Tech. Support Requested

[Burocrate]

After reading QLI’s Epic Adventure: Scout Cruiser and recent posts about a long endurance exploration mission, I began to think of an opening scene IMTU. I might have a DD Scout PC re-activated to intercept a derelict ship entering a nearby system from deep space.

I would like some technical/other feedback(please assume poor skill in Gooogle-fu). I plan on having the derelict ship enter a system traveling at about 5Gs. The ship is coasting along with no power. I want to use an unknown TL 8 design (or so) with a blown-out Jump drive traveling on inertia after returning from a prolonged misjump. The PCs will find no fuel, no power, some moldering remains, no indication of attack/foul play; ghost ship kind of atmosphere. The important question will be where did this ship come from. Figure a 6d6 misjump (farther the better) coming into the fringes of Imperial space in the general area of Gateway.

The first question: What problems will the PCs face when exploring a ship with no power travelling at 5Gs? Would there be debris pushed against every aft-facing bulkhead since there is no power for grav plates? No a life support working on board the derelict so little decay, mostly dehydration from slow bleed off of internal air supply.

Second question: Assuming the derelict could achieve 5Gs, how long could/would an un-powered object retain this velocity? Sure I can Handwave anything, but I would like to use a little internal consistency.

Thanks in advance for any/all responses.

 

[flykiller]

5g is an acceleration. if the ship has no power it simply will be coasting, i.e. if anyone matches vector with it they will be weightless relative to its hull. the ship will coast at this vector until a gravity well or a collision alters its vector.

the ship will be terribly cold. hatch actuators may break off, switches may shatter on actuation, touching anything may result in rapid heat loss.

the vessel may be tumbling and/or rolling, resulting in disorientation of personnel and simulated high-g at the far points of the tumble.

the ship may have unrepaired meteor damage and several penetrations throughout. if the ship comes close to a star and begins to thaw then previously frozen fuel or water or hydraulic fluid may flood the interior, maybe even overpressurize it if the outer hull is intact and secured.

 

[far-trader]

Sounds like fun and I have a few minutes to help with a major misconception*...

* which I see flykiller typed up a little faster than I could

Originally posted by Burocrate:
I plan on having the derelict ship enter a system traveling at about 5Gs. The ship is coasting along with no power.

Coasting along with no power is an acceleration of 0Gs. If by 5Gs you meant a velocity (aka speed) you need to add a time factor (acceleration over time is velocity) to the statement. For example 5Gs for 2 turns will result in a velocity of 100,000km per turn (in CT 1,000seconds per turn, so about 360,000kph), if I didn't muck up the math

Oh, anything not nailed down will be drifting not pushed against the wall by acceleration since there is none, though there may have been some movement before it stopped accelerating, which could be evidenced by dents in the back wall, unless the internal gravity and compensation was still working when the acceleration happened.

 

[far-trader]

Hmm, missed the second question first time through...

Originally posted by Burocrate:
Second question: Assuming the derelict could achieve 5Gs, how long could/would an un-powered object retain this velocity? Sure I can Handwave anything, but I would like to use a little internal consistency.

Thanks in advance for any/all responses.

Again once you correct this to a velocity it should retain that velocity until acted on by an outside force. Such as a major impact with another body which would slow it down proportionately to the difference in kinetic energy (mass and velocity) of the two. Or perhaps a close flyby with a large body which would add acceleration and increase the velocity as well as change its direction. Swinging by a planet for example. Both of those possibilities are exceedingly unlikely in deep space (or even near space for that matter).

 

[Simone]

Interesting thought experiment.

I assume that the derelict has been adrift for some years (bodies decomposed etc.) Further it is assumed that the derelict has drifted insystem, from well beyond the ice line for the star (say, through the system's Oort cloud/Kuiper belt). Also, let's assume pressure was not lost, else it's a lot less interesting - no gases or fluids remain, they expanded into space centuries ago.

The temperature is approaching absolute zero throughout. As it comes further insystem it will slowly thaw.

Previously noted material problems, hinges breaking, etc. Lubricants (as used on iris valves) are so much adhesive, and would likely break the iris valve before opening.

Gases should have liquified, definitely oxygen, nitrogen. Would they not be little blobs of fluid, floating around? I do not think that they can freeze out.

CO2 will freeze out, if no grav, should form a fine ice coating on all exterior walls. Cooling would be by radiation, exterior walls cooling first, inner rooms would lose their gases, and be more or less clear of ice/blobs/etc.

Of course, water vapor will be the first ice layer, then dry ice, then what?

The "people" are possibly not "moldy", but mummified. Fluids sucked right out by the dry cold air.

Geez, I'm freezing, gonna turn up the furnace.

 

[Andrew Boulton]

"Previously noted material problems, hinges breaking, etc. Lubricants (as used on iris valves) are so much adhesive, and would likely break the iris valve before opening."

I would've thought they'd be designed to operate in these conditions.