Silent Running: Difference between revisions
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== Heat Management == | == Heat Management == | ||
All powered ship modules (including the reactor) generate heat. When a module's thermal limit is exceeded, heat is transferred from it to the ship’s cooling system which radiates the heat away from the ship via cooling vents. If more heat is being generated than radiated the heat | All powered ship modules (including the reactor) generate heat. When a module's thermal limit is exceeded, heat is transferred from it to the ship’s cooling system which radiates the heat away from the ship via cooling vents. If more heat is being generated than radiated the excess heat will build up in the modules, causing overheating. When heat levels exceed set thresholds some modules may automatically turn off or begin to suffer fatigue damage. Excessive heat puts a strain on the ship’s atmosphere control (reducing the capability of life support modules). Further increase in heat directly impacts the pilot and crew’s ability to function and will eventually kill them. | ||
Most ships have articulated heat vanes which can be raised, significantly increasing heat dissipation from the ship. However, such activity normally affects the flight model of the ship and always increases the ship’s thermal signature whilst active. Heat stored in a ship’s cooling system generates a thermal signature for the ship, a high signature making it easier for other ships to locate using heat-based sensors and for heat-tracking weapons to lock-on. | Most ships have articulated heat vanes which can be raised, significantly increasing heat dissipation from the ship. However, such activity normally affects the flight model of the ship and always increases the ship’s thermal signature whilst active. Heat stored in a ship’s cooling system generates a thermal signature for the ship, a high signature making it easier for other ships to locate using heat-based sensors and for heat-tracking weapons to lock-on. | ||