Well, I'm starting to grasp the game but as hard as i try, i can't seem to find a engine research project in my research list. I keep on researching, but after 4 years i havn't run across a engine research project that i'll need for the colonization of mars.
The answer to this question depends on how much technology your race had at the start of the game. I will answer as if they had no engine tech at all, which is the likely situation.
First Step: You must research reactor technology first. This will usually be Pebble Bed Reactor Technology, found on the Power and Propulsion selection on the Research tab.
Second Step: Once you have researched the reactor technology, then you can research the associated engine technology. For Pebble Bed Reactor Technology, this is Nuclear Pulse Engine Technology.
Third Step: Once you have researched the engine tech, then you can develop an actual engine. To do this you hit the "Design" button along the bottom edge of the Population and Production screen. This will bring up the system design screen. Select "Engines". This will allow you to specify the details of your engine. At the start of the game you may not have very many choices. The important thing to know at this point is that you will want a civilian engine type for your freighters and colony ships, and a military engine for your warships. Once you are happy with your engine design you can change the name in the window below the words "Proposed System PArameters", then hit "Create" to create the design.
Fourth (and Last) Step: You now need to return to the research tab on the economic window. Once there you must select your engine design, which will appear on the Power and Propulsion research project list, and select a research team, then hit "Create" to create a research project.
Once the research project is done, the resulting engine system will appear on your class design screen to be added to new designs.
Kurt
