Difference between revisions of "Starport"

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Within the {{Imperium}} the port classification ratings are reviewed frequently by the IISS with detailed reports issued regularly. For worlds outside of the Imperium the port classification are reviewed on a best case basis and detailed reports, where available, may be incomplete or out of date.  
 
Within the {{Imperium}} the port classification ratings are reviewed frequently by the IISS with detailed reports issued regularly. For worlds outside of the Imperium the port classification are reviewed on a best case basis and detailed reports, where available, may be incomplete or out of date.  
 +
 +
== Starport Operation ==
 +
Who operates the port or ports on a world depend on allegiances of the world where the port is located. Imperial ports are run by the [[Starport Authority]], as part of the [[Ministry of Commerce]] for the benefit of all member worlds. Conditions vary outside the Imperium.
 +
 +
=== Third Imperium ports ===
 +
In order to facilitate free trade, the {{Imperium}} requires the member worlds to grant a space to allow trade to take place. This extra-terratorial land grant is the Starport within a system. The system starport is maintained by the [[Starport Authority]], as part of the [[Ministry of Commerce]]. The [[IISS]] tracks the starport facilities as the world star port. On populous worlds or worlds with a great deal of trade there may be more than one starport.
 +
 +
=== Worlds outside of the Imperium ===
 +
Conditions vary outside the Imperium. The IISS uses the largest or most frequently used port facilities to assign a Port code for the [[UWP]]. The [[Zhodani]], [[Hive Federation]], and [[Two Thousand Worlds]] build only one port in a system for efficiency purposes. The [[Aslan Hierate]] and [[Vargr]] worlds usually have only one starport per system, unless it is under control of more than one clan or leader. Independent balkanized worlds (or systems) may have more than one starport.
  
 
== Starport facilities ==
 
== Starport facilities ==
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: Downport are the facilities located on the surface of a planet. Almost all ports have at least some ground component. Landing at the Downport requires craft capable of atmospheric flight and landing. Since some [[spacecraft] lack this capability, it will limit traffic.
 
: Downport are the facilities located on the surface of a planet. Almost all ports have at least some ground component. Landing at the Downport requires craft capable of atmospheric flight and landing. Since some [[spacecraft] lack this capability, it will limit traffic.
 
; [[Highport]]
 
; [[Highport]]
−
: The Highport are facilities located in orbit around the world, one or more large [[Orbital Complex]]es.  
+
: The Highport are facilities located in orbit around the world, one or more large [[Orbital Complex]]es. These stations are usually in stationary or geocentric orbit above the Downport to enable handling of unstreamlined ships, and to allow construction of heavy craft in orbit.  
 
; Farport
 
; Farport
 
: A ''Farport'' is an orbital complex located in deep space away from the inhabited planets. This may be a port in orbit around a fuel source like a [[Gas Giant]] or in a solar orbit outside of the 100D jump limit. In most systems the ports are located close to the population centers as possible. In some systems, for example systems with giant primary stars, or multiple stars in the system, access by trade ship may take an inconveniently long time (a week or more) to travel from the jump break-out to the mainworld.  
 
: A ''Farport'' is an orbital complex located in deep space away from the inhabited planets. This may be a port in orbit around a fuel source like a [[Gas Giant]] or in a solar orbit outside of the 100D jump limit. In most systems the ports are located close to the population centers as possible. In some systems, for example systems with giant primary stars, or multiple stars in the system, access by trade ship may take an inconveniently long time (a week or more) to travel from the jump break-out to the mainworld.  
 
; Beltport
 
; Beltport
−
A ''Beltport'' is the location of the starport in an [[Asteroid Belt]] system. In design it is between a Highport and a Downport. The advantages of this system have lead some worlds to convert a small planetary moon or move a medium asteroid into planetary orbit to serve as a orbital belt port.  
+
: A ''Beltport'' is the location of the starport in an [[Asteroid Belt]] system. In design it is between a Highport and a Downport. The advantages of this system have lead some worlds to convert a small planetary moon or move a medium asteroid into planetary orbit to serve as a orbital belt port.
 +
; Deep Space Station
 +
: A ''deep space'' station is a starport or port facility located in deep space, outside of any star system. The [[Deep Space Station]] serves as a Jump Bridge, allowing ships to travel between two normally inaccessible systems.  
  
 
=== Traffic Control ===
 
=== Traffic Control ===
 
Traffic control manage the arriving and departing ships. They are intended to provide safety and smooth operation at the port via communications. Traffic around ports is generally restricted and controlled, and access to the air and space surrounding the port must be requested and granted.
 
Traffic control manage the arriving and departing ships. They are intended to provide safety and smooth operation at the port via communications. Traffic around ports is generally restricted and controlled, and access to the air and space surrounding the port must be requested and granted.
  
−
Traffic control divides space around the port into zones; An orbital zone which extends from planetary surface to 10 diameters, a transition zone which extends to 100 diameters, and an advisory zone that extends to the outer limits of the system, generally around 100AU or orbit 11. {{Page cite|name=Far Trader|page=62}}
+
Traffic control divides space around the port into zones; An ''Airspace Zone'' which extends 20 kilometers around the port. An ''orbital zone'' which extends from planetary surface to 10 diameters. A ''transition zone'' which extends to 100 diameters. And an ''advisory zone'' that extends to the outer limits of the system, generally around 100AU or orbit 11. {{Page cite|name=Far Trader|page=62}}
  
