The Launch uses a 20-ton cylindrical/streamlined hull and is capable of 1g acceleration, carries 1 ton of fuel and requires a crew of 2 (pilot & commander), though in routine operations only a pilot is needed for safe operation of the vessel. It is commonly used to handle small transport tasks not suited to larger vessels though many are adapted to serve as a life raft, or small cargo lighter/shuttle.

This Tl-8 Variant has an onboard nuclear reactor for power and uses radioactive materials for fuel, the amount of fuel is incredibly small (as is typical with nuclear materials) being considerably less than one displacement ton, the bulk of the space it consumes is taken up by the necessary shielding required to make the vehicle safe

Radioactives are extremely heavy (materials & shielding) though long lived fuels the small quantity aboard is sufficient to power the launch for up to 20 weeks of continuous usage, making them ideal for low priority small cargo runs, or for conversion to life-rafts (with the inclusion of low berths). Higher tech versions mount fusion power plants as an alternative.

Locomotion is provided by a reverse-engineered deep space thrust drive that once discovered at Tl-10 can be easily manufactured by technologically capable societies at Tl-8 to Tl-9, and in some cases at Tl-7 if the need for complex computer control and pilot assistance is not pressing. The M-drive is unusual in the sense that it is mounted forward just below the deck floor and aft of the flight deck, to allow the reactor core to mounted at the rear of the launch, so that it can be easily jettisoned in the event of battle damage (explosive bolts/sealed compartment) or a technical failure leading to catastrophic melt down, and whilst this drastic step would leave the launch without power it's better than being dead!

Passenger accommodations vary from launch to launch, the model described here contains 6 additional acceleration couches for passengers in addition to the two standard couches found on the flight deck. Like all couches in addition to protecting the crew against sudden changes in velocity, they can be connected to a standard vacc-suit and are capable of feeding it with precious oxygen, water and electrical power taken directly from the crafts life support system (handy in the event of a hull breach). Some higher tech variants forego the passenger couches preferring to replace them with passenger seats instead and other accommodations, but in this design they are essential for long missions as artificial gravity and g-compensation is still rare in small Tl-8 vessels, as this technology only tends to become commonplace at the high end of Tl-8/early Tl-9, though as above can be reliably back-engineered by capable societies with sufficient resources.

The launch also comes with an inbuilt hardpoint suitable for ship sized weapon mounts, though the owner would have to install the desired turret at the expense of cargo space, the hardpoint is engineered directly above the small hold.

The basic sensor suite, commo system and avionics suite are ample to allow atmospheric insertions, and deep space plots, and typical short-range communications and when coupled with a communication relay satellite/repeater can enable the craft to be used as a cheap forward scout or reconnaissance ship.

All in all, a versatile, tough and relatively cheap runabout, ideal as a sub craft for a larger vessel being most typically found aboard merchant vessels or orbital stations. The winning strength of this design is its reliance on the primitive fission reactor for power, which means it can be easily supplied and maintained by many developing worlds in and around the Imperium that do not have access to fusion power as of yet…

Imperial Launch

Class: Small Craft                        Ep Output: 0.20
Tech Level: 8                             Agility:0
Size: (small 20 Tons)                     Initiative: 0
Streamlining: Streamlined.                AC: 11 
Jump Range: None                          Repulsors: None
Acceleration 1G (Thruster)                Nuclear Dampers: None
Fuel 1.0 Tons (radioactives)              Meson Screens: None
Duration: 20 weeks                        Black Globes: None
Crew: 2                                   AR: 0
Staterooms: none                          SI: 77
Small Cabins: none                        Main Computer: Model 2
Bunks: 0                                  Sensor Range: Close (model 1)
Couches: 6 (additional to 2 on bridge)    Comm. Range: Close (model 1)
Low Berths: 0         
Cargo Space: 9.8 Tons                     Cost: Mcr 10.05 (Mcr 8.04 in Quantity)
Atmospheric speeds                        Noe= 275 kph
Cruising = 825 kph                        Maximum = 1100 kph

Other Equipment: None. 

Design Worksheet.

Installed Component        Tonnage    (MCR    Ep      Notes.

Hull                       +20          2.0     ----    Cylinder
Upgrade Streamlining        ----        0.1     ----    Fully Streamlined
Bridge                       4.0        0.1     ----    2 Acceleration Couches
Computer                     0.1        5.8     ----    Model 2
Avionics                     0.8       (1.8)    ----    Model 2
Sensors                      0.3       (0.6)    ----    Model 1
Commo                        0.2       (0.5)    ----    Model 1
M-Drive                      0.4        0.6     -0.2    1G Thruster
Power Plant                  0.4        1.2     +0.2    Fission
Fuel 20 weeks                1.0        ----    ----    Radioactives
Small Craft Couches          3.0        0.15    ----    Couches for 6 Passengers
Hardpoint                   ----        0.1     ----    1 Hardpoint
Cargo                        9.8        ----    ----    

Totals                      20.0       10.05     0.2

Excess Power = None

Original T4 Design: Not Credited.

Design Adapted for T20, by Mark Bridgeman.

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