Biology / Genetics
Genetic modification may allows the creation of new variants of our species with differing environmental tolerances, potentially useful for colonizing non-ideal worlds.
Construction / Production
Trans-Newtonian Technology
It is imperative that we establish a more robust and comprehensive theory of Trans-Newtonian physics. The minor research done up until this point has been promising, but a large-scale, dedicated, systematic approach may open dozens of new avenues of investigation.
Asteroid Mining Module
TNEs allow for massive miniaturization, to the point that the actual mining equipment of an automated mine can be packed onto a ship hull. These ships are only able to mine from asteroids, since the lower gravity allows the ship to use relatively weak station keeping thrusters to maintain position over the asteroid, much like some varieties of oil rig did in the early 21st century.
Industry
Utilizing TNEs in novel ways allows for more production to be squeezed out of the same amount of hardware. Advances in TN computing provide further performance increases.
Expand Civilian Economy
Utilizing TNEs in novel ways allows for more production to be squeezed out of the same amount of hardware. Advances in TN computing provide further performance increases.
Research Rate
Utilizing TNEs in novel ways allows for more production to be squeezed out of the same amount of hardware. Advances in TN computing provide further performance increases.
Shipbuilding
Utilizing TNEs in novel ways allows for more production to be squeezed out of the same amount of hardware. Advances in TN computing provide further performance increases.
Sorium Harvester
Current research indicates that sorium should be plentiful in the atmospheres of many gas giants. This module miniaturizes the infrastructure of a fuel refinery, allowing the complicated machinery to be fitted to a ship hull.
Terraforming
Technology |
Research Cost |
Description
|
Terraforming Module |
5000 |
Miniaturization of the atomic crucibles present in terraforming installations allows the use of the atmospheric modification process from a ship-borne platform.
|
Terraforming Rate 0.0012 atm |
3000 |
The amount of gas (measured in atmospheric pressure) produced in one year by one terraforming installation or terraforming module.
|
Jumpgate Construction
After experimentation with transient wormholes in a laboratory settings, a method was found to stabilize the wormholes using pulsed ICEF fields to tease the singularity open along the Trans-Newtonian dimensions. A final application of TN radiation when the rift is large enough cements it into place in our own dimensions. The process must be done extremely precisely and carefully, which translates to performing it slowly. Estimates are that it would take 180 days to stabilize a real-world wormhole.
Defensive Systems
Armor
Technology |
Research Cost |
Research Date |
Researcher |
Description
|
Duranium Armor |
Researched |
14th July 2025 |
Dr. Magicboots |
TNE researchers discovered that a simple duranium slab, when treated with a high-frequency AC electric current, becomes dozens of times harder and more impact resistant than even the strongest pre-TNE materials, making it a valuable armoring material. Curiously, duranium does not exhibit the ICEF effect, and this technique is more akin to tempering steel.
|
High Density Duranium Armor |
Researched |
3rd September 2033 |
Dr. Magicboots |
Following on from his development of the first practical Duranium armors, Dr. MagicBoots theorizes that while duranium itself does not exhibit the ICEF effect, applying a strong ICEF field force to cooling tempered duranium may compress the material into a higher density format, allowing better protection for a reduced amount of material.
|
Composite Armor |
5000 |
|
|
The recent discovery of a TN smelting technique that will allow alloying duranium with neutronium may result in significant hardness and performance gains over traditional duraniuim-only armor compounds.
|
Cloaking
Another remarkable new physics enabled by TNEs is the cloaking effect. The same researchers working on the shielding prototypes reasoned that since a moving electric field creates a magnetic field and a moving magnetic field creates an electric current, perhaps a similar relation would hold for the Trans-Newtonian "electromagnetic" analogue. However, the analogy didn't appear to hold, as no electric current or field was observed. What they discovered, however, was that inducing a magnetic field through the Corbomite lattice caused the lattice to dampen the gravitation signature of whatever was contained in the lattice. They reasoned this could be useful for masking the mass of a ship from gravitational-based sensors. It was decided the effect was more of a curiosity than anything readily applicable.