−
Traffic control procedures are of two types. ''Procedural control'' relies on the craft adhering to published procedures using advisories and information from port control.{{Page cite|name=Far Trader|page=63}} The ship captain and pilot plot their course to their destination. ''Positive Control'' relies on the port control to positively identify and track all craft and issue specific directives for operation. {{Page cite|name=Far Trader|page=62}}. All course plotting is performed by traffic control and the craft pilot are expected to follow the directions. Where the traffic control switches from procedural to positive control depends upon the classification of the port and volume of traffic.   
+
Traffic control procedures are of two types. ''Procedural control'' relies on the craft adhering to published procedures using advisories and information from port control.{{Page cite|name=Far Trader|page=63}} The ship captain and pilot plot their course to their destination with the advice of starport traffic control. ''Positive Control'' relies on the port control to positively identify and track all craft and issue specific directives for operation. {{Page cite|name=Far Trader|page=62}}. All course plotting is performed by traffic control and craft pilot are expected to follow the directions. Where the traffic control switches from procedural to positive control depends upon the classification of the port and volume of traffic.   
  
−
=== Facilities ===
+
=== Shipbuilding & Overhaul Facilities ===
−
; Berthing
+
Shipbuilding is often associated with ports, with starships being associated with starports rather than spaceports.  Ports with shipbuilding facilities will also have repair and maintenance capabilities, although there is no guarantee on availability, particularly to offworlders.  Jump drive maintenance and repair may or may not be available at a spaceport.
−
:Port have limited numbers of berthing facilities, both with orbital and ground facilities.  Normally the larger the port the more facilities of this nature the port possesses.  The berths could be of different quality, and some berths may be reserved for government, corporate, or personal use.
 
−
; Shipbuilding & Overhaul Facilities
 
−
: Shipbuilding is often associated with ports, with starships being associated with starports rather than spaceports.  Ports with shipbuilding facilities will also have repair and maintenance capabilities, although there is no guarantee on availability, particularly to offworlders.  Jump drive maintenance and repair may or may not be available at a spaceport.
 
  
 
Outmoded ships may be improved by refitting; obsolete systems are replaced by
 
Outmoded ships may be improved by refitting; obsolete systems are replaced by
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ship system of higher tech level than the starport's tech level. Repairs requireshipyard capacity equal to the ship's tonnage. Field repairs are ignored: all original combat damage must be repaired.  
 
ship system of higher tech level than the starport's tech level. Repairs requireshipyard capacity equal to the ship's tonnage. Field repairs are ignored: all original combat damage must be repaired.  
  
 +
 +
=== Other Facilities ===
 +
; Berthing
 +
:Port have limited numbers of berthing facilities, both with orbital and ground facilities.  Normally the larger the port the more facilities of this nature the port possesses.  The berths could be of different quality, and some berths may be reserved for government, corporate, or personal use.
 
; Transportation Terminal
 
; Transportation Terminal
 
: Large ports usually have transportation terminals associated with them tieing them into planetary transportation networks.  If the terminal is not co-located with the port, there will be shuttle services connecting them.  With smaller ports the availability and frequency will be lower.  A small port may only offer services during restrict hours.  A frontier port may not offer any scheduled services, but ad-hoc and unscheduled services may be available.
 
: Large ports usually have transportation terminals associated with them tieing them into planetary transportation networks.  If the terminal is not co-located with the port, there will be shuttle services connecting them.  With smaller ports the availability and frequency will be lower.  A small port may only offer services during restrict hours.  A frontier port may not offer any scheduled services, but ad-hoc and unscheduled services may be available.
 
; Warehousing
 
; Warehousing
 
: Warehousing facilities permit rental of space to house cargoes while awaiting sale or transfer to an outbound vessel.{{Page cite|name=Starport Planetfall|page=10}} Warehousing in orbits may be limited and expensive if storage in a secure space with life support, but is relatively cheap if it involves being parked and monitored in orbit.  Warehousing is more likely to be available on the surface, but again the price may depend on local conditions and storage requirements.  Availability again relates to the size of the port. Larger ports have more traffic and normally have larger warehousing needs and resources.
 
: Warehousing facilities permit rental of space to house cargoes while awaiting sale or transfer to an outbound vessel.{{Page cite|name=Starport Planetfall|page=10}} Warehousing in orbits may be limited and expensive if storage in a secure space with life support, but is relatively cheap if it involves being parked and monitored in orbit.  Warehousing is more likely to be available on the surface, but again the price may depend on local conditions and storage requirements.  Availability again relates to the size of the port. Larger ports have more traffic and normally have larger warehousing needs and resources.
−
 
+
; Associated Military & Paramilitary Bases
−
 
+
: Starports, being the primary point at which starships interact with a system, are usually the location for additional [[base]]s, such as [[scout base]]s, [[naval base]]s or other military installations, and for shipyards. In those cases, a portion of the port is normally set aside for military services and personnel.
  
 
=== Services ===
 
=== Services ===
 
; Security
 
; Security
−
: Small and remote ports will not necessarily have organic security, and will usually rely on local law enforcement.  If guards are needed, they will most likely need to be hired from local personnel. Access to all but the smallest ports is going to be monitored and people will be questioned if there doesn't appear to be an obvious reason for their presence.  Expect more extensive security and monitoring at larger ports, and that access to portions of any port will be restricted.   
+
: Small and remote ports will not necessarily have organic security, and will usually rely on local law enforcement.  If guards are needed, they will most likely need to be hired from local personnel. Access to all but the smallest ports is going to be monitored and people will be questioned if there doesn't appear to be an obvious reason for their presence.  Expect more extensive security and monitoring at larger ports, and that access to portions of any port will be restricted.  Please see '''[[Extrality]]''' for related information.
 
