Continuing on the discussion of planetary gravitational effects on starship combat, we learn (at the bottom of page 26) that R, D, L are measured in inches, which translate, as per starship movement, to 1,000 miles per inch. G (gravity) is measured as Earth gravity (one inch per ten-minute turn squared). K and M refer to density and mass, with 1.0 being the standard (Earth-sized).
We then get the calculations for Earth itself as a demonstration. It's R is 4, G and M are 1 (since that's the baseline), but the numbers are explained in the formulae. Fair enough. L, on the other hand, is the complicated one. The drawing at the top of the page is helpful, showing four concentric circles. The inner one is Earth itself, with a radius of 4 inches. The calculations for L give us 8.0 for 0.25 G, 5.7 for .5 G, and 4.6 for .75 G.
So, what does all this mean? Well, the template for Earth ends up being sixteen inches across. This is Earth's gravity well (which means it extends 8,000 miles above the surface). Then you color the inner circle to represent the actual planet. After that, add the relevant information, including the planet's name. On this diagram, we have the following:
Earth (or Terra); E8679725; D = 8, R = 4, G = 1, M = 1, K = 1
So, what's that 'E' thing in the second part? That may the 'interesting data' mentioned in the text, but it's not explained. Then again, considering how character notation happens (46A839, for example), this might be our first indication of how planets are classified in this game. But there's no information on it whatsoever, so all I can do at this point is speculate. The numbers could mean absolutely anything.
And that's it; two pages of math and geometry, and we're still not ready to actually fight. Next up...who knows?
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