Editing Comstar class Commo Satellite

|name         = Comstar class Commo Satellite

|image        = Distant Fringe Logo.gif

|caption      = [[Distant Fringe]] object.

|tdes        = SW

  |type        = Communications Station

|  

|size-cat    = ACS

|size        = 5

|hull        = Cylinder Hull

  |aerodynam  = Partially Streamlined Hull

|TL          = 9

|  

|jump        = 0

|g          = 1

|weapons     =

|screens    =  

|staterooms  = 0

|bunks      =  

|seats      =

|lowberths  =

|crew       = 0

|officers    =

|enlisted   =

|pilots      =

|marines     =

|frozenwatch =

|passengers  = 0

|steerage   =  

|Lpass      =

  |

|cargo      = 0

|fuel        =

|features   =

|reserved    =  

|origin     = Distant Fringe

|QSP         = W-1C10

|USP        = W–03011R0–400000–00000-0

|

|blueprint  = Yes

|  

|alsosee     =

|canon       =  

|designer    = Ade Stewart

|designSystem = High Guard

|era        = 1105

|footnote    =  

The [[Comstar class Commo Satellite]] is a {{TL|9}} [[Satellites|satellite]].

 

The Commo Satellite is rugged design that serves in a variety of roles. Most typically it is positioned in a stable orbit around a [[world]] and serves as both a defense-related early warning system and a [[Communications Equipment#Shipboard Communications|communications relay]]. Its onboard [[Ship Sensor Suite|sensor array]] may occasionally be used as a scientific observatory or for survey purposes, typically monitoring weather patterns and [[star|stellar]] conditions. Similar designs have been in use from the time the [[Distant Fringe]] was first settled.

Multiple ''Comstar'' units may be tethered together to carry out specific functions.

# A ''Comstar'' class Commo Satellite. <br> [[File:J0 5dT Commo Satellite.jpg|500px]]

# A typical ''Comstar'' performing its function. <br> [[File:Comstar Satellite.png|500px]]

# Linked ''Comstar''s operating as a single unit <br> [[File:Multiple Comstars.png|500px]]

=== General Description & Deck Plans ===

The hull is a simple shallow-domed cylinder with a diameter of approximately 5 [[meter]]s, a height of 4.5 [[meter]]s, and a conical base with a height of approximately 0.6 meters. The hull, the extendable stellar collectors, and the communications and sensor arrays give the craft a total volume of approximately 67 [[kiloliter|cubic meters]].

 

# A basic [[deck plan|plan]] of the satellite indicating the general layout and positioning of major elements. <br> [[File:Comstar class Satellite Plan.png|600px]]

!colspan="3"|'''Basic Ship Characteristics''' {{Page cite|name= Fighting Ships |page= 10 |version= Classic Traveller}}

| [[Ton|Tonnage]] / [[Hull]]

| The Commo Satellite is constructed using a 5 [[Ton|dTon]] [[hull]] built in a generally [[Cylinder Hull|cylindrical]] configuration. The [[hull]] is [[Partially Streamlined Hull|partially streamlined]], giving a relatively limited [[Atmosphere|atmospheric]] performance that is reliant on its onboard [[Gravity Control Technology|gravitic]] systems: once it is emplaced the satellite rarely leaves its orbital position.

* The satellite has sturdy [[Landing Gear|retractable legs]], allowing it to stand on level surfaces such as decks.

Maintenance [[technician]]s may occasionally board the satellite to perform duties such as refueling, routine maintenance, applying [[software]] updates and hardware upgrades, and downloading collected data.

''Accommodations'' <br>

The compartment is fitted with [[grav plate]]s and [[inertial compensator]]s and has basic [[Life Support|life support]] and [[Ship Environmental Control|environmental systems]].

* The satellite does not have an [[airlock]]: if the access hatch is opened [[Life Support|life support]] integrity is lost.

| The satellite mounts a [[Maneuver Drive|Maneuver]]-1 drive and a [[Power Plant]]-1, giving performance of up to 1-G acceleration (though generally the drives are only used for orbital positioning) and producing 0.06 [[Energy Point]]s. The satellite has an agility rating of 1. The internal [[Fuel Tank|fuel tankage]] gives the [[power plant]] 7 [[week]]s duration at full output: the satellite generally operates in a reduced power mode, drawing additional power from a stellar array, increasing its endurance exponentially.

* The array has an area of 27m² and typically generates around 0.7 [[Megawatt|Mw]] (less than 0.003 [[Energy Point]]s), depending on the [[star]] type and satellite's orbital distance from it. This trickle of power is enough to maintain powered down onboard [[electronic]]s and the [[Ship Sensor Suite|basic sensor]]s almost indefinitely.

* The array is relatively fragile and may collapse if subjected to significant stresses such as acceleration while it is deployed.

** It is fitted with a backup commo system.

* It has a [[Transponder|transponder]] unit that can be deactivated on command.

| The satellite has internal [[Fuel Tank|fuel tankage]] of 1 [[Ton]].

The Commo Satellite serves as a component in a [[Satellite Communication Network]]. The autonomous onboard [[Model/1 Computer#Model.2F1bis|computer]] systems have a good processing capacity but almost no storage, acting primarily as relays for [[world|planetary]] [[Communication Technology|communications]]. Technically, the satellite is a [[small craft]]: its ability to function as such is very limited.

The Commo Satellite is representative of designs used throughout the [[Distant Fringe]].  It is rugged and durable giving it a long service life: the tough hulls are often stripped and refitted with upgraded [[electronics]]. Large numbers of variants exist, particularly with regard to the onboard [[electronics]].

 

The [[Distant Fringe]] is said to be a far [[rimward]]-[[trailing]] area inhabited by colonists and refugees originating on [[Terra (world)|Terra]]. The region is extremely isolated, lying hundreds of [[parsec]]s from the rest of [[Charted Space]] and separated from it by almost uncrossable [[rift]]s that were once broached by a system of [[calibration Point]]s and the use of [[tanker]]s. Those few academics within [[Charted Space]] who have found references to the [[Distant Fringe]] regard it as little more than a [[tall tale]]. Likewise, many of the inhabitants of the [[Distant Fringe]] believe the existence of [[Charted Space]] to be mythical.{{Unpublished cite|author= [[Maksim-Smelchak]] }}

 

[[Vessel]]s originating within the [[Distant Fringe]] are very rarely encountered outside of the region. However, [[misjump]]s do occur and [[Astrographic Phenomenon|anomalies]] with bizarre [[spacetime]] and [[Jumpspace]] effects exist: as such, [[Vessel|craft]] of this type are not entirely unknown within [[Charted Space]]. Data about stations and facilities may be known from records found aboard such far-flung craft.{{Unpublished cite|author= [[Maksim-Smelchak]] }}

{{Ship referral tree|name=Communication Satellite|tdes=SW | class1=Civilian Ship | class2=Communication Ship}}

== References ==

{{CT-Ship-Design}}

|S1= Author & Contributor: Lord (Marquis) and Master Scout Emeritus [[Adie Alegoric Stewart]] of the [[IISS]]

{{LEA|Satellite|Ships}}