Editing TL:7-9

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[[TL:7-9]] or the “Middle Technology Epoch,” is one of increasingly advanced [[technologies]] including space travel, advanced [[computer]]s, and increasingly dense cities with higher and higher skyscrapers.
* TL:7-9 tech is commonly known as High [[Ur-Tech]] or [[Mid-Tech]] (Middle Technology).
* TL:7-9 [[sophont]]s are commonly known as early or ur-sophonts. They are sometimes called foundationals.

=== Library Data Referral Tree ===
Please refer to the following [[AAB]] [[Library Data]] for more information: <br>
* [[Proto-Tech]]
** [[TL-0]] [[Found Tools Period]]
* [[Ur-Tech]]
** [[TL:1-3]] [[Tool Making Epoch]] 
** [[TL:4-6]] [[Division of Labor Epoch]]  
** [[TL:7-9]] [[Processor Epoch]] 
* [[Stell-Tech]]
** [[TL:10-12]] [[Gravitics Epoch]] 
** [[TL:13-15]] [[Biologicals Epoch]] 
** [[TL:16-18]] [[Artificials Epoch]] 
* [[Ultra-Tech]]
** [[TL:19-21]] [[Matter Transport Epoch]]
** [[TL:22-24]] [[Transformations Epoch]]
** [[TL:25-27]] [[Psionics Epoch]]
* [[Dei-Tech]]
** [[TL:28-30]] [[Trans-galactic Epoch]]
* [[Omni-Tech]]
** [[TL:31-33]] [[Pocket Universe Epoch]]
* [[Post-Technological Period]]
** [[Singularity]]
 
== Description ([[Specifications]]) ==
Two of the key indicator discoveries of this period include the [[rocket]] and the [[computer]]. Rockets often lead to peaceful applications including [[space flight]] and fireworks, but also can lead to a variety of destructive [[weapon]]ry and ranged explosives. [[Computer]]s revolutionize most [[societies]] bringing about an information revolution as increasingly difficult intellectual processes can be streamlined and simplified through the processing capabilities of increasingly advanced [[electronics]]. 

=== Communications ===
EDUCATION: Instant worldwide communication is used to broadcast educational programming through television or radio, allowing additional education through entertainment to be given to youth.

ENTERTAINMENT: Television from all around the planet can be viewed by anyone with a functional satellite dish receiver, color TV becomes possible. The invention of the World Wide Web creates far more opportunities for businesses and independent entrepreneurs through the use of Electronic Mail. Streaming services and the VCR allow people to watch far more television by recording what they like, or simply watching whatever they wish on their own time.

NEWS: With the edge of [[space]] being explored and mastered, the first [[communications satellite]]s revolutionize world communications networks. [[Processor]]s turn older analog systems into more advanced digital ones. Voice recording technologies proliferate. Communication and entertainment technologies grow as never before.  Early processor technologies lead to worldwide electronic communications networks often called [[worldnet]]s or internets. Telecommunications satellites.

=== Energy ===
LARGE SCALE POWER: Hydrocarbon-burning power plants dominate many worlds, but others master the art of creating [[nuclear fission]] or even very early [[fusion power plant]]s. Other societies choose to use environmentally friendly power generation methods such as photovoltaics (solar), wind generators, garbage burners, tide generators, and/or hydroelectric dams despite what are often much lesser efficiencies and higher costs. Other more exotic power generation methods exist.

SMALL-SCALE POWER: No information yet available.

TRANSMISSION NETWORKS: No information yet available.

=== Transportation ===
Better power sources and engineering make for vehicles fantastically superior to those used in the  [[TL:1-3]] epoch and considerably more capable than the [[TL:4-6]] technological epoch.

LAND: [[Automobile]]s and [[motorcycle]]s are an everyday transportation conveyance on the streets of the most modern cities of this technological epoch.

SEA: [[Hydrofoil]]s, [[catamaran]]s, [[trimaran]]s, [[hovercraft]], and a variety of other [[seacraft]] traverse the seas and oceans of [[world]]s on a daily basis.

AIR: [[Aircraft]] become increasingly sophisticated and the [[jet engine]] is usually mastered by this technological epoch. Supersonic flight becomes possible within an [[atmosphere]]. 

