Spacecraft
Spacecraft are the primary way of navigating the universe.
A spacecraft is designed by players at a design studio and constructed at a spacecraft factory.
Spacecraft Definitions
Depending on the design, a spacecraft will have one of four definition.
- Spaceship
- Starship
- Spaceport
- Starbase
Spaceship
Spaceship is the most basic spacecraft definition, it is given to any spacecraft that has the minimum requirements for sub-light travel.
Since a spaceship is limited to sub-light speed, it mostly used to travel between worlds in a solar system. They can be used for interstellar travel, but has to relay on deadheading.
Starship
A starship is the definition given to a spaceship capable of faster than light (FTL) travel, this is archived with a FTL drive.
There is no other difference between a spaceship and a starship, then the presence of a FTL drive.
Spaceport
Spaceports are spacecraft with such a low acceleration that it can do nothing but keep an orbit over a city. They act as the first line of defense for a planet and as a trading and docking station for other spacecraft.
Starbase
A starbase is a rare sight. They are in theory just spaceports with a FTL drive, but since they can't use the FTL drive for anything, they are rarely designed.
It is however rumored that once the tractor beam bay is implemented, a starbase will be able to be pulled along with the pulling starship into FTL thanks to its FTL drive, while spaceports will not be able to use FTL when pulled.
Private vs. Subsidized
Common practice is to think of subsidized spacecraft as expendable, and any spacecraft of personal value should be purchased as a private spacecraft.
While stations can be purchased as a private spacecraft, the benefits of doing so are limited.
Privately owned spacecraft can not be switched to subsidized spacecraft and vice versa.
Private
Private spacecraft are owned by an avatar.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Can be respawned | Have to pay for repairs, fuel and munitions |
| Can not be captured | Costs money from the player to make |
| Personal effects, items and animals not lost when destroyed | |
| Trade transactions not subject to subsidy tax |
Private spacecraft are made when a spacecraft is purchased at a spacecraft factory.
Subsidized
Subsidized spacecraft are owned by an empire's government.
Any empire member can take control of a subsidized spacecraft if it does not have an officer or captain already. A spacecraft with a NPC officer is under the control of empire members that is is chain of command of the officer's home world.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Free repairs, fuel and munitions | Can not be respawned |
| Free for the player to make | Can be captured |
| Everything aboard is lost when destroyed | |
| Trade transactions subject to subsidy tax |
Subsidized spacecraft are made at a spacecraft factory using mass production processes.
Stations
Spaceports and starbases and commonly referred to as space stations.
Stations act as a trade hub for a solar system. Every city in the solar system that has an airport terminal can be traded with while in range of a station. This makes it possible to buy from any city and sell to any city without moving. It is also possible load and unload crew and passengers with those cities.
The size of a spaceport's service area is indicated with a rotating beacon, visible when piloting a vehicle or spacecraft. Visiting vehicles and spacecraft must enter the service area of a station to moor there, get repairs, refuel, and use the station as a trade hub.
The size of the station's service area is based on the tech level of the command and control module installed on the station.
Produced by
| Building | Produces | Consumed | Required | Optional
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spacecraft Factory | 1 Spacecraft |
* Depends on design |
** Only with specific equipment |
|