New Descriptions for Propulsion Systems.

Propulsion

Five types of spaceship drives (also called engine for
propulsion) are available: chemical fuel engines, ion engines, HEPRE, atomic
engines and Pion Engines. Each of these types has certain limitations and
requirements which are discussed in detail here.

In addition to a drive, each ship must have a drive
program for the on-board computer. Information on Drive Programs is included at
the end of this section.

Sizes. Engines of all three types
come in three

sizes, ranked from size A to size C. Size A is the smallest,
and size C the largest. A hull must be equipped with the engine size
appropriate for that hull size, as shown on the Hull Size/Engine Size Chart.

SPACESHIP DRIVE SIZE CHART

All engines are equipped with maneuver jet nozzles. These
are used to take the ship through delicate maneuvers, such as docking with a
station.

Chemical Drives

Chemical drives are the cheapest and simplest
spaceship engines. They come in two
types; solid and liquid fuel. Chemically
driven ships must carry a lot of fuel, and cannot accelerate long enough to
achieve interstellar speeds. Therefore, there main use is for interplanetary
travel.

Any hull that is outfitted with chemical engines
must have the full complement of engines for that hull. For example, a ship
with a hull size of 13 needs four chemical engines. These engines are mounted
at the tail of the ship, instead of away from the ship on struts.

All ships with chemical engines have an ADF of 1.

The Chemical Drive Price Table lists the prices of the three types
of chemical engines. Because these engines are simple and easy to build, the
cost is the same at all construction centers.

CHEMICAL DRIVE COST CHART

<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="1" style="border: currentColor; border-image: none; border-collapse: collapse"><tbody><tr><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; border: 1pt solid windowtext; border-image: none; width: 108.45pt; background-color: transparent" valign="top" width="145">
Engine Size
</td><td style="border-width: 1pt 1pt 1pt 0px; border-style: solid solid solid none; border-color: windowtext windowtext windowtext #000000; padding: 0in 5.4pt; border-image: none; width: 118.35pt; background-color: transparent" valign="top" width="158">
Cost
</td></tr><tr><td style="border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; border-style: none solid solid; border-color: #000000 windowtext windowtext; padding: 0in 5.4pt; border-image: none; width: 108.45pt; background-color: transparent" valign="top" width="145">
A
</td><td style="border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 118.35pt; background-color: transparent" valign="top" width="158">
50,000 Cr
</td></tr><tr><td style="border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; border-style: none solid solid; border-color: #000000 windowtext windowtext; padding: 0in 5.4pt; border-image: none; width: 108.45pt; background-color: transparent" valign="top" width="145">
B
</td><td style="border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 118.35pt; background-color: transparent" valign="top" width="158">
100,000 Cr
</td></tr><tr><td style="border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; border-style: none solid solid; border-color: #000000 windowtext windowtext; padding: 0in 5.4pt; border-image: none; width: 108.45pt; background-color: transparent" valign="top" width="145">
C
</td><td style="border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 118.35pt; background-color: transparent" valign="top" width="158">
200,000Cr
</td></tr></tbody></table>

Solid Fuel rockets are the most common type of
rockets. They are used in fireworks,
munitions and booster rockets for the space shuttle. Solid fuel rockets burn a solid propellant
to create thrust. Once they are ignited
they can't be stopped and there rapid burn rate depletes the fuel quite
rapidly. This rapid usage of fuel gives
an aircraft or spacecraft an extra 'burst of speed" when taking off . They can also be used to aid a rocket with a
large payload achieve orbit.

On spacecraft solid fuel rockets are used as
booster rockets that enable spacecraft to achieve orbit. Booster Rockets are rented. They are mounted to the hull by special
equipment or permanent fixtures bought at time of spacecraft construction. Once the propellant has been used up during
launch, the rocket is ejected, after a delay meant for the spacecraft to clear
the area a parachute opens and the rental company recover it. The number of Booster Rockets needed is the
same as the full complements of engines for that hull. The cost to rent one these is 250 Cr x
the hull size of the ship for each Booster Rocket.

Liquid Fuel Rockets fuel of choice is Liquid
Hydrogen and Oxygen (HyLox for short).
The hydrogen and oxygen are stored in two different tanks, with the hydrogen
being the largest of the two. The fuel
is mixed and ignited in the engine to create thrust. The engine can be switched off and on as
needed. Ships using chemical
drives burn a load of fuel on every voyage, as a general rule. The cost of one
load of fuel is 250 Cr x the hull size of the ship for each engine.

