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Bluespace Drive

2026-03-10T18:33:54Z

Kermit: Updated to account for PR: https://github.com/Aurorastation/Aurora.3/pull/21285/changes

[[File:BSdriveHorizon2.png|thumb|The C-Goliath Bluespace Drive, in all its glory.]]{{toc_right}}
===<big>What is it?</big>===
The '''[[Bluespace#Bluespace Drives|Bluespace Drive]]''' - also known as the '''C-Goliath Drive''' - is a highly sophisticated piece of machinery, and its importance and impact on the history of the modern Orion Spur cannot be understated. Developed by [[NanoTrasen]], it allows a spacefaring vessel to fold space around itself using the [[Bluespace]] dimension, and is powered by [[Bluespace#Phoron|Phoron]]. It allows for a ship to jump across distances without making use of the [[Guide to Thrusters|thrusters]]. While it is somewhat capable of being operated in its starting configuration, it performs at its best when operated in partnership between [[Engineer|Engineers]] and [[Atmospheric Technician|Atmospheric Technicians]], and this should be the goal whenever possible.

= Basic Guide =
===<big>Overview</big>===
The Bluespace Drive combines principles from both Engineering and Atmospherics. In order to be activated, the Bluespace Drive requires Phoron gas, and a moderator gas mixture. It also requires two layers of shielding - inner and outer - to be powered and active.

By default, you are provided with a canister of Phoron gas for fuel. No moderator gas is provided, but Hard Storage's Hydrogen is an okay-performing moderator gas which can be used if no other canisters can be sourced. The drive has a base amount of Phoron fuel required for the drive to work at all, and the moderator gas mix is responsible for influencing the power of the jump itself and determines the distance able to be achieved.

For simplicity's sake, the drive requires a '''minimum of 1000 moles''' of Phoron per jump in the fuel line, but any moles in excess of this number are also consumed for '''no additional gain'''. Meanwhile, the '''more moles of gas''' provided in the moderator line, the '''more power''' you achieve for the jump's distance. However, not all gasses are worth the same power per mole, and the temperature of the moderator gas/mix plays a role, too.

===<big>Layout</big>===
[[File:BSdriveHorizon.png|right|thumb|A diagram of the Bluespace Drive workspace.|500x420px]]
*<span style="color:#FFC90E">'''Bluespace Drive Control Console:'''</span> This console allows for energising the drive, purging the charge from the drive, setting the rotational direction of an intended jump, and for initiating the jump. Without it, the drive is little more than a very expensive hunk of metal.
*<span style="color:#22B14C">'''Warper Receivers (Tesla Coils):'''</span> These devices exist to ground any electrical discharges from the Bluespace Drive.
*<span style="color:#49F1ED">'''Field Generators:'''</span> The generators that project the moderately hazardous Inner Shield wall around the Bluespace Drive. They contain the bluespace-field-driver singularity during a jump. '''The shield that they project is hazardous, and can fling you away from them with potentially <span style="color:#EF3B1C">life-threatening injuries</span>! Do not stand adjacent to them!'''
*<span style="color:#B3EA2C">'''Emitters:'''</span> Heavy-duty industrial lasers that provide thermal energy to the <span style="color:#49F1ED">'''Field Generators'''</span>. These must all be active to power the Inner Shield wall.
*<span style="color:#0A0995">'''Shield Generators:'''</span> The generators that project the safe Outer Shield wall, insulating the crew from the hazardous repelling effects of the more volatile Inner Shield projected by the Field Generators.
*<span style="color:#DC0CF3">'''Phoron Fuel Port:'''</span> The connector port where the Phoron gas required for the drive to function is loaded in.
*<span style="color:#499AF1">'''Moderator Gas/Mix Port:'''</span> The connector port where the Moderator gas/mixture that powers the drive's jump distance is loaded in.
*<span style="color:#EF3B1C">'''Inner Shield Circuit SMES:'''</span> The SMES unit that stores and distributes charge to the <span style="color:#B3EA2C">'''Emitters'''</span> that power the Inner Shield wall's Field Generators.
*<span style="color:#FF7F27">'''Main Circuit SMES:'''</span> The SMES unit that stores and distributes charge to the Outer Shield wall's <span style="color:#0A0995">'''Shield Generators'''</span>, and the room's APC.

