Advanced chemical rocket, rotational gravity starship designs?

[Thot]

Suppose a setting where chemical rockets are the most common and best propulsion technology available, even at TL 16 and beyond. A setting where no artificial gravity is possible. One where the jump drive doesn't require fuel. Surface-to-orbit transfer is done via rentable carrier rockets that can carry up to 1,000 tons of payload and land on their own power once done, to be refueld for the next customer.

What would you imagine would advanced starships in such a setting look like?

 

[mike wightman]

It would depend on how long the starship is going to spend in space rather than on the ground.
If the jump ships are going to spend all their time in space then you have to consider the crew.
Will crews spend some time on ship and some time on stations for spin gravity?

Will some ships have crew aboard for months in which case spin gravity or some such will be needed on the ship. The type of spin gravity used will depend on the size of the ship.
For smallish jump ships than spin capsules are probably the best solution, thex may be extendable/retractable or permanent structures.

For big ship then contra rotating rings would be a good solution.

How long is the transfer time to and from the jump zone?

What about the potential for genetically engineering the spacers?

 

[Silverhawk]

What would you imagine would advanced starships in such a setting look like?

Expect that they would look somewhat like the Earth Alliance ships of Babylon 5. Also makes me think of Cherryh's Alliance-Union Universe.

 

[kilemall]

Traveller2300 assumes no artificial gravity tech and hence are a ready source of ship designs with that feature.

 

[mike wightman]

Radiators - the jump ships will need radiators to get rid of waste heat if they are fission powered jump drives.

Even a fuel cell or solar powered jump ship will require radiators.