Ships design for planetary reentry, such as shuttles and
landing craft, must carry twice as much fuel for landing and takeoff. Ships designed for long range exploration must
carry 1/3 or 33% of the fuel if they are expected to make the return trip. Extra fuel tanks can be mounted on the hull with specialized equipment or
with permanent fixtures bought at time of the ship's construction. Additional fuel tanks cost 100 Cr per hull
size.

Ion Drives

Ion engines work by ionizing (electrically charging)
particles of fuel. These charged particles are then released from the rear of
the engines at tremendous velocity. Even though the particles are extremely
small, there are enough of them to provide a ship with a steady and
long-lasting thrust. Ion drive engines require very little fuel.

Ion engines must be mounted on struts, away from the
hull of the spaceship. Any ship equipped with ion drives must have the full
complement of engines for that hull size in order to accelerate and decelerate
normally. The ADF of a ship with ion drive always is 1.

Prices for ion engines are listed on the Ion Drive Price Table. Note that ion engines are not
available at Class III Construction Centers, and that they are more expensive
at Class II Centers.

Ion Drive Cost Chart

<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="1" style="border: currentColor; border-image: none; border-collapse: collapse"><tbody><tr><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; border: 1pt solid windowtext; border-image: none; background-color: transparent" valign="top">
Engine Size
</td><td style="border-width: 1pt 1pt 1pt 0px; border-style: solid solid solid none; border-color: windowtext windowtext windowtext #000000; padding: 0in 5.4pt; border-image: none; background-color: transparent" valign="top">
Class I Center
</td><td style="border-width: 1pt 1pt 1pt 0px; border-style: solid solid solid none; border-color: windowtext windowtext windowtext #000000; padding: 0in 5.4pt; border-image: none; background-color: transparent" valign="top">
Class II Center
</td></tr><tr><td style="border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; border-style: none solid solid; border-color: #000000 windowtext windowtext; padding: 0in 5.4pt; border-image: none; background-color: transparent" valign="top">
A
</td><td style="border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0in 5.4pt; background-color: transparent" valign="top">
100,000 Cr
</td><td style="border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0in 5.4pt; background-color: transparent" valign="top">
150,000 Cr
</td></tr><tr><td style="border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; border-style: none solid solid; border-color: #000000 windowtext windowtext; padding: 0in 5.4pt; border-image: none; background-color: transparent" valign="top">
B
</td><td style="border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0in 5.4pt; background-color: transparent" valign="top">
150,000 Cr
</td><td style="border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0in 5.4pt; background-color: transparent" valign="top">
200,000 Cr
</td></tr><tr><td style="border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; border-style: none solid solid; border-color: #000000 windowtext windowtext; padding: 0in 5.4pt; border-image: none; background-color: transparent" valign="top">
C
</td><td style="border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0in 5.4pt; background-color: transparent" valign="top">
200,000 Cr
</td><td style="border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0in 5.4pt; background-color: transparent" valign="top">
Not Available
</td></tr></tbody></table>

The drive uses liquid hydrogen as a propellant. The
engine can be switched off and on as needed. Since they use so little fuel they can make multiple trips on a single load
of fuel. Ships using Ion drives burn a load of fuel depending on their Engine
Size. The cost of one load of fuel is 100 Cr x the hull size of the ship for
each engine.

Fuel
Usage for Ion Drives

<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="1" style="border: currentColor; border-image: none; border-collapse: collapse"><tbody><tr><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; border: 1pt solid windowtext; border-image: none; width: 113.4pt; background-color: transparent" valign="top" width="151">
Engine Size
</td><td style="border-width: 1pt 1pt 1pt 0px; border-style: solid solid solid none; border-color: windowtext windowtext windowtext #000000; padding: 0in 5.4pt; border-image: none; width: 113.4pt; background-color: transparent" valign="top" width="151">
Number of Trips per Fuel Load
</td></tr><tr><td style="border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; border-style: none solid solid; border-color: #000000 windowtext windowtext; padding: 0in 5.4pt; border-image: none; width: 113.4pt; background-color: transparent" valign="top" width="151">
A
</td><td style="border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 113.4pt; background-color: transparent" valign="top" width="151">
8
</td></tr><tr><td style="border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; border-style: none solid solid; border-color: #000000 windowtext windowtext; padding: 0in 5.4pt; border-image: none; width: 113.4pt; background-color: transparent" valign="top" width="151">
B
</td><td style="border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 113.4pt; background-color: transparent" valign="top" width="151">
16
</td></tr><tr><td style="border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; border-style: none solid solid; border-color: #000000 windowtext windowtext; padding: 0in 5.4pt; border-image: none; width: 113.4pt; background-color: transparent" valign="top" width="151">
C
</td><td style="border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 113.4pt; background-color: transparent" valign="top" width="151">
24
</td></tr></tbody></table>

Ships that are intended for combat missions burn one
load of fuel during combat, as a general rule.