===<big>Round-start Setup</big>===
# Max the Input/Output ratings on the <span style="color:#EF3B1C">'''Inner Shield Circuit SMES'''</span> and <span style="color:#FF7F27">'''Main Circuit SMES'''</span>.
# Wrench down the <span style="color:#22B14C">'''Warper Receivers (Tesla Coils)'''</span> and the <span style="color:#0A0995">'''Shield Generators'''</span>.
# Wrench and weld down the <span style="color:#49F1ED">'''Field Generators'''</span> and the <span style="color:#B3EA2C">'''Emitters'''</span>.
# Secure the canister of Phoron onto the <span style="color:#DC0CF3">'''Phoron Fuel Port'''</span>.
# Source a canister of Hydrogen from Hard Storage and secure it onto the <span style="color:#499AF1">'''Moderator Gas/Mix Port'''</span>. '''NOTE:''' If Hard Storage's Hydrogen is unavailable (ie. used in Supermatter), you can safely substitute with any canister amount of any gas.
# Activate the <span style="color:#B3EA2C">'''Emitters'''</span>.
# Activate the <span style="color:#49F1ED">'''Field Generators'''</span>. Make sure to move away from them as soon as you turn them on, as the active shield can violently repel you!
# Unlock the <span style="color:#0A0995">'''Shield Generators'''</span> with your ID card and turn them on. '''NOTE:''' This can only be done by an '''Engineer''' or '''Chief Engineer/Captain'''.
# Interface with the <span style="color:#FFC90E">'''Bluespace Drive Control Console'''</span>, and '''Energize''' the drive.
# Set the rotation of the jump on the dial, in absolute galactic degrees. '''NOTE:''' This is easiest to do by clicking once on the dial, typing in the number, and hitting Enter. Click-dragging the dial is imprecise and difficult to see.
# '''Announce the jump and ensure no personnel are outside the ship! Being outside the ship during a Bluespace jump will instantly <span style="color:#EF3B1C">KILL</span> you!'''
# Activate the '''Jump''' button. The drive will take approximately 30 seconds to energize the field, then it will jump automatically. ''Do not panic when you see the singularity appear, unless you've somehow not put both shields up and it's not tethered to the drive.''
# After the jump has concluded, '''De-energize''' the drive with the console. '''Make sure to wear welding goggles for this, as there'll be a flash that can blind you!'''
# Disable the output on the <span style="color:#EF3B1C">'''Inner Shield Circuit SMES'''</span> and wait for the Inner Shield wall to dissipate.
# Disable the <span style="color:#0A0995">'''Shield Generators'''</span> to allow the Outer Shield wall to dissipate.
<br>
The primary pitfall of this Round-start setup is that it's frankly not very good. Typically it only allows the Horizon to jump a single tile on the overmap. This is not particularly useful. But, it technically provides a means for the ship to move in an emergency where it can't be piloted normally, albeit an extremely costly, tedious, inefficient one. It's generally never worth doing.

===<big>Emergency Procedures</big>===
In the event that the drive must be shut down for an emergency, or to abort a jump, this can be accomplished in two ways; de-energizing the drive, or dumping the gasses, both doable via the console. However, electing to dump the gasses will render those gasses lost, so this is not recommended outside of extreme circumstances, and it is recommended to at least pump out the Phoron beforehand so it's not wasted.

'''However!''' Shutting down the drive while in operation can have consequences. Whichever method you use, when aborting a jump in-progress, the energy stored within the core will disperse and cause a bluespace flash across the ship. While the risk to life and limb is low, it can cause temporary disruption to the sight and hearing of the crew. If time allows, the crew should be informed of an emergency jump abortion in advance. '''This includes you, too! Make sure you wear welding goggles before you do this, or you'll be blinded!'''

= Advanced Information =
===<big>Calculations</big>===
The information below contains technical information in regards to moderator gas mixes, and is the purview of '''Atmospheric Technicians'''.

As mentioned previously, the jump distance that a drive can achieve is determined by the '''power''' of a moderator gas/mix. '''Power''' is determined by the number of '''moles''', their '''temperature''', and the '''gas type''' itself. Each gas has its own power factor, which determines how much power-per-mole it can provide. Additionally, higher temperatures offer better results, with diminishing returns after a point. This offers us the following calculations.
<br>
<br>
* '''Power''' = ''Moles x Gas Power Factor x Temperature Multiplier''
* '''Temperature Multplier''' = log<sub>2.72</sub>(Temperature[°K])
* '''Distance''' = ''Power/10000''
<br>
'''NOTE:''' You can mix different gasses together for the moderator gas/mix; these calculations assume you are using a single gas moderator.
<br>
<br>
As for specific gasses, below is a table listing various gasses, their power factor, and whether they are readily available on the Horizon or not.
<br>
<br>
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ Moderator Gas Power Factors
|-
! Gas !! Achieved Power per Mole !! Available in Engineering at Roundstart (Y/N)
|-
| Phoron || 1.00 || Y
|-
| Hydrogen || 0.80 || Y
|-
| Deuterium || 3.00 || N
|-
| Tritium || 4.00 || N
|-
| Nitrogen || 0.30 || Y
|-
| Nitrous Oxide || 0.32 || Y
|-
| Oxygen|| 0.85 || Y
|-
| Carbon Dioxide || 0.24 || Y
|-
| Sulphur Dioxide || 1.20 || N
|-
| Chlorine || 2.75 || N
|-
| Helium || 0.40 || Y
|-
| Helium-3 || 6.00 || N
|}

===<big>Modification and Experimentation</big>===
With all that information out of the way, you might be wondering how to actually utilise it in an effective way. Admittedly, much of the experimentation with a Bluespace Drive lies in trying out various gas moderator compositions in Atmospherics. As with most of Atmospherics, most of the fun is in experimentation! With the information given to you here, go forth and try out various mixes and gas compositions.

As for modifying the drive itself, perhaps one might consider how best to allow for a more precise way of injecting 1000 moles into the Phoron line. Or, how to manage the intake of your custom moderator gas mix.

{{Engineering}}
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2025-08-26T12:59:30Z

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