Damage Control
Technology |
Research Cost |
Description
|
Damage Control |
4400 |
Utilizing TNE-based lift-assists and bulkheading, the damage control system would allow a ship to move heavy parts to where they are needed quickly.
|
Shields
Technology |
Research Cost |
Researcher |
Description
|
Alpha Shields |
Traded |
Federation |
A very exciting development occurred during Dr. Slaan's research when a group working at Lawrence Livermore discovered that passing a high-voltage electric current through a woven Corbomite lattice caused a physical field to be created, in much the same manner as an electric current in a regular wire producing a magnetic field. The difference here is that the Induced Corbomite Energy Field (ICEF) provides resistance against both physical forces and electromagnetic radiation. The researchers speculate that with a high enough voltage and a strong enough lattice, the ICEF effect could be used as a form of energy shielding.
|
Shield Regeneration Rate 1 |
Traded |
Federation |
Researchers working on primitive energy shielding technology quickly determined that repeated energetic impacts or radiative impulses on the energy field would deplete its resistive strength, and rigged up a high-voltage transformer to "recharge" the field after depletion. This technology would expand on that notion.
|
Stealth
Technology |
Research Cost |
Research Date |
Researcher |
Description
|
Thermal Reduction: Signature 75% Normal |
Stolen |
12th June 2034 |
Federation |
Another byproduct of the ICEF effect is that a fraction of any energy directed into the lattice will be re-radiated into the Trans-Newtonian dimension. Harnessing this effect will allow for masking the thermal signature of engine flares.
|
Thermal Reduction: Signature 50% Normal |
3000 |
|
|
Refinement of ICEF-based thermal baffle (ITB) control algorithms and power densities should allow further reductions in thermal signature.
|
Energy Weapons
Laser
Technology |
Research Cost |
Description
|
10cm Laser Focal Size |
1000 |
The primary issue with weaponizing directed energy sources in the past had been powering them. With refined sorium being so much more energy dense than anything else in pre-TNE world, researchers are moving forward at a brisk pace with laser technology.
|
Infrared Laser |
500 |
With the energy-source problem for lasers solved, the problem turned to targeting and coherence. Corundium-based optics were found to result in extremely tight coherence of the beam. Manufacturing these optics is proving to be difficult, with the difficulty increasing as the wavelength of the laser increases. Currently, only prototypes for infrared laser optics are available.
|
Reduced-size Laser 0.75 Size / 4x Recharge |
5000 |
|
Meson
Technology |
Research Cost |
Research Date |
Researcher |
Description
|
10cm Meson Focal Size |
Researched |
9th December 2027 |
Dr. Slaan |
Early experiments with TNEs and conventional particle physics revealed an interesting phenomenon: TNEs appear to be completely transparent to certain kinds of mesons. Additionally, mesons seem to penetrate ICEF-based energy shields. Work on weaponizing this phenomenon ensued quickly.
|
12cm Meson Focal Size |
396 |
|
|
By employing ICEF-based beam collimators, researchers are able to improve the cohesion of the meson stream over a larger aperture, increasing the range of the beam.
|
Meson Focusing Technology 1 |
Researched |
15th January 2028 |
Dr. Slaan |
Focusing is an issue with meson technology as well, as any imperfections in the beampath result in massive scatter. As such, mesons are an inherently short-ranged weapon, but there are improvements to be made.
|
Meson Focusing Technology 2 |
2000 |
|
|
Improved manufacturing tolerances increase the quality of optics produced for focusing meson beams. Increased quality leads to less dispersion, and therefore longer effective range.
|
Microwave
Technology |
Research Cost |
Description
|
10cm Microwave Focal Size |
1000 |
Another interesting feature of TNEs is that electronics based on them are extremely vulnerable to high energy microwave radiation. Microwaves appear to interact in a novel way with TNEs at the atomic level, causing a cascading energy buildup that results in a burst of energy that will overload any traditional electronic components. Obviously the defense implications of this phenomenon are huge. However, ICEF-based energy shields do affect microwaves.
|
Microwave Focusing Technology 1 |
1000 |
Microwave-based TN weapons suffer from similar problems as both laser and meson based weapons.
|
Plasma Carronade
Researchers working with advanced ICEF prototypes determined that through careful field shaping, a hollow sphere of very weak shielding could be created. Combining this with a high-powered plasma generator, they were able to project explosive balls of plasma against targets, with the plasma remaining in a coherent and high-energy form until impact with the target, at which point the "shell" would deteriorate quickly and the plasma explode violently. The theoretical range for this weapon is quite limited, but the damage potential is very high. They called the device a plasma carronade.
Particle Beam
Technology |
Research Cost |
Description
|
Particle Beam Range 60,000 km |
1000 |
TNE-based particle collimators and ICEF-based beam guides could potentially concentrate the output of high-powered particle accelerators into an extremely consistent stream, preventing the sort of scatter normally seen in charged-particle beam-based weapons and hugely extending their range.
|
Particle Beam Strength 2 |
2000 |
TN researchers discovered that particle accelerators built with TNEs could reach energies and beam densities significantly higher than traditional devices, meaning a weaponized form could be fitted into a relatively small form factor.
|
Turret
TNE-based materials in turret machinery allow swifter traverse and therefore tracking of quicker targets.
