Tutorial:Sensors

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

This page serves as a Tutorial for a specific feature or system within Starship Simulator.

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This guide explains how to operate the Sensors station aboard the Bridge of the Magellan Class starship in Starship Simulator. The Sensors station is an essential control for navigating the galaxy, identifying points of interest, surveying star systems, and detecting potential life or technology. For more information about sensors data in detail please see Sensor Data Explained.

Accessing the Console

To use the Sensors station, approach the relevant console on the Bridge (located at one of the positions, to the left of the Helm) as you face the Bridge forward window and then press the interaction key (default F). You may need to hold 'Use Mouse' key (default E) to interact with the screen elements using your mouse cursor.

Main UI Overview

The Sensors console interface is divided into several modes, usually selectable via tabs or buttons at the top or side of the main display area. Much of the information gathered can also be visualised on the central Holoprojector. The four primary modes are:

• Galactic Positioning System (GPS)
• Long Range Sensors
• Medium Range Sensors
• Short Range Sensors

A measure of the depth of data derived by scanning star systems using the sensors is expressed using three Knowledge Levels (L1, L2, L3), gained incrementally by using the different sensor modes at decreasing ranges to a target.

Galactic Positioning System (GPS)

Sometimes referred to as the Sector Map.

• Purpose: provides a long range overview of the Milky Way Galaxy, showing the ship's current position relative to galactic sectors (typically 1ly cubes for targeting, within larger 100ly sectors). It can be used for manual coordinate entry and viewing higher level data about surrounding space.
• UI / Interaction:
• select the GPS mode tab (left display screen area)
• the main display shows a 2-D or 3-D representation of the galaxy map
• use +/- controls to pan, zoom, and rotate the map view
• select sectors on the map or input coordinates manually using the number pad UI element
• view information about the selected sector, such as estimated stellar populations and potentially procedurally generated political states or known hazards (as features are implemented)
• the central Holoprojector typically mirrors the GPS map display, showing ship location and selected manual location markers
• Output: ship's galactic coordinates, information about selected sectors, ability to view vast distances. Does not provide detailed system data or contribute directly to exploration percentage but is vital for navigation planning.

The GPS mode has an effective scanning range covering the entire galaxy. It is possible, by combining a search in GPS mode with the Long Range mode to get a snapshot of any sector in the galaxy. This is useful for informing research plans and routes before setting out on a long journey. It allows you to see an overview of all celestial bodies contained within any 100ly cubic Galactic Sector. 

Method

• select GPS mode on the leftmost screen
• change the sector search mode to 'manual' (the marker under the button will flick over so that it points at the editable data entry section below), additionally the Holoprojector's current position will show 'manual sector' instead of your ship's position and the searched for sector will be highlighted in red
• enter the sector coordinates that you wish to view, alternatively use the +/- buttons to move the sector address by just one sector per click
• note that there are 'edit' buttons on the data entry panel. Press edit on each section to enter figures. Note further that galaxy sector coordinates are not equal to galactic position coordinates, since galactic sectors traverse 100ly areas of the galaxy; you enter the sector coordinates and not the precise coordinates used for pinpointing exact positions in space. For information on what sector coordinates look like, refer to The Galaxy In Detail, where the relationship between the two is explained.
• once you have entered your desired sector details, switch to Long Range mode using the button to the left of the screen
• in Long Range mode (see below) you will see a list of celestial bodies; however, these are more than likely those within touching distance of your Long Range sensors locally. To see the bodies in focus using the manual coordinates you entered in GPS mode, press the 'manual' focus button that also exists in Long Range mode. The list now changes to the manual galactic sector bodies and in the right hand section of the console you can also see a summary of all types of bodies existing in that 100ly cube of the galaxy.
• even though you can now see what's in a distant sector, you cannot 'break open' any system within it until you get within Long Range Sensors range (about 2000ly)

Long Range Sensors

• Purpose: to perform initial surveys of distant star systems (up to a range of ~2,000 LY) and identify potential points of interest, including technological signatures. Provides Level 1 Knowledge.
• UI / Interaction:
• select the Long Range mode tab using the leftmost master selector button
• the UI typically shows a list of locations (star systems) within range or within a manually selected sector. Use filters (e.g., by distance, type) to narrow the list (pull down list to the left of the screen in Long Range mode)
• select a target system from the list. Its basic details (star type, estimated distance) are displayed.
• click the "Initiate Survey" button (or labelled similarly). A progress bar will appear and the computer will audibly announce that a long range survey has commenced.
• once complete, click on any item in the list now showing in the central window and press "align to target" at the bottom of the panel to capture its coordinates, which will be shown to the right below information known about the target. This constitutes a L1 scan result. This typically includes the primary star type, rough estimates of planet counts ("Gas Giant", "Terrestrial Planet"), and flags for any detected Tech Signatures.
• the Holoprojector can display an Orrery Model visualisation of the surveyed system
• selecting a system and capturing it's coordinates allows you to use the "Send To Helm" button (see details below) to transfer its coordinates to the Helm console for course plotting
• an "Auto Refresh" toggle may be available to keep the target list updated automatically or manually.
• Output: Level 1 Knowledge of a system (basic star type, rough planet count, Tech signatures). Performing a successful Long Range Survey contributes approximately 10% to that system's total exploration percentage. A green marker will appear alongside any body explored using Long Range Sensors and the percentage of the system explored will be shown alongside the star in the list view.

