Here is a note that was forwarded to me, which I am throwing out to the list.
If anyone wants to handle it, feel free. Lewis is not a member of the list,
but, I've sent a note to him about it, so we may be hearing from him in the
near future.
- - The original note follows - -
In article [email removed], [email removed] (GOSS,
LEWIS TAYLOR) writes:
>
> I am a long-time referee of the GDW role-playing game Traveller (now called
> MegaTraveller). Does anyone have technical information/speculation on the
> engineering aspects of the Jump Drive in this game? Specifically:
> in Digest Groups "Starship Operating Manual, vol.1" they state that a Jump
> Drive consists of a Dedicated High-Yield Fusion Power Plant,
> Energy Sinks (a.k.a Jump Drive capacitors)
> Hull Radiators (to dispose of waste heat)
> Jump Governor (a dedicated computer system, I presume)
> Lanthanum Hull Grid
>
> (players of the original Traveller game will note that this differs from the
> description of the Jump Drive in that system).
>
> in effect, Jump Drive Units are computed as follows (see Referees Manual, p.
91)
> Energy Sinks Hull Displacement: 0.5% X Jump # of hull
> Other Hull Displacement: 1 + 0.5% X Jump # of hull
> Total Hull Displacement: 1 + 1% X Jump # of hull
>
> Note that Energy Sinks can hold 8,775 MW of power per ton.
>
> Book 5: High Guard (2nd edition) states that Energy sinks (capacitors) cost
> MCr 4 per ton (see the section on Black Globes).
>
> Also, the Starship operating manual states that the Lanthanum Grid is spaced
> at about 1 meter intervals. Assuming a 100-ton starship in the shape of a
> 11m X 11m X 11m cube (I know its unrealistic, but its simple) and a
> 1mm X 1mm cross-section Lanthanum Grid, this implies 1 liter of lanthanum
> on the Hull of the vessel.
>
> Now, my question: in the original Traveller game, they supposed Jump coils
> carried vessels through Jumpspace. This permitted the design of such things
> as Jump tugs, that would attach to a non-Jump capable vessel and carry through
> Jump. The Lanthanum hull grid would make this impossible, unless the non-Jump
> capable vessel (e.g. a System Defense Boat) had at least a Lanthanum Hull Grid
> installed during construction. This would not occupy any volume of the
vessel,
> but would presumable add to the cost of construction. The other portions of
the
> Jump Drive could be in the Jump tug, freeing up all that space for other, more
> useful items.
>
> So, does anyone know how much a Lanthanum Hull Grid should cost? Anybody care
> to speculate about the scarcity and cost of Lanthanum in the far future? Any
> references would be appreciated (please note, I already have Journal of the
> Traveller's Aid society #24, so this reference would not be of value to me).
>
> Please e-mail me or post your reply. Thank you.
>
> Lewis Taylor Goss
>
>