Tutorial:Sensor Data Explained

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

This page explains the various data fields displayed for star systems and celestial bodies within Starship Simulator, typically viewed via the Sensors console. This data is generated by the Galaxy Generation system based on procedural algorithms and real-world astronomical principles.

Star System Data Fields

The following fields provide information about a star system as a whole or its primary star:

Name

• Description: The common designation for the star or star system. This can be a standard astronomical catalogue name (e.g., Wolf 359), a traditional name (e.g., Sirius), or a procedurally generated name.
• Examples: Sol, Alpha Centauri, Dan's Test Star.

Location

• Description: The system's position within the simulated Milky Way galaxy, expressed using a 3D Cartesian coordinate system. The origin (0,0,0) is located at the galactic center, Sagittarius A*. Coordinates are given in light-years along the X, Y, and Z axes. See The Galaxy In Detail for more on the coordinate system.
• Example: Sol is at -26670, 0, 56.

Number of planets

• Description: The total count of planetary bodies orbiting the primary star(s) in the system. This typically includes major planets and may also count recognized Dwarf Planets.

Star Class

• Description: The spectral classification of the star(s) in the system, based on temperature, luminosity, and spectral characteristics. For single stars, it's a single classification (e.g., G2V). For binary or multi-star systems, it may list the classes of the components (e.g., G / K for Alpha Centauri A/B). This designation provides insight into the star's size, age, color, and potential for supporting life.
• See Also: Star types for detailed explanations of different classes.
• Example Data: Temperature, Age.

Roche Limit

• Description: An astronomical term defining the minimum distance at which a smaller celestial body held together only by its own gravity can orbit a larger primary body without being torn apart by the primary's tidal forces. Inside the Roche Limit, orbiting material tends to form rings rather than coalesce into a moon. The value shown is typically for the primary star in the system view. Calculation implemented in Galaxy Generation.
• See Also: Roche Limit (Wikipedia)

Hill Radius / Sphere

• Description: An astronomical term defining the radius of the gravitational sphere of influence around a celestial body (like a star), within which it can capture and hold satellites (like planets or moons) despite the gravitational pull of a more distant, larger body (like the galactic core). Objects outside the Hill Radius are not gravitationally bound to the star system long-term. Calculation implemented in Galaxy Generation. Related to Tidal Truncation Radius, which is influenced by galactic region (Build 0.225.0.67).
• See Also: Hill Sphere (Wikipedia)

2000K Dust Sublimation

• Description: The calculated distance from the star where the equilibrium temperature reaches approximately 2000 Kelvin. Inside this radius, common silicate dust grains vaporize (sublimate), preventing the formation of rocky bodies. It represents a theoretical inner boundary for planet formation in the proto-planetary disk. Implemented in Galaxy Generation (Build 0.225.0.66).

1200K Lava Line

• Description: The calculated distance from the star where the equilibrium temperature reaches approximately 1200 Kelvin. Planets orbiting primarily within this line are highly likely to be Lava Worlds due to the intense stellar radiation. Implemented in Galaxy Generation (Build 0.225.0.66).

320K Habitable Zone Start

• Description: The calculated inner boundary distance from the star where surface temperatures on a suitable planet could potentially allow for liquid water, assuming sufficient atmospheric pressure. This represents the "hot" edge of the system's Habitable Zone. Temperature reference used in Galaxy Generation.

230K Habitable Zone End

• Description: The calculated outer boundary distance from the star where surface temperatures on a suitable planet could potentially allow for liquid water. Beyond this distance, water primarily exists as ice. This represents the "cold" edge of the system's Habitable Zone. Temperature reference used in Galaxy Generation.

150K Frost Line

• Description: (Also known as the Snow Line). The calculated distance from the star beyond which volatile compounds like water, ammonia, and methane can condense into solid ice grains. This line typically separates the formation region of inner, rocky planets from outer gas and ice giants in a proto-planetary disk. Temperature reference used in Galaxy Generation. (Note: A distinct Carbon Monoxide snow line at ~30K was also implemented - Build 0.225.0.32).

Explored Percentage

• Description: Indicates how much of a star system's contents (planets, moons, anomalies) have been surveyed or cataloged by players or UNSF.
• Example: 7.3% Explored.

