Library Data:Imperial Research Station
The scattered worlds of the Imperium manifest a wide range of technological levels: this diversity is maintained by the distances between worlds, the high cost of transportation, and the relative independence allowed to worlds within the Imperium.[1]
Nevertheless, the Imperium itself is constantly involved with research projects at the forefront of technology. While some new technology can be purchased from advanced cultures beyond the Imperial boundaries, such high technology is expensive and still requires a solid technological foundation to allow its usage. Consider: however useful solid-state chip circuits are, they still require a firm grounding in electronics and cannot be used on a large scale without electronics, individual solid-state chip components, photo processing and even crystal culture. It is vital that the Imperium pass through many stages of technological development on the way to achievement in higher tech level areas. Imperial technological research is performed in two ways: under contract by corporations, or in established Imperial Research Stations. The difference is that the corporate (or privately financed) research is directed at specific practical uses, while Imperial projects are breaking new ground on the forefronts of knowledge.[1]
On a scale as vast as the Imperium, it is often cheaper to duplicate research rather than search out and contract for technology elsewhere in the Imperium. However, trade between worlds tends to introduce new knowledge and technology to those who do not yet have it. If a certain offworld item proves useful, local companies may try to achieve the same technology with the goal of entering into local manufacture. Local manufacture has the advantage of taking into account local preferences,as well as providing local employment. It also avoids potential problems with licensing agreements and arrangements.[1]
The Imperium finances research into a variety of areas in the forefront of knowledge. Often this is an attempt to duplicate technology observed or reported in neighbouring cultures and not yet within the ability of Imperial science. Such research stations are sited in areas that need the boost to the local economy, or in remote areas far from the potential disturbance of Imperial politics. Many different stations may be working in the same region, and many different areas of knowledge may be under investigation at one time. In general, one station will be constructed for one purpose and continue in that area of knowledge for its entire span of usefulness. Its size, personnel roster, power plant capacity, and even visibility profile, are dependent on its area of investigation.[1]
Imperial research may delve into many areas. Some examples include black hole research, both large-scale and mini-black hole investigation, instantaneous transmitter development (so far proving impossible), advanced gravity manipulation, genetic manipulation, anti-matter containment, weaponry research, disintegrator beams, black globe development, deep planetary core soundings, nova prevention (and prediction), psychohistory, mass population behaviour prediction, psionics, stable superheavy elements, deep radar analysis, long-range detection systems, robotics, artificial intelligence, stasis and time travel, so-called magic, cryptography, bionics, personal shields, x-ray lasers and high temperature superconductors.[1]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Colin Dunn. Library Data (Mongoose Publishing, 2011), 28.
Other References
- Marc Miller. Research Station Gamma (Game Designers Workshop, 1980), 44.
- John Harshman, Marc Miller, Loren Wiseman. Library Data (A-M) (Game Designers Workshop, 1981), 33.
- Marc Miller. The Traveller Book (Game Designers Workshop, 1982), 155.
- Marc Miller. Imperial Encyclopedia (Game Designers Workshop, 1987), 27.