| Thruster, Atmospheric | |
|---|---|
| |
| Category: | Maneuvering |
| Status: | Functional |
| Function: | |
| Provides thrust and/or rotation in atmosphere | |
| Fits small ship | |
| Mass: | Small Thruster:539 kg Large Thruster:4,244 kg |
| Power: | Small Thruster Active:-701 kW Large Thruster Active:-2.4 MW |
| Fits large ship and station | |
| Mass: | Small Thruster:4,072 kg Large Thruster:33,834 kg |
| Power: | Small Thruster Active:-2.36 MW Large Thruster Active:-16.36 MW |
| Data Controls: | [edit] [purge] (?) |
Description[]
A planetary shuttle using Atmospheric Thrusters
Atmospheric Thrusters are thrusters that operate only on planets with atmospheres. These are operating on all the moons except the Moon (Earthlike's moon). These are the most efficient source of thrust in an atmosphere, better than hydrogen thrusters. Using these on Alien planet is the most advantageous as these are 20% more efficient there. Another advantage is low cost, they do not require expensive 
Thruster Components, and you can build their components with basic resources found on planets. Their main disadvantage is the futility of using them in space, on moons, and asteroids. While transitioning to space, they slowly lose all thrust.
You recognise Atmospheric Thrusters by their white flame on the backside and turbine on the front side
Shape Variant[]
The Flat Atmospheric Thruster and Flat Atmospheric Thruster D Shape are shape variants of the Atmospheric Thruster with the same functionality.
Considerations[]
Feel free to build compact but keep in mind that it will take more Power.
| Ship Type | Item Size | Dimensions | Exhaust Destruction * | Thrust ** | Power Requirements *** | Thrust/Blocksize | Power Efficiency |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Large Ship | Large | 5x3x3
HxDxW |
5x1x1
HxDxW |
4500kN | 16.36 MW | 166.66 kN/B | 275.06 kN / MW |
| Small | 3x1x1
HxDxW |
2x1x1
HxDxW |
350 kN | 2.36 MW | 166.66 kN/B | 148.30 kN / MW | |
| Small Ship | Large | 5x3x3
HxDxW |
4x1x1
HxDxW |
340 kN | 2.40 MW | 12.59 kN/B | 141.66 kN / MW |
| Small | 3x1x1
HxDxW |
1x1x1
HxDxW |
65 kN | 0.70 MW | 21.66 kN/B | 92.85 kN / MW |
The Small Ship Large Thruster has less Thrust per Block than the Small Thruster. But there is a really high Energy aspect. For the Thrust of one Large Thruster you need 5.25 Small Thruster - we take 5. Now you need 2.4 MW for one Large Thruster and 3.5 MW for 5 Small Thruster.
* The Exhaust Destruction "Hit-Box" describes the region in which Blocks are damaged. (tested with Light- and Heavy Armor Blocks, result may differ depending on the Armor Value of the given Block)
** The Thrust Values are based at the override function of the Thruster and what is displayed there.
*** The Power Requirement is measured by placing a Reactor, Cockpit and one Thruster, then start override to maximum and read how much percent of the Reactor is used. I know this is not really accurate but I think the values are still representative.
Usage[]
Atmospheric thrusters can be used on all planets with thick enough atmospheres. If you choose to include them on a shuttle, switch them off when you reach space to save power.
On planets, make your strongest atmo thrusters the dorsal thrusters, they point downwards to counter gravity.
Horizontal Flight[]
Some tips for a horizontal long distance flight on a planet:
- Create a separate control group for your braking thrusters (the fore thrusters) and add the group’s on/off action to your Tool Bar.
- While flying horizontally, keep Inertial Dampers on to fight gravity. Toggle off your braking thrusters to save power.
- To brake, keep Inertial Dampers on and toggle your braking thrusters back on.
Vertical Flight[]
Some tips for an atmospheric shuttle lifting off vertically from a planet into “orbit”:
- Make sure you have additional Ion or Hydrogen thrusters installed to take over as soon as you reach space!
- Create separate control groups for the different types of thrusters so you can switch them all on or all off.
- Create a separate control group for the atmospheric thrusters that counter gravity in a vertical lift-off.
- Add the Increase and Decrease Thrust Override actions for your lift-off thruster group to your Tool Bar.
- After lift-off, increase the Thrust Override until you reach a stable maximum acceleration (99m/s), then switch off Inertial Dampers to save power until you reach “orbit”.
- When leaving the atmosphere, switch on your Hydrogen/Ion thrusters, reset the thrust override, and switch off the Atmospheric Thrusters.
Switch Inertial Dampers back on while manoeuvring.
Construction[]
If you have Progression on, you must build a cockpit or Remote Control first to unlock atmospheric thrusters.
The blocks only attach to other blocks on the four sides of the end that has the turbine. The exhaust coming from the thruster end damages blocks, so keep these ends clear.
Usually you need thrust in six directions, but on planets with enough pull, you can risk skipping down thrust and letting gravity do the work. This saves you one set of rarely used thrusters, but forces you to keep the ship level at all times to componsate.
Atmospheric Thrusters cause damage to blocks exposed their exhaust, do not place blocks right behind them.
Recipe[]
The chart below is for regular size Atmospheric Thruster for large grids and small grid vehicles.
| Atmospheric Thruster | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Component | Large Ship/Station Required | Large Ship/Station Optional | Small Ship Required | Small Ship Optional |
 Motor | 110 | — | 18 | — |
 Metal Grid | 10 | — | 1 | — |
 Large Steel Tube | 8 | — | 1 | — |
 Construction Comp. | 50 | 20 | 20 | 2 |
 Steel Plate | 35 | 20 | 2 | 1 |
The chart below is the Large version of the Atmospheric Thruster for large grids and small grid vessels.
| File:Icon Block Large Atmospheric Thruster.png Large Atmospheric Thruster | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Component | Large Ship/Station Required | Large Ship/Station Optional | Small Ship Required | Small Ship Optional |
| Motor | 1100 | — | 90 | — |
| Metal Grid | 40 | — | 8 | — |
| Large Steel Tube | 50 | — | 4 | — |
| Construction Comp. | 60 | 20 | 20 | 10 |
| Steel Plate | 230 | 130 | 10 | 10 |
Types of Manoeuvring Blocks[]
Ion Thrusters- Hydrogen Thrusters
- Atmospheric Thrusters (this page)
- Jump Drive
