Gravitic Plates can be constructed that generate a Gravitic Force perpendicular and towards to the plate.  When placed in opposition to a natural gravity source the plates can counter that force.  Equally, the plates can apply a force to counteract inertial forces caused by acceleration or retardation.

The following points apply to the Gravitic technology:

• The force generated by the plates varies with distance from the plate by an inverse cube law so it is power intensive to extend the field over long distances.
• The force generated also varies with the cube of the power fed to the plate, making high-G power expensive.
• The force generated by the plates does not affect the mass of the generating plate itself.
• The force is completely stopped by another active plate, irrespective of either plate’s power.
• The force applies no matter how much mass is inside the plate’s field.

There are four common uses of this technology:

• To provide artificial gravity in spaceships; 
• To provide standard gravity for habitats on worlds with higher or lower gravity than normal; 
• As a mass lightener for vehicles to enable Lighter-Than-Air-Simulation (LTAS); 
• As an aid to construction. 

Plates can only project a gravity field one way, although twin plates can be made back-to-back at +50% cost. 

Cost is $400 per square foot (or 33.333 sq cm) of plate for 1G of attraction for a range of 10 yards, the plate masses 0.4 lb.  (Based on UT Pg 78, however plates in the Dominion appear 1TL early.)

Plates usually use external power, however 1 C-cell will run 1sq foot of plate for 1 Task.

Increased G or Range:

• 2G or 2x range = 4x cost, 8x power
• 3G or 3x range = 9x cost, 27x power
• 4G or 4x range = 16x cost, 64x power
• 5G = high-end, 50x cost, 125x power
• 6G = experimental, 144x cost, 216x power
• 5x range =  25x cost, 125x power
• 6x range = 36x cost, 216x power

Spaceship Use 

To save money some spaceships are fitted only with single floor plates, these are usually designed so that the floors are oriented to the bow of the ship.  If the floor plates fail while under thrust, those on board will wind up on the ceiling.  

Spaceships expected to undertake any sort of vigorous manoeuvring usually have their floors oriented to the stern and are fitted with plates in the ceilings and floors. 

Cost for double plates is as per Artificial Gravity and Gravitic Compensators on Spaceships Pg 29; single plates are 2/3 cost. 

On spaceships Gravitic Plates[!] count as a high-energy system, both single and double plates require one power point allocated to maintain operation.

A common sight on Dominion worlds are dirigible-like Aerostats, with flat tops and passenger or cargo modules hung beneath and directed turbo-fans to provide enough lift to offset the mass of the plate.  Passengers aboard the Aerostats are weightless during flight.  Streamlined models capable of higher speeds are often called Grav Vehicles.  Some models designed for longer flights also have wings to provide lift enabling passengers to experience gravity – these are usually called Hybridynes (a portmanteau of Hybrid and Aerodyne.) 

(Enough gravity plating to offset the same area as the body (ie excluding wing area) of a 747 (over three decks) would cost a shade under $18M, or about half of the cost of the engine package for the plane, although the plates only get you up, you’ve still got to have something that supplies lateral movement.)