Subscribe to download
TVSI-Phoenix Firefly Shuttle

Modding: Light, TVSI-Tech Only
Revision: 0
Date: 13/12/2015
Version: 01.112

Note that this is the World version. Blueprints and Legacy Blueprints (Stock) will be made available shortly after release. See forum thread http://forums.keenswh.com/post/tristavian-shipyard-inc-6997264?trail=15 for full details.


NOTES

None


MODS IN USE

TVSI-Tech Expediter Jump Drive
TVSI-Tech Mess Hall Type 1
TVSI-Tech Mod Repack
TVSI-Tech Passenger Seats


CURRENT CONTENT

TVSI Firefly Shuttle (Rev 0)


DESCRIPTION

During de-commissioning of a Phoenix Fleet Systems Firebird class Patrol Boat, a TVSI Engineer spent several weeks worth of personal time restoring and improving the old hull. What started as a personal project soon gathered the attention of other engineers and the project was quickly finished in 2104. The final result still bears a passing resemblance to its ancestor but provides an entirely new direction for the lineage.

An extremely fast hydrogen propelled craft, the Firefly manages to fit a fully pressurized crew compartment along with Jump Drive capabilities and a standard docking mechanism. With a permanent crew of four and short term seating for up to 24 passengers, the Firefly has quickly become the vessel of choice for rapid short distance personnel movements between orbital facilities and to the surface of planets (rated up to 2.2G).


UNIVERSE LORE

Hydrogen based propulsion systems have existed since the 20th century and were an important part of mankind's early explorations beyond Earth's atmosphere. During the second space age of the 2030's traditional liquid fuel systems were largely overlooked in space in favor of the less powerful but highly efficient Ion Thrusters which are commonplace across Sol today.

By the 2040's, with environmental decline continuing on Earth and most heavy construction for the space industry occurring in orbit, little was launched which couldn't be carried in a Turbojet/Ion SSTO. Traditional liquid fuels were quickly banned within Earth's atmosphere for all but a few specific cases. Construction of space elevators and ground-to-orbit cargo railguns finally saw liquid fuels like Hydrogen used only for fringe engineering needs like Bathy-jet diving around Saturn by the end of the decade.

It wasn't until the development of the Alcubierre jump-drive in 2090 that liquid fuel propulsion saw a resurgence. Being able to adjust a ships position in time/space revolutionized transit times between planets but also resulted in ships needing to rapidly gain or shed excess speed to match relative velocities and enter orbit. A small market began primarily among high performance military craft which rapidly grew in the outer systems where the partial terraformation of worlds like Europa left thin atmospheres, too thick for easy use of Ion propulsion but poorly suited to jet engines.

By the early 2100's liquid propulsion is once again in widespread use for planetary capable ships as well as for high performance military vessels which often use a combination of thrusters to balance acceleration and longevity. Easily refined from ice found on many moons and asteroids, Hydrogen is by far the most commonly used fuel and is readily accessible for most factions across Sol.

- Wikipedia 2104


CHANGE LOG

13/12/2015: Rev 0: Initial Release