Sensors

This page is a Work in Progress as much of the lore/Development for the game is yet to be established.

Sensors are devices used for data retrieval and analysis. On starships, they are used to scan the surrounding space for celestial bodies, detect other ships or anomalies, and monitor environmental conditions both inside and outside the vessel. Sensors assist with scientific analysis of stellar and interstellar objects, unknown phenomena, and mapping uncharted regions of space. External sensors can be controlled on the Bridge's Sensors Station.

External Sensors

Spacetime Curvature Mass Inferencer

The Spacetime Curvature Mass Inferencer (SCMI Array for short) is the technical system that powers the Long Range Sensors. It infers the location and mass of celestial objects by detecting changes in the curvature of spacetime. Passively, it can detect stars and celestial bodies orbiting them, including their star type and galactic coordinates. Surveys using the Long Range sensors map a nearby star system, evaluating the type of astronomical and other celestial objects within it as it does so, also measuring objects by their mass. The SCMI Array has a maximum range of 2,000 LY, after which it will only be able to detect massive objects such as stars.

Multi-Band Interferometric Spectrometer

The Multi-Band Interferometric Spectrometer (MBIS Array) is a collection of modules used by the Medium Range Sensors. They are used to perform surveys on objects larger than a few dozen kilometres, often to gather data on an entire system of astronomical objects. This includes identifying planets in greater detail than a Long Range scan could achieve. A Medium Range scan gathers data about the atmospheric composition of planets and determines their planet type, rather than an estimation of the type provided by the SCMI Array. The MBIS Array can extend across an entire system, with the maximum range up to 0.47 LY (29723.21 AU).

Synthetic-aperture Terahertz Imaging Radar

The Synthetic-aperture Terahertz Imaging Radar (SATIR Array) is the technical system that makes up the Short Range Sensors. This is used to build high-resolution voxelised images of the array's targets and perform detailed spectral analysis on each data point. The SATIR Array can be used to detect the presence of life on astronomical objects including flora and fauna, identify any artificial structures, and conduct metallurgical analysis. The array is also capable of showing surface data and toggling between layers displaying cloud, day-night regions, technology signatures and life signs. The SATIR Array has a maximum distance of up to 3 million (3,000,00 km/0.02 AU).

X-Ray Pulsar-Based Navigation and Timing Array

X-Ray Pulsar-Based Navigation and Timing Array (XNAV Dish for short) is the array used as Galactic Positioning Sensors (GPS). It tracks and makes use of pulsars to determine the ship's position within the Milky Way galaxy. XNAV systems are used to create Galactic Coordinates in relation to Sagittarius A* at the centre of the galaxy, which serves as galactic x0 y0 z0. It can also be used to scout out sectors and create points within 100ly for Long Range investigations.

Development

Sensor gameplay has often developed with the addition of material to the Sensors Station.