MT: RM Open Frame Hull Configuration (again)

snrdg082102 · #1 October 15th, 2011, 11:37 PM

Per MT: RM p. 63

Quote:

Spacecraft and starships require a minimum armor value of 40 for protection against micrometeorites and radiation

Does the above mean that any craft designed to operate in space with an open frame hull configuration the structure has value of 40?

Sorry to be dense.

**aramis** · #2 October 16th, 2011, 05:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snrdg082102

Per MT: RM p. 63

Does the above mean that any craft designed to operate in space with an open frame hull configuration the structure has value of 40?

Sorry to be dense.

yep.

Only 8 if disposable.

Swiftbrook · #3 October 16th, 2011, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aramis

Only 8 if disposable.

Reference on this? I'm assuming your saying fuel drop tanks only need an armor value of 8 instead of 40.

-Swiftbrook

snrdg082102 · #4 October 16th, 2011, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aramis

yep.

Only 8 if disposable.

Hello aramis,

Thanks for the yep that I got the open frame hull as having a structure rated at 40.

Next a silly question or two.

Question 2: Would I use Armor Steps 1 - 7 to 1 - 10 to calculate hull weight and cost?

Question 3. What is the reference source indicating that a disposable frame can have a value of 8?

shield · #5 October 16th, 2011, 07:39 PM

Think the disposable value of 8 came from the primitive spaceship rules. They were in the 2 small steps article in Challange and then in Hard Times.

snrdg082102 · #6 October 16th, 2011, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shield

Think the disposable value of 8 came from the primitive spaceship rules. They were in the 2 small steps article in Challenge and then in Hard Times.

Thanks shield I have a electronic copy of Hard Times that I can look at.

snrdg082102 · #7 October 16th, 2011, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swiftbrook

Reference on this? I'm assuming your saying fuel drop tanks only need an armor value of 8 instead of 40.

-Swiftbrook

Hello Swiftbrook,

I missed your post and got shields answered first. Anyway shield pointed me toward Hard Times which on page 83

Quote:

Step 8: Minimum Armor
Certain vehicles designed in this sequence may be disposables they are not expected to be reclaimed and used again. One example would be any rockets which provide initial liftoff thrust and are then jettisoned to bum up in the atmosphere.
A disposable component that is not intended to leave the atmosphere must have a hull armor rating of 4 or more. A disposable component leaving the atmosphere must have a hull armor rating of 8 or more.

Of course I haven't really had time to really check out the entire section yet.

**aramis** · #8 October 16th, 2011, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swiftbrook

Reference on this? I'm assuming your saying fuel drop tanks only need an armor value of 8 instead of 40.

-Swiftbrook

Depends on how long you expect to have those drop tanks on...

MT Hard Times, page 83, RC:

Step 8: Minimum Armor
Certain vehicles designed in this sequence may be disposables — they
are not expected to be reclaimed and used again. One example would be any rockets which provide initial lift-off thrust and are then jettisoned to bum up in the atmosphere.
A disposable component that is not intended to leave the atmosphere must have a hull armor rating of 4 or more. A disposable component leaving the atmosphere must have a hull armor rating of 8 or more.

Swiftbrook · #9 October 16th, 2011, 10:53 PM

Thanks.

The only thing I currently can think of as disposable for starships is drop tanks. They don't have a minimum armor value, just simple rules on page 83:

Quote:

Originally Posted by MT RM p. 83

Drop Tanks: Disposable tanks which provide fuel while reducing ship tonnage. Tanks are mounted only when needed and dropped away prior to jump. They do not affect the routine performance of the ship. Cost is Cr 10,000 plus Cr 75 per kiloliter of drop tank.

Nice and simple.

-Swiftbrook

snrdg082102 · #10 October 16th, 2011, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aramis

Depends on how long you expect to have those drop tanks on...

MT Hard Times, page 83, RC:

Step 8: Minimum Armor
Certain vehicles designed in this sequence may be disposables — they
are not expected to be reclaimed and used again. One example would be any rockets which provide initial lift-off thrust and are then jettisoned to bum up in the atmosphere.
A disposable component that is not intended to leave the atmosphere must have a hull armor rating of 4 or more. A disposable component leaving the atmosphere must have a hull armor rating of 8 or more.

The quoted material looks very familiar