Logistics / Ground Combat
Maintenance Modules
Technology |
Research Cost |
Description
|
Additional Maintenance Storage |
1000 |
By developing a TN computing-based stores system, ship spares can be organized more efficiently with an automated inventory retrieval system.
|
Engineering Section - Small |
2000 |
The small engineering section provides an alternative to the full-sized module to keep the mass of smaller or less complicated ships down. Spares support infrastructure utilizes a moderate level of TN-based miniaturization.
|
Maintenance Module |
5000 |
Trans-Newtonian technology like ICEF manipulator fields, TNE-based atomic furnaces, and TNE-based miniaturization and automation techniques allows a ship to take on the functionality of an entire ground-based ship maintenance facility.
|
Ground Units
Technology |
Research Cost |
Research Date |
Researcher |
Description
|
Assault Infantry Battalion |
5000 |
|
|
Equipping an infantry battalion with heavy TN APCs and weapons, as well as further improvements in power armor control and capability, allows an assault infantry battalion to be one of the most powerful forces in a TN army.
|
Brigade Headquarters |
5000 |
|
|
Making liberal use of TN-computing, sensing, and communications equipment, a TN brigade headquarters serves as the parent unit of up to four TN battalions. The services and support of the HQ unit grants its subordinate units increased capabilities and facilitates ground unit training.
|
Engineer Brigade |
Researched |
16th November 2027 |
Dr. Eumenides |
A brigade of military engineers equipped with TN tractor fields, mass lifts, and computers has the construction capability of an entire TN construction complex. They are also given extensive training in foreign technology, allowing them to study and utilize these foreign assets.
|
Garrison Battalion |
1000 |
|
|
Equipped with TNE-based fortification aids, including ICEF barricades, garrison battalions would be able to provide for the defense or policing of a minor colony with the strength of a whole brigade of our current infantry. However, they are not well-equipped for offensive operations.
|
Mobile Infantry Battalion |
Researched |
8th January 2030 |
Dr. Eumenides |
Equipped with TNE-based small arms, light tanks, and reconnaissance aircraft, a Trans-Newtonian Mobile Infantry Battalion has the offensive capabilities and defensive capabilities of an entire low tech infantry brigade. They can hold their own in an offensive fight, but shine when used in support or to hold recently captured territory.
|
Replacement Battalion |
500 |
|
|
Replacement battalions are support formations designed to reinforce-in-place any type of combat formation in their vicinity. An extreme use of TNE-based logistical infrastructure (depots, ground transports, etc) enable this quick response.
|
Ground Unit Strength 12 |
Researched |
7th May 2033 |
Dr. Eumenides |
Improved battlefield communications, improved logistics support, and TN-based small arms all increase the fighting capability of our ground forces, and all thanks to a relatively limited introduction of TNEs.
|
Ground Unit Strength 14 |
2000 |
|
|
New breakthroughs in TN miniaturization and implementation will allow for better weapons, communications equipment, and vehicles for ground forces.
|
Colonization
Technology |
Research Cost |
Research Date |
Researcher |
Description
|
Cryogenic Transport |
Researched |
7th August 2026 |
Dr. Slaan |
Large capacitors store huge amounts of energy to flash freeze colonists in mere nanoseconds, avoiding the cell damage that plagued earlier techniques. The cryogenic casks are then loaded into a double vacuum bottle and an ICEF-based field is erected around the structure, preventing the entry of any thermal energy. When frozen in such a fashion, colonists are essentially in stasis. A TNE-based power grid maintains the system, and the colonists can be very densely packed, allowing moderately sized spacecraft to carry thousands of colonists for a relatively minimal overhead.
|
Colonization Cost Reduction 5% |
10000 |
|
|
By making heavy usage of TNEs in colonization infrastructure, the amount necessary to support a given number of colonists decreases.
|
Troop Transport
Technology |
Research Cost |
Research Date |
Researcher |
Description
|
Troop Transport Bay |
Researched |
17th January 2027 |
Dr. Eumenides |
This module provides the infrastructure necessary to support a battalion's worth of troops for a long-term strategic relocation. TNE-based miniaturization is employed to reduce the amount of infrastructure mass present.
