Quote:
Originally Posted by Wiggles
good luck, in order to make something like that to move that much mass, would require something huge. That's why we don't use them. At least last time I heard 
One thing you can look into are scramjets. |
Well, going by the basic math of physics (for now):
p=mv (momentum = mass * velocity)
It takes one Newton of force to accelerate one kg mass one meter/second^2.
Now, if we have a 97,000 metric ton ship, we want to produce 1g of acceleration, requires:
97000mt*1000kg/mt = 97,000,000kgs
97,000,000kg * 9.6m/s^2 = 931,200,000N
That's alot, granted. Assuming eight engines:
931,200,000N / 8 engines = 116,400,000N/engine.
Now, if each engine moved 10kg/second, that means:
116,400,000N = 10kg * a
116,400,000N/10kg = 11,640,000 m/s^2.
The speed of light in a vacumn is c or 299,792,458m/s.
Still alot, but keep in mind, it's no more silly than the impulse drive of Star Trek. By the law of conservation of momentum, each engine is moving 10kg mass at approx 4% of the speed of light to produce 1g of acceleration for a 97,000metric ton vessel.
Also, keep in mind, that the premise of the game is something futuristic. So, you can't compare current tech. I did readup on magnetic saturation and fall off, so I've got some work ahead of me, but I suspect I'm still going to have to fudge some realities (not nearly as bad as Star Wars or Star Trek though).
However, the one piece I don't have is a magnetic field. I'm not ready to start modeling this yet, but I'll need to before the end of this year.