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The [[Magellan Class]] design features four main RCS thruster clusters located around the outer edge of the ship's primary saucer section. While the thruster nozzles are external, associated components such as propellant lines, power conduits, and control mechanisms run through dedicated spaces within the ship's structure.
The [[Magellan Class]] design features four main RCS thruster clusters located around the outer edge of the ship's primary saucer section. While the thruster nozzles are external, associated components such as propellant lines, power conduits, and control mechanisms run through dedicated spaces within the ship's structure.


Specifically, components for the RCS are known to be routed along the outer hull structure corresponding to [[E_Deck]]. Primary maintenance access to these internal components is provided via routes leading up from [[F_Deck]], classifying them as part of the ship's engineering systems despite their physical location adjacent to E Deck spaces. '''Build 0.225.0.82''' saw basic geometry added to mark the external thruster positions.
Specific components for the RCS are to be routed along the outer hull structure corresponding to [[E_Deck]]. Primary maintenance access to these internal components is provided via routes leading up from Engineering department on [[F_Deck]], and are designed to be inaccessible from [[E_Deck]] for security and safer maintenance reasons. '''Build 0.225.0.82''' saw basic geometry added to mark the external thruster positions, with further detailed structure set to be added in future updates.


== Function and Usage ==
== Function and Usage ==
The RCS provides fine control over the ship's movement vectors where the main sublight engines are too coarse or improperly oriented. Its primary uses include:
The RCS provides fine control over the ship's movement vectors where the main sublight engines are too coarse or improperly oriented for precision. Its primary uses include:
*'''Attitude Control:''' Executing precise rotations along all three axes:
*'''Attitude Control:''' executing precise rotations along all three axes:
** '''[[Six_degrees_of_freedom#Pitch (Rotation)|Pitch]]''' (tilting nose up/down)
** '''[[Six_degrees_of_freedom#Pitch (Rotation)|Pitch]]''' (tilting nose up/down)
** '''[[Six_degrees_of_freedom#Yaw (Rotation)|Yaw]]''' (turning nose left/right)
** '''[[Six_degrees_of_freedom#Yaw (Rotation)|Yaw]]''' (turning nose left/right)
** '''[[Six_degrees_of_freedom#Roll (Rotation)|Roll]]''' (rotating along the ship's long axis)
** '''[[Six_degrees_of_freedom#Roll (Rotation)|Roll]]''' (rotating along the ship's long axis)
*'''Translation Control:''' Moving the ship linearly without changing its facing:
*'''Translation Control:''' moving the ship linearly without changing its facing:
** '''[[Six_degrees_of_freedom#Heave (Translation)|Heave]]''' (moving vertically up/down)
** '''[[Six_degrees_of_freedom#Heave (Translation)|Heave]]''' (moving vertically up/down)
** '''[[Six_degrees_of_freedom#Sway (Translation)|Sway]]''' (moving laterally left/right)
** '''[[Six_degrees_of_freedom#Sway (Translation)|Sway]]''' (moving laterally left/right)
** Assisting with '''[[Six_degrees_of_freedom#Surge (Translation)|Surge]]''' (forward/backward motion), particularly for braking or very fine adjustments.
** assisting with '''[[Six_degrees_of_freedom#Surge (Translation)|Surge]]''' (forward/backward motion), particularly for braking or very fine adjustments
*'''Precision Manoeuvring:''' Crucial for delicate operations such as docking with space stations, maintaining a specific position relative to another object (station keeping), making fine course corrections, and counteracting residual momentum.
*'''Precision Manoeuvring:''' crucial for delicate operations such as docking with space stations, maintaining a specific position relative to another object (station keeping), making fine course corrections, and counteracting residual momentum


== Control ==
== Control ==
The RCS thrusters are primarily operated by the pilot from the [[Helm|Helm station]] located on the [[Bridge]]. Specific keybinds allow for direct control over pitch, yaw, roll, heave, and sway movements.
The RCS thrusters are operated by the pilot from the [[Helm|Helm station]] located on the [[Bridge]]. Specific key bindings allow for direct control over pitch, yaw, roll, heave, and sway movements.


''Refer to the [[Controls#Helm Controls (When Seated at Helm)|Helm Controls]] section on the Controls page for detailed key bindings.''
''Refer to the [[Controls#Helm Controls (When Seated at Helm)|Helm Controls]] section on the Controls page for detailed key bindings.''
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== Maintenance ==
== Maintenance ==
As noted under Location, while the thruster nozzles are external, the internal supporting components located along the [[E_Deck]] structure require maintenance access primarily originating from [[F_Deck]]. This makes RCS upkeep partially an [[Engineering|Engineering]] task.
As noted under "Location and Components", while the thruster nozzles are external, the internal supporting components located along the [[E_Deck]] structure require maintenance access primarily originating from [[F_Deck]]. RCS upkeep is an an [[Engineering|Engineering]] task.


[[Category:Ship Systems]]
[[Category:Ship Systems]]
[[Category:Gameplay Mechanics]]
[[Category:Gameplay Mechanics]]

Latest revision as of 03:58, 27 April 2026

This page is a Work in Progress as much of the lore/Development for the game is yet to be established.


The Reaction Control System (RCS) is a network of small thrusters positioned on the exterior hull of the Magellan Class starship in Starship Simulator. These thrusters are essential for precise attitude control (orientation) and translational maneuvers (linear movement) in space, particularly at sublight speeds.

Location and Components

The Magellan Class design features four main RCS thruster clusters located around the outer edge of the ship's primary saucer section. While the thruster nozzles are external, associated components such as propellant lines, power conduits, and control mechanisms run through dedicated spaces within the ship's structure.

Specific components for the RCS are to be routed along the outer hull structure corresponding to E_Deck. Primary maintenance access to these internal components is provided via routes leading up from Engineering department on F_Deck, and are designed to be inaccessible from E_Deck for security and safer maintenance reasons. Build 0.225.0.82 saw basic geometry added to mark the external thruster positions, with further detailed structure set to be added in future updates.

Function and Usage

The RCS provides fine control over the ship's movement vectors where the main sublight engines are too coarse or improperly oriented for precision. Its primary uses include:

  • Attitude Control: executing precise rotations along all three axes:
    • Pitch (tilting nose up/down)
    • Yaw (turning nose left/right)
    • Roll (rotating along the ship's long axis)
  • Translation Control: moving the ship linearly without changing its facing:
    • Heave (moving vertically up/down)
    • Sway (moving laterally left/right)
    • assisting with Surge (forward/backward motion), particularly for braking or very fine adjustments
  • Precision Manoeuvring: crucial for delicate operations such as docking with space stations, maintaining a specific position relative to another object (station keeping), making fine course corrections, and counteracting residual momentum

Control

The RCS thrusters are operated by the pilot from the Helm station located on the Bridge. Specific key bindings allow for direct control over pitch, yaw, roll, heave, and sway movements.

Refer to the Helm Controls section on the Controls page for detailed key bindings.

Technology

The RCS thrusters require power drawn from the ship's main power grid, supplied by the Fusion Reactor and/or Batteries.

The specific type of propellant used by the Magellan's RCS thrusters has not yet been detailed (e.g., hypergolic chemical propellant, stored cold gas, plasma ejection).

Maintenance

As noted under "Location and Components", while the thruster nozzles are external, the internal supporting components located along the E_Deck structure require maintenance access primarily originating from F_Deck. RCS upkeep is an an Engineering task.