|
Small Troop Transport Bay |
2000 |
|
|
This module provides the infrastructure necessary to support a company's worth of troops for a long-term strategic relocation. TNE-based miniaturization is employed to reduce the amount of infrastructure mass present.
|
Combat Drop Module - Battalion |
3000 |
|
|
TN mass-reduction technologies as well as propulsion capabilities provided by refined sorium fuel (ReSor) allow individual soldiers to be launched into an atmosphere, a barren asteroid, or an enemy space craft. This module houses a battalion's worth of individual assault pods and the loading, supplying, and refurbishing infrastructure necessary to support them.
|
Combat Drop Module - Company |
6000 |
|
|
Similar to the battalion-sized module, this module houses a company's worth of individual assault pods. More sophisticated TNE miniaturization is utilized to keep the support infrastructure mass down.
|
Life Support
Technology |
Research Cost |
Description
|
Command Module |
2000 |
Providing the same amenities as a traditional ship's bridge, but in a condensed manner, the command module provides a more compact alternative for smaller ships.
|
Crew Quarters - Small |
1000 |
Recent advancements in microtechnology have allowed better miniaturization of life support components, allowing us to provide quarters for a small number of crew. This should be a priority only if we are looking to develop small, lightly-crewed ships.
|
Orbital Habitat Module |
5000 |
Trans-Newtonian elements will enable the construction of vast space habitats. While there is no need for these in the forseeable future, they could be useful for providing living space for miners working on asteroids or comets, or potentially Luna.
|
Command and Control
Technology |
Research Cost |
Description
|
Flag Bridge |
1000 |
The TNE-based flag bridge provides an impressive suite of CIC functionality and provides for all the computing and analysis needs of an entire Task Force Command staff.
|
Improved Command and Control |
5000 |
A well developed communications network and command software suite may allow the administration of multiple solar systems from a centralized location. Admittedly, this research is rather forward looking, and is noted merely for its possibility, not its urgency.
|
Fuel Storage
Technology |
Research Cost |
Description
|
Fuel Storage - Small |
1000 |
Prior fuel tankage designs require large compressors and piping. Advances in fabrication techniques and design capabilities may allow for smaller tanks for light craft. This should be a priority only if we are looking to develop small ships.
|
Cargo Handling
Technology |
Research Cost |
Research Date |
Researcher |
Description
|
Cargo Handling System |
Researched |
20th August 2026 |
Dr. Eumenides |
By utilizing ICEF-based energy shields in reverse, they become remote manipulator fields. These fields greatly improve the efficiency of cargo loading and unloading operations by allowing computer controls to precisely maneuver various cargo pallets with maximal efficiency. More expansive tractor field systems increase cargo handling capabilities concomitantly.
|
Improved Cargo Handling System |
10000 |
|
|
Better quality control on ICEF emitter matrice fabrication and systems integration may produce cargo handling machinery twice as effective as the current model.
|
Salvage
Technology |
Research Cost |
Description
|
Salvage Module 500 |
5000 |
TNE-based tractor fields, atomic furnaces, and processing facilities allow this module to efficiently process any hulk or derelict in microgravity. This module provides for the ability to process 500 tonnes of debris per day.
|
Tractor Beam
Technology |
Research Cost |
Description
|
Ship to Ship Tractor Beam |
3438 |
Utilizing the inverse ICEF effect, a large-scale tractor beam mechanism could be constructed capable of unbreakably linking two void-capable ships.
|
Missiles / Kinetic Weapons
Railgun
Technology |
Research Cost |
Research Date |
Researcher |
Description
|
10cm Railgun |
1000 |
|
|
TNE-based capacitors allow the huge power rates necessary to launch a railgun projectile at a sufficient velocity to cause damage. A burst-fire mechanism improves the odds of hitting something. The projectile itself contains a minimal duranium shell that mass-masks the contents of the projectile. However, as with ships, this causes the projectile to experience Trans-Newtonian drag. Coupled with the lower mass of the projectiles necessitated by the burst-fire mechanism, this causes railguns to have shorter ranges than would otherwise be expected.
|
Railgun Launch Velocity 1 |
Stolen |
26th July 2033 |
Federation |
Better TNE-based power conduits and capacitors allow a better power impulse delivery to the barrel conductors, increasing the energy imparted to the projectile and thus increasing its range.
|
Railgun Launch Velocity 2 |
2000 |
|
|
Refined manufacturing techniques and improved materials quality allows the power conduits and capacitors of a railgun to store more energy for the firing burst, increasing energy delivered to the projectiles and therefore their range.
