Normal Space Drive

A ship’s “normal space” drive system accelerates it to combat speeds and allows it to execute tactical maneuvers. A normal drive is rated by the amount of thrust it can output in one turn. Each unit of thrust represents the ability to accelerate the ship 1″.

During the movement phase, the normal drive can accelerate the ship forward any number of units at a cost of one thrust per 1″. The ship can also spend one thrust to rotate the ship to any clock face heading. Finally, one thrust can be spent to “push” the ship sideways exactly 1″ and backward exactly 1″, but no more than that. Every thrust spent comes out of the total thrust available in the turn, which cannot be exceeded.

Symbols:

Design Procedure

Mass: A ship’s normal drive is part of the 50% reserved for essential systems, so it does not cost any additional mass like other systems do. A normal drive is limited to a maximum thrust rating of 8.

Points Cost: Every one unit of thrust costs a number of points equal to the ship’s total mass.

Course Determination

Ship Velocity

Thrust Ratings

Movement

Course Changes

Leaving the Table

As ships have limited thrust and no maximum speed, velocity can easily move a ship off the edge of the playing field. If this happens, the ship can be considered LOST for the duration of the scenario. The vessel’s poorly-managed velocity has overshot the engagement zone and doesn’t have enough thrust to re-engage during play-time.

If needed, one six-sided die ca be rolled to determine whether the ship can actually find its way back.

On a roll of…	Result
1, 2, or 3	The ship may NOT return to play during this scenario.
4, 5, or 6	The ship may re-enter the table after this many turns.

A ship that manages to return will re-enter play from the same side of the table as it left, at any point along that table edge.

Notes

A ship (or immobile installation) with no normal space drive system must be fitted with a power generation system and long-term life support systems, so it doesn’t get any extra space like a ship without an FTL drive does. The non-propulsion power plant has no extra cost—it is included in the initial cost for the hull.

Ship Design Navigation Table
Basic Design	Faster Than Light Drive • Fighter Group • Main Battery • Normal Space Drive • Point Defense System • Screen Generator •
Advanced Design	Drone System • Needle System • Submunitions • Torpedo System
Experimental Design	Advanced Battery • Advanced Drive • Advanced Fire Control • Advanced FTL • Megabattery • Railgun System •