Q_rad = ε·σ·A·T⁴ (Stefan–Boltzmann)
Δv = v_e · ln(m0/m1) (Tsiolkovsky)
In vacuum, waste heat from drilling can only leave via radiation, so radiator area sets the equilibrium temperature. Mining thrust used to counter drilling recoil is budgeted against the rocket equation's limited delta-v.
- Laser Drill Power — cutting rate into the asteroid; higher power raises core temperature and ore yield rate.
- Thruster Thrust — reaction control thrust used to counter drilling recoil; consumes propellant (delta-v).
- Radiator Area — panel size that radiates waste heat to space, per Stefan–Boltzmann law; larger area cools the rig faster.
- Mining / Station-Keep — toggles between active drilling (with recoil and debris) and idle orbit hold.
Flat 2D side view of the same rig: the rig sits at right, the asteroid at left, a red laser beam bridges them while mining, and orange ore chips fly off and drift until they fade.