Libra Class Interstellar Spacecraft

The Libra class is the first type of large scale cargo vessel using the Medusa Drive. It was developed in tandem with the Taurus Class Interstellar Spacecraft, both vehicles having identical front sections, which house the drive and core systems.

Power Generation

The energy for the medusa drive itself is generated by the winch, as the tether is pulled out by the detonation. The other systems of the ship are powered by a redundant pair of nuclear reactors

Propulsion

The Libra class is propelled by a medusa drive, allowing it to maintain a constant 1g acceleration for years at a time. It is fitted with two drives for redundancy. A system of conventional thrusters is used for attitude control, most importantly for turning the vehicle in the middle of the journey.

Communication Tools & Systems

The Libra class is equipped with powerful transmitters capable of communicating with stations in up to 3 ly distance. Because of interference from the nuclear detonations of the drive, communication is only possible in the aft direction, i.e. with the starting system in the first half of the journey and the destination system in the second half. Special electronics are needed to compensate for the red- and blueshift of the signals. A redundant pair of antennae is used for mission critical communication, and a less powerful array for recreational use.

Sensors

Navigation in interstellar space requires knowledge of the distance and direction to the target system, as well as the relative velocity. The most important part in this plays the Directional Guidance Radio Dish (DGRD) at the aft of the vehicle. It receives a signal from guiding beacons in the Sol and Alpha Centauri systems respectively. The DGRD is capable of pinpointing the direction of the homing beacon and therefore the vehicle heading. The radio signal of the homing beacons contains the time at which it was sent. From the time of propagation the distance to the system can be inferred. Furthermore, the red- or blueshift of the signal allows for a measurement of the relative velocity.
Like the communication systems, the DGRD is limited to the aft direction. This means that for the first half of the journey, it is incapable of navigating relative to the target system. Instead, navigation relies on star tracking, both manual and automated. This allows for determination of the heading, which combined with precise star charts and the information from the DGRD lets the navigational systems infer the movement relative to the target system.
The vessel also has a suite of the typical sensors required for navigation within a star system and rendezvous with other spacecraft.

Hangars & docked vessels

The Libra Class has a docking port for passenger vessels to transfer crew, as well as attachment points for six Energia Orbital Tugs.

Manufacturer

New Worlds Foundation

Length

453 m (without spinnaker)

Speed

0.95 c reached at journey midpoint

Complement / Crew

12 officers, 52 technical staff