The Hop and Skip Traveller Universe

[RandyB]

I understood that a hop drive at TL 15 would be a prototype. 'Prototype' implies not being ready to be put into general production.


Hans

Hence, "breakthrough in technology", which I meant to imply "TL advancement in a specific technological area" as opposed to "a TL increase across-the-board".

 

[Ulsyus]

I understood that a hop drive at TL 15 would be a prototype. 'Prototype' implies not being ready to be put into general production.

Hans

Exactly! The how long relates to this. Time to move something from prototype to production could depend upon perceived need. If all of those considerations mentioned above are weighted up, what's the chance that a decision is made to just run with a few prototype drives retrofitted to some Imperiallines Frontier Transports for comms purposes and gradually fit other vessels when the technology's more certain? Introducing new technology can produce risks for which mitigation may not have been prepared.

 

[aramis]

If the Hop and Skip drive comes into general use, might less desirable systems slowly be abandoned in much the same way rural areas have depopulated over the last half century or so?

Why live in a dome under a poison sky when Hop & Skip puts that many more Earth-like worlds closer to you?

I think a lot of them would be, but a number of them would last due to mining concerns.