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| info:ftl:ripple [2024/05/19 16:54] – Jarvis | info:ftl:ripple [2024/05/19 17:03] (current) – Jarvis |
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| You may wonder, what happens if two ships collide while traveling FTL using Ripple Drives. | You may wonder, what happens if two ships collide while traveling FTL using Ripple Drives. |
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| The answer: not much. One of the key principles here is that there are no intertial forces at play; if a Ripple Field is disrupted, the ship just harmlessly stops in place wherever it happens to be. And what can disrupt a Ripple Field? Another Ripple Field! | The answer: not much. One of the key principles here is that there are no inertial forces at play; if a Ripple Field is disrupted, the ship just harmlessly stops in place wherever it happens to be. And what can disrupt a Ripple Field? Another Ripple Field! |
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| Ripple Fields rely on a carefully choreographed series of 'ripples' along the hull of the ship, similar to oars on a galleon. Two Ripple Fields coming in contact with each other is like the oars getting caught in something, except the 'boat' in this case has no inertia, so instead of continuing to sail forward, it just stops. | Ripple Fields rely on a carefully choreographed series of 'ripples' along the hull of the ship, similar to oars on a galleon. Two Ripple Fields coming in contact with each other is like the oars getting caught in something, except the 'boat' in this case has no inertia, so instead of continuing to sail forward, it just stops. |
| As such, the more densely populated trade lanes have coordination to try and make sure the different paths don't intersect; it's a bit like Air Traffic Control, giving each ship some spacing in 3-D space to try and make sure it doesn't hit another. Such a system is not usually deemed necessary on less populated routes. | As such, the more densely populated trade lanes have coordination to try and make sure the different paths don't intersect; it's a bit like Air Traffic Control, giving each ship some spacing in 3-D space to try and make sure it doesn't hit another. Such a system is not usually deemed necessary on less populated routes. |
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| ===== Ripple Drive Collisions: Vs. Stationary Targets ===== | ==== Ripple Drive Collisions: Vs. Stationary Targets ==== |
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| Okay, so we've covered ripple-on-ripple collisions. What happens if a ship going FTL collides with something not going FTL? | Okay, so we've covered ripple-on-ripple collisions. What happens if a ship going FTL collides with something not going FTL? |
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| Interestingly, not much; FTL objects can interact with FTL objects, and non-FTL objects can interact with non-FTL objects, but generally speaking an FTL object will pass through non-FTL objects as if they aren't there. At least, to a point; certain cosmic bodies have energies that can cause FTL interactions. For instance, many stars and some planets; it is therefore considered more safe to not chance it rather than to try and pass through them. | Interestingly, not much; FTL objects can interact with FTL objects, and non-FTL objects can interact with non-FTL objects, but generally speaking an FTL object will pass through non-FTL objects as if they aren't there. At least, to a point; certain cosmic bodies have energies, densities, or other qualities that can cause FTL interactions. For instance, many stars and some planets; it is therefore considered more safe to not chance it rather than to try and pass through them. |
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| If an FTL object were to try and pass through a planet, and fail, then it would emerge stationary likely within that planet's atmosphere, and subsequently most likely dead-drop to the surface. Thus, you can't take an FTL run at a planet as a form of attack; yes, you will definitely damage something. Yes, you will probably cause a nasty explosion from the various volitile parts of your ship. But franky, bombs generally do a much better job and are far cheaper. | If an FTL object were to try and pass through a planet, and fail, then it would emerge stationary and likely within that planet's atmosphere. It would then most likely dead-drop to the surface. Thus, you can't take an FTL run at a planet as a form of attack; depending on many factors, your ship could emerge high enough to burn up and break apart harmlessly, or close enough to the surface to only do minor damage. |
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| | In the 'best' possible case, your ship will fall on something on the ground and explode violently due to the various volatile components of a starship; but franky, bombs generally do a much better job and are far cheaper. The ship is becoming a weapon in spite of FTL, not because of it; you could do the exact same effect with more precision and accuracy without trying to involve FTL travel. |
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| A more likely scenario is for two objects to try to leave FTL at the same place at the same time. In such a case, it isn't really an FTL collision, but more or a 'same place at the same time' collision. The answer here is simple; when coming out of FTL, continue to use the ripple drives to move away from the system/com relay's 'entry point' at sublight speeds until you are within the system's 'safe zone'. Each populated system and comm relay has a designated 'safe zone' under which no ship will run their ripple drives; this provides plenty of room for ships to come in, and use their ripple drives as 'bumper car' bumpers, sort themselves out, and then approach using local flight control. | A more likely scenario is for two objects to try to leave FTL at the same place at the same time. In such a case, it isn't really an FTL collision, but more or a 'same place at the same time' collision. The answer here is simple; when coming out of FTL, continue to use the ripple drives to move away from the system/com relay's 'entry point' at sublight speeds until you are within the system's 'safe zone'. Each populated system and comm relay has a designated 'safe zone' under which no ship will run their ripple drives; this provides plenty of room for ships to come in, and use their ripple drives as 'bumper car' bumpers, sort themselves out, and then approach using local flight control. |
