Deflector Shields

The deflector shield is a commonplace system on ships and space stations - both military and civilian - throughout the Great Spiral. They function by employing specialized antennae or dish projectors that help to transmit a layer - or layers - of highly energized gravitons which serve to deflect oncoming attacks, be they highly concentrated energy bursts or physical weapon systems such as missiles or rockets.

Deflector shields are categorized Class A through Class J. The first four classes - A through D - are only available for military and government vessels and facilities, while the remaining classes - E through J - are common on many different types of installations or craft.

The most powerful shield, a Class A, has a deflective capability of 1.5 million terajoules. The weakest, Class J, has a deflection capability of 150,000 terajoules. These are capable of protecting their craft or facility from considerable damage, but constant, directed energy and/or warhead attacks can disrupt the shields long enough for the defended target to be vulnerable to direct damage.

It is commonplace for military vessels to power their shields directly via conduits connecting to the ship's power plant. Shields are projected in an ellipsoid bubble around ships and stations, with a more localized "shell" shield projected only a few meters out from the hull of the craft.

All shields, regardless of Class, are equipped to help shield the crew, systems and cargo of the vessel from hazardous radiation and energy sources the vessel may pass in proximity to.