|
Gauss Cannon
Technology |
Research Cost |
Description
|
Gauss Cannon Launch Velocity 1 |
1000 |
High-powered TNE-based capacitors enable the rapid polarization of the gauss cannon's barrel, propelling a duranium encased shell without ever making contact with the barrel. ICEF-based baffles ensure smooth passage for the projectile.
|
Gauss Cannon Rate of Fire 1 |
1000 |
ICEF manipulator fields provide a completely automated and rapid reloading procedure for the gauss cannon.
|
Missile
Technology |
Research Cost |
Research Date |
Researcher |
Description
|
Enhanced Radiation Warhead (50% Yield, 2x Rad) |
1000 |
|
|
By "salting" the nuclear charge with a certain mixture of TNEs, the radiation output of a nuclear explosion can be increased by up to 100%. However, the interactions of the TNEs with the explosion shunts approximately half the explosive yield into the Trans-Newtonian dimension.
|
Implosion Fission Warhead: Strength: 3 x MSP |
Researched |
6th March 2034 |
Dr. MagicBoots |
Current nuclear warheads are predominantly of the "gun" type, in which a slug of fissile mass is explosively launched into another slug of fissile mass, creating a supercritical mass and setting off the nuclear explosion. 50% better yields can be achieved by encasing one subcritical mass inside another with a thin TNE baffle between, inhibiting the nuclear reaction. A shaped charge of high-powered explosive surrounds the nuclear assembly, with a final layer of tempered duranium surrounding the entire assembly. When detonated, the explosive charge rebounds off the ultrahard tempered duranium and forces the outside critical mass through the weak baffle into the inner mass, resulting in a powerful nuclear explosion.
|
Levitated-Pit Implosion Warhead: Strength: 4 x MSP |
4000 |
|
|
Yields can be increased by a third by "levitating" the plutonium pit of an implosion-type warhead, creating an air gap between the TNE baffle and the fissile mass. However, the extreme fragility of this method will require novel engineering techniques if it is to be able to withstand the stresses of void acceleration.
|
Missile Agility 32 per MSP |
2000 |
|
|
TN maneuvering computers and ReSor thrusters are used to allow missiles to intercept targets throughout the flight envelope. Miniaturizing thruster hardware and increasing computing power will both allow for more agile missiles.
|
Missile Launcher Reload Rate 2 |
2000 |
|
|
Improvements in TN electronics allow for faster cycling of the ICEF manipulators that hoist the missiles into the launcher from the magazine.
|
Reduced-size Launcher 0.75 Size / 2x Reload |
1000 |
|
|
In a similar manner to lasers, UN defense scientists looked to ways to offer more flexibility in the weapon configuration.
|
Carrier
Technology |
Research Cost |
Description
|
Boat Bay |
1000 |
ICEF tractor fields, mass-maskers and refuel/resupply infrastructure enable quick servicing and re-arming of parasite ships.
|
Magazine
Technology |
Research Cost |
Research Date |
Researcher |
Description
|
Magazine Ejection System - 70% Chance |
Researched |
22nd January 2027 |
Dr. Magicboots |
TN computing allows attosecond-rate disaster analysis, allowing the ship's computer to automatically attempt to eject an ordnance magazine if it feels it will keep the ship safe.
|
Magazine Ejection System - 80% Chance |
1000 |
|
|
ICEF guide rails in the ejection mechanism ensures the magazine is ejected at a sufficient velocity to clear the ship's hull before detonation.
|
Magazine Feed System Efficiency - 75% |
Researched |
25th May 2027 |
Dr. Slaan |
Incorporating ICEF tractor fields and conveyors allows the magazine feed system to be reduced in size, which increases the amount of actual ordnance that the magazine can hold.
|
Magazine Feed System Efficiency - 80% |
2000 |
|
|
Finer control over the ICEF tractors allows magazines to be engineered to tighter margins, increasing the amount of space actually devoted to ordnance stores.
|
Ordnance Production
Technology |
Research Cost |
Description
|
Ordnance Production 12 BP |
3000 |
Utilizing TNE-based production techniques and tooling increases the efficiency of existing assets.
|
Power and Propulsion
Capacitor
Technology |
Research Cost |
Description
|
Capacitor Recharge Rate 2 |
2000 |
Boronide capacitor plates allow unparalleled electric energy densities, and TNE power conduits allow this energy to be delivered at fantastic rates, compared to pre-TNE materials.
