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Schwartz-class Modular Spacecraft and Modules

This article originally appeared in the May 2013 issue.

 

CraftID: Schwartz-class Modular Spacecraft Frame, TL7, Cr341,388
Hull: 9/23, Disp=10, Config=0M, Armor=35C, Unloaded=32.612 tons
Power: -
Loco: -
Comm: -
Sensors: -
Off: Hardpoints=2
Def: -
Control: -
Accom: Mounting for up to 190 tons of modules
Other: ObjSize=Small, EmLevel=None
Comment: Construction Time=24wks single, 18wks multiple, Cr273,110 in volume

This modular space frame can accept any combination of 10-, 20-, 30-, or 40-ton modules up to 190 tons in total. The frame is capable of accepting spacecraft in lieu of modules to the same tonnage specification, as long as their configuration is such that they don’t interfere with the other modules on the frame. The usual positioning is to have quarters modules forward with drives (or spacecraft) aft.

As thrust modules may be mounted at any location, it’s also possible to use spacecraft engines to power the frame and attached modules.

10 ton High Performance Rocket Module

 

CraftID: High Performance Rocket Module, TL7, Cr3,314,681
Hull: 9/23, Disp=10, Config=4USL, Armor=35C, Unloaded=110.9024 tons, Loaded=156.3538
Power: 1/2, Fission=5Mw, Dur=2yrs
1/2, Loco=3.9Mw, Dur=1/3
Loco: 1/2, HiPerf Rocket=195 tons thrust, Dur=1hr
Comm: Radio=Dist×3
Sensors: Magnetic=VDist, Radiation=VDist, Headlights×2
Off: Hardpoints=1
Def: -
Control: Computer/1bis, Panel=Electronic×23
Accom: Seat=Cramped
Other: Cargo=0.4514kl, Fuel=120kl Cryo, 0.24kl Radioactives, ObjSize=Small, EmLevel=Faint
Comment: Construction Time=24wks single, 18wks multiple; Excess power=8.8812Mw; Cr2,651,744 in volume

This high-performance rocket module provides significant thrust for a short duration. A workstation and seat are provided for engineering staff to carry out any necessary maintenance or upkeep (in vacc suits, as no life support or enclosed environment is provided). Access to the computers, controls and sensors is via either direct link or radio as necessary.

Gannon-class Launch

 

CraftID: Gannon-class Launch, Type QL, TL7, Cr4,263,440
Hull: 9/23, Disp=10, Config=1AF, Armor=10C, Unloaded=24.14859 tons, Loaded=94.969
Power: 1/2, Fission=5Mw, Dur=365/1095days
1/2, Loco=3.9Mw, Dur=18min
Loco: 1/2, HiPerf Rocket=195 tons thrust. MaxAcc=2.05G, NOE=40kph, Cruise=850kph, Top=1133kph, Agility=1
Comm: Radio=Planetary (50,000 km)×2
Sensors: Radar=Regional (500 km), Magnetic=VDist, Radiation=VDist, ActObjScan=Diff, ActObjPin=Diff
Off: Hardpoints=1
Def: DefDM=+4
Control: Computer/1bis×2, Panel=Electronic×23, Env=BasicEnv, BasicLS, ExtLS
Accom: Crew=2 (Pilot, Copilot), AirLock, Seats=Adequate×8
Other: Cargo=56.720406kl, Fuel=36kl Cryo, 0.12kl Radioactives, ObjSize=Average, EmLevel=Faint
Comment: Construction Time=24wks single, 20wks multiple; Excess power=7.8261 Mw; Cr3,410,752 in volume

The Gannon-class launch is fitted with modular connectors to allow connection to the Schwartz-class modular frame, where its rockets can provide thrust if needed. Designed to allow for planetfall and short operations, the launch has insufficient radiation shielding for long-duration missions, thus, the crew usually wear vacc suits for added protection.

While connected to the frame, the launch’s computer, sensors, and controls can be accessed by either direct link or radio, depending on the location of the module on the frame.

The Gannon class has the ability to take cargos of 56 tons (4 dtons) into orbit, which it achieves in a little under 6.25 minutes from a 1G planet.

