High-Burn Thrusters

[SSWarlock]

Based on discussions to date, I'm thinking of resetting my effects thresholds to 1G.

That is,

1) Skill attempts are 1 level more difficult per 1G uncompensated acceleration.

2) Detection is 1 level easier per 1G thrust provided by HB thrusters.

And, yes, I see a ship realistically limiting HB thrust to no more than 2 Gs. Maybe 3Gs if the crew is from a high-G world but then the ship would really be easy to detect.

Of course, if the ship is trying to run from something shooting at it then concerns about being detected may not be a high priority. Or trying to get somewhere fast.

Pirate Navigator: "Captain, I've got a IR signature at extreme range on an intercept approach at 9Gs!
Pirate Captain: "What?!? Is it a missile or a ship?"
Pirate Navigator: "Damned if I know but it's a BIG freakin' signal..."

 

[atpollard]

2G uncompensated for hours will kill people - the heart can't pump blood against the Gee force.

 

[BP]

Nice, simple mechanics SSWarlock.

Yep, sustained G's can be bad for human 'payloads'

In game terms, thrusters, generally have limited duration (due to fuel requirements). If flight suits are assumed to be like improved modern day fighter-pilot 'g-suits' along with muscular electro-stimulation (to equate to pilot training), and one uses tilting chairs (blood pools in back instead of feet), that could provide for enough 'safe' duration for suspension of disbelief...

Still, might want to throw in automatic defibrillators and some descriptions and possibly extra mechanics for vision impairment progressing from grey-out, to tunnel vision, to blackout and eventual loss of consciousness (G-LOC). For added fun, the Ref can be a pain in the posterior by adding other real-world effects -> reference g-measles! :lol:

 

[DFW]

2G uncompensated for hours will kill people - the heart can't pump blood against the Gee force.

Along the vertical axis yes. Not sure about horizontal axis (eyes in).

 

[SSWarlock]

2G uncompensated for hours will kill people - the heart can't pump blood against the Gee force.

Fortunately for any crew, the rules state HB thrusters can only be used for a max of 1 hour (10 space combat turns) then require downtime for an equivalent amount of time. So no long duration g's...though an hour at 2+ Gs might seem like an eternity. Of course, if the ship is on its way to a high G world then the crew could be S.O.L. anyway. :wink:

I see HB thrusters as a hidden ace, especially since they were written up in Scoundrels rather than Merchant or High Guard.

 

[zero]

I was led to believe being prone when taking multiple Gs to a point would not be hazardous to health (I jump in with this now because my Stubby has is Thrust 2 so has an internal 2G when accelerating - again I dunno if at TL 12 artificial gravity sorts that...)

If placed under 3G, normally, it would be impossible to move limbs, but 2G although extremely taxing would be ok if you wanted to keep more or less still.

When lying prone so head and feet are more or less even, there should be no health deteriation past whats said above until 17G is pressed on the human body. Of course, then we got to a point where for Traveller that no longer matters.

Lengthy post, I know, but basically I figured if I had my ship at 2G with dentist-type grav couch chairs with arm controls, my crew would be alright.

I think I should say at this point, the crew would be using mostly Jump travel, and short travels (measured in a handful of hours) to and from Jump points, but also they will be flying to GGs to refuel, something that may take a few days at 2Gs at a time.

Also dont rollercoasters go between 3 and 6 Gs? :?

 

[DFW]

(I jump in with this now because my Stubby has is Thrust 2 so has an internal 2G when accelerating - again I dunno if at TL 12 artificial gravity sorts that...)

At TL12 you have artificial grav.

 

[SSWarlock]

...Also dont rollercoasters go between 3 and 6 Gs? :?

Yeah and think about how un-fun it would be to be forced to ride a rollercoaster for one continuous hour regardless of how your stomach and/or head feels. While people are trying their best to kill you.

To quote Ace Ventura, "Nooo spank you!"

 

[rust]

Lengthy post, I know, but basically I figured if I had my ship at 2G with dentist-type grav couch chairs with arm controls, my crew would be alright.

As DFW mentioned, at TL 12 your ship has artificial gravity and gravity
compensation anyway, so the crew will work under 1 G almost all of the
time. If the gravitics should fail, the 2 G will not be a problem if all the
crew does is to stay in a horizontal position - but this does not get the
gravitics repaired, and it is somewhat difficult to remain in a horizontal
position while eating and drinking or going to the toilet or repairing batt-
le damage or ... you get the picture. So, the usual thing to do in the case
of a gravitics failure would probably be to cut the drive and spend the ti-
me in zero G to repair the gravitics as soon as possible.

 

[zero]

^ All fair points from everyone, thank you

But SSWarlock, the rollercoaster thing, you say thats a bad thing to be put through! :lol:

As for rust's points, best put a algae 'shake cup holder on the grav chairs Also, at 2G its possible to move round and stand still, its just that bit harder to move. Its 4G up that things like spending time in the fresher wont be... refreshing :wink:
I do agree that repairs whilst moving are not a good thing though

 

[DFW]

I do agree that repairs whilst moving are not a good thing though

Just move at 1 G so that deck is perpendicular to thrust.

 

[GJD]

(at 2G+ it'll be harder to lift arms up when sat so they come with controls built into the arms, of course :wink: )

Our old aeronautics lecturer used to tell us that for our in flight manoeuvering labs, that the effort of lifting a pencil/pen in your hand at 2G was like lifting a pint of beer normally, something he found students were quite used to :lol:

LBH

Surely the effort of lifting a pen at 2G would be like lifting 2 pens at 1G?

G

 

[AndrewW]

Surely the effort of lifting a pen at 2G would be like lifting 2 pens at 1G?

G

You are lifting more then just the pen though...

 

[zero]

^ Agreed, you have to move your entire arm up with the pen, which will be twice as hard to do, aswell as a pen that is twice as hard to lift. It mounts up and then youre doing your log notes with a rod the weight of a full pint (I wouldnt think this would be too hard at first, but your arm would eventually strain if you had to write alot).

 

[SSWarlock]

It mounts up and then youre doing your log notes with a rod the weight of a full pint (I wouldnt think this would be too hard at first, but your arm would eventually strain if you had to write alot).

Especially since you're suffering through the disaster of not being able to drink that pint. :shock:

:wink:

 

[lastbesthope]

^ Agreed, you have to move your entire arm up with the pen, which will be twice as hard to do, aswell as a pen that is twice as hard to lift. It mounts up and then youre doing your log notes with a rod the weight of a full pint (I wouldnt think this would be too hard at first, but your arm would eventually strain if you had to write alot).

What zero and AndrewW said, I have no idea of the factual accuracy of the statement, but it has stuck with me, that lab was 12 years ago now and I still remember him saying it

LBH

 

[rust]

... I have no idea of the factual accuracy of the statement ...

I once worked at a hospital where amputations were made, and I can
assure you that a human lower arm plus hand weighs more and there-
fore is even more difficult to lift than a pint of beer.

 

[lastbesthope]

... I have no idea of the factual accuracy of the statement ...

I once worked at a hospital where amputations were made, and I can
assure you that a human lower arm plus hand weighs more and there-
fore is even more difficult to lift than a pint of beer.

Yes I'm sure, but your arm doesn't usually feel as heavy as it is due to being used to it.

For instance, my armoured motorcycle jacket feels 3 times as heavy when I'm carrying it than when I'm wearing it, if you see what I mean.

But anyway, it was a humorous remark that stuck in my mind

LBH

 

[zero]

Well either way, the general point still stands, its going to be heavier than normal and wear you out quicker (2G writing cramp is going to really burn :lol: )