The following components were designed using the rules found in Charles
Gannon's article "One Small Step" in Issue #45 of Challenge. I hope that
somebody else finds this amusing. I'm itching for a nice primitive asteroid
mining scenario about now...
Rob Dean
200 ton Modular Spacecraft Frame TL8
The modular spacecraft frame can accept any combination of 10, 20, 30
and 40 ton modules. <Designed from Challenge#45>
CraftID: 200 ton Modular Spacecraft Frame, TL8, Cr516,780
Hull: 18/45, Disp=10, Config=0M, Armor=40C, Unloaded=49.64t
Power: none
Loco: none
Comm: none
Sensors: none
Off: Hardpoints=1
Def: -
Control: none
Accom: Mounting for 10-40ton modules totalling 190t
Other: ObjSize=Small, EmLevel=None
40 ton Habitat Module TL8
The habitat module provides accomodation for up to 18 people, and
has sufficient excess controls to be the command module for the 200 ton
framework above.
CraftID: 40 ton habitat module, TL8, MCr14.86
Hull: 36/90, Disp=40, Config=3USL, Armor=40C, Unloaded=401.3t,
Loaded=427.3t
Power: 1/2, Fission=5MW, Dur=2yrs, 1/2, SolarCells=.092MW
Loco: none
Comm: Radio=System
Sensors: Radar=Planetary, ActObjScan=Diff, ActObjPin=Diff
Off: Hardpoints=1
Def: -
Control: Computer Mod2*3, ElecLink*100
Accom: Crew=2 (1 bridge, 1 engineer), Staterooms=9, Env=Basic env,
basic ls, extended ls
Other: Fuel=0.02kl, Cargo=26kl, ObjSize=Avg, EmLevel=Moderate
20 ton Cargo Module TL8
The cargo module is completely self contained, its solar cells
providing all power necessary to operate the controls.
CraftID: 20 ton habitat module, TL8, MCr1.752
Hull: 18/45, Disp=20, Config=4USL, Armor=40C, Unloaded=171.9t,
Loaded=439.9t
Power: 1/2, SolarCells=.064MW, Dur=Indefinite
Loco: none
Comm: none
Sensors: none
Off: Hardpoints=1
Def: -
Control: Computer Mod0, ElecLink*40
Accom: none
Other: Fuel=0, Cargo=268kl, ObjSize=Avg, EmLevel=Faint
40 ton Ion Drive Module TL8
The ion drive module provides minimal thrust with long endurance.
CraftID: 40 ton ion drive module, TL8, MCr10.54
Hull: 36/90, Disp=40, Config=3USL, Armor=40C, Unloaded=1331.2t,
Loaded=1389.7t
Power: 2/4, Fission=17MW, Dur=2yrs
Loco: 32/64, IonDrive=1.6tons, Duration=508/1524
Comm: Radio=Dist*3
Sensors: none
Off: Hardpoints=1
Def: -
Control: Computer Mod0*3, ElecLink*240
Accom: none
Other: NuclearFuel=0.068kl, IonReactionMass=39.03kl (58.5t),
ObjSize=Avg, EmLevel=Moderate
40 ton Plasma Drive Module TL8
The plasma drive module provides more thrust than the ion drive,
but has shorter endurance.
CraftID: 40 ton plasma drive module, TL8, MCr34.9
Hull: 36/90, Disp=40, Config=3USL, Armor=40C, Unloaded=852.9t,
Loaded=862.5t
Power: 2/4, Fission=19.5MW, Dur=2yrs
Loco: 26/52, PlasmaDrive=7.6tons, Duration=30/90
Comm: Radio=Dist*3
Sensors: none
Off: Hardpoints=1
Def: -
Control: Computer Mod0bis*3, ElecLink*400
Accom: none
Other: NuclearFuel=0.078kl, Hydrogen=136.8kl,
ObjSize=Avg, EmLevel=Moderate
10 ton Fusion Rocket Module TL8
The fusion rocket module is still experimental at TL8, but the
large thrust available makes its use very attractive.
CraftID: 10 ton fusion rocket module, TL8, MCr43.8
Hull: 9/23, Disp=10, Config=3USL, Armor=40C, Unloaded=381.9t,
Loaded=385.8t
Power: none
Loco: 5/10, ExperimentalFusionRocket=2100tons, Duration=33/99
Comm: Radio=Dist*3
Sensors: none
Off: Hardpoints=1
Def: -
Control: Computer Mod1bis*3, ElecLink*320
Accom: none
Other: Fuel=55.8kl, ObjSize=Avg, EmLevel=Moderate
40 ton Spaceplane TL8
This vehicle is capable of taking off from a size A planet with a
standard atmosphere. For more advantageous conditions, fuel weight can
be traded for cargo weight. Optimum takeoff weight of the vehicle is
500 tons. Modular attachment fittings are provided.
CraftID: 40 ton Spaceplane, TL8, MCr10.54
Hull: 36/90, Disp=40, Config=1AF, Armor=40C, Unloaded=341.7t,
Loaded=500t
Power: 10MW from turbofan engines
Loco: 1/2, High Bypass turbofan=500ton, Duration=3hrs,
1/2, High Performance Rocket=585t, Duration=5minutes
Comm: Radio=Dist*3
Sensors: none
Off: Hardpoints=1
Def: -
Control: Computer Mod1*3, ElecLink*170
Accom: Crew=2 (Pilot, Copilot), Passengers=6, Seats=8*Roomy,
Env=basic env, basic ls
Other: AviationFuel=115.2kl, RocketFuel=30kl, CargoBay=290kl (32.4ton
load limit at full fuel load), ObjSize=Avg, EmLevel=Moderate