My understanding:
There are only two types of fuel in SC: Quantum and "normal"
Quantum you can run out of and must purchase. Starfarers refine quantum.
Regular you can run out of. But you can refill it on your own with fuel scoops. As such, you'll never be completely stranded but you might have to limp to a station very slowly.
AB simply injects normal fuel into the engine to produce more thrust for faster acceleration. After you hit max speed (this replaces cruise mode) you no longer accelerate. But you continue to burn fuel as your engine idles. Once your scoops refill your fuel enough, you can AB again. However, after hitting max speed, you'll eventually slow down (space friction?) and need to AB again to get back up to max speed.
There isn't a separate "afterburner fuel"....
Again, just my understanding (and I could be wrong). I can't wait to try it.
Pretty spot on, only minor modifications:
- Afterburner refers to the main rear thruster(s)
- Boost has the same principles as afterburner, however it applies to your maneuvering thrusters. You can use boost with afterburner at the same time, however your fuel burn rate will obviously be higher.
- You will no longer artificially slow down at max cruise speed (I.e. no more space friction), however as I mentioned before you're still burning fuel (albeit at a very minor rate).
This is all per the last ATV. I haven't seen RTV yet.
I do like you mention of engine idle consuming fuel at max cruise, therefore explaining the draw. I guess you can explain it as fuel scoops can only be opened at SCM speeds.