High Efficiency Plasma Rocket Engine

High Efficiency Plasma Rocket Engine (HEPRE for short) is a
rocket engine that uses the heat of an atomic power plant to heat liquid
hydrogen to a plasma state, contain it in a magnetic bottle then release it to
create thrust. The reactor's shielding
prevents radiation from escaping from the power plant making the exhaust of the
HEPRE free of radiation associated with atomic engines. Since the power plant of the HEPRE runs
hotter than normal atomic engines, there is heat risk associated with these
engines and they must cool down before being approached by the crew.

The struts that house the HEPRE are mounted on are equipped with
explosive charges. These charges enable the pilot or engineer to jettison the
engines if this should become necessary. This obviously will be done only in
extreme emergencies, such as an engine meltdown or overload.

Ships equipped with a full complement of HEPRE both its ADF and
MR will be the number indicated on the Hull Specification Chart. For each engine less than the maximum,
however, either the ship's ADF or MR (player's choice, at time of construction)
must be lowered by 1. The ship's MR cannot be more than one higher than the
ADF. Also, the ship's ADF and MR never will be less than 1, even if the ship
has only one engine.

Prices for HEPRE are listed on the HEPRE Drive Price Table. Note that HEPRE are not available
at Class III Construction Centers, and that they are more expensive at Class II
Centers.

HEPRE
Drive Cost Chart

<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="1" style="border: currentColor; border-image: none; border-collapse: collapse"><tbody><tr><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; border: 1pt solid windowtext; border-image: none; background-color: transparent" valign="top">
Engine Size
</td><td style="border-width: 1pt 1pt 1pt 0px; border-style: solid solid solid none; border-color: windowtext windowtext windowtext #000000; padding: 0in 5.4pt; border-image: none; background-color: transparent" valign="top">
Class I Center
</td><td style="border-width: 1pt 1pt 1pt 0px; border-style: solid solid solid none; border-color: windowtext windowtext windowtext #000000; padding: 0in 5.4pt; border-image: none; background-color: transparent" valign="top">
Class II Center
</td></tr><tr><td style="border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; border-style: none solid solid; border-color: #000000 windowtext windowtext; padding: 0in 5.4pt; border-image: none; background-color: transparent" valign="top">
A
</td><td style="border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0in 5.4pt; background-color: transparent" valign="top">
150,000 Cr
</td><td style="border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0in 5.4pt; background-color: transparent" valign="top">
200,000 Cr
</td></tr><tr><td style="border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; border-style: none solid solid; border-color: #000000 windowtext windowtext; padding: 0in 5.4pt; border-image: none; background-color: transparent" valign="top">
B
</td><td style="border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0in 5.4pt; background-color: transparent" valign="top">
200,000 Cr
</td><td style="border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0in 5.4pt; background-color: transparent" valign="top">
250,000 Cr
</td></tr><tr><td style="border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; border-style: none solid solid; border-color: #000000 windowtext windowtext; padding: 0in 5.4pt; border-image: none; background-color: transparent" valign="top">
C
</td><td style="border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0in 5.4pt; background-color: transparent" valign="top">
300,000 Cr
</td><td style="border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0in 5.4pt; background-color: transparent" valign="top">
Not Available
</td></tr></tbody></table>

The drive uses liquid hydrogen as a propellant. The fuel can be turn off and on as needed,
however will remain extremely hot for 1d10 hours before it reaches an idle
state. The cost of one load of fuel is 100 Cr x the hull size of
the ship for each engine.

