Spinward Survey
The Spinward Survey is a project that seeks to accurately chart the positions and nature of the stars and systems lying within the Empty Stars, primarily those sectors lying immediately to coreward and spinward of the Distant Fringe.
- It is a program hosted by the University of Selasia.
- It collaborates closely with the Deep Sky Program and the University of Tal Varisa
Description (Specifications)
The Department of Astronomy of the University of Selasia, part of the School of Physical Sciences, oversees the Spinward Survey.
The Department has five large astronomy departments:
- Selasia College of Astrophysics
- Institute of Astronomy
- Bright Center of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics
- School of Theoretical Astrophysics and Cosmology.
- Jumpspace Institute
The departments collaborate to run the Spinward Survey (the Survey), a project that seeks to accurately map and catalog the Empty Stars.
History & Background (Dossier)
The Spinward Survey
The Spinward Survey was begun in 5555AD, in response to the publication of the DSP Listing published by the University of Tal Varisa. It published its first full set of results, Stars of the Rim, in 5570AD. This body of work is generally known as "Infinitys Shore".
Funding for the Survey originates from a variety of sources – the government of the Bright Conclave makes extremely substantial contributions, as do business interests and wealthy benefactors to the University. In addition it receives funding from investments, fund-raising drives, trust funds and legacies. Those organisations that provide funding also frequently assign their own specialists and support personnel to the Program – there is often friction between academic staff and outside contractors, who have their own objectives and agendas. The Survey is known to have significant military involvement.
Facilities and Equipment
The Survey has privileged access to all of the facilities and observatories in which the University of Selasia has an interest. It also has access to some restricted military sites as well as a range of corporate and privately owned facilities. These include:
- Radio Observatories
- Microwave Observatories
- Neutrino Detectors
- Surface Observatories
- Space Observatories
- Cosmic Ray Observatories
- Gravity Wave Detectors
It also has access to advanced computer systems, high-tech equipment, dedicated surface sites such as private spaceports, and a variety of vehicles and starships. The Bright Conclave Navy has placed a number of long-range scoutships at the Survey's disposal.
Results
The Spinward Survey has accurately detailed the locations of around 2500 separate star systems lying within 23 sectors of space. This data is broadly available in the form of a published work titled Stars of the Rim.
References & Contributors (Sources)
- Traveller Wiki Editorial Team
- Author & Contributor: Lord (Marquis) and Master Scout Emeritus Adie Alegoric Stewart of the IISS
- Author & Contributor: Lord (Marquis) and Master of Sophontology Maksim-Smelchak of the Ministry of Science