Drop Capsules

[Major B]

I’ve been working on a full description of drop capsules and related shipboard equipment to complete the MT redesign of the Kinunir. Some discussion on the development of this information is located in this thread. I’m posting it in a separate thread to solicit additional comments and suggestions.

I’ll post the finalized designs in the file library later, after modifying for feedback received in this thread.

I did the design calculations using MT rules, but they should be usable in other systems with little conversion necessary. The start point for the designs was the drop capsule and component descriptions found in Striker Book 2. The most significant change I made for these was to make the capsules re-usable. I figure that the cost each for a re-usable capsule is not much greater than that for a single-use unit, so it is worthwhile to purchase a system that can be used multiple times, especially when it can return itself automatically to the point of launch.

The TL for these designs is either 13 or 14. TL 15 designs would result in slightly reduced size batteries and slightly increased cost for the systems. The limited benefit gained did not warrant a newer version, so I don’t think they would have been fielded. Besides, lower TL designs can be manufactured in more locations.

I will post each capsule and component system in a separate post, so replies are linked to the specific item. Please provide any comments or constructive criticism.

 

[Major B]

M28A3 Dart Atmospheric Re-Entry Capsule (ARC)

M28A3 Dart Atmospheric Re-Entry Capsule (ARC):
TL = 13
Volume = 6.75 kl
Armor = 8F
Weight (empty) = 570 kg
Cost = Cr 16,000 (new units, discounted for standard design)
Cost = Cr 9,500 (refurbished units retired from Imperial service)
Passengers = 1
Storage Space = 2.54 kl
Max allowed weight = 430 kg (947.5 lbs)
Description: The Dart is the standard model drop capsule. Though later supplanted by the Arrow and Javelin models, The Dart is still widely used for training and drops on lightly defended / low-tech worlds because it is far cheaper than later models. It uses a hand computer coupled with an inertial locator to guide the capsule to a pre-determined landing zone (LZ). On landing, the carried trooper removes his equipment and supplies, then can either set the capsule to return automatically to its launch location, or it can be powered down and locked, to be used later for casualty evacuation. Theoretically, the Dart could be re-used indefinitely, but the stresses of multiple atmospheric re-entries increase the likelihood of system failure. Resultant safety concerns prompt Imperial forces to retire Dart systems at some point between twenty and fifty drops, except in emergency situations. Most mercenary units that advertise orbital re-entry capability use the Dart due to its relative low cost and reliability. Successful mercenary units most often use systems purchased new from LSP, but units on a tight budget are likely to use refurbished systems, purchased as excess from the Imperial military and re-sold by Instellarms, LIC or other mercenary suppliers.

 

[Major B]

LSP Lifeball Emergency Atmospheric Re-Entry Capsule (EARC)

LSP Lifeball Emergency Atmospheric Re-Entry Capsule (EARC):
TL = 13
Volume = 6.75 kl
Armor = 8F
Weight (empty) = 645 kg
Cost = Cr 17,500 (discounted for standard design)
Passengers = 3
Storage Space = 0.50 kl
Max allowed weight = 355 kg (781 lbs)
Description: The Lifeball is a civilianized version of the Dart, modified to hold 3 passengers with very little cargo space. In addition to the extra seating, the Lifeball features a basic life support system not included on the military models. The Lifeball can either be used for re-entry, or as a simple lifeboat (it cannot maneuver unless within planetary gravity). When used as a lifeboat, the drive module is not powered, extending the capsule’s battery life to 17 hours. The Lifeball system doors are automatically unlocked when the ship’s emergency evacuation system is activated by the crew. Passengers can use the Lifeball in lifeboat mode without supervision from a member of the vessel crew, as this is the capsule’s default mode of operation. Vessel crewmembers can use their passcode to over-ride the default mode of operation, and enter coordinates for a safe landing point on a planetary surface (usually the downport). Short-range radios are installed in the Lifeballs to allow crewmembers to provide instructions to passengers after evacuation, if necessary. Once a landing point is entered, the Lifeball will navigate through re-entry without additional inputs necessary. The Lifeball is sometimes found in use by mercenary organizations attracted by the systems low cost. For these cash-hungry mercenary units, the system is used to carry two troopers with the third passenger position removed in favor of storage space for equipment and supplies.