|
Engine
Technology |
Research Cost |
Research Date |
Researcher |
Description
|
Nuclear Thermal Engine Technology |
Researched |
22nd May 2026 |
|
By utilizing TNE-salted pressurized water reactors to heat ReSor and vent it through an exhaust, nuclear thermal engines can provide up to five times more thrust than the best conventional rocket engines.
|
Nuclear Pulse Engine Technology |
Researched |
1st December 2030 |
Dr. Slaan |
TNE-based radiation shielding and materials construction techniques have made the rather old concept of nuclear pulse propulsion (in which small nuclear bombs are used to propel a ship by pushing against a large shock absorber) more feasible and energy efficient.
|
Fast Attack Craft Engine (max one per ship) |
Stolen |
2nd August 2033 |
Federation |
By using a duranium-based special combustion manifold on a standard military-grade engine, its power can be doubled. However, the non-optimal geometry of the manifold increases fuel consumption ten-fold, and the inherently fragile nature of the addition makes the entire assembly more prone to catastrophic failure. The intricate ICEF-based fuel injection fields required to supply fuel to the manifold limits ships to one engine of this type, as more than one device exhibits interference effects when in proximity.
|
Fighter Engine (max one per ship) |
12000 |
|
|
Fitting an ICEF-based afterburner to a standard military-grade engine can triple its power output, but consumes one hundred times as much fuel, and if the field loses burn containment even instantaneously, the entire assembly is likely to undergo failure. The ICEF fields used to contain the reburnt ReSor are delicate and finely tuned, and only one can be present because of potential interference effects.
|
Fuel Efficiency 1. Fuel Usage x0.9 |
Researched |
6th April 2034 |
Dr. Scribbleykins |
ICEF-based thrust manifolds increase the amount of thrust extracted from the engine, ICEF-based filter fields extract "uncombusted" ReSor from the exhaust plume, and TN computers continually monitor the combustion process and adjust engine parameters as necessary. All three combine to increase fuel efficiency.
|
Fuel Efficiency 2. Fuel Usage 0.8x |
2000 |
|
|
Further refinement of ICEF-emitter devices may result in increased feasibility of the so called "Void Recall Effect," which allows TNEs with significant void momentum to be returned to the Einsteinian dimensions via an ICEF-induced micro-jump point.
|
Nuclear Pulse Drone Engine: 1.6 per MSP |
2000 |
|
|
Applying common TNE miniaturization techniques to standard TNE-based nuclear pulse engines allows the powerful drives to be shrunk to drone scale.
|
Nuclear Thermal Missile Drive: 1.25 per MSP |
Researched |
25th September 2027 |
Dr. Slaan |
Applying common TNE miniaturization techniques to standard TNE-based nuclear thermal engines allows the powerful drives to be shrunk to missile scale.
|
Nuclear Pulse Missile Drive: 2 per MSP |
Researched |
7th October 2031 |
Dr. Slaan |
Applying common TNE miniaturization techniques to standard TNE-based nuclear pulse engines allows the powerful drives to be shrunk to missile scale.
|
Power
Technology |
Research Cost |
Research Date |
Researcher |
Description
|
Pressurised Water Reactor |
Researched |
17th August 2025 |
Dr. Slaan |
A TNE-salted PWR produces an abundance of cheap, clean power. Civilian power agencies are already beginning construction of these plants to provide plentiful power to UN citizens. Utilizing TNE miniaturization and manufacturing processes, these reactors can be made small enough to fit on a spacecraft, providing power for ships systems, energy and kinetic weapons, and, if used as the energy input of a nuclear thermal engine, propulsion. Traditional nuclear thermal engines for missile drones are currently available.
|
Pebble Bed Reactor Technology |
Researched |
29th October 2029 |
Dr. Slaan |
Using duranium and boronide as part of the structural layers of a TRISO or QUADRISO fuel in a pebble bed reactor allows for greater amounts of fuel to be packed into a smaller space, increasing the energy density of the reactor compared to more conventional designs.
|
Gas-Cooled Fast Reactor Technology |
6000 |
|
|
TNEs make fast-neutron reactors (those which sustain their reactions with more energetic "fast" neutrons) more economically feasible due to reduced materials requirements. The use of a gas-phase coolant increases the thermal efficiency of the reactor, and the lack of necessity for a neutron moderator allows the reactors to breed fuel or use non-standard nuclear fuels.
|
Power Efficiency 05%, Power Reduction 2.5%, Exp 5% |
2000 |
|
|
Minor tweaks to TNE manifolds in thrust collimators, TN engine computing software changes, and other techniques can be used to extract more thrust from engines or power from reactors, at the expense of fuel efficiency. Alternately, better fuel efficiency can be gained for the loss of a modicum of power.
