Difference between revisions of "Explorer"
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Introduced at the height of the [[Star League]] as a touring craft to ferry VIPs and the wealthy elite, the '''''Explorer''''' Class is the smallest [[JumpShip]] design still functional (though not in common use) in the modern [[Inner Sphere]].<ref name=TRO3026Rp12/><ref name=TRO3075p270/> | Introduced at the height of the [[Star League]] as a touring craft to ferry VIPs and the wealthy elite, the '''''Explorer''''' Class is the smallest [[JumpShip]] design still functional (though not in common use) in the modern [[Inner Sphere]].<ref name=TRO3026Rp12/><ref name=TRO3075p270/> | ||
| − | The decline in interest even during the JumpShip starved [[Succession War]] era is due to the Explorer's inability to carry [[DropShip]]s. Harking back to the earliest eras of interstellar travel, the Explorer Class lacks a [[Docking collar]] and relies entirely upon its own internally-carried quartet of shuttle craft for interplanetary transit. The space that would have gone towards a docking collar was instead devoted to cargo space and passenger accommodations, including a 80-foot [[Grav Deck]], an almost unheard of luxury on such a small vessel.<ref name=TRO3026Rp12/><ref name=TRO3075p270/> | + | The decline in interest even during the JumpShip starved [[Succession Wars (History)|Succession War]] era is due to the Explorer's inability to carry [[DropShip]]s. Harking back to the earliest eras of interstellar travel, the Explorer Class lacks a [[Docking collar]] and relies entirely upon its own internally-carried quartet of shuttle craft for interplanetary transit. The space that would have gone towards a docking collar was instead devoted to cargo space and passenger accommodations, including a 80-foot [[Grav Deck]], an almost unheard of luxury on such a small vessel.<ref name=TRO3026Rp12/><ref name=TRO3075p270/> |
While a sought-after luxury item and status symbol during the golden age of the Star League, the number of Explorers has steadily declined between combat losses and break-downs due to lack of spare parts. The largest surviving concentration of Explorers resides with the original manufacturer [[Irian Technologies]] of [[Clipperton]]. Irian Technologies opted to convert their shipyards to the production of the smallest JumpShip in common use, the ''[[Scout]]'' Class, during the early Succession Wars.<ref name=TRO3026Rp12/><ref name=TRO3075p270/> | While a sought-after luxury item and status symbol during the golden age of the Star League, the number of Explorers has steadily declined between combat losses and break-downs due to lack of spare parts. The largest surviving concentration of Explorers resides with the original manufacturer [[Irian Technologies]] of [[Clipperton]]. Irian Technologies opted to convert their shipyards to the production of the smallest JumpShip in common use, the ''[[Scout]]'' Class, during the early Succession Wars.<ref name=TRO3026Rp12/><ref name=TRO3075p270/> | ||
Revision as of 17:04, 7 June 2014
| |
| Explorer | |
|---|---|
| Production information | |
| Manufacturer | Irian Technologies[1][2] |
| Use | Touring Craft |
| Tech Base | Inner Sphere |
| Cost | ??? |
| Introduced | 2703[1][2] |
| Technical specifications | |
| Mass | 50,000 tons |
| Length | 205 meters |
| Sail Diameter | 740 meters |
| Fuel | 75 tons (750) |
| Burn Rate | 9.77 |
| Top Thrust | 0.1 g |
| Sail Integrity | 3 |
| KF Drive Integrity | 2 |
| LF Battery | No |
| Armament | None |
| Armor | 27 tons Standard |
| DropShip Capacity | None |
| Crew | 1 officer, 8 enlisted, 5 first class and 5 second class passengers |
| Grav Decks | 1 x 80 meters diameter |
| Escape Pods/Life Boats | 3 escape pods |
| Heat Sinks | 79 |
| Structural Integrity | 1 |
| BV (1.0) | 424[1][3] |
| BV (2.0) | 428[2] |
Description
Introduced at the height of the Star League as a touring craft to ferry VIPs and the wealthy elite, the Explorer Class is the smallest JumpShip design still functional (though not in common use) in the modern Inner Sphere.[1][2]
The decline in interest even during the JumpShip starved Succession War era is due to the Explorer's inability to carry DropShips. Harking back to the earliest eras of interstellar travel, the Explorer Class lacks a Docking collar and relies entirely upon its own internally-carried quartet of shuttle craft for interplanetary transit. The space that would have gone towards a docking collar was instead devoted to cargo space and passenger accommodations, including a 80-foot Grav Deck, an almost unheard of luxury on such a small vessel.[1][2]
While a sought-after luxury item and status symbol during the golden age of the Star League, the number of Explorers has steadily declined between combat losses and break-downs due to lack of spare parts. The largest surviving concentration of Explorers resides with the original manufacturer Irian Technologies of Clipperton. Irian Technologies opted to convert their shipyards to the production of the smallest JumpShip in common use, the Scout Class, during the early Succession Wars.[1][2]
Armament
The Explorer-Class is completely unarmed. Unable to rely on a carried DropShip's armament, it is protected only by its 27 tons of standard armor. This was intentional in the belief that the harmless design would escape notice and hostile intent. While this worked during the Star League era, it led to the design suffering heavy losses during the unrestricted warfare of the Succession Wars.[1][2]
Cargo
The Explorer has a single large cargo bay capable of storing 247 tons of cargo. Like the passengers, cargo is brought to and from the ship by its four assigned shuttle craft.[1][2]
Variants
The single known variant of the Explorer mounted a portable Hyperpulse Generator. This absurdly expensive modification is only used by the ultra-rich, the largest corporations, and Star League government diplomats.[2]
During the Jihad, unconfirmed reports told of Explorer Class ships modified by Word of Blake operatives with Sub-Capital Weaponry.[2]