Medium Range Sensors

• Purpose: to conduct a more detailed scan of the star system the ship is currently physically located within (effective range typically ~0.5 LY or ~30,000 AU). Refines planetary classifications and provides Level 2 Knowledge.
• UI / Interaction:
• select the Medium Range mode tab. The ship must be within a star system for this mode to be effective or at least within scanning range if not far outside it.
• click the "Initiate Survey" button
• the display lists objects detected within the system (stars, planets, stations, etc.). Lists can be sorted (e.g., by distance to ship or parent body using the panel to the left of the list).
• selecting an object reveals more refined information compared to Long Range (e.g., specific sub-class of Gas Giant, distinguishing "Atmospheric Terrestrial Worlds" which might be Earth Analogues or Water Worlds).
• the Holoprojector displays a map of the current system with objects' orbital paths outlined. Options may exist to align the view relative to the ship or target and toggle overlays like temperature regions (e.g., the start and end of the habitable zone, the lava line where planets inside the zone largely consist of molten rock, some bodies' hill radii, etc.)
• Output: Level 2 Knowledge of objects within the current system (refined classifications, more accurate orbital data). Performing a Medium Range scan adds ~15% to the system's exploration percentage (cumulative 25% with Long Range).

Short Range Sensors

• Purpose: to perform highly detailed scans of individual objects (stars, planets, moons, stations, etc.) when the ship is very close (range typically < 3,000,000 km). These reveal detailed composition, atmospheric data, surface maps, and confirmation ofLife Signatures. Provides Level 3 Knowledge.
• UI / Interaction:
• Select the Short Range mode tab.
• the UI automatically lists targets within range. Select a specific target object.
• click the "Scan Target" button to gather Level 3 data.
• detailed information panels appear, displaying:
  • physical characteristics (Mass, Radius, Gravity, Temperature, Roche Limit, Hill Radius, etc.)
  • orbital data (Period, Velocity)
  • atmospheric composition (if present)
  • civilization data (if Tech Signature was detected)
  • life signature confirmation (requires L3 scan).

• Once L3 data is acquired, the "Surface Map" function becomes fully available. Activating this displays a detailed 2-D map overlay of the planet's surface directly on the Sensors console screen. Simultaneously, it projects a corresponding interactive 3-D model of the planet onto the central Holoprojector. Options exist to toggle overlays on the map, such as Cloud Cover, Day/Night Terminator, and potentially Tech Signatures.
• Output: Level 3 Knowledge of a specific celestial body (detailed composition, atmosphere, surface features, confirmation of life/civ), surface map view (2-D on console, 3-D on Holoprojector). Scanning each body in a system contributes towards the remaining 75% of the system's exploration percentage.

While inside a system and following a Medium Range Scan, you can toggle between the Orrery Model view on the Holoprojector and a system 3-D overview map showing the relative sizes and shapes of planets arranged in order by distance from the star (shown at the centre of the display and usually too large to model in its entirety).

Sending Targets to Helm

A function integrated into the Sensors console (primarily within the Long Range mode, but potentially available for targets selected in other modes) is the ability to send coordinates directly to the Helm station.

• Process:
  1. Select a desired target (e.g., a star system from the Long Range list, or a specific object
  2. Locate the "Send To Helm" button on the Sensors UI, often positioned near the target's coordinate display
  3. Click the "Send To Helm" button
• This action transmits the spatial coordinates of the selected target to the Helm console, allowing the Pilot to easily lock onto the destination and plot a course using either manual flight or the auto-navigation systems. This is essential for navigating to newly surveyed star systems or specific points of interest discovered via sensors.

Exploration Workflow Summary

A typical exploration process involves using the sensors sequentially: 1. Use GPS mode to identify target sectors or input coordinates. 2. Use Long Range mode to survey systems within the target sector, identifying basic composition and Tech Signatures (L1). Send interesting targets to Helm. 3. Travel to the target system using the Alcubierre Drive. 4. Upon arrival, use Medium Range mode to get a refined overview of the system and identify specific bodies of interest (L2). 5. Approach individual planets/objects and use Short Range mode to perform detailed scans, view surface maps, and confirm Life Signatures (L3). Repeat for all bodies to achieve 100% system exploration.

Mastering the Sensors station is key to fulfilling the UNSF's mission of exploration and discovery in Starship Simulator.