# Thrusters

SDX2 includes a range of powerful **fusion drives** as the primary thruster type.

In keeping with *The Expanse*, all fusion drives on a grid must face in the same direction. On grids with a [Ship Core,](/doc/ship-cores-7qVjMmN3Tt) your drives must face the “forward” direction.

Single-direction thrust means ships travel via a "flip and burn" technique: accelerating for the first half of the journey, then flipping the ship 180° and decelerating for the second half under constant thrust.

See [Travel](/doc/68e7ab5c-8906-4a8b-95ad-a586e2d2c601) for more on that topic.


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# Fusion drives

There are 2 types of fusion drives available:

* **Epstein Drives:** Highly powerful fuel-efficient drives - the standard for combat and interplanetary travel.
* **Fusion Torch Drives**: Less powerful than Epsteins, but much cheaper and better in-atmosphere.

Make a habit of using *thrust override* on your drives because in anything bigger than a Rockhopper, you’ll have to keep your drive signature in check (see [Signals and Detection](/doc/ed725ce4-d2bf-4f45-ba6c-a76e4547cf27)).

## Drive categories

Epstein Drives are split into three categories:

* **Civilian:** Mass-produced unspecialised drives. Cheap and suitable for simple ships.
* **Industrial:** High-thrust drives for heavy-duty Barges and Haulers. Cannot be used with military ship cores.
* **Military:** Hardened combat drives for military ship cores, tailored to the doctrines of each major nation:
  * **MCR:** Optimised for thrust
  * **UN:** Optimised for integrity
  * **OPA:** Optimised for efficiency


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# RCS

**Reaction Control System (RCS)** thrusters are light maneuvering thrusters that can face any direction. Useful for small maneuvers and docking, but weak and fuel-inefficient. Epstein Drives should be used for getting to and from locations.

It's advised to turn **dampeners off** for long-distance travel. When going fast, even the smallest deviation from your vector will make your RCS work overtime and waste a lot of fuel if dampeners are left on.