20 ton Modular Cargo Module

 

CraftID: Cargo Module, TL7, Cr1,190,945
Hull: 9/23, Disp=20, Config=0M, Armor=35C, Unloaded=113.6996 tons, Loaded=379.8999
Power: 1/2, Solar=0.0191Mw, Dur=Unltd
Loco: -
Comm: Radio=Dist
Sensors: Magnetic=VDist, Radiation=VDist
Off: Hardpoints=1
Def: -
Control: Computer 0, Panel=Electronic×32
Accom: -
Other: Cargo=266.2003kl, ObjSize=Small, EmLevel=Faint
Comment: Construction Time=24wks single, 18wks multiple; Cr952,756 in volume

This cargo module accommodates cargo that can be shipped without the need of temperature or pressure control. It is not expected that there will be any need to access these modules while the boat is in transit either to inspect the cargo or undertake maintenance to it.

The solar panel provides the complete power requirements for the module, and access to the computer, sensors, and controls can be achieved by direct link or radio, depending on the location of the module on the frame.

20 ton Modular Enclosed Cargo Module

 

CraftID: Enclosed Cargo Module, TL7, Cr86,075
Hull: 18/45, Disp=20, Config=8USL, Armor=50P, Unloaded=218.5845 tons, Loaded=426.1205
Power: External=0.4395Mw
Loco: -
Comm: -
Sensors: Magnetic=VDist, Radiation=VDist
Off: Hardpoints=1
Def: -
Control: External=Computer 0, Panel=Electronic×3
Accom: Env=BasicEnv, BasicLS, AirLock×2
Other: Cargo=207.536kl, ObjSize=Small, EmLevel=Faint
Comment: Construction Time=24wks single, 18wks multiple; Tunnelled volume=216kl; Cr68,860 in volume

This cargo module, shaped from a planetoid, is for those cargos that need to be shipped in a sealed, regulated environment, with standard radiation protection. Access to the module for cargo inspection during transit is via one of the air locks, and the module needs to be attached to a power and computer source to function correctly, and to gain access to the sensors. The normal configuration on the modular frame is to connect the enclosed cargo module directly to a quarters module via their respective airlocks to allow for shirtsleeve (direct) access, power and computing requirements.

While relatively cheap to build, the costs associated with finding and retrieving suitable planetoid hulls are significant for a TL7 spacefaring society.

40 ton Ion Drive Module

 

CraftID: Ion Drive Module, TL7, Cr10,990,940
Hull: 36/90, Disp=40, Config=4USL, Armor=35C, Unloaded=786.9365 tons, Loaded=814.8719
Power: 1/2, Fission=15.26Mw, Dur=2yrs,
Loco: 30/60, Ion=1.52 tons thrust, Dur=2yrs
Comm: Radio=Distant×3
Sensors: Magnetic=VDist, Radiation=VDist, Headlights×2
Off: Hardpoints=1
Def: -
Control: Computer=1bis×2, Panel=Electronic×86
Accom: Seat=Cramped
Other: Cargo=0.13812kl, Fuel=53.2608kl Ion Reaction Mass, 0.732kl Radioactives, ObjSize=Small, EmLevel=Faint
Comment: Construction Time=24wks single, 18wks multiple; Excess Power=0.0067Mw; Cr8,792,752 in volume

This ion drive module provides minimal thrust for a long duration. A workstation and seat are provided for engineering staff to carry out any necessary maintenance or upkeep (in vacc suits; no life support or enclosed environment is provided). Access to the computers, controls and sensors can be via either direct link or radio as necessary.

