Interplanetary travel

[Figleaf23]

Hello,

I'm working on the space element of my multi-comprehensive omni-setting, in particular, for a near Earth-near future campaign.

I looked in GURPS 4e Space for some practical information on how orbital mechanics is used in relation to interplanetary travel, but as usual, that book was of no assistance. So a couple of questions -- is this kind of information covered in any of the volumes of GURPS Space Ships? or has anyone here got a relatively straightforward method for gaming this element of interplanetary travel?

Thanks for any replies.

[Fred Brackin]

Originally Posted by Figleaf23

Hello,

I'm working on the space element of my multi-comprehensive omni-setting, in particular, for a near Earth-near future campaign.

I looked in GURPS 4e Space for some practical information on how orbital mechanics is used in relation to interplanetary travel, .

Sorry, I can't tell what it is about "orbital mechanics" you want to know. Are you lopking for Delta-V numbers or something?

[Anthony]

I can tell you that there is no such thing as an orbital mechanics simulator that is both simple and even remotely complete.

[Flyndaran]

The wikipedia section on Hohmann transfer orbits might explain some things.

[thrash]

I've used something like this chart from Atomic Rockets. Print it out, write in the travel times from one node to the next, and give your players a delta-V budget. Tell them that any excess delta-V can be used to shorten the trip time. You'll also need a chart of launch windows among your major destinations.

Far from perfect, but Good Enough for my non-physicist players.

[Figleaf23]

Thanks, that Atomic Rockets page is the stuff I'm talking about, but still nastily complex. I don't know if I can fathom it.

If there's a simpler variation for gaming purposes I'd be glad to hear about it.

[vicky_molokh]

Originally Posted by Figleaf23

Thanks, that Atomic Rockets page is the stuff I'm talking about, but still nastily complex. I don't know if I can fathom it.

If there's a simpler variation for gaming purposes I'd be glad to hear about it.

Well, maybe just use Celestia and calculate trip times over straight lines using given dV? Oversimplified it is, though.

[samd6]

SS1 has some stuff about travel times with various acceleration and delta-V