Since the topic came up, let’s talk rockets for a minute. Bear in mind that I don’t have the tools or time handy to really get deep & spergy about the subject, so this will all be a bit… limited.
Okay, so. There’s all sorts of spacecraft operating in the solar system thanks to the Handwavium Revolution. As with everything handwavium-related, they can be sorted into lightsci, graysci and darksci with the occasional burst of madsci.
LIGHTSCI
Lightsci rocketry is probably the most well-understood and common form of spacecraft in the solar system. Most spacecraft operating in the system (as well as outside the system) use one form of lightsci propulsion system or another, divided by local resources: short-distance lunar hoppers for example use rockets powered by oxygen and aluminum, two elements that are very common on the moon, while Martian rockets tend to use oxygen and carbon monoxide since that’s what’s handy there.
Large payloads (asteroid ores, packaged volatiles, stuff that doesn’t have to be anywhere in a hurry) are pushed along by slow-burning electric propulsion systems, solar sails or are simply kicked into transfer orbits by mass drivers. Aldrin cycler stations run between Earth, Mars and the outer system as well.
GRAYSCI
Lightsci rockets are common, but it’s graysci rockets that keep the solar system stitched together. These designs have a basis in lightsci theoretical propulsion systems but for one reason or another aren’t quite wholly lightsci. The main graysci technologies used generally involve fuel consumption; a wave-derived engine uses less fuel than the lightsci calculations suggest it needs.
The torchship, a continuous-thrust rocket that allows for direct flight to and from places, is the great sign of the modern era (as well as one of the symbols of the Fenspace Convention). Torchships carry passengers and cargo from Earth to Mars, Jupiter and all over the system. Earth-built ships use a muon-catalyzed inertial confinement fusion drive (aka ‘the Sakharov Drive.’ Not that noted Russian genius Andrei Sakharov had anything to do with it, mind; the name was bestowed by Fen engineers who noted the similarities between the prototype engine and the one used by the USSR Cosmonaut Alexi Leonov in the novel 2010.) that can boost at a leisurely one-third gee, arriving at Mars in around five to ten days depending. Fen ships use similar engines, though ships running out to the edge of the system may use antimatter-catalyzed fusion rockets for a little extra burn.
DARKSCI
Darksci technology is traditionally used less in propulsion than in crew safety/support systems. Inertial control and artificial gravity are the major darksci techs used (for obvious reasons).
Darksci thrusters all tend to be some form of gravitic engine or ‘reactionless drive,’ which drives most researchers batty trying to figure out how they work without destroying the conservation of momentum. The current hypothesis is that the engines are reacting, but it’s against something in a higher dimension or otherwise inaccessible to current observation. Reactionless engines are more often found in Fen craft than others, though high-value ‘Danelaw ships use them when necessary.
Mr. Fnord interdimensional man of mystery
FenWiki - Your One-Stop Shop for Fenspace Information
"I. Drink. Your. NERDRAGE!"
Okay, so. There’s all sorts of spacecraft operating in the solar system thanks to the Handwavium Revolution. As with everything handwavium-related, they can be sorted into lightsci, graysci and darksci with the occasional burst of madsci.
LIGHTSCI
Lightsci rocketry is probably the most well-understood and common form of spacecraft in the solar system. Most spacecraft operating in the system (as well as outside the system) use one form of lightsci propulsion system or another, divided by local resources: short-distance lunar hoppers for example use rockets powered by oxygen and aluminum, two elements that are very common on the moon, while Martian rockets tend to use oxygen and carbon monoxide since that’s what’s handy there.
Large payloads (asteroid ores, packaged volatiles, stuff that doesn’t have to be anywhere in a hurry) are pushed along by slow-burning electric propulsion systems, solar sails or are simply kicked into transfer orbits by mass drivers. Aldrin cycler stations run between Earth, Mars and the outer system as well.
GRAYSCI
Lightsci rockets are common, but it’s graysci rockets that keep the solar system stitched together. These designs have a basis in lightsci theoretical propulsion systems but for one reason or another aren’t quite wholly lightsci. The main graysci technologies used generally involve fuel consumption; a wave-derived engine uses less fuel than the lightsci calculations suggest it needs.
The torchship, a continuous-thrust rocket that allows for direct flight to and from places, is the great sign of the modern era (as well as one of the symbols of the Fenspace Convention). Torchships carry passengers and cargo from Earth to Mars, Jupiter and all over the system. Earth-built ships use a muon-catalyzed inertial confinement fusion drive (aka ‘the Sakharov Drive.’ Not that noted Russian genius Andrei Sakharov had anything to do with it, mind; the name was bestowed by Fen engineers who noted the similarities between the prototype engine and the one used by the USSR Cosmonaut Alexi Leonov in the novel 2010.) that can boost at a leisurely one-third gee, arriving at Mars in around five to ten days depending. Fen ships use similar engines, though ships running out to the edge of the system may use antimatter-catalyzed fusion rockets for a little extra burn.
DARKSCI
Darksci technology is traditionally used less in propulsion than in crew safety/support systems. Inertial control and artificial gravity are the major darksci techs used (for obvious reasons).
Darksci thrusters all tend to be some form of gravitic engine or ‘reactionless drive,’ which drives most researchers batty trying to figure out how they work without destroying the conservation of momentum. The current hypothesis is that the engines are reacting, but it’s against something in a higher dimension or otherwise inaccessible to current observation. Reactionless engines are more often found in Fen craft than others, though high-value ‘Danelaw ships use them when necessary.
Mr. Fnord interdimensional man of mystery
FenWiki - Your One-Stop Shop for Fenspace Information
"I. Drink. Your. NERDRAGE!"