SPACE: [[Rocket]]s and other flying apparatuses probe the edge of the atmosphere and some even enter low space orbit. Such soceities can reliably reach orbit. The most advanced [[societies]] explore the [[stellar system]]. 

FTL: The first prototype [[jump drive]], an [[FTL]] engine, makes interplanetary colonization into a near-time operation instead of a major, multi-decade endeavor requiring enormous expenditure of resources. In many cases, FTL drives allow later colonists to lap the colonists of earlier [[STL]] [[Sleeper Ship|sleeper]] and [[Generation Ship|generation ship]]s. The more advanced [[societies]] can build [[jump drive]]s that meet the Imperial standards for Model-A, Model-B, Model-C, and Model-D type [[FTL]] engines.

EXOTIC: No information yet available.

=== Manufacturing ===
MANUFACTURING: Mid-tech manufacturing begins to use [[processor]]s and [[robotics]] to reduce previous dependence on cheap labor. Processors allow for increasingly exact machined materials to be created and most [[societies]] become curious about the depths of [[space]] beyond one’s terrestrial [[biosphere]]. The most advanced societies in this range explore their [[star system]]s developing efficient [[rocket]] and [[spacecraft]]. Many develop efficient [[ion engine]]s and/or other kinds of [[spacecraft]] propulsion technologies. With access to space comes Zero-G manufacturing, the earliest [[asteroid belt mining]], and eventually resource mining within the [[Oort]]s.

MATERIALS: Fiberglass. Plastics. New alloyed metals. High tensile metals. Artificial stone. Bioplastics.

MACHINES: NC analog machine control. Digital machine controls, CAD drawing, basic manufacturing robots. 3D additive layer printing, integrated information systems.

=== Processors ===
COMPUTERS: Programmable computers come into vogue as the analog is replaced by the digital. Transistors make way for microchips; desktop processors soon become a feature of home, business, and school. Massive parallel processors fill entire rooms and supersede earlier technologies. The first supercomputers can often beat even expert humans at games like chess due to phenomenal calculating abilities and vast memory banks. Photonic and gravitic energy transmission as well as bio-computing replace many of the earlier generations of electronics. Voice-activated processors are more user-friendly than ever before. Many societies can build processors that meet the Imperial standards for [[Model/2]], [[Model/2]] [[bis]], and even [[Model/3]] processors. 

DATA STORAGE: No information yet available.

ROBOTICS: [[Robot]]s lack decision-making capability, and are usually referred to as automatons rather than robots proper. Some of the computing capabilities can create a semblance of thought with massive menus and decision trees. Nevertheless, few [[sophont]]s would mistake them for biological [[conventional life]].

=== Sociology ===
GOVERNMENT: Information age societies can harness the power of the processor to create utopias or dystopias. Massive, accurate recordkeeping can track every citizen to beneficent or maleficent ends. Electronic democracies are experimented with by a few societies, regularly holding massive, near-global plebiscites. The needs of space exploration often create greater cooperation among the balkanized nations of worlds that are not yet unified. United and unified worlds begin to form [[world-state]]s. World-states are global governments, which overcome balkanization, can effectively manage planetary resources, and set worldwide policy.

POLITICAL ECONOMY: No information yet available.

CLIODYNAMICS: No information yet available. 

=== Trade ===
TRADE: No information yet available.

FINANCE: No information yet available.

SCIENCE: No information yet available.

=== Environment === 
STRUCTURES: Metropolises continue to grow in size, sometimes covering entire seaboards greatly proliferating. Giant skyscraper jungles dominate many urban environments, and some of the more advanced societies develop the first prototype [[arcologies]]. Megacities go from being isolated examples to becoming commonplace. Cities can be built in tougher environments such as jungles, permafrost plains, underwater, and rougher terrain.  

ENVIRONMENTS: It is possible to reach other worlds in the same star system, although terraforming or full colonization are not possible. 

MEGASTRUCTURES: Some of the most advanced societies of this [[tech epoch]] build smaller orbital cities and explore their [[star system]] and develop colonies on satellites and other planets within their system. Some develop early space stations, often toroidal spinning environments, which can house thousands or even tens of thousands. Zero-G manufacturing becomes increasingly valued. The technologies needed to sustain life in space or slowly mastered including closed-system recycling, gravity compensation, bone density management, power generation, and many other technologies. Some of the early space stations fuel cheaper exploration of the [[solar system]] and beyond.

