Space ships, how would they deal with debris?

[HarryKILLSworth]

If that dust were to fly throq the earths atmosphere it would instantly be burned up by atmospheric friction, so maybe you could incorporate that factor into our story and invent the first ---Ozone-ic Thermo-Atmospheric Projectile Deflectors--- "friction shield". Pretty much how it works is when dust travels inside a range within 100's yards of the ship it would be encountering tremendous amounts of friction and burns up. The kenetic energy storage tanks, ie. "generators" would gather the energy produced from the force of this particles movement and convert it into useable energy or fuel to bes used for ship functions. Of course these shields would have to be turned when docked or approaching friendlys so as not to burns up your allies. These shields "deflectors" would also be useful in burning up enemy missles.

*I gave it my best shot.*

[slayernz]

Hey Harry, not a bad theory and concept. It's much better than the generic "energy force field" type thingy

To the original topic I thought of one last argument to why dust isn't the destroyer. We've had human-made ships fly through asteroid belts and through deep space, and none of them have been vaporized by super-charged space dust. The Voyager 1 and 2 satellites are especially good examples as they are still functioning and have passed the range of the solar system planets (planets tend to be very good sponges for errant particles).

I've enabled my energy force field and am cloaked at my desk so you can't see or slap me ;D

[blackgauntlet]

I don't see why an anti-gravity well generator couldn't do the same thing.

[slayernz]

Yes, in fact having crew strapped with both magnets and portable gravity-well generators would be the perfect clearing device. You shoot one crew member out a torp at hyper-sonic speeds, gathering and clearing all space debris out of your way. Given that in space, there is only microscopic friction, that one crew member will last several AU worth of straight-line travel. You only need to "employ" another crew member when you decide to change direction.

[gravismetallum]

Must never sign on as crew with captain slayer...ya know just that name alone should be a warning. ;D

Hmmm who to sign on with?

Captain Boardsalot-sign bonus 25$-pay rate 10$ per AU: "Err maybe not safe"

Captain Chasesalienz-sign bonus 50$-pay rate 25$ per AU: "Sounds dangerous!"

Captain Slayernz-sign bonus 100$-pay rate 100$ per AU survived: "Guess ill have to sign with Chasesalienz,much safer"

[blackgauntlet]

Y'know, I'll take my chances with slayer than an EXPLORER! ;D

[gravismetallum]

You still explore with slayer,its just youl bee seeing dangerous deep space dust as your flying around with a rare earth magnet strapped to you rather than a trap filled alien infested volcanic jungle....hmmm now that I typed that, it does seem like a hard choice. ;D

[HarryKILLSworth]

Slayer just tied a rope to the legal off the crewmen beforehand. It will make retrieval much easier. Just have to reel em in. of course using that method your death benefits and workmans comp insurance overhead cost will shoot thro the roof.

[taatuu25]

Captain madexplorer
Pay rate: 0$ and you get to see an aliens throat very close!
Totally worth it!

[slayernz]

Errr ... rope? seriously? I used to use rope when I first fired the crew out of torp tubes, but seriously, that only gave me a range of about 2km at a time. PLUS I had to waste time hauling the crew back in. What could a good captain do but take a democratic vote to determine if we should forgo the rope or not. It was unanimous - everyone voted yes, the rope should go.

First, being shot out of a torp tube at hypersonic speeds, only to be stopped suddenly when the rope was stretched out tended to slice the crew member in half. Second, the vote was taken while the crew were in their quarters, and as per standard Cadar ship layout, everyone knows the crews quarters also double-up as airlocks. I subtly reminded them that my finger was hovering over the "Cycle Airlock Doors" button.

I did strike up a compromise though - I promised not to change direction too often so usually only 3 - 5 crew needed to do their duty on any particular voyage.

[blackgauntlet]

It's kinda like a 20% CONFIRMED mortality rate if you're flying the Vae Victus.

[slayernz]

Nah ... Within the first 200 turns I always aim to be out of the Vae and into either a Javat cutter or Honor of Thulun. Until then I am nice to my crew ... we rely on energy force fields instead.

[blackgauntlet]

You don't need Physics when you have Magics.

[slayernz]

Did you haaave to include that link?

[blackgauntlet]

Not really. But I like it when people start going whhhaaaaattt... ;D