Heavy Space Tug "Galactic Rustler"

[Kahloke]

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/Kahloke/galacticrustler-1.jpg

Just an idea I had for a cargo tug. The warp nacelles are expandable; depending on the size of the cargo being transported, additional warp field coil modules can be affixed to the nacelles.

The way I see it, maintaining a stable warp field would be a fairly tall order if a tug were trying to haul, oh, let's say, an incapacitated Constitution class starship back to port. Standard PB warp coil nacelles would be too large for the vessel, and commercially available nacelles would not be able to generate a stable field large enough to encompass the whole tug and cargo. This arrangement strings together a train of low power warp coil modules to form a nacelle. Depending on the size of the cargo, up to 10 coil modules can be fitted to each nacelle assembly. Magnetic interlocks keep each nacelle module in place, and high energy plasma conduits, running from the engine core through to the field coils, are equipped with couplers to link with their neigbouring modules.

The way I envision these nacelle modules working is in much the same way as first gear functions in a standard transmission automobile: the ratio between speed and engine speed is signifcantly lower than that of a higher gear. But while top speed is diminished, greater control and a reduced likelihood of stalling is gained.

Boy, posting with little sleep is a bad idea. Sorry for the incoherent diatribe. I swear to you my grammar is half decent once I've had an evenings slumber.

Thoughts, comments and/or suggestions?

 

[regemet]

I actually like this idea

 

[syc]

Trust me incoherent diatribe is this boards second language.

I like it. I like the little backstory to go along with the design, I think in many ways thats what makes a two-dimensional drawing come alive with character. I also like the shape of the core vehicle overall, with the lower Reactor Deck module thing. Matt Jefferies described the Warp Nacelles in 1964 to the NBC executives as being separate from the ship because of the radiation and danger that came from the engines... I'm paraphrasing.

My only thought, or suggestion, is that the Warp Nacelles themselves seem a little too... toothpick thin. Not to label it with names but, the idea that they're expandable is pretty well thought out. But to me they just look a little too thin. They wouldn't need to be massive in size.

Either way, it looks great :thumbsup:

 

[Kahloke]

Thanks for your thoughts, syc. I agree, the nacelles look rather thin, however this is largely intentional. Perhaps it's an over-exaggeration of the concept, but they're scaled this way to help convey the idea of smaller units working in tandem.

As you can see in the forward view, the nacelles are mounted very far out from the main spacecraft. This is for two reasons:

1) As syc mentioned previously, Matt Jefferies hypothesized that warp nacelles emit dangerous radiation, and you wouldn't want to get too close to 'em. Being a fan of TOS' 'real life aerospace' approch to design, I subscribe to this theory.

2) To facilitate the hauling of unusually large cargos.

Thanks to everyone for taking the time to look. The forward view can be found here: http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/Kahloke/GR-Forward.jpg