Tractor beam bays as starport equipment

[Spartan159]

Beginning at TL 14 as early prototypes, tractor beams could be used to launch or land unpowered ships, cargo or capitol ship modules into and out of orbit. 7 large tractor bays could handle in excess of 5,000 dTons at one time, and if used in "landing pits" could allow unstreamlined craft to be serviced on the surface of a world. Just a thought.

 

[phavoc]

Beginning at TL 14 as early prototypes, tractor beams could be used to launch or land unpowered ships, cargo or capitol ship modules into and out of orbit. 7 large tractor bays could handle in excess of 5,000 dTons at one time, and if used in "landing pits" could allow unstreamlined craft to be serviced on the surface of a world. Just a thought.

Yup. It was in earlier versions when tractor beams / repulsor beams were around.

 

[Rikki Tikki Traveller]

I must admit I think that TL14 is a bit high for this technology. At TL12, all kinds of micro-gravity control becomes possible - I would think Tractor Beams (Tractor/Presser Beams) would start popping up about then too. The computer interfaces needed to combine a group of them together is already there, so why the late development?

Tractor/Presser beams that are concentrated into a narrow focus can be called Gravity Lances and used as a weapon. Pressers can also be used to deflect incoming weapons (energy and missiles).

The old CT HG had it right in my opinion (although not developed enough for non-weapon/shield applications) and I am sad that it was lost in MGT.