; Search and Rescue (SAR) Services
 
; Search and Rescue (SAR) Services
 
: Major ports have SAR capabilities but the extent of those capabilities is proportionally related to the size of the port.  Major ports will have capabilities to operate system wide.  Medium sized ports will have more limited capabilities which may only be available within a certain range of the port.  Small ports' SAR capabilities will be even more limited.  It may be that they only monitor operations via satellite and standard communications and refer information to local authorities for action.  Primitive facilities may have no SAR capabilities or they may be restricted to the port itself.
 
: Major ports have SAR capabilities but the extent of those capabilities is proportionally related to the size of the port.  Major ports will have capabilities to operate system wide.  Medium sized ports will have more limited capabilities which may only be available within a certain range of the port.  Small ports' SAR capabilities will be even more limited.  It may be that they only monitor operations via satellite and standard communications and refer information to local authorities for action.  Primitive facilities may have no SAR capabilities or they may be restricted to the port itself.
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; Lodging & Entertainment
 
; Lodging & Entertainment
 
:Large ports will have restaurants, hotels, casinos, bars, and other facilities associated with them.  Smaller ports will normally host at least a restaurant and have some lodging available in close proximity to the port. At primitive and frontier locations anything goes. These facilities are often called the local "[[startown]]".
 
:Large ports will have restaurants, hotels, casinos, bars, and other facilities associated with them.  Smaller ports will normally host at least a restaurant and have some lodging available in close proximity to the port. At primitive and frontier locations anything goes. These facilities are often called the local "[[startown]]".
−
 
 
; Fuel
 
; Fuel
 
:Usually unrefined fuel is available at most ports where the hydrosphere rating is one or above.  Where it is not, expect prices to be greatly elevated due to the fuel transportation costs from gas giants, other planets, or ice asteroids. Often on worlds with available water fuel costs may be less at ground facilities than at the orbital ones.
 
:Usually unrefined fuel is available at most ports where the hydrosphere rating is one or above.  Where it is not, expect prices to be greatly elevated due to the fuel transportation costs from gas giants, other planets, or ice asteroids. Often on worlds with available water fuel costs may be less at ground facilities than at the orbital ones.
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: An office or company to perform ship design. May also be required for any upgrades to ships to ensure the new changes won't cause damage to the ship.
 
: An office or company to perform ship design. May also be required for any upgrades to ships to ensure the new changes won't cause damage to the ship.
  
−
=== Third Imperium ports ===
 
−
In order to facilitate free trade, the {{Imperium}} requires the member worlds to grant a space to allow trade to take place. This extra-terratorial land grant is the Starport within a system. The system starport is maintained by the [[Starport Authority]], as part of the [[Ministry of Commerce]]. The [[IISS]] tracks the starport facilities as the world star port. On populous worlds or worlds with a great deal of trade there may be more than one starport.
 
−
 
−
=== Worlds outside of the Imperium ===
 
−
Conditions vary outside the Imperium. The IISS uses the largest or most frequently used port facilities to assign a Port code for the [[UWP]]. The [[Zhodani]], [[Hive Federation]], and [[Two Thousand Worlds]] build only one port in a system for efficiency purposes. The [[Aslan Hierate]] and [[Vargr]] worlds usually have only one starport per system, unless it is under control of more than one clan or leader. Independent balkanized worlds (or systems) may have more than one starport.
 
−
 
−
;Starport Associated Military & Paramilitary Bases
 
−
:Ports may be associated with naval and scout bases, especially when the naval or scout base is a small one.  In those cases, a portion of the port is normally set aside for military services and personnel.
 
  
−
=== Starport in a time of war ===
+
== Starport in a time of war ==
 
A world’s starport is usually the first objective of an invader. The starport usually is close to several other nexuses, and controlling it gives access to the world’s
 
A world’s starport is usually the first objective of an invader. The starport usually is close to several other nexuses, and controlling it gives access to the world’s
 
traffic-control systems, which can at least make an attempt to track objects in orbit.{{Page cite|name=Ground Forces|page=73}}
 
traffic-control systems, which can at least make an attempt to track objects in orbit.{{Page cite|name=Ground Forces|page=73}}
Line 113: Line 116:
 
During the [[Rebellion]], Starports became a major target of the [[Black War]] efforts on both sides. Standing head-and shoulders above the other reasons for the decline of starports is [[Lucan]]'s scorched earth policy regarding his rivals' interstellar resources. If he could not retain an important resource, then it must be destroyed to deny it to the enemy. {{Page cite|name=Hard Times|page=32}}
 
During the [[Rebellion]], Starports became a major target of the [[Black War]] efforts on both sides. Standing head-and shoulders above the other reasons for the decline of starports is [[Lucan]]'s scorched earth policy regarding his rivals' interstellar resources. If he could not retain an important resource, then it must be destroyed to deny it to the enemy. {{Page cite|name=Hard Times|page=32}}
  
−
 
+
== Starport construction ==
−
=== Starport building ===
 
 
Worlds with better starports will benefit significantly more from trade than will those worlds with lesser starports. Worlds with starports of less than C do not really benefit from interstellar trade, other than the availability of resources on the interstellar market. Worlds with D class starports only begin to benefit with three or more trade partners worlds, and even then it only benefits marginally. Worlds with E class starports only benefit from trade in empires comprising hundreds of worlds. Of course, worlds with no starport never benefit from interstellar trade. {{Page cite|name=Pocket Empires|page=42}}
 
