Deep Space Journal No 3. Supercruising from Procyon to Luyten's Star
20 Mar 2020Kris Afron
Today I did the third of my supercruise tests.As I suggested in the second of these journals, Deep Space Journal No 2, the third test was to travel just over one light year from Procyon to Luyten's star, which I have just completed.
I set off from Procyon, Davy Dock at 10:15 this-morning and docked here Luyten's Star, Ashby City at 15:32. A journey that took 5 hours and 17 minutes. I reached 2001 c at 11:14 so it took about one hour to accelerate to top speed in about 0.16 light years, leaving me to travel 1 ly. My calculations say that the remainder should have taken 4 hours 22 minutes, but obviously the supercruise limit is just slightly above 2001 c, or maybe time dilation effects come into it.
I took a shot at just over half way as proof of the endeavour,
I used 20% of my fuel reserve of 28 tonnes, so a journey of about 5.8 ly should be possible in the Hauler, but the ship took a beating from micro-meteorites,
Now Sol to Alpha Centauri (4.38 ly) should be feasible, I just need to find the time to do it. If I did it in one run beginning to end I think it will take 19 hours 27 minutes, which is a long time. So I'd probably have to split the journey and stop halfway overnight. then the total "travel" time would be about 19 hours 46 mins, or two runs of 9 hours 53 minutes on consecutive days.
Phew! I think I need to build up some stamina.
CMDR Kris Afron signing off. Don't try this stupid stunt commanders!