The FTL drive module controls the operation of the vessel in FTL flight mode, which allows the vessel to achieve relativistic speeds significantly faster than the speed on light.
For the most part FTL flight operations are automated due to navigational complexity. The operator simply selects the star system intended as the destination.
FTL flight operations use the vessel’s velocity provided by the MIE (impulse) engines, referred to in this context as the Base Inertial Velocity (BIV) to distinguish it from relativistic velocity.
The vessel must achieve a minimum BIV before the FTL drive can be engaged.
Because of this close operating relationship between impulse and FTL flight modes, the FTL drive module is located on the Impulse Maneuvering panel.
The star system intended as the destination can be selected using a search interface which is opened by tapping the SELECT button.
Entering one or more characters of the target star system will produce a list of matches when the SEARCH button is tapped.
Tapping one of the listed systems selects that as the destination and closes the search interface.
The currently selected destination is displayed under DEST STAR SYSTEM. If the system is displayed as an alert, the destination system is likely the current system.
The travel time to the destination system is estimated under TIME REMAINING.
The flowing error codes may be displayed by the SELECT button:
IN FLIGHT: Indicates the vessel is currently in FTL flight mode. A new destination cannot be selected in FTL flight mode.
Power is allocated to the FTL drive using the FTL linear slider.
The FTL drive draws on the same power source as the main engines (which are not used while in FTL flight mode).
The power required by the FTRL drive varies with the vessel’s BIV. A lower BIV requires more field power (and vice versa).
The minimum BIV required at the FTL drIve’s current power allocation is displayed under MIN SPEED. If RANGE is displayed either the BIV or the power allocations is below minimum operating range and the FTL drive cannot be engaged.
Once a destination has been selected, appropriate power has been allocated and required velocity attained, the FTL Drive may be engaged by tapping the ENGAGE button.
If all parameters are nominal the ENGAGE button will change to alert state and display IN FLIGHT. The TIME REMAINING indicator will begin to tick down.
As manual maneuvering is not possible during FT operations, the rest of the Impulse Maneuvering panel will be greyed out.
While operating in FTL flight mode the FTL drive field’s dynamics are represented as a value ranging from 2 (minimum) and 8.8 (maximum) and displayed under FIELD.
The following error codes may be displayed by the ENGAGE button when attempting to engage FTL:
SPEED: Indicates the BIV is below operating minimum
CHECK DEST: Indicates an issue with the selected destination (typically the selected destination is the same as the current star system)
FIELD FAIL: The FTL drive field has failed inflight for some reason (the field dynamic will remain displayed to assist with diagnosis). The vessel will automatically revert to impulse flight mode should this occur.
The console panel containing the FTL drive module must remain active while the FTL drive is engaged.
If the panel is closed, the system will automatically disengage the FTL drive.
The FTL drive will automatically disengage when the target destination is reached.
The vessel will enter the system at grid co-ordinates calculated as close as is safe to key Astronomical Objects (AOs), typically those in a system’s green zone. The vessel’s heading will vary depending on the angle of approach to the system.
The vessel’s speed will be the same as that when it entered FTL flight mode.
Impulse maneuvering controls will become available again.
The FTL drive can be disengaged at any time by tapping the ENAGE button while in IN FLIGHT mode.
As the vessel will likely revert to impulse flight mode in between star systems, a temporary TOE grid will be generated with the reference coordinates as the point at which the vessel dropped out of FTL flight mode.
The FTL drive may be disengaged by the system if operating conditions prevent continued nominal operation.
Should this occur, the ENGAGE button will display in alarm state and display FIELD FAIL.
Contingency conditions causing FTL drive disengagement may include:
If power available to the FTL drive drops below operating minimums.
If the vessel becomes unable to calculate it’s current position in space
If the vessel detects an obstruction that was not forecast when setting the original course that cannot safely be transited.