Fuel Scoops

Fuel Scoops
Name	Fuel/Cargo Scoop
Cost	525.0 ₢.
TL Availability	6

Fuel Scoops, alternately known as Cargo Scoops, are considered essentials for deep space and danger zone trading, have a standardised design and a standard fitment. They use powerful electro-magnetic fields to guide the solar wind into their ReQax converters to fill the Witch-Space fuel condensers, and may also may be used to pick up small space debris.

Overview

Fuel scoops provide a quick and easy way to refuel the spacecraft without the need to purchase fuel from space stations. They combine a powerful magnetic field generator, an atomic sensor and a vacuum lock collector to actively suck hydrogen from the corona of a star. The ionised particles of the solar wind are separated by mass and charge, the hydrogen is then processed in a catalytic chamber, converted to Quirium and injected into the vessel’s storage tanks. All non-hydrogen materials are fed into the drive exhaust. All this with no leaking of gases or radiation.

In addition, the scoop’s sensor matrix can sense dense (non gaseous) objects, such as cargo containers or metallic fragments, and divert them via a tractor chute into the ship’s hold. This allows for salvage of space debris and is an essential piece of equipment to the asteroid miner. Similarly, nearly all pirate vessels have scoops fitted so they can blast their prey apart and loot the wreckage, removing any need to board a hostile craft.

Once installed, the fuel scoop icon will become visible on the HUD, as shown below. This icon has the handy function of oscillating while the Fuel Scoops are in operation, for visual confirmation along with the audible indicator functionality. Once the Cargo bay is filled to capacity, the lower segment of the icon will change colour from green to red as a handy reminder to the busy Commander that he is unable to salvage any floating debris that he should encounter in the spacelanes. It is to be noted that the Fuel Scoops are still functional for ship refuelling whether the cargo bay is full or not.

• The Fuel Scoop Icon as it normally appears on the HUD.
• The Fuel Scoop Icon as it appears when the cargo bay is full.

Mechanism

On many ships, the installation of scoops involves additional pipework that can be as little as 40% efficient. For a more efficient system see the notes on Executive SpaceWays Delta and Strelka series.

Scooping Fuel

To scoop hydrogen fuel from a star's corona into the converters, a ship of moderate speed should have Witchdrive Fuel Injectors installed, or be prepared to quickly hyperspace out. Secondly, assess that the sun is not too hot (this will take some practice) so that scooping won't result in certain death. Approach the star's corona carefully, while watching the cabin temperature indicator closely (as it will rise and continue to do so until it reaches the top of the gauge, at which point life support systems will fail and you will die an agonising death).

When the scoops engage, a message will be shown to indicate this. When the tank is full, exit by hyperjumping or engage the fuel injectors to go directly away from the sun promptly. Be sure to seek expert advice from a veteran pilot, as far too many young Jamesons have succumbed to a fiery death.

NOTE: Sunskimming is rarely used as a refuelling method by larger transports due to the control instability experienced within a star’s corona.

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Guide to 'Failsafe' Skimming

by Commander Dilbert
This technique works with every sun I've ever tried skimming, whether you have Witchdrive Fuel Injectors fitted or not.

• 

  Hyperspace directly into the star...

• 

  It looks alarming but eventually your drive will mass-lock at a reasonable altitude.

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  Pull back on the stick, position your gun sights on the star's horizon and just cruise (use injectors if you have 'em) until your tanks fill up with magic sunshine.

Be sure to keep an eye on your altitude and cabin temperature, and have an emergency hyperdrive location set just in case.

Footnote for newcomers: Don't forget inertia. It'll take a while for your cabin to heat up - and cool down again. If you're looking at a blinking red Cabin Temperature gauge, you're most likely barbecue fuel already.

Film by Smivs 2013

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The green highlight quadrant shows the space flotsam ingestion zone

Scooping cargo/splinters/debris

With a fuel scoop installed, you may scoop up an object of limited size (cargo cannisters, minerals, life pods). Fuel scoops automatically operate whenever the advanced sensors detect either an object in range, or a particle density of greater than 100 ppm³.

To scoop an object, pilot the ship so that it passes just above the object.

Note: Some vessels with off-centre viewer positions may require additional practice.

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Guide to Cargo Scooping

by Commander Dilbert
Craft: Cobra Mark III
Scoop Location: Directly below cockpit

• 

  That silly Python's gone and lost its lunch.

• 

  And now the careless fellow has exploded!

• 

  Well someone should clean up the mess...

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  Up the nose a bit and lose a little speed...

• 

  ...there! All tidy now.

Commander Dilbert
says:

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OXPs

Sunskimming

• Star Fuel alters the quality of the fuel depending on the star it was scooped from
• Fuel Tweaks enables you to sell scooped Quirium fuel once you have bought the necessary equipment.
• Glare Clarifier allows you to purchase sun-specs' to cut the solar glare: BB thread.
• Torus To Sun allows faster speeds from the Torus Drive. This is especially important if you have introduced ambience .oxps increasing the distance from the planets to their sun.

Scooping Cargo/Splinters

• Cargo Scoop as Standard awards "cargo-only scoops" from the offset of the game
• Cargo Stopper makes moving items easier to scoop (comes with GalCop Missions OXP).
• Cargo Spotter OXP highlights scoopable items with a colour-coded glow.
• GalCop Missions provides a Cargo-stopper which also seems to work on asteroid splinters, where a tractor beam helps net them for your scoop!
• See Career Options for other options

Other

• Ship Configuration OXP allows a choice of 4 classes of fuel scoop. Warning: a very complex .oxp!
• Equipment by Ship Class impacts on the cargo/fuel scoops

Links

• Tractor Beam
• Realism regarding scooping attributes (2010)
• Fuel scoops upgrade (2012)
• Scoops: functionality (2021)

Oolite Equipment Standard Equipment Astrogation Console • Cargo Hold • Compass • Energy banks • Engine/Main Drive • HUD • IFF Scanner • Life Support Systems • Missile • Pulse Laser • Shields • Ship's Hull • Torus Jump Drive • View Screen • Witchspace/Hyperspace Drive Optional Equipment Advanced Navigational Array • Advanced Space Compass • Cargo Bay Expansion • Docking Computers • E.C.M. System • Escape Pod • Extra Energy Unit • External Heat Shielding • Fuel Scoops • Galactic Hyperdrive • Integrated Targeting System • Military Shield Enhancement • Multi-Targeting System • Naval Energy Unit • Passenger Berth • Scanner Targeting Enhancement • Shield Boosters • Target System Memory Expansion • Witchdrive Fuel Injectors • Wormhole Scanner Weapons Beam Laser • ECM Hardened Missile • Energy Bomb • Military Laser • Mining Laser • Missile • Pulse Laser • Quirium Cascade Mine • Twin Plasma Cannon