Fission powered ship question

[ColHut]

Do fission-powered ships need separate fuel for their jump drives. (If yes what kind?) I think not, just as they don't for the M-drive, but what do others think?

cheers

 

[drnuncheon]

I'm pretty sure they do need jump fuel.

M-fuel isn't needed because gravitic thrusters only require energy and not fuel, but something has to be used to "inflate" the jump bubble.

 

[captainjack23]

Do fission-powered ships need separate fuel for their jump drives. (If yes what kind?) I think not, just as they don't for the M-drive, but what do others think?

cheers

The Fission drive replaces the standard power plant, but provides the power for the M drive. Technically, the M drive doesn't use fuel, just current (one presumes) from the powerplant. The ship still needs fuel for the jump drive, but uses a much more compact form for the reactor (fissile material provides power for 26x the duration for the same displacement of standard M drive fusion fuel) - this is where a savings appears; the P and M units can run for either MUCH longer on the same displacement of fuel, or for the same time on way less fuel. Generally, for ships intended to have more than 3 weeks duration, a reactor and its fuel will be more space efficient -although much more expensive (2x cost for reactor, lots and lots more for fuel).

Note that the HG rules change the specs for fission plants to something more comprehensible, and possibly more workable.