Part XVII: Into the Void!

by Vir Cotto

Most ancient craft, with a few experimental and non-mass-produced exceptions, used an exhaust based propulsion. Although the current ion coil drive is of this same basic principal, the ancient star drives, which relied on emission of charged particles; ions, electrons or light bosons, were far less efficient, rarely being able to propel a craft beyond the velocity of a few thousand miles per minute.

Since all these early drives relied upon a fuel source carried with the craft, their range and maneuverability were dependant upon this limited fuel. Thus extreme maneuvers and erratic evasive techniques were foolhardy, as they would tend to threaten to exhaust the limited fuel supply and leave the craft helplessly headed out toward its last trajectory, unable to make necessary course corrections. Continue reading →