=== Life Sciences ===
BIOLOGY: No information yet available.

MEDICINE: The medical arts reach new highs and life expectancy continues to grow in great bounds. Controlled surgical wards aided by precise robotic limbs make surgery more effective and safer than ever before. The first robo-docs are marvelous contraptions. Slow drugs, fast drugs, organ replacement, advanced metabolic pharmaceuticals, limb regeneration, and early cryogenics greatly expand the biological sciences.

AGRICULTURE: No information yet available.
 
=== Martial ===
TACTICAL COMBAT: Large militaries armed with processor-enabled weapons make global warfare a reality. Command and control are greatly enhanced by processor networks and orbital satellite coordination. Some of the more advanced societies even develop practical laser weaponry. However, most stick with the older and more reliable technology of projectile firearms including the assault rifle and the first [[ACR]]’s. Mechanized warfare creates a plethora of martial vehicles that range across every possible environment on a world, from land, to sea, to air, and even beyond into space.

SMALL ARMS: No information yet available.

PERSONAL ARMOR: No information yet available.

STRATEGIC COMBAT: No information yet available.

HEAVY ARMS: No information yet available.

HEAVY ARMOR: No information yet available.

== History & Background ([[Dossier]]) ==
Many later [[technologies]] are developed in this epoch as prototype sciences including the [[arcology]], the [[jump drive]], and the first [[Gravity Control Technology|gravity manipulation devices]].

The widespread availability of information processors and integrated electronic circuits makes possible sophisticated devices, including [[computer]]s and early [[robot]]s, which largely supplant tedious sophont thought processes.
  
=== Alternate Nomenclature for this Technological Epoch ===
[[Terran]] [[historian]]s have many names for this [[TL]] bracket including: 
* [[TL-7]] [[Space Age]]: TBD
* [[TL-8]] [[Computer Age]]: TBD 
* [[TL-9]] [[Information Age]] AKA [[Digital Age]]: TBD

==== Hallmark Technology-1: Exponential Knowledge Growth ====
The advent of advanced processors and electronics allow for world nets, post-industrial learning, adaptive learning, and a variety of technologies that allow for exponential proliferation of intellectual curiosity and knowledge.

==== Hallmark Technology-2: Space Exploration ====
Sophonts at this stage of development frequently explore their [[stellar system]], send out probes, use radio telescopes, and engage their curiosity about the [[universe]]. 

==== Hallmark Technology-3: Interstellar Colonies ====
Most sophonts realize that space is the final frontier and after experimenting with system colonies send out new colonies to distant stars, often using [[STL]] sleeper or generation ships. Some more advanced societies develop prototype [[FTL]] [[Jump Drive]]s and colonize the distance stars at a much faster rate than their [[NAFAL]] cousins.

=== Representative Sophont Species ===
Many [[minor race]]s stagnate at this level as interstellar merchants can bring them more technologically advanced goods, obviating the need to better understand and master the knowledge required to produce more advanced goods.
* The following sophont species are known to possess technical mastery within these technological limits:
{{Sophont epochs|epoch={{PAGENAME}}}}

== References & Contributors ([[Sources]]) ==
{{Intermediate}}
{{Detail}}
{{Sources
|S1= {{Ludography cite|name=Worlds and Adventures|page=14-15}}
|S2= {{Ludography cite|name=Referee's Companion|page=28-29}}
|S3= {{Ludography cite|name=World Builder's Handbook|page=}}
|S4= {{Ludography cite|name=Fire, Fusion, & Steel|page=7}}
|S5= {{Ludography cite|name=The Traveller's Handbook|page=378}}
|S6= {{Ludography cite|name=T5 Core Rules|page=502-507}}
|S7= [[Traveller Wiki Editorial Team]]
|S8= Author & Contributor: Lord (Marquis) and Master of Sophontology [[Maksim-Smelchak]] of the [[Ministry of Science]]
}}


[[Category: Science]]
[[Category: Technology]]
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