors bad for your health. * 'Meteorite defense lasers' are a possible excuse to arm even civilian craft. And once there was a first pirate incidents, the arms race would be on. * Assuming that fusion rockets and fusion ram rockets are available, they're the technology of choice for surface to space craft. * Optimized fusion rockets from Vehicles are much more efficient than ordinary fusion rockets, and might be useful for the outer system. * Thermal AM engines are out, AM pion is probably too expensive except for special military applications. * Nuclear pulse drives from VXi are no option (while the TL9 engines are slightly more efficient than TL10 fusion rockets, they need very specialized fuel and they are not much more efficient). * Mass driver engines from VXi might be an option where water/ice are not readily available while rock dust is plentiful. Could be used for asteroid tugs - refine the asteroid on the way, use the tailings as reaction mass. * None of the engines from VXii are viable, with the possible exception of chemical rockets or cold gas thrusters for maneuvering jets. _______________________________________________ GurpsNet-L mailing list <[email protected]> http://mail.sjgames.com/mailman/listinfo/gurpsnet-l
