Spaceship Design: What makes sense, and what's nonsense?

Pursuivant · 04-27-2022, 02:59 AM

The GURPS Spaceships series is a good starting point for what's realistic, what's theoretically possible given the current state of physics, and what's science-fantasy.

Any system of TL8 or lower is "realistic" - could be built or has been built with early 21st c. or earlier technology.

Any system of TL9+ is "possible with sufficiently advanced engineering and physics."

Any system with a ^ next to it violates the laws of physics as we know them.

The volume sizes for a given ship and relative size of components can also be used as a basis for making spacecraft drawings.

04-27-2022, 02:59 AM	#32
Pursuivant Join Date: Apr 2005	Re: Spaceship Design: What makes sense, and what's nonsense? The GURPS Spaceships series is a good starting point for what's realistic, what's theoretically possible given the current state of physics, and what's science-fantasy. Any system of TL8 or lower is "realistic" - could be built or has been built with early 21st c. or earlier technology. Any system of TL9+ is "possible with sufficiently advanced engineering and physics." Any system with a ^ next to it violates the laws of physics as we know them. The volume sizes for a given ship and relative size of components can also be used as a basis for making spacecraft drawings.