Editing System Survey

[[File: Imperial-Sunburst-Sun-Scouts-wiki.png|right|125px]]
[[System Survey]]: A system survey involves bringing a starship into a star system, and conducting a variety of surveys to evaluate and map out a star system, its sun, its planets, and other astrographic features of interest. 
* In order to maintain up-to-date information on the {{Imperium}} and the regions surrounding it, The [[Imperial Interstellar Scout Service]] and  other [[Explorer Service]]s conduct surveys on an ongoing basis. Although all systems are surveyed, not every system is surveyed to the same degree of detail. 
 
== Description ([[Specifications]]) == 
''Survey Classifications:'' The Scouts divide their system surveys into five classes:

=== Class I (Simple System Survey) ===
These surveys are the most brief, usually taking four to eight hours to complete. Probes and landing parties are almost never deployed. The Scouts reserve Class I surveys primarlly for the survey of a new system.

Whenever an unsurveyed system is first encountered, the Scouts have a standing order: Performa a Class I survey from interstellar range on the new system as soon as possible. A Class I survey may be conducted from as far away as one to two [[parsec]]s&mdash;close enought to allow the determination of basic stellar data and the possible presence of gas giants. The key goals are: chart the precise location of the new system, determine the system ecliptic, note stellar data, and establish the presence of large gas giants, if any. 

=== Class II (Standard System Study) ===
This kind of survey takes an average of four to eight days, and may use probes at the commander's initiative. Landing parties are rare. Class II surveys are usually used as the first insystem survey of a new system or as a special survey to determine only a limited amount of information. The survey ship is sent into the system for a specific purpose, and leaves as soon as the question has been answered. 

In a Class II initial system survey, all planetery bodies over 800km in diameter are noted, as well as any planetary satellites over 200km in diameter and the densitity of asteroid belts and rings are measured. 

=== Class III (System Habitability Study) ===
These surveys, which are the most common, take four to eight weeks, including the deployment of probes into the habitable zone. Landing parties may be used at the commder's initiative. 

The scouts perform physical profiles of all significant bodies, and do an ephemeris of the bodies' orbial motions. An orbital map of the main world is made. Using orbital examination, the Scouts determine a preliminary [[UWP]]. 

As the commander's discretion, the [[UWP]] may be augmented by some on-planet observation and exploration.

=== Class IV (Intensive System Study) ===
A class IV survey takes up to a year. Probed are sent into the system's habitable zones, and landing parties visit the habitable zone's worlds. 

The most common Class IV survey undertaken by the Scouts is the intesive study of the main world. The world's surface is accurately mapped. Explorers examine the basic geology of the world and collect organizms so as to type the indigenous biology. 

Native [[sophont]]s are studied, but not usually contacted. 

=== Class V (Colonization System Study) ===
These surveys take five to 10 years. Probes and landing parties are sent to all surveyed bodies. In most cases, an extensive Class V survey is performed only when requested by the surveyed system's government or by the Imperial military. 

A common reason for a Class V survey of a system is as a precursor to colonization. The Scounts undertake many detailed and time-consuming studies; they model planetary dynamics (including atmosphere, oceans, solar, vulcanism, and major migratory patterns), and the measure the stability of the climate. Basic resources necessary to sustain a colony are identified. 

A superficial examination of resources useful in economic exploitation is made, and native [[sophont]]s, if any, are contacted. 

== History & Background ([[Dossier]]) ==
Almost all interstellar spacefaring sophont societies who manage to expand beyond their home star system must learn to survey a star system for habitable worlds, resources, and astrographic phenomena. The Ziru Sirka did it, the Terrans did, and most likely the Ancients did as well. 

=== Technological Overview of System Surveys ===
==== Foundational Period ====
'''[[TL:1-3]]:''' <br>
[[TL:1-3]] sophont societies often have keen interests in the [[star]]s and can create sophisticated [[star chart]]s, [[astronomy]] [[science]]s, and expansive knowledge of [[astrophysics]] and the [[universe]], all without leaving the gravity well. 

'''[[TL:4-6]]:''' <br>
[[TL:4-6]] sophont societies can develop sophisticated optics, electromagnetic theory, and planetary observatories. A few even develop [[rocket]]s, very early radio spectography, and long range star system evaluation methods. 

'''[[TL:7-9]]:''' <br>
In the [[TL:7-9]] [[tech epoch]], [[radio telescope]]s and long range probes tend to do surveying of the stars. Few [[mid-tech]] societies can reliably launch interstellar [[starcraft]], let alone large probes. Probes tend to be small, and extremely slow by later [[NAFAL]] or [[STL]] standards.

==== Interstellar Period ====
'''[[TL:10-12]]:''' <br>
By the [[TL:10-12]] [[technological epoch]], successful sophont societies learn to send out [[scout ship]]s, [[beagle]]s, [[drone]]s, and a vast variety of technological resources searching out valuables within unexplored star systems.

'''[[TL:13-15]]:''' <br>
By the [[TL:13-15]] [[tech epoch]], advanced starfaring sophont societies have generally developed relatively professional and very capable exploration [[institution]]s such as the [[IISS]], [[Solomani Scout Corps]], or other [[Explorer Service]]s. High technology gravimetric sensor technologies can do much from afar, but ultimately a comprehensive survey of a [[star system]] and [[mainworld]] candidates still requires orbital surveyance, world probe [[drone]]s, and away teams.

'''[[TL:16-18]]:''' <br>
A number of new technologies are being developed for the [[TL:16-18]] [[technological epoch]], and it is expected that these newer technologies will greatly expand the capabilities of future star system surveying efforts.

== References & Contributors ([[Sources]]) ==
{{Intermediate}}
{{Sources
|S1= {{Ludography cite|name= World Builder's Handbook |page= TBD}}
|S2= {{Ludography cite|name= First In |page= TBD}}
|S3= [[Traveller Wiki Editorial Team]]
|S4= Author & Contributor: Lord (Marquis) and Master of Sophontology [[Maksim-Smelchak]] of the [[Ministry of Science]] 
}}


{{LE|Exploration|IISS|Science|Survey}}