RE: [FTFB] Not ships, exactally. . .

While I like the concept of defsats and I'm sure a set of rules for
"micro-thrusters" could be developed, I would wonder how they would
actually
fair in play.  As stationary targets they would be a prime target for
SMs.
Obviously Defsat 2 could protect itself and other defsats in range, but
could be overwhelmed (one missile hit and it's all over).

On the other hand, they would make a cheap sponge for your opponent's
SMs
instead of your ships.	: )

Massive orbital forts (ala David Weber) with the extra 5 to 15% space
they
get for dropping drives could add a slew of PDSs to really protect
themselves.

my 2 credits,
Nathan

> -----Original Message-----
> From: John M. Atkinson [SMTP:john.m.atkinson@erols.com]
> Sent: Thursday, February 11, 1999 11:20 PM
> To:	GZG-L
> Subject:	[FTFB] Not ships, exactally. . . 
> 
> In the discussion among the IFWG re: New Jordanian Navy, (gratuitous
ad:
> http://www.angelfire.com/va/basileus/NewJordan.html has everything
> except what I'm discussing here), Noam expressed the idea that in
> addition to the handful of FTL ships and somewhat more numerous STL
> ships, the New Jordanians relied a great deal on orbital installations
> and other stationary targets.  So I says "Hey, I need some of these to
> defend my planets too!".  So I sit down to design 'em.  And I run into
a
> big problem.
> 
> Thrusters.
> 
> I want my stations and sattelites to rotate and roll over, at least
the
> smaller ones.  Otherwise some of my unmanned defense satellite designs
> start to suck.  See:
> 
> Defsat 1:
>	Mass 3
>	Hull 1
>	  FiCon 1
>	Class 1
>	Total 12 points
> 
> This is good.  This works fine.
> 
> Defsat 2, for those plagued by folks in small fast targets.
>	Mass	10
>	Hull	2
>	1xADFC	2
>	6xPDS	6
>	Total	40 points.  Also not a problem.
> 
> Defsat 3:
>	Mass	3
>	Hull	1
>	MT Missle 2
>	Total 11 points.  This needs to rotate to point at the bad guys.
 As
> does it's big brother, 
> 
> Defsat 4:
>	Mass	5
>	Hull	1
>	SMR	4
>	Total	19
> 
> So are there any ideas on a mass/point cost for these puny thrusters
> which can't move a ship a single inch, but can rotate and roll 'em? 
I'd
> like to make 'em nominal mass, but cost 5% of station mass, or 1
point,
> whichever is more.  :)
> 
> John M. Atkinson