Tutorial:Sensors

NOTICE: 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 crucial for navigating the galaxy, identifying points of interest, surveying star systems, and detecting potential life or technology. For more information of the sensors data in detail please see Sensor Data Explained.

Accessing the Console

To use the Sensors station, approach the relevant console on the Bridge (typically located at one of the forward positions, opposite the Helm) and press the interact 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 visualized on the central Holoprojector. The four primary modes are:

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

Exploration progress for star systems is tracked using three Knowledge Levels (L1, L2, L3), gained sequentially by using the different sensor modes.

Galactic Positioning System (GPS)

Sometimes referred to as the Sector Map.

• Purpose: Provides a large-scale 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). Used for manual coordinate entry and viewing high-level data about surrounding space.
• UI / Interaction:
• Select the GPS mode tab.
• The main display shows a 2D or 3D 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.

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.
• 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.
• Select a target system from the list. Its basic details (star type, estimated distance) are displayed.
• Click the "Initiate Survey" button (or similar). A progress bar may appear, indicating the scan duration.
• Once complete, click "View Detail" (or similar) to see the L1 scan results. 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 Map visualization of the surveyed system.
• Select a system and 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.

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.
• Click the "Initiate Survey" button (sometimes referred to as the "Honk").
• The display lists objects detected within the system (stars, planets, stations, etc.). List can often be sorted (e.g., by distance to ship or parent body).
• 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. Options may exist to align the view relative to the ship or target and toggle overlays like temperature regions.
• 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 high-detail scans of individual objects (stars, planets, moons, stations, etc.) when the ship is very close (range typically < 3,000,000 km). Reveals detailed composition, atmospheric data, surface maps, and confirms Life 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 "Initiate Scan" button (or similar) 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 2D map overlay of the planet's surface directly on the Sensors console screen. Simultaneously, it projects a corresponding interactive 3D 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 (2D on console, 3D on Holoprojector). Scanning each body in a system contributes towards the remaining 75% of the system's exploration percentage.

Sending Targets to Helm

A crucial 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 ("Honk") 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.