Tramp trade in the Aramis Subsector

[Whipsnade]

At what Tech Level? Wouldn't a higher Tech Level have more efficient means of collection power from the sun?

The upper limit is the amount of energy reaching the ground from the star in question. Technology can never improve that number, technology can only improve how much of that number is collected and stored, and technology can never make the collection and storage process perfect.

What McPerth is ignoring, perhaps deliberately, is the fact that his assumptions require the perfect collection of all solar energy across all wavelengths ranging from IR to gamma, the perfect transmission of all that energy to the laser's power pack, and the perfect storage of the same within the power pack in a form which the laser can then use.

He's also ignoring the fact that the max solar number he's using only occurs at Earth's equator with Sol directly overhead and with perfect (again) weather.

For anyone interesting is actually examining the idea instead of simply making shit up, let me suggest this link as a place to start.

 

[Fritz_Brown]

The other problem is y'all are talking in terms of absolute power: kW. You should be talking in terms of power over time: kWh (kilowatt-hours). You can't start talking about how long it will take to collect said energy until you know what time period you're talking about.

 

[McPerth]

The upper limit is the amount of energy reaching the ground from the star in question. Technology can never improve that number, technology can only improve how much of that number is collected and stored, and technology can never make the collection and storage process perfect.

What McPerth is ignoring, perhaps deliberately, is the fact that his assumptions require the perfect collection of all solar energy across all wavelengths ranging from IR to gamma, the perfect transmission of all that energy to the laser's power pack, and the perfect storage of the same within the power pack in a form which the laser can then use.

He's also ignoring the fact that the max solar number he's using only occurs at Earth's equator with Sol directly overhead and with perfect (again) weather.

For anyone interesting is actually examining the idea instead of simply making shit up, let me suggest this link as a place to start.

I began talking about the output MT (the only system I know to mave it described) gives. When I was told about more real numbers I tried to use them, even reducing the imput allowing for not perfect conditions nor collecting, but the fact is I still believe solar cells could reload a laser power pack, it just would take more or less time depending on the output of the solar cells.

And AFAIK the energy in the power pack is stored in form of electrical power (it's a battery, if I understood well lasers), and the output of solar cells is also in electrical power.

The other problem is y'all are talking in terms of absolute power: kW. You should be talking in terms of power over time: kWh (kilowatt-hours). You can't start talking about how long it will take to collect said energy until you know what time period you're talking about.

I think I discriminated quite clearly when I was talking about power (kw) and energy (kwh). That's why even a lower output solar cell may recharge any battery over time.

 

[Murphy]

After a long session I can say my work finally paid off.

I prepared enough for every system they could arrive at, so anywhere they poked for business, I had news for them to watch, cargo contracts to find, a potential speculative deal and a few passengers (some with hidden caveats but most without).

The game was a success. We didn't bother with combat for like six hours of play because we were too busy having business all the way from Aramanx to Towers and back. Of course next time I'm dropping a few combat situations on them - as we're playing TTA, upon returning to Aramanx I started the "Wolf at the Door" chapter and left them at a cliffhanger just before a fight.

I have to admit, there were more things than just trade, that kept the fun on, but I'll describe them in another topic.