Star Citizen's Battlespaces: Defining the Game's Virtual Warfare Spaces
To fight effectively, an org’s military leaders need to understand where they’ll be fighting. If a solid foundation for military theory is to be built within the framework of Star Citizen, one must first identify the domains combat forces are likely to be operating in and their associated environments. Below, this article identifies three domains—two familiar ones, and one newly defined one—and recognize the six kinds of major operating environments found within them.
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Key takeaways
Star Citizen’s virtual warfare spaces are defined in terms of domains and environments.
Military operations are affected differently depending on the domain and environment they’re being conducted in.
There are three domains: vacuum, atmosphere, and dimidium. Each domain has different effects on a ship’s fuel consumption, maneuverability, and quantum travel capabilities.
The six recognized major operating environments are interspace, deep space, apsidal space, the Karman zone, surface, claustroterranean, and submersean. Each environment puts unique restrictions on military operations.
Domains and environments are related, with some environments being predominant or exclusive to a particular domain.
Three domains define the battlespace
Vacuum
The vacuum domain is devoid of noticeable atmosphere and has no effect on lift-generating or airflow-altering surfaces of a ship. Pilots can expect hydrogen fuel depletion only while maneuvering. Since friction is also extremely low in a vacuum, a ship already in motion can maintain its motion without powered thrust—at least until another force acts on or is applied to it.
Atmosphere
In the real world, survivable atmospheric density is considered to start at the Armstrong limit, which is 0.0618 atmospheres (6.3 kPa, 47 mmHg, or about 1 psi) of pressure and increases from there. Although Star Citizen doesn’t currently allow us to measure atmospheric pressure in-game, some numbers have been pulled from the game files and are listed on unofficial Star Citizen wikis.
In atmospheric domains, pilots can expect altered rates of depletion of hydrogen reserves, and a noticeable difference in maneuvering capabilities. In the former case, hydrogen reserves are generally more quickly depleted the slower the ship is travelling and may rapidly deplete when attempting to hold a stationary position in mid-air. Hydrogen depletion may be somewhat reduced during forward travel due to the effects of aerodynamics forces on a ship’s lift-generating and airflow-altering surfaces.
Dimidium
A dimidium is, as its name implies, a domain that is neither true atmosphere nor true vacuum—but shares some commonalities with both. The dimidium domain exists between 0.0618 atmospheres (6.3 kPa, 47 mmHg, or about 1 psi) and vacuum. This interpretations of a dimidium includes the “atmosphere” of a moon. While a moon may exert a gravitational effect, there’s very little true atmospheric pressure even at the lowest altitudes.
In a dimidium, pilots may experience a slight alteration in the rate of depletion of hydrogen reserves. Maneuvering capabilities are unlikely to be greatly affected. But distance from and speed toward the surface should be closely monitored, as gravity will still have an effect on a ship. An example of a dimidium would be the “atmosphere” of Earth’s moon.
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Major operating environments
There are several major operating environments: interspace; deep space; apsidal space; Karman zone; surface; claustroterranean; submersean. Each requires distinct differences in capability, strategy, and tactics at nearly every level.
Interspace
Interspace (not pictured above) is the mysterious area between two jump points. Interspace is impossible to travel across without the use of a jump drive. At the time of writing this article, not enough is known about interspace to provide a more informative description.
Deep space
Deep space (not pictured above) is an area between distinct astronomical objects or bodies through which an artificial construct may pass while experiencing an absolute minimal effect from a naturally occurring gravity well. The space between solar systems would be considered deep space. Deep space is not practical to travel across without the use of a jump drive and access to a jump point.
Apsidal space
Apsidal space exists between the nearest point (periapsis) and the farthest point (apoapsis) in the orbit of an astronomical body and its natural satellite(s). This could be the astrospace between a sun and planet, planet and moon, multiple moons, or combination thereof. Apsidal space is most commonly found within the boundaries of a planetary system. A quantum drive is useful to travel across apsidal space, but may not be strictly necessary in many cases.
Karman zone
The Karman zone is an area between the lower atmosphere and vacuum of space. Within the zone, flight is influenced by atmospheric pressure and conditions but a ship remains capable of affecting quantum travel to orbit. The lower boundary of the Karman zone is denoted as the terrestrial terminus. It’s defined by an inability to quantum travel to orbit at or below that altitude. The opposite boundary is denoted as the orbital terminus, which is defined by a transition to and from vacuum. A Karman zone can only exist within atmosphere or dimidium domains.
Surface
The surface, earth, or ground of an astronomical body. May also apply to any traversable surface, including the outer shells of space stations. Traditional ocean-faring ships would be considered to operate in a surface environment. Surface environments can exist within any domain.
Claustroterranean
Lit. “enclosed space”. Any fully-enclosed space. Typically large enough for infantry to maneuver, but difficult, impractical, or impossible for large, non-man-portable equipment such as vehicles, artillery, and some crew-served weapons to be used. Examples include subterranean environments such as caves and tunnels, as well as space station and starship interiors. Claustroterreanean environments can be found within any domain.
Submersean
From the Latin word “submersus” (lit. “engulfed”, “drowned”). Any fully-enclosed space composed entirely of a liquid or near-liquid substance. A submersean environment is distinct from a claustroterranean environment in that a submersean environment typically expresses great pressure upon objects moving through it. Fish in the ocean would be considered to live in a submersean environment.
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Relationships between domain and environment
Domains typically have a predominant type of major environment, but not always. Deep space can only be found within a vacuum. Apsidal space is also primarily found there too, though it’s theoretically possible for it to exist in a dimidium as well. The Karman zone encompasses both atmosphere and dimidium. Surface and claustroterreanean environments can be found in any domain, while submersean environments can only be found in atmosphere.