Daedalus

A Javelin class Am-capable high speed cargo transport, the Daedalus is the property of ex-Templar Captain John West. The workhorse of a shady courier service run out of the Australian outback in a nearby pocket universe, the Daedalus is frequently far from Earth, and often under the command of John’s executive officer and co-pilot, Naomi.

Designed to haul moderate amounts of cargo incredibly long distances at incredibly high speeds, the Javelin class is equipped with the most efficient engines and non-organic power plant designed to date. The ship generates artificial gravity by acceleration, and can sustain a 0.5g burn for upwards of six hours. The type is incredibly nimble in a vacuum, though maneuverability in atmosphere is extremely limited. While the advanced RCS system provides a degree of ground effect and the capability to turn on a dime at extremely low speeds, the ship has an atmospheric turning radius of hundreds of kilometers at any significant speed – a maneuverability that decreases exponentially on approach to escape velocity.

The Daedalus can achieve and sustain escape velocity with a crew of six and a cargo the approximate size and mass of an Abrams main battle tank. The ship is very lightly armored and is equipped with two aft-facing torpedo tubes and two forward-facing projectile cannon for defense.

Crew positions : Pilot/navigator, co-pilot/navigator, flight engineer/weapons officer, communications/electronics officer, two cargo handlers. All crew are seated on the bridge during atmospheric entry/exit.

Terran equivalents: Less capacity than a C5 Galaxy though roughly the same size. Bigger than a C-17. Faster than a Sr-71 and handles like a brick in atmosphere.


Development Notes: The Daedalus is based on the IX-529 Sea Shadow. The hull was designed by dmh. The original 3d model and UVW coordinates were created by Chris Bodine; dmh refined the model to accommodate rotating engine nacelles for Transitional Voices. The design is intentionally minimal, and initially debuted without textures. The idea was to start with a shape that could be reproduced by hand if needed. This consideration heavily influences the design of early CG vehicles, the rest of which were drawn in their early appearances.

Daedalus-related Glossary Topics

  • Compartment A1
    Compartment A1

    The bridge of a Javelin-type spacecraft, Compartment A1 contains four modular command stations for crew and two folding jump seats for crew or passengers. Aboard the Daedalus, the stations are configured for engineering, co-pilot,...

  • Compartment A3
    Compartment A3

    Compartment A3 – the rec area – is the living room and kitchen of the Daedalus. The compartment provides access to the bathroom, the spacesuit locker, the cargo transfer lock and the central corridor....

  • Compartment A4
    Compartment A4

    Due to ongoing maintenance issues with the seals in the neighboring Compartment A5, Compartment A4 functions as the primary airlock of the Daedalus.

  • Compartment A5
    Compartment A5

    Aboard the Daedalus, compartment A5 is the Cargo Transfer Lock – the intersection between the cargo bay and the pressurized top deck of the ship. It also provides direct access to the reactor and...

  • Compartment D1
    Compartment D1

    Compartment D1 is the unpressurized cargo bay of the Daedalus. It is dominated by the distinctive forward access hatch, port and starboard bay doors, landing gear wells, and a cargo lift that can be...