Fuel
Usage for HEPRE Drives

<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="1" style="border: currentColor; border-image: none; border-collapse: collapse"><tbody><tr><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; border: 1pt solid windowtext; border-image: none; width: 113.4pt; background-color: transparent" valign="top" width="151">
Engine Size
</td><td style="border-width: 1pt 1pt 1pt 0px; border-style: solid solid solid none; border-color: windowtext windowtext windowtext #000000; padding: 0in 5.4pt; border-image: none; width: 113.4pt; background-color: transparent" valign="top" width="151">
Number of Trips per Fuel Load
</td></tr><tr><td style="border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; border-style: none solid solid; border-color: #000000 windowtext windowtext; padding: 0in 5.4pt; border-image: none; width: 113.4pt; background-color: transparent" valign="top" width="151">
A
</td><td style="border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 113.4pt; background-color: transparent" valign="top" width="151">
4
</td></tr><tr><td style="border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; border-style: none solid solid; border-color: #000000 windowtext windowtext; padding: 0in 5.4pt; border-image: none; width: 113.4pt; background-color: transparent" valign="top" width="151">
B
</td><td style="border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 113.4pt; background-color: transparent" valign="top" width="151">
8
</td></tr><tr><td style="border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; border-style: none solid solid; border-color: #000000 windowtext windowtext; padding: 0in 5.4pt; border-image: none; width: 113.4pt; background-color: transparent" valign="top" width="151">
C
</td><td style="border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 113.4pt; background-color: transparent" valign="top" width="151">
12
</td></tr></tbody></table>

Atomic
Fuel

HEPRE reactors use atomic reactors to produce the heat
necessary to turn the hydrogen into
plasma and to power the ship. Because
the reactor is run at high temperatures fuel rods are depleted at a much
quicker rate than normal ground based reactors. Therefore it is necessary to
replace these rod once every year at a cost 50,000 Cr per engine size times the
number of engines. These rods are
replaced at special facilities at Class I or Class II Construction Centers.

Inspections

The reactor shielding must be inspected each trip for damage
caused by the extremely cold liquid hydrogen coming in contact with the
shielding and warping do to the extreme heat caused during plasma generation. All shielding is replaced during the refueling
process.

As already stated there is 1d10 cool down time for the
reactor before anyone can approach it. Engineer
must use anti-radiation suits or work pods during the inspection process. To
determine how long this inspection takes roll another 1d10 and subtract the
engineers skill level from that roll.

During normal operation cycle of the engine there is a 10%
chance that there is some damage to the shielding. If defective or damaged shielding is found it
must be replaced (see atomic engine overhauling). If an inspection is not made
after each trip the risk of damage increase by 10% every trip missed.

Atomic Drives

The engine works by harnessing uranium particles that are boiled
off the reactor mass during the reactor's operation cycle. These fission fragments are then channeled
out the exhaust nozzle by an electromagnetic field. This provides
a tremendous amount of thrust. An Atomic
engine will burn 10 cm diameter chunks of fuel during the thrusting stage of
interstellar jumps.

Atomic engines are mounted on struts that keep them away from
the ship's hull. This is because these drives are a source of dangerous
radioactivity, and must be isolated from the crew and living quarters of a
ship.

Ships equipped with a full complement of atomic engines both its
ADF and MR will be the number indicated on the Hull Specification Chart. For each engine less than the maximum,
however, either the ship's ADF or MR (player's choice, at time of construction)
must be lowered by 1. The ship's MR cannot be more than one higher than the
ADF. Also, the ship's ADF and MR never will be less than 1, even if the ship
has only one engine.

Prices for Atomic Engines are listed on the Atomic Drive Price
Table. Note that Atomic Drive are not available at Class III Construction Centers,
and that they are more expensive at Class II Centers.

Atomic
Drive Cost Chart

<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="1" style="border: currentColor; border-image: none; border-collapse: collapse"><tbody><tr><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; border: 1pt solid windowtext; border-image: none; background-color: transparent" valign="top">
Engine Size
</td><td style="border-width: 1pt 1pt 1pt 0px; border-style: solid solid solid none; border-color: windowtext windowtext windowtext #000000; padding: 0in 5.4pt; border-image: none; background-color: transparent" valign="top">
Class I Centers
</td><td style="border-width: 1pt 1pt 1pt 0px; border-style: solid solid solid none; border-color: windowtext windowtext windowtext #000000; padding: 0in 5.4pt; border-image: none; background-color: transparent" valign="top">
Class II Centers
</td></tr><tr><td style="border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; border-style: none solid solid; border-color: #000000 windowtext windowtext; padding: 0in 5.4pt; border-image: none; background-color: transparent" valign="top">
A
</td><td style="border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0in 5.4pt; background-color: transparent" valign="top">
300,000 Cr
</td><td style="border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0in 5.4pt; background-color: transparent" valign="top">
400,000 Cr
</td></tr><tr><td style="border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; border-style: none solid solid; border-color: #000000 windowtext windowtext; padding: 0in 5.4pt; border-image: none; background-color: transparent" valign="top">
B
</td><td style="border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0in 5.4pt; background-color: transparent" valign="top">
500,000 Cr
</td><td style="border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0in 5.4pt; background-color: transparent" valign="top">
600,000 Cr
</td></tr><tr><td style="border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; border-style: none solid solid; border-color: #000000 windowtext windowtext; padding: 0in 5.4pt; border-image: none; background-color: transparent" valign="top">
C
</td><td style="border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0in 5.4pt; background-color: transparent" valign="top">
750,000 Cr
</td><td style="border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0in 5.4pt; background-color: transparent" valign="top">
Not Available
</td></tr></tbody></table>

