The Gravitron Ring.
Copyright Jerod Underwood Park 1997
All rights reserved
A device that is shaped like a huge circle. It's method
of propulsion for a ship is simple in concept, yet complicated in
actual operation. When a ship of sturdy design approaches it, the
navigator relays a data stream to The
Gravitron containing strength of pull and direction of path.
Then, the ring slowly swings in space until it is aimed in the
right direction, powers up, and begins to suck the ship into the
center of the ring. As the ship nears the ring, it's speed begins
to increase, until it reaches the center, where it shoots out the
other side at blazing speeds.
How the device accomplishes this is simple. It creates a
gravity vortex within' the ring. These
opposing eddies of gravity act as a sort of controlled black
hole, sucking everything around it in. But, on the other side,
you get a slingshot type effect as the
ship is forced through the vortex field and is spit out at an
incredible speed. As stated before, the ship must be of a sturdy
design to withstand the imploding force momentary stressing the
framework and then be able to stay in one piece as it is being
subjected to the forces of space at break neck speed. This
transfer of pull/push force is known as
The Slingshot Effect.
The amount of pull and plotting direction must be
calculated out in advance by the navigator and then relayed to
The Gravitron Ring so that a safe
journey is possible. One minor mis-calculation could sling the
ship thousands of miles away from their destination. Or even
force a fatal crash landing against some
celestial mass.
If all calculations are correct, when the ship is close
to it's destination, engine power will be sufficient enough to
act as a braking device and slow the ship down to cruising speed.
For some trips, the need for two or three
Gravitron Rings will be necessary for a
successful ride. This is done by having these devices placed
along well used travel routes that will come on line when an
approaching ship relays the vital information, thus causing the
ship to slingshot back to top speed.
During such a journey at high speeds, the appearance of
normal space will tend to bend and look like a negative. Stars
will appear to actually be flying by, making the viewer believe
that MPH rating is higher than it
actually is.
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Copyright Jerod Underwood Park 1997
All rights reserved