SEC Barracuda

SEC BARRACUDA

Picture

Universe: Gamma

Story: Rocket Redferne

First seen: Rocket Redferne part 1

Type: Re-useable spacecraft

Year(s): 2160 - 2174

Crew: 4

Passengers: 10 (in comfort) 25 (crammed)

Top Speed: 5.1g in space, for short bursts.

Weapons: Two heavy lasers.

Defence: Hull polarisation to deflect micrometeorites

Capacity: 1-3 tons of cargo

Length: XXXXX

Width: XXXX

Height: XXXX

Fuel Type: Hydrogen fuel cells / liquid rocket fuel / aviation fuel.

General Info:

The most complicated machine ever made, up to that point. The Barracuda was the Secure Earth Council's "main" spacecraft, though they only had 23. The Barracuda could fly in the atmospheres of Earth and Mars (the two colonished planets), and take off from the moon and other small bodies unassisted. To launch from the planets, it needed to be "fired" from long, spiralling maglev track, and use it's liquid-fuelled rockets to boost it into space. It also needed it's heat shielding inspecting and maybe replacing after re-entry to Earth.

The Barracuda has four engines - the liquid-fuelled rocket for ground to space takeoffs, jet engines for atmospheric flight, a hybrid turbo-scramjet for atmosphere-to-space insertions, and an ion engine for space flight. The latter is highly advanced, compared to current tech, and can be supplemented by the rocket once out in space for bursts of rapid acceleration and deceleration. Just in front of the cockpit is a ring-shaped "momentum supressor", a device which partly cancels out gravity, thus allowing for more comfortable accelerations. At the time of the story this technology is brand-new and in a very primitive state.

Up to that point, SEC's only armed spacecraft, the Barracuda has two gigawatt pulsed lasers, which can evaporate holes in thick steel. These are mainly used to defect asteroids, and for other peaceful purposes, but present an unspoken threat to the other factions using space at this time, primarily the NWAR.

Nominally a "small" "fighter", the Barracuda is the size of a medium-range twentieth-century airliner, albiet with narrower, folding wings. It's interior can be rapidly reconfigured in a number of ways, depending on it's mission.

Variants:

Standard - short haul: Contains a "luxury" living area at the rear for the maximum four crew and up to three passengers. Ones not on a specific duty are usally left in this configuration.

Standard - long haul: Similar to the short haul version, but less luxorious living quarters, as many more supplies need to be carried. Used to fly between Earth and Mars.

Rescue - standard: The rear area is fitted with 10 seats and secure cargo nets.

Rescue - High capacity: The rear area is fitted with elasticated cargo nets and straps, the "cargo" is a larger number of people. Usually transferred to another ship, not landed.

Resupply: Large cargo area at the rear. Accomodation for one "resting" crew member while the other 1-2 fly.

Battle: A war configuration with redundant power and life support systems in the rear area, with extra armour too. Minimal accomodation for uncomfortable long patrols.

Origin / Inspiration:

"The amazing wonder-planes of tomorrow" from an old DC Thomson story, combined with consideration of how such a vehicle could be made with semi-plausible tech.

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Picture
		Universe: Gamma
		Story: Rocket Redferne
		First seen: Rocket Redferne part 1
		Type: Re-useable spacecraft
		Year(s): 2160 - 2174
		Crew: 4
		Passengers: 10 (in comfort) 25 (crammed)
		Top Speed: 5.1g in space, for short bursts.
		Weapons: Two heavy lasers.
		Defence: Hull polarisation to deflect micrometeorites
		Capacity: 1-3 tons of cargo
		Length: XXXXX
		Width: XXXX
		Height: XXXX
		Fuel Type: Hydrogen fuel cells / liquid rocket fuel / aviation fuel.
General Info:	The most complicated machine ever made, up to that point. The Barracuda was the Secure Earth Council's "main" spacecraft, though they only had 23. The Barracuda could fly in the atmospheres of Earth and Mars (the two colonished planets), and take off from the moon and other small bodies unassisted. To launch from the planets, it needed to be "fired" from long, spiralling maglev track, and use it's liquid-fuelled rockets to boost it into space. It also needed it's heat shielding inspecting and maybe replacing after re-entry to Earth. The Barracuda has four engines - the liquid-fuelled rocket for ground to space takeoffs, jet engines for atmospheric flight, a hybrid turbo-scramjet for atmosphere-to-space insertions, and an ion engine for space flight. The latter is highly advanced, compared to current tech, and can be supplemented by the rocket once out in space for bursts of rapid acceleration and deceleration. Just in front of the cockpit is a ring-shaped "momentum supressor", a device which partly cancels out gravity, thus allowing for more comfortable accelerations. At the time of the story this technology is brand-new and in a very primitive state. Up to that point, SEC's only armed spacecraft, the Barracuda has two gigawatt pulsed lasers, which can evaporate holes in thick steel. These are mainly used to defect asteroids, and for other peaceful purposes, but present an unspoken threat to the other factions using space at this time, primarily the NWAR. Nominally a "small" "fighter", the Barracuda is the size of a medium-range twentieth-century airliner, albiet with narrower, folding wings. It's interior can be rapidly reconfigured in a number of ways, depending on it's mission.
Variants:	Standard - short haul: Contains a "luxury" living area at the rear for the maximum four crew and up to three passengers. Ones not on a specific duty are usally left in this configuration. Standard - long haul: Similar to the short haul version, but less luxorious living quarters, as many more supplies need to be carried. Used to fly between Earth and Mars. Rescue - standard: The rear area is fitted with 10 seats and secure cargo nets. Rescue - High capacity: The rear area is fitted with elasticated cargo nets and straps, the "cargo" is a larger number of people. Usually transferred to another ship, not landed. Resupply: Large cargo area at the rear. Accomodation for one "resting" crew member while the other 1-2 fly. Battle: A war configuration with redundant power and life support systems in the rear area, with extra armour too. Minimal accomodation for uncomfortable long patrols.
Origin / Inspiration:	"The amazing wonder-planes of tomorrow" from an old DC Thomson story, combined with consideration of how such a vehicle could be made with semi-plausible tech.