Worlds with better starports will benefit significantly more from trade than will those worlds with lesser starports. Worlds with starports of less than C do not really benefit from interstellar trade, other than the availability of resources on the interstellar market. Worlds with D class starports only begin to benefit with three or more trade partners worlds, and even then it only benefits marginally. Worlds with E class starports only benefit from trade in empires comprising hundreds of worlds. Of course, worlds with no starport never benefit from interstellar trade. {{Page cite|name=Pocket Empires|page=42}}
  
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## Starport-D <br>  [[File:Starport-D Thomas-Price 30-Dec-2018a.jpg|400px]]
 
## Starport-D <br>  [[File:Starport-D Thomas-Price 30-Dec-2018a.jpg|400px]]
 
## Starport-E <br>  [[File:Starport-E Thomas-Price 30-Dec-2018a.jpg|400px]]
 
## Starport-E <br>  [[File:Starport-E Thomas-Price 30-Dec-2018a.jpg|400px]]
−
 
−
 
  
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==
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[[Category: Facility]]
 
[[Category: Facility]]
 
{{LE|Astrography|Imperial|Starport}}
 
{{LE|Astrography|Imperial|Starport}}
−
 
−
----
 
−
----
 
−
 
−
 
−
== Description ([[Specifications]])==
 
−
Starports (and spaceports) are classified by their capabilities and by their location.{{Page cite|name=Starships|version=Traveller 5th|page=23}}
 
−
 
−
 
−
 
−
Establishment for the landing, servicing, refueling, and control of starships. Starports range in quality from A (the best and most extensive) to E (the
 
−
worst, little more than a spot of cleared ground).
 
−
 
−
 
−
 
−
----
 
−
 
−
Starports are defined by two characteristics, their size and the set of services provided.
 
−
 
−
Starport capabilities
 
−
: Services for operation
 
−
: Repair Yards
 
−
: Construction Yards
 
−
 
−
 
−
[[Starport]]s and [[spaceport]]s are given codes in the [[UWP]] for [[stellar system]]s.
 
−
 
−
=== UWP Starport Codes ===
 
−
The codes in general use are:
 
−
{| class="wikitable sortable"
 
−
|-
 
−
!colspan="8"| Starport [[UWP]] Codes
 
−
|-
 
−
!colspan="8"| <span style="font-weight:bold;font-size:larger">Starport/Spaceport Codes</span>
 
−
|-
 
−
! Code
 
−
! Type
 
−
! Quality
 
−
! [[Shipyard]]s
 
−
! Repair
 
−
! [[Ship Fuel|Refuel]]
 
−
! World
 
−
! Remarks
 
−
|-
 
−
| A
 
−
| (Starport) 
 
−
| Excellent
 
−
| [[Starship]]s 
 
−
| Overhaul   
 
−
| Refined
 
−
| [[Mainworld]]
 
−
| Top of the line starport with extensive capability including [[FTL]] [[starship]] construction, overhauls, and where fuel of every type is readily available.
 
−
* A-class starports almost always harbor major interstellar commerce. Many function as interstellar trade nexuses on a subsector or sector level.
 
−
|-
 
−
| B
 
−
| (Starport) 
 
−
| Good   
 
−
| [[Spacecraft]]
 
−
| Overhaul   
 
−
| Refined
 
−
| [[Mainworld]]
 
−
| Good quality starport with most desired capabilities.
 
−
* A B-class starport can service starships, but only has the capability to build [[spaceship]]s, not interstellar [[FTL]] craft with [[jump drive]]s. They are often otherwise very impressive ship ports.
 
−
|-
 
−
| C
 
−
| (Starport) 
 
−
| Routine 
 
−
| Minimal   
 
−
| Major     
 
−
| Unrefined
 
−
| [[Mainworld]]
 
−
| Routine quality starport with many desired capabilities.
 
−
* C-class starports serve lower volume interstellar traffic, but haven't garnered enough trade to support larger and more capable ship support facilities. 
 
−
|-
 
−
| D
 
−
| (Starport) 
 
−
| Poor   
 
−
| Minimal   
 
−
| Minor 
 
−
| Unrefined
 
−
| [[Mainworld]]
 
−
| Poor quality starport with few desired capabilities.
 
−
* These tend to be backwater facilities with minimal interstellar trade.
 
−
|-
 
−
| E
 
−
| (Starport) 
 
−
| Frontier 
 
−
| None     
 
−
| None       
 
−
| Unrefined
 
−
| [[Mainworld]]
 
−
| Frontier quality starport with almost no desired capabilities.
 
−
* These starports can service starships to a very limited degree and have not yet caught the eyes of interstellar developers.
 
−
|-
 
−
| F
 
−
| ([[Spaceport]])
 
−
| Good 
 
−
| Minimal
 
−
| Minor
 
−
| Unrefined
 
−
| Non-[[Mainworld]]
 
−
| A good quality spaceport that feeds the mainworld starport through intrasystem shuttle services.
 
−
* F-class facilities often have significant colonies or mining operations and regularly see traffic from the mainworld. It's not uncommon for daily trips or even several times a day.
 
−
|-
 
−
| G
 
−
| ([[Spaceport]])
 
−
| Poor
 
−
| None
 
−
| Superficial
 
−
| Unrefined
 
−
| Non-[[Mainworld]]
 
−
| A poor quality spaceport that feeds the mainworld starport through intrasystem shuttle services.
 
−
* G-class facilities have limited connections with the mainworld and traffic might only exist once a  week or less due to limited economic or cultural importance.
 
−
|-
 
−
| H
 
−
| ([[Spaceport]])
 
−
| Primitive
 
−
| None
 
−
| None       
 
−
| None
 
−
| Non-[[Mainworld]]
 
−
| A very primitive quality spaceport with little regular traffic or intrasystem commerce.
 
