Approved Tech RMR-H22 Eos Gravdrive

[Alban Roble]

R M R - H 2 2
E O S​

OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION

• Intent: To create a revolutionary new type of hyperdrive for the closed market.
• Image Source: N/A
• Canon Link: N/A
• Permissions: N/A
• Primary Source: N/A

PRODUCTION INFORMATION

• Manufacturer: Roble Manufacturing
• Affiliation: Roble Manufacturing
• Market Status: Closed-Market
• Model: RMR-H22 Eos Gravdrive
• Modularity: No
• Production: Mass-Produced
• Material:
  • Impervium Outer Coating
  • Duranium Chassis
  • Duravlex Interior Heat Insulation
  • Sybarium Synthetic Energy Crystal
  • SACG-23S Shock-Absorbent Gel
  • Liquid-Aenite Mineral Compound
  • RGT-BH5 Erebus Particle Collider
  • Flux Capacitator Connector
  • Carbonite Insert
  • Paralight System
  • Gravitic Sensor
  • Compressor Coil
  • Inhibitor
  • Regulator
  • Alternating Sequencing Module
  • Mauvine Nullifier
  • Null Quantum Field Generator
  • Remodulating Buffer Heatsink
  • Repulsor Compensator

SPECIAL FEATURES

• Uses natural curve in space-time caused by gravitational fields to maneuver through hyperspace
  • Maneuvers performed through the gravdrive appear to be near-instantaneous
• Operational range limited to the extent of a gravitational field produced by a significant celestial body
  • i.e. Star Systems are the largest conventional extent of this range
  • Inoperable in deep space, areas with no significant gravitational draw
  • Smallest operational gravitational field produced by celestial body with mass equivalent to a moon
• Follows normal laws of hyperspace; cannot warp directly through mass shadows
• Advanced hypernavigation calculation systems
  • Integration with onboard flight, navigational systems
• Energy constraints prevent installation on ships above two-thousand meters or smaller than fifty meters in size.

STRENGTHS

• Blink: The Eos uses natural curves in space-time caused by gravitational fields to perform complicated maneuvers in hyperspace, able to more efficiently and safely than standard micro-jumps.

WEAKNESSES

• Range Calculation: The longer the distance a gravdrive is jumping, the longer it will take to perform that jump. Quick hops only take moments to compute and execute, but planet-to-planet travel takes significantly longer.
• Short Range: The range at which the gravdrive can operate is limited to the extent of strong gravitational presences. This means that the largest operable area of gravdrives are within star systems -- in deep space the gravdrives simply do not have enough gravitational curve to function.
• Acceleration: When a ship reverts to realspace from a gravdrive jump, the ship's acceleration rate is at near zero. The time it takes for standard propulsion systems to increase this rate to normal speeds allows for enemy ships to take advantage of it.
• Interdiction: Like all hyperspace technologies, the gravdrive is subject to counter by interdiction fields.

DESCRIPTION
Another breakthrough development in advanced hyperspace technology, the RMR-H22 Eos Gravdrive follows the RMR-H21 Maeni Interdictor Field Generator as Roble Manufacturing's next significant investment into hyperspace and gravitational technologies. While the Interdictor Field Generator is designed to restrict and control hyperspace travel, the Eos is designed to expand the capabilities of hyperspace.

The function of the Eos centers around the passive gravitational fields produced by large celestial masses -- moons, planets, and stars -- and the natural curves in space-time produced by said gravitational fields. Aligning to those curves through advanced hypernavigational calculation systems, the Eos essentially allows for near-instantaneous maneuvering across small interstellar distances. This is similar to microjumping, however the Eos provides much higher precision and does not require the similar build-up of velocity required for conventional hyperspace jumps. The cost of this, however, is the operable range; outside of any significant gravitational field, the Eos is essentially useless. This is also the case within extremely strong (or artificial) gravity wells produced by black holes or interdiction fields.

The ability of the gravdrive is very potent. With the right amount of timing and calculations, a ship can dodge slow-velocity weapons such as missile systems (although standard turbolaser and hypervelocity cannons fire too quickly to be able to reliably dodge). However, this comes at the downside of a ship having near-zero acceleration when they come out of a gravdrive jump, essentially leaving them as a sitting duck for a short while until they can get their propulsion systems online and fully burning. A smart tactician can exploit this weakness to their advantage.

Ultimately the Eos is a significant advancement into hyperspace technology and will be well-utilized while Roble Manufacturing looks to continue to refine and upgrade the design.

​

 

[Shuklaar Kyrdol]

Under review.

