Star Raiders/Damage, Repairs and Refueling

Energy Drain
Your starship has 9999 units of energy at the start of each mission. Each operation drains some of this energy. Note that the faster your starship travels, the more energy you use. In terms of the tradeoff between energy drain and distance covered, speed 6 (velocity = 12 metrons per second) is the most efficient speed.

The longer the hyperwarp jump, the greater the energy drain. Jumps of five sectors or more are very costly. If you must go a long distance, try to do it in several small jumps instead of one long jump.

When energy falls below 1000 (units, the Control Panel Display flashes a red warning. You can refuel at any starbase provided your starship has the energy to get there.  See the section on Starbase Docking below for refueling instructions.  If you run out of energy, Mission Control will abort your mission and recall you to base.

Starship Damage
"DAMAGE CONTROL" flashes a message on your screen when any of these units is damaged or destroyed: In addition, the Damage Control Indicator below the Galactic Chart keeps track of equipment that is damaged or destroyed:
 * Photon Torpedoes
 * Twin Ion Engines
 * Shields
 * Attack Computer
 * Long-Range Scan
 * Subspace Radio

DC =Damage Control, P =photon torpedoes, E = engines, S = shields, C attack computer, L= long-rage scan, and R= subspace radio. A yellow letter means equipment is damaged; a red letter means equipment is destroyed.

Photon Torpedoes
When your photon torpedoes are damaged, only one operated, but you can continue your mission. When they are destroyed, your position is suicidal. Get out of the target sector fast, find a starbase on the Galactic Chart, and hyperwarp to it for repairs. (See the section on Starbase Docking below.)

Twin Ion Engines
Your engines will work when damaged, thanks to a backup impulse system; however, profress will be slow. If your engines are destroyed, your speed will be very slow and your starship will be extremely vulnerable. You can, however, use the hyperwarp engines to move within a sector. Press 0 and abort the hyperwarp when you are close to the target (See the Hyperspace section). Better yet, dock at a starbase for repairs.

Shields
Shields will flicker when damaged, and the Control Panel Display and Galactic Chart will turn yellow. if you take a hi when your shields have flickered off, you will be destroyed in a blinding flash. Don't take chances. When your shields are damaged, get out of the target sector fast and hyperwarp to the closest starbase. (See the Strategic Tactics section for some tips.)

Attack Computer
When the computer is damaged, the Θ, Φ, and R in the Control Panel Display are lost. When your computer is destroyed, all computer functions cease: the Manual Target Selector and Tracking Computer do not function, and the target crosshairs and Attack Computer Display disappear. It will be extremely difficult to steer in hyperspace and dock at a starbase without the crosshair and Attack Computer Display, but you can do it. See the Strategic Tactics section for some tips.)

Long-Range Scan
Damage to the Long-Range Scan causes a mirror image of every object being scanned, and you will have to distinguish between the real object and its reflection. Select a target and follow steps 2, 3, and 4 in the Long-Range Sector Scan instructions. If the target moves away from you instead of toward you, it's the reflection.

Subspace Radio
If the Subspace Radio is damaged, the Galactic Chart will not be updated. However, moving the cursor around the Galactic Chart will update the TARGETS indicator below the Galactic Chart and show you the number of enemy targets in each sector.

If the radio is destroyed, you're in big trouble. No starbase messages will be relayed, so you will not know when a starbase is surrounded. Hyperwarp to a starbase and repair your radio at once.

Starbase Docking
When your energy supply falls below 1000 units or your starship needs repairs, return to the Galactic Chart and find a starbase. Position the cursor in the center of the starbase sector. The closer the cursor is to the center, the closer your starship will be to the starbase. Engage hyperwarp by pressing the Hyperspace key. If you are on-course when "HYPERWARP COMPLETE" flashes on your screen, a target marker should appear in the Attack Computer Display. Proceed as follows: NOTE: If you hit a key or move the control stick before docking is completed, "DOCKING ABORTED" will appear on the screen. Adjust your position and range, as required, to bring back "ORBIT ESTABLISHED".
 * 1) Center the target marker in the Attack Computer Display.
 * 2) Check the range (R) of the starbase on the Control Panel display. You want the starbase in front of you, not behind you, so the range indicator should read +. If it reads -, move the control stick toward you or away from you, as required, to change the range reading to a + value.
 * 3) Adjust your position horizontally. Move the control stick right or left, as required, until the Θ coordinate in the Control Panel Display reads + or -3.
 * 4) Adjust your position vertically. Move the control stick forward or back, as required, until the Φ coordinate reads + or -3.
 * 5) Bring the starbase within range. Select an appropriate speed, depending upon how far away you are. Decrease your speed as you approach the starbase. When R is +000, press 0 to stop your engines.
 * 6) When you have the starbase locked on, "ORBIT ESTABLISHED" should appear momentarily on your screen. If it does not appear, adjust your position and range slightly.
 * 7) When orbit is established, you will receive a message to "STANDBY" while the Transfer Vessel leaves the starbase and services your starship. When "TRANSFER COMPLETE" appears, your starship is ready to hyperwarp to another sector. Return to the Galactic Chart.

Starbase Destroyed
If Zylon destroys your starbase while you are attempting a docking, you will find yourself in enemy-occupied territory and under attack by two new enemy ships created from the starbase debris. If your starship is in shape to fight, you can engage and destroy the enemy before you leave the sector. The target marker remains in the Attack Computer Display after the starbase is destroyed so you can track the enemy. If you're not in a position to fight your way out of the sector, return to the Galactic Chart to find another starbase.