Configuring Power and Fuel Networks

Use explicit networks when the exercise depends on electrical switching, failures, fuel routing, or cross-spacecraft transfer.

Defining a power bus

"power": {
  "monitor": true,
  "bus": [
    {
      "source_component": "Solar Panel",
      "source_terminal": "out",
      "target_component": "Battery",
      "target_terminal": "out"
    },
    {
      "source_component": "Battery",
      "source_terminal": "out",
      "target_component": "Transmitter",
      "target_terminal": "in"
    }
  ]
}

Each component name must exactly match a component in the spacecraft’s components array.

When power.bus is empty or omitted, Space Range can create a simple default network for common sources, batteries, and a jammer. An explicit bus replaces that automatic wiring.

Use Power Bus with:

as well as switches, fuses, diodes, sinks, current limiters, and voltage regulators when required.

Defining a fuel bus

Fuel networks use the same source and target connection pattern:

"fuel": {
  "bus": [
    {
      "source_component": "Fuel Tank",
      "source_terminal": "out",
      "target_component": "Thruster",
      "target_terminal": "in"
    }
  ]
}

Use Fuel Bus with fuel sources, valves, pumps, thrusters, and Fuel Interconnect.

Set fuel capacity and desired flow values explicitly. A valid-looking network can transfer nothing when a source is empty, a valve is closed, a receiving flow is zero, or a pump has no electrical supply.

Cross-spacecraft networks

To join power or fuel networks across spacecraft:

  1. add the appropriate interconnect component to both spacecraft
  2. connect each interconnect to its local bus
  3. link the pair in the top-level docking array

See Neutral Assets and Docking for endpoint addressing.

Testing networks

  • inspect the Console for missing component names or terminals
  • verify generation, storage, loads, and flow
  • trigger one switch or fault at a time
  • test reset behavior
  • test cross-spacecraft transfer only after both local networks work

WARNING

Network definitions refer to component names. Renaming a component without updating the bus can silently remove an intended connection.

Next, assign spacecraft definitions to teams.