|
Power Efficiency -10%, Power Increase 5%, Exp 7% |
2000 |
|
|
Minor tweaks to TNE manifolds in thrust collimators, TN engine computing software changes, and other techniques can be used to extract more thrust from engines or power from reactors, at the expense of fuel efficiency. Alternately, better fuel efficiency can be gained for the loss of a modicum of power.
|
Faster Than Light
Technology |
Research Cost |
Research Date |
Researcher |
Description
|
Hyper Drive Size Multiplier 2.0 |
2000 |
|
|
One of the fundamental attributes of TNEs is the mass-reduction effect they exhibit. Dr. Slaan's new theory shows that this effect can be made even more pronounced by a particular manipulation of the mass-field properties. However, due to a gravitational interaction with the Trans-Newtonian dimension, this is only possible when the local gravitational topology is rather "flat." When these conditions prevail, the mass-field manipulation provided by the so-called "hyper drive" allows the engine to produce nearly ten times as much apparent thrust. The equipment necessary to do so is bulky, and further miniaturization studies are warranted.
|
Jump Point Theory |
Researched |
28th October 2031 |
Dr. Magicboots |
Using new gravitational sensors developed from TNEs, a team working at an observatory in Chile discovered a number of gravitational fluctuations throughout our own space-time with no obvious cause. They theorized that these fluctuations might be caused by the existence of invisible wormholes forming between the gravitational wells of stars and that study of the gravitational fluctuations in a star system would provide the locations of these wormholes. Experimentation with the creation of tiny wormholes provided exactly the readings expected and the scientists theorized that travel between star systems might be possible if the wormholes could be located and a way found to open them. Refinement of these gravitational sensors and configuring them for fitting on a starship should be a priority, since remaining confined to the Sol system will inevitably result in conflict with the Federation over the limited resources our system holds.
|
Jump Drive Efficiency 3 |
Researched |
25th February 2033 |
Dr. Magicboots |
The first small-scale FTL drive experiments have indicated that a jump drives size is proportional to the size of the ship it can propel through a wormhole. The current drive:ship ratio is quite poor. Advances in engineering techniques and liberal application of TN-miniaturization may enable better ratios.
|
Jump Drive Efficiency 4 |
4000 |
|
|
The first small-scale FTL drive experiments have indicated that a jump drives size is proportional to the size of the ship it can propel through a wormhole. The current drive:ship ratio is quite poor. Advances in engineering techniques and liberal application of TN-miniaturization may enable better ratios.
|
Max Jump Squadron Size - 3 (Size x 1.0) |
Researched |
24th January 2033 |
Dr. Scribbleykins |
As a jump drive works by pumping a large amount of TN radiation into a nascent wormhole, the size of the resulting jump corridor is determined by the amount of energy input. Increasing the size of the engine will allow more energy to be produced, and therefore the corridor will be wide enough to admit more ships.
|
Max Jump Squadron Size - 4 (Size x 1.1) |
4000 |
|
|
As a jump drive works by pumping a large amount of TN radiation into a nascent wormhole, the size of the resulting jump corridor is determined by the amount of energy input. Increasing the size of the engine will allow more energy to be produced, and therefore the corridor will be wide enough to admit more ships.
|
Max Squadron Jump Radius - 50k (Size x 1.0) |
Researched |
5th May 2033 |
Dr. Scribbleykins |
As jump points are theorized to be effective galactic chokepoints, being able to emerge from the jump at some distance from the jump point is seen as valuable for certain classes of ships. Increasing the size of the jump engine will allow a larger amplitude in the energy pulses used to open the wormhole. This amplitude is directly related to how far the ship is able to emerge from the jump point, though quantum effects make the process somewhat random.
|
Max Squadron Jump Radius - 100k (Size x 1.05) |
2000 |
|
|
As jump points are theorized to be effective galactic chokepoints, being able to emerge from the jump at some distance from the jump point is seen as valuable for certain classes of ships. Increasing the size of the jump engine will allow a larger amplitude in the energy pulses used to open the wormhole. This amplitude is directly related to how far the ship is able to emerge from the jump point, though quantum effects make the process somewhat random.