−
* Often little more than a cleared area of open space with decent firmament. Little of interest to the mainworld or interstellar travellers.
 
−
|-
 
−
| X
 
−
| (Starport) 
 
−
| None   
 
−
| None     
 
−
| None       
 
−
| None
 
−
| Non-[[Mainworld]]
 
−
| A largely undeveloped world with great potential to later develop a starport.
 
−
|-
 
−
| Y
 
−
| ([[Spaceport]])
 
−
| None   
 
−
| None     
 
−
| None
 
−
| None
 
−
| Non-[[Mainworld]]
 
−
| A largely undeveloped world with potential to later develop a spaceport, but not a starport.
 
−
|}
 
−
 
−
=== Starport vs. Spaceport ===
 
−
In order to facilitate free trade, the {{Imperium}} requires the member worlds to grant a space to allow trade to take place. This extra-terratorial land grant is the '''Starport''' within a system. The system starport is maintained by the [[Starport Authority]], as part of the [[Ministry of Commerce]]. The [[IISS]] tracks the starport facilities as the world star port. On populous worlds or worlds with a great deal of trade there may be more than one starport.
 
−
 
−
Worlds are allowed to build additional facilites to handle in-system traffic called '''[[spaceport]]s'''. In practice, these private port facilites are usually capable of handling both in-system only space ships as well as jump capable starships. The Imperium makes no guarantees about ship safety nor enforces any Imperial trade laws at these facilities. It is rare, but not unheard of, that spaceport facilities are better than the Imperial starport facilites.
 
−
 
−
* Please see '''[[Extrality]]''' for related information.
 
−
 
−
=== Selected Facilities ===
 
−
[[Starport]]s generally have two components:
 
−
* A surface facility ([[Lowport]]) and...
 
−
* An orbital facility ([[Highport]]).
 
−
 
−
'''Selected Surface Facilities:''' The surface facility typically includes:
 
−
* Cargo handling installations,
 
−
* A landing field,
 
−
* Control towers, and...
 
−
* Other necessary areas.
 
−
* Surface starport components are frequently called Down (as in Regina Down Starport).
 
−
 
−
'''Selected Orbital Facilities:''' Orbital facilities are present (usually in stationary or geocentric orbit above the surface component) to enable handling of unstreamlined ships, and to allow construction of heavy craft in orbit.
 
−
* The orbital component is often called an Orbital (as in Regina Orbital Starport).
 
−
* Type D and E starports have no extensive orbital facilities, but usually have [[navigational satellite]]s or similar equipment. Non-streamlined ships at these starports must be serviced by shuttles.
 
−
* Starports, being the primary point at which starships interact with a system, are usually the location for additional [[base]]s, such as [[scout base]]s, [[naval base]]s or other military installations, and for shipyards.
 
−
 
−
== History & Background ([[Dossier]]) ==
 
−
The earliest [[spaceport]]s tend to be little more than rocket gantries as a [[sophont]] species first reaches beyond its [[gravity]] well. Early rockets often require very elaborate schematics and many stages.
 
−
* As [[technology]] advances, so does the [[spaceport]]. Rockets eventually make way for reusable spaceplanes. Reusable spaceplanes are often replaced several air and [[spacecraft]] working together to make near space commerce affordable and both space stations and moon bases achievable.
 
−
* Eventually the dream of the SSTO (Single Stage To Orbit) spaceplane is finally achieved. Spaceflight becomes quite routine and the typical [[sophont]] species begins to colonize its [[stellar system]].
 
−
* At which point [[gravitic technology]] becomes a reality and another revolution in spaceflight occurs...
 
−
 
−
=== Starport & Spaceport Common Features ===
 
−
'''Non-Canon:''' Starports may contain any number of the following facilities, services, and policies in place in addition to the base requirements for starship handling.
 
−
 
−
:{| class="wikitable sortable"
 
−
|+ Starport & Spaceport Common Features
 
−
! Feature
 
−
! Remarks
 
−
|-
 
−
| '''Starport Classes'''
 
−
| Starports: Categorized into six classes A-E and X.  Class X ports are interdicted and not generally available to off-worlders.  They may be restricted to government traffic or private.  Regardless, class X ports should be considered without facilities.
 
−
* Spaceports: Generally subordinate to starports and are classified F-H and Y.  Class Y indicating that a spaceport doesn't have facilities.
 
−
|-
 
−
| '''Starport Orbital Ports'''
 
−
| Some ports maintain both orbital and ground facilities, with the orbital port frequently locked in geo-synchronous orbit.  While planetside facilities may duplicate some of the facilities available in orbit, they often contain their own unique set of features, such as connections to transportation hubs and many of the facilities will be more inexpensive than the ones on the orbital facility.
 
−
|-
 
−
| '''Starport Extraterritoriality'''
 
−
| While starports are often granted extraterritoriality, especially for larger facilities, this is usually not the case for spaceports. Spaceports are usually built by the local governments and therefore fall under local law.  Nevertheless, spaceports often have their own security and law enforcement personnel, and local law authorities may not have jurisdiction on spaceport grounds. 
 
−
* Please see [[Extrality]] for more information.
 
−
|-
 
−
|}
 
−
 
−
 
−
 
−
== [[World]]s & [[Sector]]s ([[Astrography]]) ==
 
−
From [[TL-10]] on, [[starport]]s and [[spaceport]]s become ''very commonplace'' and can be found on the majority of [[planet]]s within [[Charted Space]]. What airports were to [[TL:7-9]] [[societies]], starports are to [[TL:10-12]] and [[TL:13-15]] societies.
 
