Vacc Suit Weight Issues

[Golan2072]

An average character (STR 7 and END 7) would have a very hard time performing EVA work with a TL8 vacc suit, even with the appropriate skill. According to p.104, carrying more than STR+END (but less than STR+ENDx2) in kg is a light load, giving DM -1 to all actions and fatiguing the character in the matter of minutes (for an additional DM -2!). TL8 vacc suits weight 24 kg - so an average character wearing one would always be encumbered, and when performing more than a few minutes of EVA activities they'll be fatigued and thus suffering a -3 total DM to all actions. Characters of an STR+END total of less than 12 would be heavily encumbered (-3 DM before fatigue, and quicker fatigue).

Is this realistic?

And, more importantly, am I missing a rule or two?

 

[-Daniel-]

And, more importantly, am I missing a rule or two?

I am unsure you are missing a rule.

But I have to ask, how often would a character be using a vacc suit in normal gravity?

If they are in Zero-G then the Vacc suit would be lighter right?

Or maybe I am the one missing something.

Daniel

 

[Stainless]

It seems reasonable to me. Walk around in a space suit for a few minutes in the NASA carpark, and I suspect you'll be rather fatigued.

 

[Golan2072]

If they are in Zero-G then the Vacc suit would be lighter right?

Lighter, yes, much lighter; the weight won't be pulling you down, but I still suspect it'll be a bit restrictive to movement. And, of course, on Luna it'll weight 17% of its total weight (circa 4kg), and on Mars 37% (circa 9kg).

How wound it's inertial mass (which, of course, exists even in zero-gravity) affect movement?

 

[Ishmael]

I dunno...zero-g means no wieght at all....
And yet they are bulky and so dex would suffer I'm sure...also, I don't know how easily they bend at the joints...harder than a t-shirt, I bet.

I agree there should be -dm's, just not for encumberance.

 

[Golan2072]

I agree there should be -dm's, just not for encumberance.

Yep, -2 if you lack Vacc Suit-1 or better...

 

[-Daniel-]

I agree there should be -dm's, just not for encumberance.

Yep, -2 if you lack Vacc Suit-1 or better...

I can not remember where I read it, but someone suggested some tasks have a skill restriction as well. This might be a great example of when that might work.

Move the rock: Easy STR, Vacc-1

So if someone only has Vacc-0 or none at all it gets the -3DM

Wish I could remember where I read that suggestion though to give credit. Sorry who ever you were.

Daniel

 

[-Daniel-]

If they are in Zero-G then the Vacc suit would be lighter right?

Lighter, yes, much lighter; the weight won't be pulling you down, but I still suspect it'll be a bit restrictive to movement. And, of course, on Luna it'll weight 17% of its total weight (circa 4kg), and on Mars 37% (circa 9kg).

How wound it's inertial mass (which, of course, exists even in zero-gravity) affect movement?

I think the mass would impact someone who had not trained in almost anything they tried to do. Thus the -3dm for lack of skill. But even for the normal trained skill there could be tasks that required a negative. See my post above for one idea to address this.

Daniel

 

[SSWarlock]

I think the mass would impact someone who had not trained in almost anything they tried to do. Thus the -3dm for lack of skill. But even for the normal trained skill there could be tasks that required a negative...

Daniel

The real problem with TL8 suits isn't the mass, it's the suit stiffness caused by pressurization. During the Apollo program and even during today's EVAs from the space station, astro/cosmonauts have reported working with tools while wearing the suit gloves is like trying to squeeze a tennis ball off and on for the entire EVA.

 

[Golan2072]

What I'm thinking of is adding a lighter "crew suit" for onboard use during space combat (rather than actual EVA) - enough to protect the wearer against vacuum in the case of depressurization, but not very good against radiation or micrometeorites. A similar suit exists IRL (TL7 in this case) and weights about 10 kg.

 

[-Daniel-]

What I'm thinking of is adding a lighter "crew suit" for onboard use during space combat (rather than actual EVA) - enough to protect the wearer against vacuum in the case of depressurization, but not very good against radiation or micrometeorites. A similar suit exists IRL (TL7 in this case) and weights about 10 kg.

If it does not already exist in the game, I think it should. I like the idea.

Daniel

 

[Tathlum]

What I'm thinking of is adding a lighter "crew suit" for onboard use during space combat (rather than actual EVA) - enough to protect the wearer against vacuum in the case of depressurization, but not very good against radiation or micrometeorites. A similar suit exists IRL (TL7 in this case) and weights about 10 kg.

Like the Coalition Body Sleeve from TNE?
It was armoured like cloth, weighed 10.5 KG.....wait, you have TNE don't you? Path of Tears has the stats.

 

[Rikki Tikki Traveller]

Modern (TL7-8) space suits ARE fatiguing. Even in Zero G, astronauts get very exhausted after just a few minutes work, so the Encumberance rule seems right for that TL. At higher TLs, the Vacc Suit is lighter and thus easier to use.