In addition to the initial cost, atomic engines are
more expensive to maintain than other types of engines.

Atomic
Fuel

A pellet of atomic fuel is a 10 cm diameter piece of radioactive
material, either plutonium or uranium.
One pellet costs 10,000 Cr. They can be purchased only at Class I and
Class II Construction Centers.

A pellet will provides just enough fuel to permit a
ship to reach the velocity required for an interstellar jump, or one month of
normal operation. Once the pellet has expended all the fission fragments the pellet is considered to be burned out and
must be replaced. Burned out pellets
will still provide 1d10 x 10 hours of power to the ship after it has reached
this stage. Depleted pellets are sold
back to the Construction Center for 1,000 Cr and are recycled.

An atomic engine can automatically replace the fuel pellet
before this stage, if the engine has been preloaded with additional pellets.
Depending on the engine size, this can be anywhere from 3 to 10 pellets.
Additional pellets can be stored on board in specialized containers housed in
the engineering section. Only a trained
Spaceship Engineer can load the engine.
Refueling takes 2d10 hours minus the engineer's skill level. It requires the engineer suiting up in an
anti-radiation suit or work pod.. Most of the time is spent removing access
panels and shielding, the time is the same no matter how many pellets are being
loaded.

Overhauling
Engines

Besides refueling, these engines must be overhauled regularly by
an engineer. To determine how much time is required for the overhaul, use the
following formula. 60 hours minus 1d10
times skill level. If a the ship doesn't make a jump within a month the engine
must be overhauled prior to making the jump.

The Atomic Drive
Information Table lists the number of trips each type of atomic engines
can make between interstellar trips.

If the ship is equipped with more than one atomic engines each
must be worked on separately.

If an atomic engine is not overhauled on schedule and the ship
tries to make an interstellar jump, there is a 60% chance that the engine will
fuse itself into a worthless lump of iron.
If a second jump is made the risk increases to 80%. An attempt at third jump cannot be made and
will automatically ruin the engine.

If there is an engineer on board, he has a chance to realize
that the engines are about to become fused. This chance is equal to his Logic
score plus 10% x his engineering skill level. A successful roll means the
engineer can shut down the engines before they are ruined. However, no further
acceleration will be possible until the engines are overhauled.

Atomic
Drive Information Chart

<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="1" style="border: currentColor; border-image: none; border-collapse: collapse"><tbody><tr><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; border: 1pt solid windowtext; border-image: none; width: 1.05in; background-color: transparent" valign="top" width="101">
Engine Size
</td><td style="border-width: 1pt 1pt 1pt 0px; border-style: solid solid solid none; border-color: windowtext windowtext windowtext #000000; padding: 0in 5.4pt; border-image: none; width: 1.05in; background-color: transparent" valign="top" width="101">
Pellets Carried
</td><td style="border-width: 1pt 1pt 1pt 0px; border-style: solid solid solid none; border-color: windowtext windowtext windowtext #000000; padding: 0in 5.4pt; border-image: none; width: 1.05in; background-color: transparent" valign="top" width="101">
Trips between Overhaul
</td></tr><tr><td style="border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; border-style: none solid solid; border-color: #000000 windowtext windowtext; padding: 0in 5.4pt; border-image: none; width: 1.05in; background-color: transparent" valign="top" width="101">
A
</td><td style="border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.05in; background-color: transparent" valign="top" width="101">
3
</td><td style="border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.05in; background-color: transparent" valign="top" width="101">
1
</td></tr><tr><td style="border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; border-style: none solid solid; border-color: #000000 windowtext windowtext; padding: 0in 5.4pt; border-image: none; width: 1.05in; background-color: transparent" valign="top" width="101">
B
</td><td style="border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.05in; background-color: transparent" valign="top" width="101">
6
</td><td style="border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.05in; background-color: transparent" valign="top" width="101">
3
</td></tr><tr><td style="border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; border-style: none solid solid; border-color: #000000 windowtext windowtext; padding: 0in 5.4pt; border-image: none; width: 1.05in; background-color: transparent" valign="top" width="101">
C
</td><td style="border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.05in; background-color: transparent" valign="top" width="101">
10
</td><td style="border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.05in; background-color: transparent" valign="top" width="101">
12
</td></tr></tbody></table>

