Jonathan_S wrote::D
For Reference:
16Mkm = (.5)(48,000g)(~10ms^2/g)t^2
t = ~260s to achieve 16M km
260 is not an integral of 180. AKA 3X drive increase over 60s for 180s. It is a 4.333X multiplier.
240s achieves a range of almost 14Mkm. A 4X increase over 60s sprint drive.
225s achieves a range of 12Mkm. 3.75X increase over 60s sprint drive.
180, 225, 240, 260
<3>, <3.75>, <4>, <4.33>
_0%_, 25%, 33%, 44.3%
The 260, 4.33, 44.3% increase is not a round "boost". Why I single this out is that most folks like nice round numbers just to make life simpler. Yes, even authors who are building a universe. Whole reason everyones' missiles have exactly 60s and 180s drive times. Reality would dictate that there is no way in the universe that this should be a universal constant. Reality would say it should really be oh, 55s, but with a 190s long duration for say the IAN. Now the RMN might have decided to stick with 60s, and 180s, but the RHN, decided to go with much larger warheads, but much longer drive times. Say 45s sprint but, 225s lower accel. But we do not see this in the books. We see exactly 60s and 180s because it is much easier for the reader to grasp what is going on and conversely much better for the author trying to get what he REALLY wants to get across.
Which one makes the most sense? Either 225, 25% increase or 240, and 33% increase in my book. Round numbers or at least "round" fractions of whole numbers.
Ah, pontificating. Pretty sure ToF tells us for sure, but that book is buried deep at the moment and I am feeling really lazy. I would have to walk 10 steps and dig under a couple boxes of books. It is much easier verbosely waxing vociferously on a keyboard.