Comstar class Commo Satellite

Comstar class Commo Satellite
Distant Fringe object.
Type: SW Communications Station
Category	ACS
Size	5 Tons
Hull Configuration	Cylinder Hull
Streamlining	Partially Streamlined Hull
Tech Level	TL–9
Engineering
Computer	Model 1/bis
Jump	J-0
Maneuver	1 G
Armaments
Hardpoints	1
Accommodations
Staterooms	0
Personnel
Crew	0
High/Mid Passengers	0
Payload
Cargo	0 Tons
Fuel tank	Tons
Construction
Origin	Distant Fringe
Price
Cost	MCr10.235
Statistics
Quick Ship Profile	W-1C10
Universal Ship Profile	W–03011R0–400000–00000-0
Images
Blueprint	Yes
Illustration	Yes
Source
Canon	Unpublished, fan design
Designer	Ade Stewart
Design System	High Guard
Era	1105
Reference	Fan: Ade Stewart

The Comstar class Commo Satellite is a TL–9 satellite.

• Please also see AAB article: Ships of the Distant Fringe.

Description (Specifications)

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 relay. Its onboard sensor array may occasionally be used as a scientific observatory or for survey purposes, typically monitoring weather patterns and 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.

Image Repository

1. A Comstar class Commo Satellite.
   
2. A typical Comstar performing its function.
   
3. Linked Comstars operating as a single unit
   

General Description & Deck Plans

The hull is a simple shallow-domed cylinder with a diameter of approximately 5 meters, a height of 4.5 meters, 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 cubic meters.

1. A basic plan of the satellite indicating the general layout and positioning of major elements.
   

Basic Ship Characteristics

Following the Imperial Navy and IISS Universal Ship Profile and data, additional information is presented in the format shown here. The small craft factor indicates the number of squadrons (...of ten subcraft) carried on the ship. Tonnage on the universal ship profile is shown in kilotons (...thousands of tons) where necessary.

Basic Ship Characteristics
No.	Category	Remarks
1.	Tonnage / Hull	The Commo Satellite is constructed using a 5 dTon hull built in a generally cylindrical configuration. The hull is partially streamlined, giving a relatively limited atmospheric performance that is reliant on its onboard gravitic systems: once it is emplaced the satellite rarely leaves its orbital position. Individual sections of the satellite are divided by bulkhead walls. Access to the interior can be gained via an access hatch. The satellite has sturdy retractable legs, allowing it to stand on level surfaces such as decks.
2.	Crew	Total Crew Complement: 0 (the satellite is automated). Maintenance technicians may occasionally board the satellite to perform duties such as refueling, routine maintenance, applying software updates and hardware upgrades, and downloading collected data. Accommodations A cramped operations compartment is the only crew-accessible part of the satellite: no extended accommodations are provided. The compartment is fitted with grav plates and inertial compensators and has basic life support and environmental systems. The satellite does not have an airlock: if the access hatch is opened life support integrity is lost. There are internal monitoring and security systems throughout the satellite. There is an emergency locker.
3.	Performance	The satellite mounts a 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 Points. The satellite has an agility rating of 1. The internal fuel tankage gives the power plant 7 weeks 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 engineering section is controlled from the main control room. Access to the machinery can be gained via a sealed hatch. Stellar Array The satellite mounts an auxiliary fixed stellar collector array, capable of generating enough power to independently run the onboard communications equipment. The array has an area of 27m² and typically generates around 0.7 Mw (less than 0.003 Energy Points), depending on the star type and satellite's orbital distance from it. This trickle of power is enough to maintain powered down onboard electronics and the basic sensors almost indefinitely. The mountings and equipment for the array have a volume of 0.2 dTons and costs MCr0.054 to replace. The array is dismountable for ease of transport. The component parts can be disassembled and packed into a 6.25m³ (0.5 dTon) storage unit. The array is relatively fragile and may collapse if subjected to significant stresses such as acceleration while it is deployed.
4.	Electronics	The operations compartment contains an acceleration couch and control equipment. The satellite is run by an autonomous Model/1bis Computer: there is a backup Model/1bis Computer. There are multiple control points throughout the satellite. The satellite is fitted with communications equipment and a standard sensor array. It is fitted with a backup commo system. It has a transponder unit that can be deactivated on command.
5.	Hardpoints	1 hardpoint. The satellite has no inherent capacity to mount weapons systems.
6.	Armament	The Commo Satellite is unarmed.
7.	Defenses	The hull is plated and structurally reinforced, giving it an armor rating of 4. The satellite is not fitted with screens or other passive defensive systems.
8.	Craft	The satellite carries no subcraft.
9.	Fuel Treatment	The satellite has internal fuel tankage of 1 Ton. It is not equipped with fuel scoops or fuel purification equipment.
10.	Cost	The basic cost of the satellite is MCr10.029. The satellite is a standard design. Detailed architectural plans are widely available and no design fee is chargeable. If multiple examples of the design are ordered all of the satellites in the production run qualify for a 20% discount, which reduces the price of each unit to MCr8.024.
11.	Construction Time	24 weeks (5.5 months) as standard. Build times can be reduced by mass production and the efficiencies such processes generate, by increased financing, and by allotting additional yard resources and facilities to the construction contract.
12.	Comments	The satellite has no cargo capacity. The Satellite is operated by an autonomous Model/1bis Computer, with another Model/1bis Computer serving as a backup and acting as additional processing capacity. The satellite is capable of locking itself down in an emergency. The operations compartment, engineering section and control panels may not be accessed without the appropriate protocols and security clearances.

