by Simon Coates
Galaxis
The company that started it off, with their Solar Explorer model which was on sale from 2250, and was in production until 2265. Their ships today are of high quality and aimed mainly at the business traveller.
N5 - superb cruising machine from Galaxis, with a smooth 320 THz solar powered engine and space for two people to sleep on board. List price Cr 220,000.
N6 - like the N5, but with a more powerful engine producing 400 THz and offered new at Cr 280,000.
Gilbern
Based in Florida, Gilbern manufacture the most expensive and luxury ships on the market today. Their ships offer the owner absolute top quality regardless of price. Popular with wealthy business people.
Golden Dragon - the most expensive ship on sale today, priced at Cr 1.5m as a 'rolling chassis', with unlimited options to customise the interior. Colossal solar engine produces 1,600 THz.
Silver Cheetah - smaller version of the Golden Dragon, but with a length of 50 meters, is still huge by any measure. List price Cr 1.2m.
JSC
The Japanese Spaceship Corporation make ships similar in specification and price to Fellucia.
Strato - priced at Cr 90,000, the JSC Strato is the cheapest new spaceship available today. Popular with commuters travelling between Earth and the Moon.
Palatia-Sonnar
Main rivals to Galaxis with ships designed for business commuters.
H6000 - a popular choice with business travellers going to Mars from Earth, with capacity to sleep four in luxurious comfort. List price is Cr 300,000 which is more expensive than rival models from Galaxis, but with the H6000 engine rated at 500 THz it has superb cruising ability.
Sunstar
The more ‘hardcore’ sports ship builder. Sunstars have huge engines producing very high power outputs. Of note, their Type C model, which was sold in 2280-85, still holds the record highest speed ever achieved by a public ship, touching 1.2 million mph in official tests.
Type F - with a solar powered engine rated at 2,500 THz, the Sunstar Type F is the most powerful, and with a top speed of 500,000 mph, fastest spaceship on the market today. Popular with speed freaks and anyone wanting a high performance ship - with deep pockets. New cost is Cr 400,000.
Type G - slightly detuned version of the Type H, but still offers 1,900 very loud terahertz from its solar powerplant.
Yamamoto
Spaceships from Yamamoto are large ships, mainly designed for long distance cruising. Main sponsors of the Japan Racing Formula X race team.
Meteor-X - continuing their tradition for large cruiser ships, the Meteor-X is the latest spaceship from Yamamoto. With a length of 60 meters and sleeping capacity of 25 people, the ship is a popular choice for taxi firms or as a hire vehicle for long distance travel. With a 2,000 THz nuclear engine mapped for long distance cruising, a smooth ride is guaranteed.