Explorer

Explorer JumpShip.jpg
Explorer
Production information
Manufacturer Irian Technologies[1][2]
Use Touring Craft
Tech Base Inner Sphere
Cost ???
Introduced 2703[1][2]
Technical specifications
Mass 50,000 tons
Length 205 meters
Sail Diameter 740 meters
Fuel 75 tons (750)
Burn Rate 9.77
Top Thrust 0.1 g
Sail Integrity 3
KF Drive Integrity 2
LF Battery No
Armament None
Armor 27 tons Standard
DropShip Capacity None
Crew 1 officer, 8 enlisted, 5 first class and 5 second class passengers
Grav Decks 1 x 80 meters diameter
Escape Pods/Life Boats 3 escape pods
Heat Sinks 79
Structural Integrity 1
BV (1.0) 424[1][3]
BV (2.0) 428[2]

Description[edit]

Introduced at the height of the Star League as a touring craft to ferry VIPs and the wealthy elite, the Explorer class is the smallest JumpShip design still functional (though not in common use) in the modern Inner Sphere.[1][2]

The decline in interest even during the JumpShip-starved Succession Wars era is due to the Explorer's inability to carry DropShips. Harking back to the earliest eras of interstellar travel, the Explorer class lacks a Docking hardpoint and relies entirely upon its own internally-carried quartet of small craft for interplanetary transit. The space that would have gone towards a hardpoint was instead devoted to cargo space and passenger accommodations, including an 80-meter Grav Deck, an almost unheard of luxury on such a small vessel.[1][2]

While a sought-after luxury item and status symbol during the golden age of the Star League, the number of Explorers has steadily declined due to combat losses and break-downs due to lack of spare parts. The largest surviving concentration of Explorers resides with the original manufacturer Irian Technologies of Clipperton. As of ca. 3025, IrTech's Technology Transfer division (ITT) retains about a dozen Explorer-class vessels used by their field teams for exploration and marketing.[4]

Irian Technologies opted to convert their shipyards to the production of the smallest JumpShip in common use, the Scout class, during the early Succession Wars.[1][2]

Armament[edit]

The Explorer-class is completely unarmed. Unable to rely on a carried DropShip's armament, it is protected only by its 27 tons of standard armor. This was intentional in the belief that the harmless design would escape notice and hostile intent. While this worked during the Star League era, it led to the design suffering heavy losses during the unrestricted warfare of the Succession Wars.[1][2]

Cargo[edit]

The Explorer has a single large cargo bay capable of storing 247 tons of cargo. Like the passengers, cargo is brought to and from the ship by its four assigned small craft.[1][2]

Variants[edit]

The single known variant of the Explorer mounted a portable hyperpulse generator. This absurdly expensive modification was only used by the ultra-rich, the largest corporations, and Star League government diplomats.[2]

During the Jihad, unconfirmed reports told of Explorer class ships modified by Word of Blake operatives with Sub-Capital Weaponry.[2]

See Also[edit]

Gallery[edit]

References[edit]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 Technical Readout: 3026 Revised, p. 124: "Explorer JumpShip Profile"
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 2.9 Technical Readout: 3075, p. 270: "Explorer JumpShip Profile"
  3. Combat Operations, p. 107
  4. House Marik (The Free Worlds League), p. 127

Bibliography[edit]