I was doing the initial numbers on a 100-knot catamaran and a 1,000-ton flarecraft when I noticed that TL10 ducted fans with vectored thrust and fusion power are 0.2 lbs. and $34 per pound of thrust (not counting the startup cost/weight). There is a proverb that sufficient thrust allows brick to fly, and TL10 meets this level.
So I could do a VTOL passenger ferry, a VTOL cargo hauler and a VTOL research craft, but how exciting is a world if everybody flies in similar vehicles? * When cost is an issue and speed is not, it watercraft are an option: floating homes from houseboats to arcologies, harvesters/processors for slow or predictable prey, etc. * When TL10 state-of-the-art technology cannot be maintained, fusion power becomes much heavier. But would that be the TL of a high-speed, long-range ferry? * In residential areas of arcologies, dust and noise may be an issue. Small electric carts or boats are nicer. By TL11, reactionless thusters (if they are available) are the predominant technology. I wonder if TL10 leaves more niches. _______________________________________________ GurpsNet-L mailing list <[email protected]> http://mail.sjgames.com/mailman/listinfo/gurpsnet-l