|
Sensors and Fire Control
Sensor
Technology |
Research Cost |
Research Date |
Researcher |
Description
|
Active Grav Sensor Strength 10 |
Researched |
3rd August 2026 |
Dr. Barrelfox |
Of all the Trans-Newtonian elements, Uridium is most sensitive to electromagnetic radiation. Surprisingly, it is also extremely sensitive to gravitational fluctuations (suggesting to some wayward UN researchers a possible avenue of approach for a new TOE or GUT). Prototype gravitational sensors were used to detect the gravitational fluctuations leading to the discovery of the jump point theory. Further refinements of these devices may allow them to be used to detect mass fluctuations of space craft. This is, however, an active sensor mode. The uridium-based device emits an oscillating gravitational-electomagetic 'ping' and observes the resulting axis-reversed electromagnetic-gravitational "bounceback" from any massive objects. This 'ping' is detectable by normal electromagnetic sensors. An analogy with passive and active sonar can be made, or with radar vs radar detectors.
|
Active Grav Sensor Strength 12 |
Researched |
24th October 2033 |
Dr. Barrelfox |
Uridium refining techniques allow for higher quality detector arrays to be fabricated, improving sensitivity.
|
Active Grav Sensor Strength 16 |
4000 |
|
|
By utilizing nano-mechanical methods to fabricate layered uridium wafers, sensitivities can theoretically be increased by nearly 33%.
|
EM Sensor Sensitivity 6 |
Researched |
11th February 2034 |
Dr. Barrelfox |
Uridium-based EM sensors can be tuned to very fine wavebands on the EM spectrum, or can be detuned to intercept emissions from a wide variety of sources.
|
EM Sensor Sensitivity 8 |
4000 |
|
|
By using extremely precise machining techniques, uridium-based EM detectors can be manufactured to very tight tolerances, increasing sensitivity by up to 33% in some cases.
|
Improved Geological Survey Sensors |
10000 |
|
|
TN computing can enable better algorithms for analyzing geological data. Additionally, better sensor fabrication techniques yield detectors with better sensitivity and accuracy.
|
Planetary Sensor Strength 300 |
3000 |
|
|
Incorporating TNEs into the electronics and analysis computers for the Deep Space Sensor network will allow the resolution of finer signals at greater ranges.
|
Thermal Sensor Sensitivity 6 |
2000 |
|
|
While EM sensors can in theory (but not in game) be used to detect thermal emissions, Thermal sensors tuned particularly to the signature of Trans-Newtonian drive plumes are orders of magnitude more sensitive.
|
Gravitational Survey Sensors |
Researched |
15 May 2032 |
Dr. Scribbleykins |
A finely tuned uridium sensor pulsed at the right frequencies enables the detection of the minute gravitational vibrations coupling stellar masses.
|
Improved Gravitational Sensors |
10,000 |
|
|
TN computing can enable better algorithms for analyzing gravitational data. Additionally, better sensor fabrication techniques yield detectors with better sensitivity and accuracy.
|
Fire Control
Technology |
Research Cost |
Research Date |
Researcher |
Description
|
Beam Fire Control Range 10,000km |
Researched |
14th March 2028 |
|
Utilizing active gravitational sensors to track and lock massive objects, these fire controls are capable of unprecedented levels of target tracking. While 10,000km might not seem like a long range when distances in space are considered, compared to all prior targeting tracking systems, it is the most accurate ever known. It can also be built more precise at longer ranges, at the expense of a larger detector.
|
Beam Fire Control Range 16,000km |
2000 |
|
|
By utilizing TN-optical techniques developed for directed energy weapons, the beam targeting sensor range can be extended.
|
Fire Control Speed Rating 2000 km/s |
2000 |
|
|
TNE-based detectors are still rather fragile devices, and so panning and slewing them must be done with care. Improvements in manufacturing techniques and ICEF manipulator fields will undoubtedly improve the ability of beam fire controls to track fast-moving targets.
|
Max Tracking Time Bonus vs Missiles 20% |
4000 |
|
|
Work by UN-funded mathematicians has resulted in the postulation of a targeting algorithm that improves accuracy towards fine moving targets. The alogorithm, based in quantum computing principles, was impracticable on traditional guidance hardware, but with the first prototype devices incorporating TNEs being produced, the algorithm may have enormous utility.
|
Electronic Warfare
Technology |
Research Cost |
Description
|
Electronic Hardening Level 1 |
2500 |
By weaving a non-TNE conductor into a TNE electronic circuit and wiring the non-TNE conductor to a designated discharge collector, TNE electronics can be protected from microwaves and other electronic-damaging weapons.
|
Electronic Warfare |
5000 |
TNE electronics can be used much like conventional electronics to jam and scramble other electronic devices, albeit with much greater efficacy.
|