Planetary Body Data Fields

The following fields provide information about individual planets, moons, or other significant celestial bodies within a star system. Many of these are generated during the System-Gen Process detailed in the Starship Simulator Pitcon Presentation #2.

General Information

• Name: The designation of the planet or moon (e.g., Earth, Luna, Sol III). Often a combination of the star system name and a Roman numeral or letter.
• Type: The classification of the celestial body (e.g., Rocky Planet, Gas Giant, Ice Giant, Lava World, Habitable World) as determined by the system generation process. See Also: `Star types#Planet Types`.
• Explored Percentage: Indicates how much of this specific body has been surveyed.

Orbital Characteristics

• Orbital Radius: The average distance of the planet from its primary star, or a moon from its primary planet, determined during system generation.
• Orbital Period: The time it takes for the body to complete one orbit around its primary, calculated from its orbital characteristics.
• Rotation Period (Day Length): The time it takes for the body to complete one rotation on its axis.
• Axial Tilt (Obliquity): The angle between the body's rotational axis and its orbital axis, which influences seasons.

Physical Characteristics

• Mass: The total mass of the body, typically expressed in Earth masses or kilograms, determined during the core accretion and physical characteristics generation steps.
• Radius: The equatorial or average radius of the body, determined during physical characteristics generation.
• Density: The average density of the body, derived from its mass and volume.
• Surface Gravity: The gravitational acceleration experienced at the surface of the body, derivable from its mass and radius.
• Escape Velocity: The minimum speed an object needs to escape the body's gravitational pull, determined during physical characteristics generation.
• Iron Content: A measure of the proportion of iron within the body's overall composition, a factor in core mass accretion.
• Layer Density & Mass: For rocky planets, this refers to information about the density and mass of different internal layers (e.g., core, mantle, crust).
• Magnetic Field Strength: The strength of the body's global magnetic field, if present.
• Number of Moons: The count of natural satellites orbiting the planet.
• Rings: Presence and type of planetary rings, formed from material within the planet's Roche Limit for its moons. Volumetric planetary rings are a planned future expansion.

Atmospheric Characteristics

• Atmospheric Composition: The constituent gases of the atmosphere, typically listed by percentage (e.g., Nitrogen, Oxygen, Carbon Dioxide, Methane). This is influenced by initial composition from the proto-planetary disk, volcanism, and oxygenation from life. Detailed atmospheric chemicals are a planned feature.
• Atmospheric Pressure: The pressure exerted by the atmosphere at the surface, often measured in Earth atmospheres (atm) or Pascals. (A planned feature).
• Surface Temperature: The average or specific temperature at the surface of the body. This is derived from its equilibrium temperature, atmospheric composition, and greenhouse effect.
• Equilibrium Temperature (Teq): A theoretical temperature a planet would have if it were a perfect blackbody heated only by its parent star, calculated during system generation.
• Bond Albedo: The fraction of incident solar radiation reflected back into space by the planet as a whole, used in temperature calculations.
• Greenhouse Effect Strength: The degree to which the atmosphere traps heat, raising the surface temperature above the equilibrium temperature. (Proper calculation is a planned feature).

Surface & Composition

• Volcanism: The level or type of volcanic activity on the body (e.g., None, Low, High, Cryovolcanism), a factor in atmospheric evolution.
• Ocean Chemicals: If oceans are present, this field would detail their chemical composition. (A planned feature).

Life & Habitability

• Life Detected: Indicates the presence and potentially the type or complexity of any indigenous life forms detected as part of the "LIFE GEN" step in system generation. Alien civilisations can be found throughout the galaxy, with tech level tied to star system age.
• Oxygenation: The level of oxygen in the atmosphere, often linked to biological processes and atmospheric evolution.
• Position Relative to Habitable Zone: Whether the planet orbits within, interior to, or exterior to the parent star's defined Habitable Zone.

Sources

• Fleetyard Studios Pitcon Presentation #2 (April 2025) - Slides available Here.
• Starship Simulator Helm Design V2.1 (Jan 7, 2025)
• Fleetyard Studios Pitcon Presentation #2 Video Recording (Segment: 2:46:30 - 3:24:00) - Link
• Development Build Update History (Various entries referenced above)
• General Astronomical Definitions