Cargo Vessel
This simple craft can be seen essentially everywhere, traveling to and form the smallest asteroid community to the rings of Terra. Typically crewed by spacers, these ships travel in large convoys, with the largest ships transporting up to around 500,000 tons of cargo. These ships are almost exclusively propelled by light sail, though will have small chemical engines for course changes and emergencies.
Power Generation
Typically solar panels and batteries, but those far from the sun may have a small He3/He3 reactor that puts out a few MW.
Propulsion
1 Large, 5-6 km^2 solar sail.
1 CH4/O2 Engine with around 1 km/s of dV when empty.
8 Maneuvering thrusters
1 CH4/O2 Engine with around 1 km/s of dV when empty.
8 Maneuvering thrusters
Armor and defense
Typically a few, kinetic anti-meteorite defenses, that can be used to repel boarders.
The living quarters have a rather thick hull.
The living quarters have a rather thick hull.
Communication Tools & Systems
A couple of short range laser systems for communication within the colony, as well as an InterPlaNet laser comms system.
Sensors
Typically a few cameras and a constant short range active radar.
Additional & auxiliary systems
CELSS system that can run for years with maintenance.
A small pushing laser to help its shuttle.
May have a small cable it can fire at a nearby ship to travel between ships.
A small pushing laser to help its shuttle.
May have a small cable it can fire at a nearby ship to travel between ships.
Hangars & docked vessels
Normally carry a single small chemical/laser shuttle that can be used to travel between nearby ships.
Rarity
Thousands go up and down the constantly shifting trade paths between settlements.
Beam
Typically exactly 200 m in radius, with a couple km of light sail.
Length
Small ones can be as little as 200 m, but the largest are up to a km.
Weight
Smaller range form around 5,000 tons empty, but larger ones can be up to 20,000 tons
Speed
Typically travel in I-2,3 routes, just around solar escape velocity
Complement / Crew
For larger convoys, only 1 in 4-5 will be crewed, but smaller convoys or single ships are all crewed. Typically have a crew anywhere from 20-50
Cargo & Passenger Capacity
Ranges from around 100,000 tons of cargo to around 500,000 tons.
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