Sanctuary class Sensor Buoy

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Sanctuary class Sensor Buoy
Distant Fringe Logo.gif
Distant Fringe object.
Type: WAS Sensor Buoy
Category Smallcraft
Size 50 Tons
Hull Configuration Cylinder Hull
Streamlining Partially Streamlined Hull
Tech Level TL–11
Engineering
Computer Model/2
Jump J-0
Maneuver 1 G
Armaments
Hardpoints 1
Accommodations
Staterooms 0
Personnel
Crew 0 (automated)
High/Mid Passengers 0
Payload
Cargo 0.0 Tons
Fuel tank 0 Tons
Construction
Origin Distant Fringe
Year Operational Unknown
End of Service Still in active service.
Price
Cost MCr79.950 (base)
MCr63.960 (qty)
Architect fee MCrAde Stewart
Statistics
Quick Ship Profile W-5C10
Images
Blueprint No
Illustration Yes
Source
Also see Artificial Satellite
Canon Published, fan design
Era 1105
Reference Fan: Ade Stewart
Starships are designed with the Classic Traveller format, using High Guard.

The Sanctuary class Sensor Buoy is a satellite.

Description (Specifications)

The Sensor Buoy is designed to be highly survivable and is used in a variety of roles. Most typically it is positioned in a stable orbit around a world and serves as a communications relay and observation satellite, typically monitoring weather patterns and stellar conditions – some units are employed as astronomical observatories. It contains an intrinsic emergency shelter and is capable of defending itself. Similar designs have been in use from the time the Distant Fringe was first settled.

  • The platform is a TL-11 design.

Image Repository

  1. A Sanctuary class Sensor Buoy.
    J0 50dT Sensor Buoy.jpg

General Description & Deck Plans

No information yet available.

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. [1]

Basic Ship Characteristics [2]
No. Category Remarks
1. Tonnage / Hull The Sensor Buoy is constructed using a 50 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: the structure rarely leaves its orbital position.
  • Individual sections of the platform are divided by armored bulkhead walls.
  • There are 2 airlocks located on the platform: one gives access to the emergency shelter and the other gives access to the main section.
  • The platform has sturdy retractable legs, allowing it to stand on a level surface.
2. Crew Total Crew Complement: x0
  • The Sensor Buoy is automated.
  • Maintenance personnel may occasionally board the platform to carry out duties such as refueling, routine maintenance, refreshing onboard supplies, applying software updates and hardware upgrades, and downloading collected data.

Accommodations
There are 4 Small Staterooms. These form an Emergency Shelter: no long term accommodations are provided for maintenance crews.

Accessible areas of the platform are fitted with grav plates and inertial compensators. It has full life support and environmental systems.

  • There are internal monitoring and security systems throughout the platform.
  • There are multiple emergency lockers.
3. Performance The platform mounts a Maneuver-1 drive and a Power Plant-6, giving performance of up to 1-G acceleration and producing 3 Energy Points, though generally the drives are only used for orbital positioning. The platform has an agility rating of 1. The internal fuel tankage gives the power plant 8 weeks duration at full output: the platform generally operates in a reduced power mode, 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.
  • Orbital Positioning: 1
4. Electronics A cramped control room contains two operators acceleration couches and numerous control panels. It is equipped with a Model/2 Computer: there is a second computer that serves as a backup and provides additional data storage. The computers are able to run the platform entirely autonomously, relying on the onboard sensors and threat analysis algorithms to assess potential dangers and deal with them accordingly.
  • There are multiple workstations and control points throughout the platform.
  • The platform is fitted with communications equipment and an advanced sensor array.
    • More sensitive instruments, such as the neutrino sensors, are mounted on a long boom to hold them clear of the platform and any potential interference that it may generate. The boom is relatively fragile and may suffer damage if subjected to stresses such as acceleration.
    • It is fitted with backup commo and sensor systems.
  • It has a transponder unit that can be deactivated on command.
5. Hardpoints 1 hardpoint.
6. Armament The normal weapons fit-out for a Sensor Buoy is:
7. Defenses The hull is heavily plated and structurally reinforced, giving it an armor rating of 11.

The platform is not fitted with screens or other passive defensive systems.

8. Craft The platform carries no subcraft.
9. Fuel Treatment The platform has internal fuel tankage of 4 dTons.
10. Cost The basic cost of the platform is MCr79.950.
  • The platform 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 platforms in the production run qualify for a 20% discount, which reduces the price of each unit to MCr63.960.
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 Emergency Shelter

The platform includes an isolated armored emergency shelter within its structure. This consists of four small staterooms and contains various emergency supplies.

  • Accessing the emergency shelter immediately activates an onboard emergency beacon.
  • There is no direct access between the emergency shelter and any other part of the platform.
  • The supplies and facilities within the shelter may be accessed by spacefarers in need, though extensive records of any approach and usage are kept and appropriate recompense may be reclaimed by the platform's operators.

The main control room and engineering section may not be accessed without the appropriate protocols and security clearances.

  • The platform is capable of locking itself down in an emergency.

History & Background (Dossier)

The design is representative and a large number of variants exist, particularly with regard to the allotted weapons systems, onboard electronics, and the fit out of internal spaces.

  • Sensor buoys are generally deployed in small groups, relaying data between each unit.

Distant Fringe Vessels

The Distant Fringe is said to be a far spinward-rimward area inhabited by colonists and refugees originating on Terra. The region is extremely isolated, separated from the rest of Charted Space by vast, 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.[3]

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.[4]

Class Naming Practice/s & Peculiarities

Different examples of the design are known by many different names but all have very similar performance characteristics and capabilities.

Selected Variant Types & Classes

Satellites – Space Stations:

References & Contributors (Sources)

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  1. ↑ Timothy B. Brown. Fighting Ships (Game Designers Workshop, 1981), 10.
  2. ↑ Timothy B. Brown. Fighting Ships (Game Designers Workshop, 1981), 10.
  3. ↑ Information provided to the library by Maksim-Smelchak
  4. ↑ Information provided to the library by Maksim-Smelchak
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