 

[Major B]

M30A2 Arrow Assault Atmospheric Re-Entry Capsule (AARC)

M30A2 Arrow Assault Atmospheric Re-Entry Capsule (AARC):
TL = 14
Volume = 6.75 kl
Armor = 20G
Weight (empty) = 817 kg
Cost = Cr 33,500 (new units, discounted for standard design)
Cost = Cr 20,500 (refurbished units retired from Imperial service)
Passengers = 1
Storage Space = 2.50 kl
Max allowed weight = 683 kg (1506 lbs)
Description: The Arrow replaces the Dart as the standard model drop capsule upon introduction at TL14, although the Dart is still used extensively - especially for training. The chief design improvement of the Arrow is the armored capsule, made possible with the introduction of bonded superdense armor. This provides enhanced protection for contested assaults. Like the Dart, the Arrow system can be refurbished and re-used multiple times. However, the stresses of repeated atmospheric re-entries cause brittleness in the capsule’s hull, so for safety reasons the system is usually retired after 20 or so uses. These retired capsules are often re-sold to speculators who refurbish and re-sell them to mercenary or planetary forces at discount rates.

 

[Major B]

M36A2 Javelin Assault Atmospheric Re-Entry Capsule - High Survivability (AARC-HS)

M36A2 Javelin Assault Atmospheric Re-Entry Capsule - High Survivability (AARC-HS):
TL = 14
Volume = 6.75 kl
Armor = 28G
Weight (empty) = 1523 kg
Cost = Cr 67,500 (new units, discounted for standard design)
Cost = Cr 50,500 (refurbished units retired from Imperial service)
Passengers = 1
Storage Space = 1.42 kl
Max allowed weight = 477 kg (1051 lbs)
Description: The Javelin is relatively rare due to its high cost. Designed for use in high-threat assaults, it is only routinely fielded to special operations units and is sometimes made available to Imperial Marines about to undertake an especially dangerous mission. The Javelin features improved armor protection over the Arrow and is also equipped with a decoy launcher carrying ten decoys. The decoys mimic the signature of the Javelin capsule to enemy sensors, providing multiple targets to draw defensive fire. Like the Dart and Arrow, the Javelin system can be refurbished and re-used multiple times. After 20 or so uses the system is retired, but Javelin capsules are destroyed, not re-sold. Therefore, the only systems found in use by other than Imperial forces will be examples recovered from a battlefield landing zone. These refurbished models will almost invariably lack the decoys required to refill the decoy launcher, but are still highly sought after for their added armor protection.

 

[Major B]

Shipboard Components

The required shipboard launching, recovery, and refurbishment facilities are all described in the following posts.

I used extrapolated data from a sandcaster to estimate power requirements for a launch unit. A Sandcaster requires 1 MW to launch a canister with a volume of .1 kl, a 10:1 power to volume ratio. However, the launch velocity of a capsule should be less than that of a sand canister, so I reduced the ratio to 5:1 Therefore, a drop capsule launcher would require 67.5 MW at TL 13, with improved efficiency in later TL models.

I used the volume and costs from Striker Book 2 as a start point, and adjusted for where my capsule design differed from Striker.

I used the MT figures for an airlock to similarly extrapolate the requirements for the capsule recovery bay, and estimated the ready rack figures based on those provided in Striker Book 2.

