The Pelorus Voyages fusion drive maintains a sustained 0.15g acceleration throughout each transit leg — low enough to be comfortable for most passengers and high enough to prevent the bone density and fluid shift problems associated with true microgravity. However, the departure phase from Earth and the final deceleration approach to each destination produce brief periods of higher acceleration.

The Earth departure burn lasts approximately 45 minutes and reaches a peak of 2.2g during the first eight minutes before the drive throttles down to the sustained transit level. This is the highest g-load passengers experience during the voyage. At 2.2g, passengers feel approximately twice their normal body weight. This is within the comfortable tolerance range for healthy adults; most passengers experience it as a firm pressure and a slight shortness of breath. Passengers with significant cardiovascular conditions should discuss this peak specifically with their physician when obtaining medical clearance, not just spaceflight in general.

Arrival burns — decelerating to match the destination's orbital velocity — produce a similar but typically shorter peak. Arrival at Moon Base 7 involves a 20-minute burn at up to 1.8g. Arrival at Mars Colony 1 involves a 35-minute burn at up to 1.9g, slightly longer due to the greater distance traversed. Arrival at Venus is shorter at 1.7g peak due to the drive's higher relative efficiency in the inner solar system at that point. Arrival at Ceres involves 1.6g peak for approximately 25 minutes. Arrival at Saturn and its moons involves the lowest peak acceleration of the voyage — approximately 1.4g for 40 minutes — reflecting the lower relative velocity change needed for the outer system approach geometry.

Passengers are required to be in their berths and secured in the acceleration harness during departure burns and arrival burns. The departure burn schedule is communicated 30 minutes before execution via the vessel intercom. Wandering the corridors or attempting to use the observation deck during a burn is not permitted.

The 0.15g sustained transit gravity is equivalent to approximately one-seventh of Earth's surface gravity. Walking, eating, using the bathroom, and all normal activities function normally, with minor adjustments — liquids need sealed containers, and anything not held or secured will drift slowly toward the stern of the vessel (the direction of acceleration). Passenger adaptation to this level is typically complete within 48 hours of Earth departure.