 

[Shuklaar Kyrdol]

Alban Roble Okay, this is certainly an ambitious idea, but just some clarifications before we really dive into things.

Uses natural curve in space-time caused by gravitational fields to maneuver through hyperspace

• Maneuvers performed through the gravdrive appear to be near-instantaneous

One, could you please expand on what you mean by "maneuver through hyperspace". Also what do you mean, near-instantaneous. Is this fast enough that a fleet could jump from one end of the galaxy to the other in a comparatively trivial amount of time? When I say comparatively trivial, I mean insofar as say the timeframe of a battle is concerned.

Operational range limited to the extent of a gravitational field produced by a significant celestial body

• i.e. Star Systems are the largest conventional extent of this range
• Inoperable in deep space, areas with no significant gravitational draw
• Smallest operational gravitational field produced by celestial body with mass equivalent to a moon

Okay, so if I'm understanding this correctly, this can't do jumps between star systems then? If not, please clarify the practical range of this drive within the known galaxy. Keep in mind, hyperspace drives don't usually have to have their range classified because of the fact that they don't have distinct operating conditions as you've described.

 

[Alban Roble]

Shuklaar Kyrdol

You are correct - this can only perform jumps within the boundary of a star system, and is incapable of interstellar travel (i.e. traveling between star systems). This means it can’t jump from one side of the galaxy to the other in a trivial amount of time, but is more akin to microjumps.

 

[Shuklaar Kyrdol]

Alban Roble Perfect, that clears part of that up. Just wanted to check, theoretically, does that mean ships with this drive would be able to more or less instantaneously jump around a space battle without the need for subspace travel? Assuming additional sub systems such as jump capacitors and extremely high output reactors were involved, that is.

Also, you still haven't clarified what you mean by maneuvers. Could you please do so.

 

[Alban Roble]

Shuklaar Kyrdol

For your first question, it allows essentially more streamlined micro jumps but is constrained by all the same laws of hyperspace as a conventional hyperdrive would be. It’s faster for a capital ship to use it, but impractical at a starfighter sized level (and can’t be quipped by starfighters or battlecruiser and up).

As for your second question, maneuvers is in the context of this submission is used to indicate micro jump-like actions performed by the gravdrive. The dictionary definition of the term also fits pretty well, being “a movement or series of moves requiring skill and care.”

 

[Shuklaar Kyrdol]

Alban Roble I see. Just to further clarify things further, would it be possible for a ship with this drive to jump around a battlefield and/or star system rapidly enough to avoid attacks and/or still return fire?

 

[Alban Roble]

Shuklaar Kyrdol

For evading damage it probably depends on the type of attack that is incoming and range, essentially the time a starship crew has to react. The more time a starship has to react before impact (let’s say a missile) it would be easier to ‘dodge’ with the gravdrive, vs. a much higher velocity weapon like a hypervelocity cannon or Death Star-esque laser which would be near impossible to completely evade, even with a gravdrive.

As for returning fire (which I assume that oh mean after coming out of a gravdrive-induced jump) it would just be the same as if the ship came out of normal hyperspace, so it’s up to the design to the ship/SW lore how quickly or slowly weapons can come online to return fire.

 

[Shuklaar Kyrdol]

I was under the impression I'd already responded, but clearly I never actually hit post. My apologies on that front.

As for the submission, I'm afraid you must understand how unbalanced that is. Firstly, given portrayals of missiles that we see, this drive must be incredibly fast. If the only the higher echelon of high velocity direct fire weapons can hit a ship equipped with this drive when it is jumping about a battlefield, then that is a tad much I fear.

I'm going to have to ask you to please find a way where you can retain the spirit behind this idea without the potential for abuse. I think it has the potential to be a fantastic tactical tool for a canny starship captain, but some limitations on its use in its intended theater of operations would be best.

 

[Alban Roble]

Shuklaar Kyrdol

Apologies for the wait.

First of all I've clarified in the submission that weapons at standard missile speed (so 'slow-traveling') are about what a ship could theoretically dodge. Anything faster, i.e. turbolasers, lasers, ion cannons, hypervelocity cannons, etc. would be extremely hard if not impossible to practically and reliably dodge.

I've also added two more weaknesses that I hope tone down any unintended overpowered aspects of this submission, by increasing the time a ship needs to calculate/perform a jump based on the distance it is jumping and having ships be at near-zero acceleration when they revert, making maneuvering outside of a jump harder (essentially a trade-off).

 

[Shuklaar Kyrdol]

Alban Roble Very well. I don't need to remind you that if you abuse it, you lose it. Approved! Try not to have too much fun with your new gravdrive.