Maneuvering Thrusters
Have you ever wondered why we don't have maneuvering thrusters (MT)? By that, I mean a single block that shoots gas out if 5 different directions for fine adjustments. Like what many ships we have today have for docking procedures.
Basically, something similar to what we have in our suits. It doesn't require too many parts, and doesn't have a massive amount of thrust. They could be used for fine movements, or for small drones. They could be small, singular ion thrusters, or a block with a conveyor connection on one side, and 5 sides with very small hydrogen/oxygen thrusters (Like our space suit).
They would have the advantage of not causing burn damage to anything they come in contact with (Barring impact). While not being very powerful. Just enough to maneuver a ship in close quarters. Like docking, taking off (In space, they would be useless in atmosphere), and for allowing small/light probes to move around. I only see this being needed for small grids. Since even small thrusters are quite large for a small drone.
If single, MT were to be an option, I would suggest making them akin to a camera, control panel, or button on a small grid. In that, the maneuvering thrusters would essentially inset into a pre-existing block. I kinda like this idea better. Since it mixes two pre-existing functions. Into a much more compact, flexible, and cheaper functional part.
The technology for such small thrusters is already in the game (Our space suit). So, it doesn't seem too far fetched to have small MT that can provide a small amount of thrust for small grids. Something more compact than small thrusters. Which seem more like medium thrusters.
What are your thoughts?
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