History & Background (Dossier)

The Commo Satellite serves as a component in a Satellite Communication Network. The autonomous onboard computer systems have a good processing capacity but almost no storage, acting primarily as relays for planetary communications. Technically, the satellite is a small craft: its ability to function as such is very limited.

• Commo Satellites are generally deployed in small groups into geosynchronous orbits around a world, relaying data between each orbital unit and the surface.

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.

Distant Fringe Vessels

The Distant Fringe is said to be a far rimward-trailing area inhabited by colonists and refugees originating on Terra. The region is extremely isolated, lying hundreds of parsecs from the rest of Charted Space and separated from it by almost uncrossable rifts that were once broached by a system of calibration Points and the use of tankers. 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.

Vessels originating within the Distant Fringe are very rarely encountered outside of the region. However, misjumps do occur and anomalies with bizarre spacetime and Jumpspace effects exist: as such, 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.

Class Naming Practice/s & Peculiarities

A number of companies manufacture satellites equivalent to the Comstar class. They vary in hull shape and internal layout but all share the same basic design and all have very similar capabilities and performance characteristics.

• Each variant class is named by the company that produces it: these organizations generally draw on approved naming protocols. It is not uncommon for a historical class name to be reused.
• Individual examples of the class are issued specific serial numbers and transponder codes.

Selected Variant Types & Classes

3 Representative Communication Satellite (SW) Classes

§ == ( Please refer to the following AAB Library Data for more information: ) == §

Civilian Ship - Communication Ship - Type SW Communication Satellite

C

• Comstar class Commo Satellite

O

• Observant class Sensor Picket

S

• Sanctuary class Sensor Buoy

References

This article has metadata.

This ship was originally designed using one of the Classic Traveller ship design rules: Marc Miller. Starships (Game Designers Workshop, 1977), 12-23. Marc Miller, Frank Chadwick, John Harshman. High Guard (Game Designers Workshop, 1980), 20-36.

This list of sources was used by the Traveller Wiki Editorial Team and individual contributors to compose this article. Copyrighted material is used under license from Far Future Enterprises or by permission of the author. The page history lists all of the contributions.

• Author & Contributor: Lord (Marquis) and Master Scout Emeritus Adie Alegoric Stewart of the IISS