Coolant [Spaceships]

[AlexanderHowl]

Because superscience reaction drives that have high thrust and high delta-v are also WMDs in disguise. For example, a TL9^ nuclear saltwater reactor is continuous nuclear detonation that sprays radiative death as its reaction mass and it is the least dangerous of the bunch. A SM+6 shuttle with a TL12^ total conversion drive converts 3g of matter into pure energy per second, effectively detonating a 60 kiloton fusion bomb beneath it every second.

Coolant avoids both forms of WMD while allowing for a pleasing delta-v. A spacecraft with one component of water could achieve a delta-v of 500 mps while a spacecraft with ten components of water could achieve a delta-v of 7,000 mps. Of course, there may be some abuse still, so changing the duration of coolant to one hour per 1g of acceleration may be better (it still gives 20 mps and 280 mps respectively). At that point, spacecraft can get up to an acceptable delta-v without worrying about WMDs.