40 ton Modular Quarters Module

 

CraftID: Quarters Module, TL7, Cr 9,402,035
Hull: 36/90, Disp=40, Config=8USL, Armor=50P, Unloaded=535.5165 tons, Loaded=564.7605
Power: 1/2, Fission=8Mw, Dur=2yrs
Loco: -
Comm: Radio=System×3
Sensors: Radar=Planetary, Radar Direction Finder, Magnetic=VDist, Radiation=VDist, PassIR, LightAmp, ActObjScan=Diff, ActObjPin=Dif
Off: Hardpoints=1
Def: -
Control: Computer 0×3, Panel=Electronic×243
Accom: Stateroom=Small×13, Env=BasicEnv, BasicLS, ExtLS, AirLock×2
Other: Cargo=207.536kl, ObjSize=Small, EmLevel=Faint
Comment: Construction Time=24wks single, 18wks multiple|Tunnelled volume=216kl; Excess Power=0.5055Mw; Cr68,860 in volume

This quarters module, shaped from a planetoid, allows for the crew of the frame to enjoy complete radiation protection in a fully-enclosed environment. Access to the other modules of the frame can be gained via the air locks and EVA operations up and down the spine as necessary.

One of the 13 staterooms is normally converted to a Zero G gym in order for the crew to spend significant time exercising to limit muscle and bone degradation that results from living in microgravity for extended periods of time.

The quarters module can be directly connected to other modules on the frame to enable centralized control. Modules that can’t be directly connected can usually be linked via radio, allowing the computers available across the various modules to act as a significant central computer resource if needed.

While relatively cheap to build, the costs associated with finding and retrieving suitable planetoid hulls are significant for a TL7 spacefaring society.

40 ton Modular Beam Laser Module

 

CraftID: Beam Laser Module, TL7, Cr54,168,890
Hull: 36/90, Disp=40, Config=4USL, Armor=35C, Unloaded=3270.252 tons, Loaded=3499.761
Power: 25/50, Fission=757Mw, Dur=2yrs
Loco: -
Comm: Radio=System×3
Sensors: Radar=Planetary, Radar Direction Finder, Magnetic=VDist, Radiation=VDist, PassIR. LightAmp, Headlights×2, ActObjScan=Diff, ActObjPin=Diff
Off:
BeamLaser= xx3
Batt 1
Bear 1
Def: -
Control: Computer/2×2, Panel=Electronic×469
Accom: Crew=2 (Engineer, Gunner), Stateroom=Small×2, Env=BasicEnv, BasicLS, ExtLS, AirLock×2
Other: Cargo=2.40896kl, Fuel=18.168kl Radioactives, ObjSize=Small, EmLevel=Faint
Comment: Construction Time=24wks single, 18wks multiple; Excess Power=0.00614Mw; Triple Beam Laser Turret; Cr43,335,110 in volume

This beam laser module provides a triple beam laser turret and enough power to keep continually firing for two years. Two small staterooms are provided with the module to serve the needs of the gunner and engineer required to run the module. The module does not provide enough radiation protection for some aspects of in-system travel so it is usual to connect it to a quarters module directly by airlock to allow a shirtsleeve environment and so the gunner and engineer may either live in the quarters module or stay there for radiation protection when necessary. The sensors and computers are usually operated from the quarters module.

10 ton Missile Module

 

CraftID: Missile Module, TL7, Cr17,678,880
Hull: 9/23, Disp=10, Config=8USL, Armor=50P, Unloaded=328.1795 tons, Loaded=304.9635
Power: 1/2, Fission=21Mw, Dur=2yrs
Loco: -
Comm: Radio=System×3
Sensors: Radar=Planetary, Radar Direction Finder, Magnetic=VDist, Radiation=VDist, PassIR, LightAmp, Headlights×2 ActObjScan=Diff, ActObjPin=Diff
Off:
Missile= x02
Batt 1
Bear 1
Def: -
Control: Computer/2×2, Panel=Electronic×113
Accom: Crew=1 (Gunner), Stateroom=Small, Env=BasicEnv, BasicLS, ExtLS, AirLock×2 Magazine=(30 battery rounds)
Other: Cargo=0.18402kl, Fuel=1.008kl Radioactives, ObjSize=Small, EmLevel=Faint, Battery Rounds=3
Comment: Construction Time=24wks single, 18wks multiple; Excess power=0.20418Mw; Triple Missile Turret; Tunnelled volume=108kl; Cr14,143,100 in volume

This missile module mounts a triple missile turret and has space for 30 battery rounds, as well as accommodating its gunner in a fully radiation proof shirt sleeve environment. The module can be accessed via the airlocks that can also be connected to other modules directly as required.