The Halcyon Project

[Halcyon]

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5. PROPULSION THEORY NOTES

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Initially when I was first told of the Lightrider project, I admit I found it fascinating. Seeing it evolve over the years into what became the mainline Ionstream series inspired further innovation on the project, giving way to variants and other shelved prototypes all following the same unified theory. Utilizing less to gain more, in essence.

What challenges have presented themselves here is already outlined in my previous notes. Adapting what we've already got to what we're currently working on. The Judicator's propulsion system is an unnecessarily complex mess, and I often question why certain decisions were made in regards to the centrifuge-mounted engine arrays.

Though despite these challenges, there remains even more potential for improvement. Outlining the concerns for increased mass with the proposed reactor modifications, we can reduce mass by completely gutting the rotating engine system, and replacing it with a custom built Ionstream emitter. This'll reduce mass and reduce the number of moving components involved in the operation of these secondary engines.

The primary drive on the other hand will require a full rework. Ideally, the collected energy from the reactor - primarily the accelerated gasses that've experienced sufficient exposure to the cell itself, condensed and utilized much like our current system. The reduction of components in the centrifuge engine housing in turn will allow for the addition of a stabilization field to better direct thrust output utilizing the electrified magnetization produced from the vessel's 'unique' rotating centrifuge.

Given the outlined structural damage, we've been left with a blank canvas on how best to approach the design and installation of the drive itself. Existing coolant systems left over from the vessel's previous Liberty-based fusion engine can be adapted to purpose, but I'd recommend they too be removed and replaced with a more modern system in line with the needs specified in the Ionstream's makeup.

The drive itself with the added bonus of condensed gasses from the reactor's overflow should lead to a reduced fuel consumption rate overall, increasing efficiency margins by a meagre yet meaningful 12.6%. With that in mind if testing proves to be successful, adaptation of this design on a smaller scale should be considered to further improve the overall efficiency of craft utilized by the wider Technocracy.

I'm currently drafting up modified thruster nozzles for this, as the current ones are long overdue for maintenance and likely on their way out. They're not up to the needs of a modified system.

In fact, the next design is likely going to be a fusion of the two output methods, with the addition of the aforementioned stabilization field.

Best of both worlds.

-From the desk of Navarch Leviathan

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