Re: "The Vanduul have made a critical error..." (Strategic proposal)
Reply #12 –
I did my thesis on logistics. The problem with supply lines, even escorted ones, is that the longer they are, the lower the returns. Consider a Starfarer. Sure, it can carry 75 tons of fuel. But, how much of that fuel does it need to expand to get to get from Null (or points beyond) to Orion? How much fuel does it need to use to refuel escorts? How much fuel does it need for the return hop? Second, the longer the leg, the less refueling missions a tanker can do, which means you need more of them, which means you need more fuel, etc.
Not that I'm shooting down the idea of convoying supplies in. All I'm saying is that if they make it real, it won't be as easy. I can rummage through my thesis to find sources, if you're particularly interested in doing some additional reading.
I wonder to what degree we will be able to make space stations and the like.....having a fuel dump in Orion would certainly make refueling easier. Assuming it didn't get blown up, of course.
As for the base plan, of advancing on the Nul-Caliban-Orion axis, I am, unsurprisingly, a fan of it too, since I proposed that basic plan a few months ago as well.
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