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=== Expected Port Development Scheme ===
 
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* [[Airport]] → [[Spaceport]] → [[Starport]] ([[Lowport]] → [[Highport]]) → [[Deep Space Station]]
 
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=== Epochal Development Archtypes ===
 
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'''[[TL:1-3]]:''' <br>
 
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Some societies develop lighter than air craft within this [[technological epoch]]. Balloon ports and aerodromes exist on some worlds. Some worlds also possess domestic-able and ride-able flying [[creature]]s allowing for a different kind of airport that is more akin to a stable or caravanserai.
 
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'''[[TL:4-6]]:''' <br>
 
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[[Aircraft]] have typically been developed by [[technological epoch]] and [[airport]]s grow increasingly common. As rockets come into practical use, [[Rocket Gantry|rocket gantries]] and launching sites also grow more common. This is typically referred to as the golden age of aviation. Multistage rockets tend to predominate as the most cost effective way of achieving orbit at this point. Orbital satellites revolutionize world technology. 
 
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'''[[TL:7-9]]:''' <br>
 
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[[Airport]]s have become of feature of nearly all large, well developed cities or urbs, and [[spaceport]]s have begun to become developed. The first [[spaceport]]s are little more than [[airport]]s specialized for [[spacecraft]]. Societies experiment with a vast variety of launch methods looking for the cheapest to orbit load costs possible. Launching craft or cargo into orbit at this stage is quite expensive, relatively speaking. 
 
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'''[[TL:10-12]]:''' <br>
 
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As [[FTL]] [[starship]]s grow commonplace, [[starport]]s become a feature of all well developed worlds. With increased access to orbit and deep space, [[highport]]s begin to complement starports. As grav technology comes online, reusable spacecraft and SSTO launches become commonplace. 
 
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'''[[TL:13-15]]:''' <br>
 
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More advanced technology leads to different architectures for new [[starport]]s. With the increasing capability of [[lifter]]s, fewer ships are using conventional wheeled landing gear and lengthy runways. Advanced grav technology is changing the face of the starport.
 

Revision as of 02:42, 31 July 2020

Starport-Authority-SPA-Patch-Traveller.gif

Starports are established primarily to foster interstellar trade and commerce. [1] Starports generally have two components: a surface facility and an orbital facility. The surface facility includes cargo handling installations, a landing field, control towers, and other necessary areas. Surface starport components are frequently called Down (as in Regina Down Starport). Orbital facilities are present (usually in stationary orbit above the surface component) to enable handling of unstreamlined ships, and to allow construction of heavy craft in orbit. The orbital component is often called Orbital (as in Regina Orbital Starport). Type D and E starports have no extensive orbital facilities, but usually have navigational satellites or similar equipment. Non-streamlined ships at these starports must be serviced by shuttles. Starports, being the primary point at which starships interact with a system, are usually the location for additional bases, such as scout bases, naval bases or other military installations, and for shipyards.[2]

The major traffic center in the system is the starport; all others are called spaceports. While it is possible for spaceports to accept starships, they are called (if only for convenience, and for terminology) spaceports. [3][4]

Starport classification

In the short form of the Universal World Profile the Imperial Interstellar Scout Service assigns a classification grade (A to E, and X) to the port facilities available in the system. This grade assigned to the port encompasses the services available in the port. The general classification are:

Class A
Excellent quality installation. Refined fuel available. Annual maintenance overhaul available. Shipyard capable of both starship and non-starship construction present.
Class B
Good quality installation. Refined fuel available. Annual maintenance overhaul available. Shipyard capable of constructing non-starships present.
Class C
Routine quality installation. Only unrefined fuel available. Reasonable repair facilities are present.
Class D
Poor quality installation. Only unrefined fuel available. No repair or shipyard facilities present.
Class E
Frontier installation. Essentially a bare spot of bedrock with no fuel, facilities, or bases present.
Class X
No starport. Class X starports are generally indicative of an interdiction. No provision is made for any starship landings and such landings are probably prohibited.

Critique of the classification

The starport classification compresses several important factors about port facilities into one classification code. It is possible for the starport to include some of the features of a higher quality port or lack the services of their classification. A frequently cited example is the availability (or lack thereof) of refined fuel. Another is the availability of repair or overhaul facilities.

The size of the port, including the the potential number of other ships in the system seeking to use the starport and associated facilities, is not included in the classification. This lack of size neglects to mention if the port is capable of handling ships of specific size or type of ships. While the poorer quality of ports (D or E) generally have less traffic, and the higher quality ports (A or B) have more, this isn't true in every case.

Within the Imperium the port classification ratings are reviewed frequently by the IISS with detailed reports issued regularly. For worlds outside of the Imperium the port classification are reviewed on a best case basis and detailed reports, where available, may be incomplete or out of date.

Starport Operation

Who operates the port or ports on a world depend on allegiances of the world where the port is located. Imperial ports are run by the Starport Authority, as part of the Ministry of Commerce for the benefit of all member worlds. Conditions vary outside the Imperium.

Third Imperium ports

In order to facilitate free trade, the Imperium requires the member worlds to grant a space to allow trade to take place. This extra-terratorial land grant is the Starport within a system. The system starport is maintained by the Starport Authority, as part of the Ministry of Commerce. The IISS tracks the starport facilities as the world star port. On populous worlds or worlds with a great deal of trade there may be more than one starport.

Worlds outside of the Imperium

Conditions vary outside the Imperium. The IISS uses the largest or most frequently used port facilities to assign a Port code for the UWP. The Zhodani, Hive Federation, and Two Thousand Worlds build only one port in a system for efficiency purposes. The Aslan Hierate and Vargr worlds usually have only one starport per system, unless it is under control of more than one clan or leader. Independent balkanized worlds (or systems) may have more than one starport.

