Propulsion
Contents
Inter-planetary propulsion
AYSE Drive
See AYSE Drive for main article.
The Habitat is propelled through interplanetary space via the AYSE Drive. The AYSE drive functions by projecting tachyons and tardyons in front of the habitat. These particls interact to produce a singularity which draws the habitat forwards. Since it is an artificial singularity, the it quickly vanishes before the habitat comes close enough to be damaged by the gravitational pull.
Plasma Drives
The alternative method of propulsion considered to replace the AYSE Drive is a more conventional propellent-based drive system. It would move by emitting a propellent at high velocities in the opposite direction). The current proposal is for a magnetoplasmadynamic thruster. This thruster works by taking the plasma from the fusion reactor and accelerating it with a magnetic field. The strength and shape of this magnetic field is manipulated to control the speed and direction of the exhaust gasses. For additional thrust, carbon dioxide from the Life Support systems can be ionized and fed into the exhaust stream, providing more thrust.
SLINCE Drive
See SLINCE Drive for main article.
THe SLINCE drive, short for Super Long Inducting Navigational Coil Emergency Drive, is used in the event that the AYSE Drive fails. The SLINCE Drive works by deploying a long superconducting cable. The habitat is then propelled along this cable back to earth.
Short-range propulsion
Maneuvering Thrusters
Once detatched from the AYSE Drive, the habitat uses a series of pulsed inductive thrusters to navigate into a descent trajectory and to rendezvous with the AYSE drive for its return trip. These thrusters use electricity to ionize and propel gas at high speeds. They are powered by a bank of capacitors and are thus suited to deliver short bursts of power.
Launch Thrusters
Launch thrusters are used to lift the habitat into orbit. These thrusters operate by combusting methane produced by the Life Support system. If there is too little methane stored, the maneuvering thrusters can be used to assist the launch thrusters. Alternativly, the launch thruster has vectored thrust nozzles, enabling the main launch thruster to assit the maneuvering jets if there is excess methane.
