Fuels and Energy
Fuel and Energy Sources for Spacecraft
| Drive Type | Typical Isp (s) | Fuel Category | Cost | Infrastructure Dependence | Typical Role |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Methalox Chemical | 350-380 | A | Low | Low | General-purpose launches and orbital transfers |
| Hydrolox Chemical | 430-460 | B | Medium | Low | High-performance launches, landers, and transfer craft |
| AluLOX Chemical | 300-350 | C | Low (Luna) | Low | Lunar shuttles and surface operations |
| HELL-V | 800-1200 | B | Medium | Very High | Surface-to-orbit launch |
| Nuclear Thermal Rocket (Hydrogen) | 850-950 | B | High | Low | Deep-space exploration and fast transport |
| Nuclear Thermal Rocket (Ammonia) | 350-450 | D | Medium | Low | Cargo transport and bulk freight |
| Laser Thermal | 1000-3000 | B, C, D | Low fuel cost | High | Laser Highway traffic |
| Laser Sail | — | None | Very Low fuel cost | Very High | Bulk cargo and long-duration transport |
Fuel Station Codes
| Code | Service |
|---|---|
| A | Methalox available |
| B | Hydrolox available |
| C | AluLOX available |
| D | Ammonia available |
| E | Laser Highway beam services available |
| F | Water available in commercial quantities |
For ease, fuel costs relative to Mongoose are one jump = 1 burn; same 500/ton as a base cost.
Water and Space Travel
Water is one of the most important commodities in the Solar System. It can be used directly as reaction mass in some propulsion systems, converted into hydrogen and oxygen for conventional rocket fuels, or employed for life support and radiation shielding.
Unlike most fuels, water does not have a single specific impulse. Its performance depends entirely on the engine and heat source being used. The rise of Laser Highway propulsion has dramatically increased the value of water-rich locations throughout cislunar space and the asteroid belt.
Travel Costs
Travel within the Solar System is generally priced in stages rather than by distance. Reaching orbit is the most expensive part of most journeys, after which passengers transfer between orbital vehicles or Deep Space Vehicles (DSVs) as needed.
The fares below represent typical second-class civilian prices. Corporate contracts, government travel, military transport and emergency passage often use different pricing.
Earth Launch
| Route | Typical Second Class Fare | Typical First Class Fare |
|---|---|---|
| Earth Surface → Low Earth Orbit (LEO) | Cr5,000 | Cr10,000 |
Launch prices include atmospheric ascent aboard a reusable launch vehicle or spaceplane, transfer to the destination orbital facility, and standard baggage allowance.
Interplanetary Passenger Fares
| Ticket Type | Base Fare | Per Inner Planet Orbit Crossed | Per Outer Planet Orbit Crossed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Second Class | Cr10,000 | +Cr10,000 | +Cr80,000 |
| First Class | Cr20,000 | +Cr20,000 | +Cr100,000 |
Example: A second-class passenger traveling from Mercury to Mars crosses the orbits of Venus, Earth and Mars, for a total fare of Cr40,000.
Fast Nuclear Thermal Rocket (NTR) vessels with Drive Rating 3 or higher typically charge an additional 10% × Drive Rating premium.
Cargo Rates
| Cargo | Base Cost | Per Inner Planet Orbit Crossed | Per Outer Planet Orbit Crossed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Freight | Cr2,000 per ton | +Cr2,000 per ton | +Cr15,000 per ton |
Fast NTR freighters (Drive Rating 3+) generally charge an additional 10% × Drive Rating premium.
Moon and Local Transfers
Passenger and freight movement within a single planetary system is considerably less expensive.
As a general rule:
- Base fares are reduced by 50%.
- No premium is charged for faster vessels.
- Most transfers are handled by chemical orbital vehicles rather than Deep Space Vehicles.
Examples include:
- Earth Orbit ↔ Luna
- Luna ↔ L4/L5
- Mars Orbit ↔ Phobos
- Jovian moon-to-moon transfers
Typical Operating Costs
| Expense | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Liquid Hydrogen Fuel | Cr500 per ton |
| Water Reaction Mass | Cr100 per ton |
| Berthing Fees | Cr1,000 per week |
| Life Support | Cr100 per person per week |
Typical Monthly Crew Salaries
| Position | Monthly Salary |
|---|---|
| Commander | Cr10,000 |
| Executive Officer | Cr6,000 |
| Senior Mission Specialist | Cr5,000 |
| Mission Specialist | Cr4,000 |
| Payload Specialist | Cr3,000 |
Notes
- Passenger fares assume scheduled commercial service.
- Charter flights, emergency evacuations and rescue missions are negotiated separately.
- Earth launch remains one of the most expensive individual segments of any journey, despite two centuries of improvements in reusable launch technology.
- Most routine travelers purchase separate launch and passage tickets. For example, a traveler flying from Earth to Luna typically purchases an Earth-to-LEO launch, followed by orbital passage to the Moon.