Starport facilities

A starport is a collection of smaller facilities and services operated under one control of the authority operating the port.

Location

The facilities assigned to the port may be assigned to one or more locations.

Downport
Downport are the facilities located on the surface of a planet. Almost all ports have at least some ground component. Landing at the Downport requires craft capable of atmospheric flight and landing. Since some [[spacecraft] lack this capability, it will limit traffic.
Highport
The Highport are facilities located in orbit around the world, one or more large Orbital Complexes. These stations are usually in stationary or geocentric orbit above the Downport to enable handling of unstreamlined ships, and to allow construction of heavy craft in orbit.
Farport
A Farport is an orbital complex located in deep space away from the inhabited planets. This may be a port in orbit around a fuel source like a Gas Giant or in a solar orbit outside of the 100D jump limit. In most systems the ports are located close to the population centers as possible. In some systems, for example systems with giant primary stars, or multiple stars in the system, access by trade ship may take an inconveniently long time (a week or more) to travel from the jump break-out to the mainworld.
Beltport
A Beltport is the location of the starport in an Asteroid Belt system. In design it is between a Highport and a Downport. The advantages of this system have lead some worlds to convert a small planetary moon or move a medium asteroid into planetary orbit to serve as a orbital belt port.
Deep Space Station
A deep space station is a starport or port facility located in deep space, outside of any star system. The Deep Space Station serves as a Jump Bridge, allowing ships to travel between two normally inaccessible systems.

Traffic Control

Traffic control manage the arriving and departing ships. They are intended to provide safety and smooth operation at the port via communications. Traffic around ports is generally restricted and controlled, and access to the air and space surrounding the port must be requested and granted.

Traffic control divides space around the port into zones; An Airspace Zone which extends 20 kilometers around the port. An orbital zone which extends from planetary surface to 10 diameters. A transition zone which extends to 100 diameters. And an advisory zone that extends to the outer limits of the system, generally around 100AU or orbit 11. [5]

Traffic control procedures are of two types. Procedural control relies on the craft adhering to published procedures using advisories and information from port control.[6] The ship captain and pilot plot their course to their destination with the advice of starport traffic control. Positive Control relies on the port control to positively identify and track all craft and issue specific directives for operation. [7]. All course plotting is performed by traffic control and craft pilot are expected to follow the directions. Where the traffic control switches from procedural to positive control depends upon the classification of the port and volume of traffic.

Shipbuilding & Overhaul Facilities

Shipbuilding is often associated with ports, with starships being associated with starports rather than spaceports. Ports with shipbuilding facilities will also have repair and maintenance capabilities, although there is no guarantee on availability, particularly to offworlders. Jump drive maintenance and repair may or may not be available at a spaceport.

Outmoded ships may be improved by refitting; obsolete systems are replaced by newer models. All refitting must be done a t an A or B starport, and jumpdrives may be refitted only at A starports. Refitting involves the complete removal of an old system and the installation of a new one; for instance, if a power plant is refitted, the entire power plant is removed and a new one put in i t s place. Refitting takes up shipyard capacity equal to the refitting ship's tonnage. Changes in power plant, maneuver drive, or jump drive are major changes.

Full repair may be done at any A or B starport, but j-drive repairs require double cost and time at B starports, and no starport may repair a ship system of higher tech level than the starport's tech level. Repairs requireshipyard capacity equal to the ship's tonnage. Field repairs are ignored: all original combat damage must be repaired.


Other Facilities

Berthing
Port have limited numbers of berthing facilities, both with orbital and ground facilities. Normally the larger the port the more facilities of this nature the port possesses. The berths could be of different quality, and some berths may be reserved for government, corporate, or personal use.
Transportation Terminal
Large ports usually have transportation terminals associated with them tieing them into planetary transportation networks. If the terminal is not co-located with the port, there will be shuttle services connecting them. With smaller ports the availability and frequency will be lower. A small port may only offer services during restrict hours. A frontier port may not offer any scheduled services, but ad-hoc and unscheduled services may be available.
Warehousing
Warehousing facilities permit rental of space to house cargoes while awaiting sale or transfer to an outbound vessel.[8] Warehousing in orbits may be limited and expensive if storage in a secure space with life support, but is relatively cheap if it involves being parked and monitored in orbit. Warehousing is more likely to be available on the surface, but again the price may depend on local conditions and storage requirements. Availability again relates to the size of the port. Larger ports have more traffic and normally have larger warehousing needs and resources.
Associated Military & Paramilitary Bases
Starports, being the primary point at which starships interact with a system, are usually the location for additional bases, such as scout bases, naval bases or other military installations, and for shipyards. In those cases, a portion of the port is normally set aside for military services and personnel.