Pion Engine

A Pion Engine uses liquid hydrogen fuel, subjected to X-ray
bombardment in the bombardment chamber, the resulting liquid anti-hydrogen fuel
being siphoned off and injected into the primary reaction chamber along with the
remaining liquid hydrogen fuel, the resulting explosion energizing thermopiles
lining the chamber, with the pions generated from the matter/antimatter reaction
directed through the exhaust chamber by magnetic coils which compress the pion
stream to generate a higher specific impulse than would be possible with other
engine designs.

Pion Engines are mounted on struts that keep them away from the
ship's hull. This is due to the matter/antimatter reaction and fear of
explosion if damaged.

Ships with pion engines have an ADF one point higher than ships
equipped with atomic engines. They are also smaller than atomic engines which
means any two atomic engines can be replaced by a one size larger Pion Engine.

Prices for Pion Engines are listed on the Pion Drive Price Table. Note that Pion Drive are
not available at Class III Construction Centers, and that they are more
expensive at Class II Centers.

Pion Drive Cost Chart.

<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="1" style="border: currentColor; border-image: none; border-collapse: collapse"><tbody><tr><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; border: 1pt solid windowtext; border-image: none; background-color: transparent" valign="top">
Engine size
</td><td style="border-width: 1pt 1pt 1pt 0px; border-style: solid solid solid none; border-color: windowtext windowtext windowtext #000000; padding: 0in 5.4pt; border-image: none; background-color: transparent" valign="top">
Class I Centers
</td><td style="border-width: 1pt 1pt 1pt 0px; border-style: solid solid solid none; border-color: windowtext windowtext windowtext #000000; padding: 0in 5.4pt; border-image: none; background-color: transparent" valign="top">
Class II Centers
</td></tr><tr><td style="border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; border-style: none solid solid; border-color: #000000 windowtext windowtext; padding: 0in 5.4pt; border-image: none; background-color: transparent" valign="top">
A
</td><td style="border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0in 5.4pt; background-color: transparent" valign="top">
600,000 Cr
</td><td style="border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0in 5.4pt; background-color: transparent" valign="top">
800,000 Cr
</td></tr><tr><td style="border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; border-style: none solid solid; border-color: #000000 windowtext windowtext; padding: 0in 5.4pt; border-image: none; background-color: transparent" valign="top">
B
</td><td style="border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0in 5.4pt; background-color: transparent" valign="top">
1,000,000 Cr
</td><td style="border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0in 5.4pt; background-color: transparent" valign="top">
1,200,000 Cr
</td></tr><tr><td style="border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; border-style: none solid solid; border-color: #000000 windowtext windowtext; padding: 0in 5.4pt; border-image: none; background-color: transparent" valign="top">
C
</td><td style="border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0in 5.4pt; background-color: transparent" valign="top">
1,5000,000 Cr
</td><td style="border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0in 5.4pt; background-color: transparent" valign="top">
Not Available
</td></tr></tbody></table>

The drive uses liquid hydrogen as a propellant. The fuel can be turn off and on as needed. The cost of one load of fuel is 100 Cr
x the hull size of the ship for each engine.

Fuel
Usage for Pion Drives

Pion Engines are overhauled once six months at a cost of
100,000 Cr per engine size times number of engines. These can only be done at
Class I or Class II Construction Centers.

Inspections

After each trip the engine must be inspected to insure the
safe operation of the bombardment chamber, antimatter storage container and exhaust
chamber. To determine how long these
inspection takes roll a 1d10 and subtract the engineers skill level from
that roll. No safety equipment is
require to do these inspections.

During normal operation cycle of the engine there is a 5%
chance that something will wear out. If
an inspection is not made after each trip the risk of damage increase by 20% every
trip missed.

Pinned

Off

Locked

Off