TechnologyFusion PowerMost civilian and military electricity needs are supplied by great Helium3-Deuterium fusion MHD systems. Gas mining of gas giants and certain rocky planets to provide the valuable Helium-3 (the deuterium being commonly available) sets a new 'energy fuel price' and strategic political maneuvering to acquire sources of the commodity. Fusion is also used to power many merchant ships and older-style torch drive warships (such as the Dusky and Veil classes). In some military uses antimatter is a catalyst for the fusion reaction, giving a higher yield but for a much higher price.
Gravity ControlThe modern PSF no longer prefers fusion or antimatter torches for its combat spaceships, but Gravity Propulsion Units which allow for greater performance and non-Newtonian maneuver capability. These generate and control the magnitude of gravity waves with the use of exotic matter. A subatomic amount of exotic matter is used in the construction of "Gravity Plates," thin sheets used to apply an Earth-like gravity force for a starship crew.
FTL PropulsionNova/New Atomics Inc produces two classes of stardrives, with the latest (Galaxy Stardrive) being capable of crossing the Milky Way Galaxy in a matter of weeks. All PSF stardrives rely on the same principles of transitioning (jumping) into hyperspace, traveling some amount of real time (always longer for the ship's personnel than to the outside observer) in hyperspace and exiting into real space after a few fractions of a second (to the outside observer's perspective). This method requires the use of large quantities of energy in extremely short durations, and a necessary "cool down" time for the FTL drive as well as energy recharge after each jump.
FTL travel is measured in multiples of the speed of light or in light-years-per-day. All FTL drives in use by the PSF are classed according to their maximum sustained velocity. (To convert from multiples of c to light-years-per-day, divide by 365.)
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(Class 0: < c)
Class 1: 1-10 c
Class 2: 10-100 c
Class 3: 100-1000 c
Class 4: 1000-10000 c
Class 5: 10,000-100,000 c
Class 6: 100,000-1,000,000 c
Class 7: 1,000,000-10,000,000 c
Class 8: 10,000,000-100,000,000 c
Class 9: 100,000,000-1,000,000,000 c
Class 10: 1,000,000,000-10,000,000,000+ c
The fastest FTL drive in use by the PSF is a Class 5.
StargatesAt present there is one Xiscapian-built Stargate in the Phenia system, allowing direct inter-galactic transit between Wuin and Phenia even for ships unequipped with FTL drives at all. This stargate has allowed vastly increased trade and migration, and has drawn the unwanted attention of the Ternion enemy, the Danaversians, who launched an invasion (the Battle of Phenia) in an attempt to destroy the gate and sever the link to Xiscapia.
Particle Accelerator Weapons (PAW)The PSF has had a long love affair with the neutral particle beam weapon, which it places on ships as small as the Thresher class Corvettes and as heavy cannons for its large export-only Kazumi-class Battlecruisers. The weapons accelerate particles very close to light speed, giving the beams a higher range and accuracy, and successful hits cause impressive amounts of secondary damage (radiation, material damage, heat) to targets. They are used in everything from anti-fighter to anti-capital-ship roles.
Coilgun (CG) Weapons529 mm CGStator coilguns are used to accelerate ferromagnetic shells which contain solid slugs or warheads. The smallest, 4.5mm calliber is a standard assault rifle with kinetic rounds, carried by the PSF Marine Corps and by Space Corps boarders/ship security. Huge, long-barreled armored turrets fire 800mm caliber anti-ship rounds carrying variable-yield thermonuclear warheads. Even longer heavy coilguns accelerate smaller rounds, 20-90mm caliber, to much higher velocities, doing multi-kiloton TNT equivalent damage through kinetic energy alone, penetrating armor and shields easier than the larger rounds. All coilgun weapons are close range, perhaps medium range if fired from fast-moving warship.
High Energy Variable Frequency (HEVF) LaserFree electron lasers up to X-Ray wavelengths serve the PSF warships in anti-missile, point defense, and occasionally in the long range direct fire roles. The invention of ship's energy shields, the increasingly high thrust and maneuverability of munitions and ship engines have made the laser as an anti-ship weapon limited.
80 cm Anti Ship TorpedoThe standard 80cm anti-ship torpedo carries a variable-yield nuclear warhead up to 175 megatons and is propelled by a miniature fusion torch drive. In the Battle of Phenia, these weapons were used with some success (and desperation) against the dense squadrons of Danaversian fighters. The
Messenger of Hope class Missile Cruiser carries two rows of 80 cm torpedo launchers, offering a lethal broadside of over a hundred torpedoes per port or starboard salvo.
ShieldsPSF security vessels are each protected by an energy and force field, which absorbs beam and energy weapons damage, and deflect solid shots that cannot penetrate the high-pressure force field. Combat use of these defenses, known as 'shields,' results in the depletion of the shield's energy stores. Shields must be inoperative to be recharged. Highly penetrative kinetic shots or highly energetic weapons can still breach or rapidly overload the shield generators. Shields also prevent such things as transporters and high resolution sensors.