Services

Security
Small and remote ports will not necessarily have organic security, and will usually rely on local law enforcement. If guards are needed, they will most likely need to be hired from local personnel. Access to all but the smallest ports is going to be monitored and people will be questioned if there doesn't appear to be an obvious reason for their presence. Expect more extensive security and monitoring at larger ports, and that access to portions of any port will be restricted. Please see Extrality for related information.
Search and Rescue (SAR) Services
Major ports have SAR capabilities but the extent of those capabilities is proportionally related to the size of the port. Major ports will have capabilities to operate system wide. Medium sized ports will have more limited capabilities which may only be available within a certain range of the port. Small ports' SAR capabilities will be even more limited. It may be that they only monitor operations via satellite and standard communications and refer information to local authorities for action. Primitive facilities may have no SAR capabilities or they may be restricted to the port itself.
Life Support Capabilities
  • Life support (supplies, air, water, food, and other items) is always available at class A, B, C, and F ports, but is limited at other locations. The availability at smaller ports is usually determined by the UWP of the world. For example water is going to be available on world with significant water, but food may not be. Ships should stock up on supplies when available rather then depend of availability at smaller ports.
Brokerage
Brokerage also usually depends on size but there are exceptions. Any port with a substantial commercial component will have brokers. Therefore it may be difficult or impossible to find a broker on a frontier world. Fortunately, due to the availability of communication, brokers, if available, are not restricted to orbital facilities. See the trade rules for working with brokers.
Shuttle Services
Ports with orbital facilities will normally provide shuttle services to a ground installation. Large ground facilities will also normally provide shuttle service to orbiting ships. With smaller facilities, private shuttle service may be available.
There may also be ground shuttle services connecting ground facilities to transportation hubs, if they are not co-located the the port.
Travellers' Aid Society (TAS)
TAS facilities are not available at all ports but are common in class A, B, C, and F ports. Even when TAS facilities are available, the types of amenities vary.
Lodging & Entertainment
Large ports will have restaurants, hotels, casinos, bars, and other facilities associated with them. Smaller ports will normally host at least a restaurant and have some lodging available in close proximity to the port. At primitive and frontier locations anything goes. These facilities are often called the local "startown".
Fuel
Usually unrefined fuel is available at most ports where the hydrosphere rating is one or above. Where it is not, expect prices to be greatly elevated due to the fuel transportation costs from gas giants, other planets, or ice asteroids. Often on worlds with available water fuel costs may be less at ground facilities than at the orbital ones.
Naval Architect
An office or company to perform ship design. May also be required for any upgrades to ships to ensure the new changes won't cause damage to the ship.


Starport in a time of war

A world’s starport is usually the first objective of an invader. The starport usually is close to several other nexuses, and controlling it gives access to the world’s traffic-control systems, which can at least make an attempt to track objects in orbit.[9]

In addition access to the other facilities of the port like refuling capabilities and the shipyard, are important reasons to capture the port intact. It also gives reason it would be the most heavily defended part of any world.

During the Rebellion, Starports became a major target of the Black War efforts on both sides. Standing head-and shoulders above the other reasons for the decline of starports is Lucan's scorched earth policy regarding his rivals' interstellar resources. If he could not retain an important resource, then it must be destroyed to deny it to the enemy. [10]

Starport construction

Worlds with better starports will benefit significantly more from trade than will those worlds with lesser starports. Worlds with starports of less than C do not really benefit from interstellar trade, other than the availability of resources on the interstellar market. Worlds with D class starports only begin to benefit with three or more trade partners worlds, and even then it only benefits marginally. Worlds with E class starports only benefit from trade in empires comprising hundreds of worlds. Of course, worlds with no starport never benefit from interstellar trade. [11]

There are a number of reasons that an interstellar state would need to improve the quality of their member worlds' starports. Starport type is a limit on Tech Level growth. Higher class starports can increase the economic growth through trade. Finally, only certain starport classes can produce certain types of military units needed for defense. Therefore, at key points during the system's growth, there will be a desire to upgrade a system's starport.[12]

Image Repository

    1. Starport-A
      Starport-A Thomas-Price 30-Dec-2018a.jpg
    2. Starport-B
      Starport-B Thomas-Price 30-Dec-2018a.jpg
    3. Starport-C
      Starport-C Thomas-Price 30-Dec-2018a.jpg
    4. Starport-D
      Starport-D Thomas-Price 30-Dec-2018a.jpg
    5. Starport-E
      Starport-E Thomas-Price 30-Dec-2018a.jpg

See also

Starport facilites

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

Universal world profile

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

References & Contributors (Sources)

Smallwikipedialogo.png This page uses content from Wikipedia. The original article was at Airport. The list of authors can be seen in the page history. The text of Wikipedia is available under the Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.
Smallwikipedialogo.png This page uses content from Wikipedia. The original article was at Port. The list of authors can be seen in the page history. The text of Wikipedia is available under the Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.
Smallwikipedialogo.png This page uses content from Wikipedia. The original article was at Spaceport. The list of authors can be seen in the page history. The text of Wikipedia is available under the Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.
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.
  1. ↑ Marc Miller. Scouts (Game Designers Workshop, 1983), 26.
  2. ↑ John Harshman, Marc Miller, Loren Wiseman. Library Data (N-Z) (Game Designers Workshop, 1982), 23.
  3. ↑ Marc Miller. Scouts (Game Designers Workshop, 1983), 41.
  4. ↑ Marc Miller. Referee's Manual (Game Designers Workshop, 1987), 22.
  5. ↑ Steve Daniels, Jim McLean, Christopher Thrash. Far Trader (Steve Jackson Games, 1999), 62.
  6. ↑ Steve Daniels, Jim McLean, Christopher Thrash. Far Trader (Steve Jackson Games, 1999), 63.
  7. ↑ Steve Daniels, Jim McLean, Christopher Thrash. Far Trader (Steve Jackson Games, 1999), 62.
  8. ↑ J. Andrew Keith. Starport Planetfall (Cargonaut Press, 1998), 10.
  9. ↑ Douglas E. Berry. Ground Forces (Steve Jackson Games, 2000), 73.
  10. ↑ Charles E. Gannon. Hard Times (Game Designers Workshop, 1991), 32.
  11. ↑ David Burden. Pocket Empires (Imperium Games, 1997), 42.
  12. ↑ David Burden. Pocket Empires (Imperium Games, 1997), 50.
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