RCS Thrusters
NOTICE: 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.
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.
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:
- Attitude Control: Executing precise rotations along all three axes:
- Translation Control: Moving the ship linearly without changing its facing:
- 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 primarily operated by the pilot from the Helm station located on the Bridge. Specific keybinds 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, 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 task.