Security DronesUsed by PSF as reconnaissance, pursuit, heavy air/anti-personnel and anti-vehicle support units for the PSF Police Corps. They are typically half the standing height and just thicker than the average trooper, capable of hovering flight, and armed with heavy coilguns, grenade launchers, anti-personnel lasers, net throwers or flamethrowers. They have their own rudimentary intelligence and follow standardized orders with a varying degree of initiative. They are armored and protected to a good degree, but have vulnerable points such as the laser emitter or sensors.
Neural Implants and InterfacesPhenia's civilian market also features these originally military-designed technologies allowing brain-computer interfacing and implants to assist or increase the function of the brain. Typical implants are ocular implants to enhance vision and increase visible spectrum, neural implants with data, skill-sets, memories, micro-computers, etc., cyber-neural interfaces allowing the brain to connect with computer networks, brain augmentation which reaches the extremes of replacing organic brain tissues with microprocessors and machines, as well as the other enhancements mentioned. Comm implants allow easy communication via several means (including radio) without separate equipment.
SensorsSensors include the FTL subspace transceiver and hyperspace transceivers, light-speed active and passive EM arrays, scopes and systems. Even the smallest of PSF ships is loaded with a good variety of detection and identification equipment.
FTL CommunicationVery valuable to the rapidly-growing Greater Phenia is the capability to communicate at such high speeds as to be nearly instantaneous. Subspace signals are propagated at hundreds of thousands of times the speed of light and can sustain high data flow.
Medical FoamA sprayable, thick, foamy substance which contains nanotechnological anti-biotics, regenerative and repair cells and painkilling capability, to be applied to wounds in emergency situations.
Subterranean Urban DesignBesides Arcology City, Phenia's capital, most of the Directorate's planet-bound constructs feature subterranean infrastructure and habitats, giving protection against natural or artificial planetary bombardment, cosmic rays and high EM emissions. Phenians are, if not masters, old hands at the tunneling, recycling, rat-like hive city lifestyle.
INDEX:
PSF SPACE CORPS SHIP EQUIPMENT1. COMBAT ENGINESClass A Gravity Drive Unit
TYPE: Gravity Propulsion Unit
MANUFACTURER: Lance Shipyards
MASS: 160 tons
THRUST: 350 kN
PEAK POWER CONSUMPTION: 52.5 TW
DRIVE CHAMBER DIAMETER: 6 m
COST: $18,000,000
Class B Gravity Drive Unit
TYPE: Gravity Propulsion Unit
MANUFACTURER: Lance Shipyards
MASS: 1,100 tons
THRUST: 3,000 kN
PEAK POWER CONSUMPTION: 450 TW
DRIVE CHAMBER DIAMETER: 16 m
COST: $35,000,000
Class C Gravity Drive Unit
TYPE: Gravity Propulsion Unit
MANUFACTURER: Lance Shipyards
MASS: 16,000 tons
THRUST: 35,000 kN
PEAK POWER CONSUMPTION: 525 TW
DRIVE CHAMBER DIAMETER: 18 m
COST: $90,000,000
2. OLD/CIVILIAN DRIVES, SECONDARY/AUXILIIARY THRUSTERSClass A Pion Drive
TYPE: Beam-Core Antimatter Thermal Rocket
MANUFACTURER: Lance Shipyards
MASS: 500 tons
EXHAUST VELOCITY: 7,840 km/s
THRUST: 49 kN
Class AA Fusion Drive
TYPE: Deuterium-Tritium Fusion Thermal Rocket
MANUFACTURER: Lance Shipyards
MASS: 10 tons
EXHAUST VELOCITY: 22 km/s
THRUST: 108 kN
Class A Fusion Drive
TYPE: Hydrogen-Boron Fusion Thermal Rocket
MANUFACTURER: Lance Shipyards
MASS: 300 tons
EXHAUST VELOCITY: 980 km/s
THRUST: 61 kN
Class B Fusion Drive
TYPE: Helium3-Deuterium Fusion Thermal Rocket
MANUFACTURER: Lance Shipyards
MASS: 1,200 tons
EXHAUST VELOCITY: 7,840 km/s
THRUST: 49 kN
Class AAA Chemical Rocket
TYPE: Liquid Chemical Rocket
MANUFACTURER: Lance Shipyards
MASS: 2 tons
EXHAUST VELOCITY: 4,500 m/s
THRUST: 1,668 kN
Class B High Thrust Fusion Drive
TYPE: Deuterium-Tritium Fusion Thermal Rocket
MANUFACTURER: Lance Shipyards
MASS: 1000 tons
EXHAUST VELOCITY: 22 km/s
THRUST: 10.8 MN
COST: $25,000,000
Class C Pion Drive
TYPE: Beam Core Antimatter Rocket
MANUFACTURER: Lance Shipyards
MASS: 5000 tons
EXHAUST VELOCITY: 7,860 km/s
THRUST: 520 kN
COST: $125,000,000