 

[Major B]

Military Drop Capsule Launch System

Military Drop Capsule Launch System:
TL:...............13............14
Power:......33.75 MW.........30 MW
Volume:........27 kl.........27 kl
Weight:......13.5 MT.......13.5 MT (does not include drop capsule weight)
Cost:.....100,000 Cr.....75,000 Cr (does not include cost of the capsule)
Description: The Drop Capsule Launch System includes a launch tube, exterior blast doors, environment control seals, operator’s controls, and associated operating and feed machinery. The 2 displacement tons of volume also includes space to hold one capsule that is ready for launch, and space for the equipment and supplies used for refurbishing returned capsules for future missions. Product improvements in the TL 14 model include reduced power requirements and cost over the earlier model. The Drop Capsule Launch System holds one capsule that is ready for launch, but the system weight does not include the weight of the capsule. The system only draws the stated power during launch operations, so it does not need to be powered during normal day-to-day shipboard operations. Loading an additional capsule into the launcher takes ten minutes, using the hoist included with the launch system. Refurbishing a recovered capsule (charging the battery and re-applying the ablative coating) takes 30 minutes for a skilled technician.

 

[Major B]

Civilian Emergency Drop Capsule Launch System

Civilian Emergency Drop Capsule Launch System:
TL: 13
Power: none
Volume: 13.5 kl
Weight: 7.4 MT (includes weight of one Lifeball capsule)
Cost: Cr 85,000 (includes cost of one Lifeball capsule)
Description: The civilian Lifeball system consists of a single capsule with a launch mechanism to be used only in an emergency that requires evacuation of a ship. Rather than use vessel power (since a ship in distress may not have a functioning power plant), the Lifeball launcher relies on the propulsion system of the capsule for launch. Required volume is one displacement ton, half of which is the volume of the Lifeball. The civilian launch system can be fitted with a Ready Rack with additional capsules (see below). However, the rate of launch for the civilian system is only one capsule per minute, half that of the military version. The civilian Launch System does not include the hoist used to re-load capsules on military launch systems. Reloading capsules therefore must be accomplished at a starport rated at Class C or above.

 

[Major B]

Drop Capsule Ready Rack System

Drop Capsule Ready Rack System:
TL: 13
Power: none
Volume: 13.5 kl
Weight: 6.75 kl (does not include the weight of the drop capsule)
Cost: 10,000 Cr
Description: Installation of a Ready Rack System allows drop capsules to be launched at a faster rate using a single Launch System. A Military Launch System is capable of launching a drop capsule every 30 seconds when the drop capsules are installed on a Ready Rack. Civilian models are capable of launching one capsule per minute. Loading additional drop capsules into the launcher or on to the ready rack takes ten minutes per capsule (necessary lift assisting mechanisms are considered part of the launcher or ready rack volume). The listed volume, weight, and cost are for one capsule. Multiply these figures by the number of capsules needed in the Ready Rack.

 

[Major B]

Drop Capsule Recovery Bay

Drop Capsule Recovery Bay:
TL: 13
Power: .01 MW
Volume: 13.5 kl
Weight: 1 MT
Cost: 25,000 Cr
Description: The automated navigation system on the drop capsule is designed to return the capsule to its point of launch. Returning capsules will remain stationary in that location, awaiting recovery. The recovery bay includes a short-range radio and control panel used to remotely maneuver capsules into the recovery bay, an over-sized airlock. Capsules used to evacuate casualties will have a transponder activated, allowing them to receive priority for recovery. Also, returned capsules are routinely subjected to a densitometer scan to ensure that they do not contain any unwanted passengers or other surprises. The listed power, volume, weight, and cost are for a recovery bay with a capacity of one capsule. If a larger bay is desired, multiply all listed values by 1/2 the number of additional capsule capacity desired (so a bay with a capacity of three capsules would require double the listed figures and a bay with a capacity of five capsules would require three times the listed figures).

 

[Major B]

Drop Capsule Storage

Drop Capsule Storage: Storage for additional drop capsules within a vessel requires .5 Td (6.75 kl) per capsule. There are no power requirements or cost for this storage space. Weight should be calculated using the weight for the type of capsule carried (see listing above).

 

[Warlock]

Very nice! Much better than the writeup on drop capsules in The Traveller's Digest #15.

Your TL14 capsules are more robust and protective than the Imperial TL13 standard and I really like the detail on the racks and other equipment to support the drop capsules. A welcome addition to my saved Traveller material, believe me.

Thank you.