Jump Technology

[BigDogsRunning]

After perusal of Jump Drives in T5, it looks like Marc Miller is happy with both Jump Bubbles, and Jump Grids.

Jump Bubbles:
Doesn't require additional mechanisms. Ideal for dispersed, or open structure ships (T5 refers to cluster and braced cluster hulls). Makes a big-assed jump-bubble around the ship. 220 meters for a 100 ton ship.
Upside - It's cheap. I'm guessing you blow it up with hydrogen.
Downside - You can capture debris in your jump bubble that can cause problems. If you capture too much mass, it can impact jump stability.

Jump Grid:
Requires a mesh of jumpfield conductive wires just below the hull surface.
Upside - Virtually no interference from captured debris. Stated to be more efficient
Downside - Cannot be installed on dispersed, or open structure ships. Hull damage can require repair with jump plates. Cost an extra 1% of hull cost for Jump Grid.

My opinion about this:
I can't find anything to indicate if there is any functional differences between the two approaches, but I would imagine there would be differences. It makes sense that there might be several different approaches to solving this problem, since, I've read the Vargr initially designed their ships with Barium based Jump Grids. And that Ancients ships that have been recovered use Lanthanum and other rare earths in their Jump Drives and hull grids. I'm not sure what is/not canon in this regard.

The Jump Grid equipped ship costs slightly more to build/maintenance/repair, but should be much more fuel efficient, given that it doesn't need to inflate a jump bubble. Once again, no reference to any of that anywhere I could find.
The Jump Bubble based ships could be dispersed structure, or use an external carrier/pod type arrangement without requiring re-jiggering when changing configurations, but would require fuel to blow up the bubble.

Once again, it isn't specified anywhere, but the Jump Bubble technology could be the lower tech solution, with Jump Grid coming in at higher TL's.

 

[AnotherDilbert]

Jump Bubble is cheaper, but has a slightly higher chance of misjump, see e.g. T5 p355. Jump grid reduces armour, but can jump closer to the world (p291).

T5 does not use hydrogen to "blow up the jump bubble", that is unique to MgT. In T5 the jump fuel is consumed by the power plant to produce energy for the jump drive, hence there is no difference in required jump fuel between the two different jump fields.

 

[BigDogsRunning]

Jump Bubble is cheaper, but has a slightly higher chance of misjump, see e.g. T5 p355. Jump grid reduces armour, but can jump closer to the world (p291).

T5 does not use hydrogen to "blow up the jump bubble", that is unique to MgT. In T5 the jump fuel is consumed by the power plant to produce energy for the jump drive, hence there is no difference in required jump fuel between the two different jump fields.

Thanks AnotherDilbert,

I was conflating T5 (canon) with Mongoose 2e, which is my preferred version, likely until 3e comes out.

Jump Drive specifics aren't really talked about elsewhere, excepting the MT Starship Operators Manual, which I understand is often considered not canon. I wanted to go to the source, so to speak.

 

[Condottiere]

As I recall, there are three methods to retain the coherence of the invasive universe within the hull, one of which answers the question what happens when the grid is discontinuous.

It would be gun to have options with various advantages and disadvantages, even have them simultaneously installed, like jump bubbles being an emergency disengagement option for damaged warships.

 

[BigDogsRunning]

As I recall, there are three methods to retain the coherence of the invasive universe within the hull, one of which answers the question what happens when the grid is discontinuous.

It would be gun to have options with various advantages and disadvantages, even have them simultaneously installed, like jump bubbles being an emergency disengagement option for damaged warships.

You would probably have to do it with two separate jump Drives, a Grid based drive, and a Bubble based drive. The Grid would likely primary, with a Jump 1 Bubble based drive in case emergency disengagement was required. And then, you'd have Jump plates tucked away, or maybe not, since the Jump plates are less efficient than the Jump Bubble.

I've always used a combination of the two. The Jump Grid generated the Jump Bubble, rather than it being formed by your jump drive, then somehow managed through your, possibly Bonded Superdense armored, and/or Emissions Absorption Grid laced hull.

I have a vague recollection of reading about Jump Plates prior to T5, but I wouldn't swear to it. I remember is as just a repair option.

It also raises the question of Synchronized Jumps. Do they use Jump Bubbles? When they synchronize, do they join the Jump Bubbles together? That would be the most interesting.

I actually do that IMTU. I have a race that is not quite hive-minded that is very good at integrating Jump Bubbles for multi-ship Jumps. The Imperials do it too, but these guys do it more as matter of course.

 

[Condottiere]

Using Mongosian High Guard, a lower factored subsidiary drive can be cheaper, smaller or more efficient, less of an impact on either available volume or budge.

 

[BigDogsRunning]

Using Mongosian High Guard, a lower factored subsidiary drive can be cheaper, smaller or more efficient, less of an impact on either available volume or budge.

That would do it for a backup Jump for combat ship all right.

It would require 1.75% of ships volume for a Jump-1.