View source for Reaction Control System

==Meaning==

Reaction Control System

===References===
* Colonial [[Viper (RDM)|Viper]]
* Colonial [[Battlestar (RDM)|Battlestar]]



==Description==
The reaction control system is designed to provide a spacecraft with guidance and steering. It has two main functions:

* Delivering small amounts of thrust in any desired direction or combination of directions
* Providing torque to allow control of rotation (pitch, yaw, and roll). 

Reaction control systems are typically used for:

* Attitude control during entry into an atmosphere until such time as conventional aerodynamic surfaces can be used
* Stationkeeping in orbit
* Close maneuvering and/or docking
* Orientation control (pointing the nose of the vehicle).

==Colonial Use==
All Colonial vessels utilise RCS systems for manoeuvring / station keeping, although the scale of the systems varies widely. 

* Vipers, Raptors and all smaller craft appear to use "cold" RCS systems, most likely utilising either an inert gas or possibly a high specific-impulse hypergolic fuel mixture
* Very large vessels use strategically-mounted sets of very large fuel-burning thrusters, relying on the brute force of such systems to overcome interia during manoeuvres.
 

==Cylon Use==
Cylon manuevering technology is unclear at this time. However, it is likely their vehicle use RCS systems that are similar in form and function to Colonial systems.

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[[Category:RDM]]
[[Category:Technology]]
[[Category:Terminology]]