Difference between revisions of "Space Station"

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'''Space Stations''' are (semi-)immobile facilities in space that fill many roles including zero-g production, habitation, and even defense. Many space stations orbit planets or moons, and can be categorized into several groups including low-orbit, geosynchronous-orbit, or stable-point.<ref>''Total Warfare'', p. 26</ref> Others are deep-space stations far from any planetary body; this is particularly true for recharge stations at [[jump point]]s.
"Numerous orbital facilities, colloquially known as '''space stations''', serve multiple functions throughout the [[Inner Sphere]]. From factories to habitats, shipyards to system-defense stations, all of these facilities fall into one of three broad groups: low-orbit,
 
geosynchronous-orbit or stable-point stations." <sup>1</sup>
 
  
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==Classification==
 +
Although there is no formal classification of space stations, a few particularly common "classes" have emerged:
  
==References==
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===Cargo/Passenger Terminal===
1. "Space Stations", [[Total Warfare]], (Chicago: [[FanPro]], 2006), 26.
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The most common type of space stations, they can be found either in planetary orbit or at the nadir/zenith jump point.  Their primary purpose is to facilitate the transfer of goods and people between ships and the surface.<ref name=BSS21>''BattleSpace - Sourcebook'', p. 21</ref>
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===Factory/Shipyard===
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Orbital factories and shipyards provide for the manufacture and maintenance of JumpShips and [[DropShips]].<ref name=BSS21/>
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===Battle Stations===
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Carrying an impressive array of weaponry and facilities for the repair and launching of [[Aerospace Fighters]] and [[Small Craft]], battle stations are primarily designed to defend a planet from attack, whether in planetary orbit or at a jump point. Most were destroyed during the course of the [[Succession Wars]].<ref name=BSS21/>
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===Space Habitat===
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Most space habitats were constructed during the [[First Exodus]] to serve as stepping-stones for the exploration and terraforming of new worlds; in the succeeding centuries, many were abandoned and cannibalized for their parts and technology. Of those which remain, most are either in close planetary orbit or located at a [[w:Lagrangian point|Lagrangian point]]. The [[Clans]] built space habitats to house [[sibko]]s for their aerospace and naval bloodlines.<ref name=BSS21/>
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===Recharge Stations===
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Also known as a "Jump Station", these space stations are found at jump points, as their primary purpose is to recharge [[JumpShips]].<ref name=BSS21/> Recharge stations use solar collectors similar to [[Jump Sail]]s and store the collected energy in power banks. A recharge station will typically hold four to six such banks, and each one can fully recharge the largest [[Kearny-Fuchida Drive]]. While energy transfer is not instantaneous, it will still cut down idle recharging time for the valuable JumpShips, and possibly allow for simultaneous recharging of a drive core and a [[lithium-fusion battery]].
 +
 
 +
The most common transfer method is for the energy to be beamed to the JumpShip via its jump sails, with full recharge taking 150 hours. This only makes sense at dim stars where it would otherwise take the JumpShip longer than 150 hours to recharge via its own jump sail though.
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Another method involves the JumpShip physically connecting to the station, whereupon its drive can be quick-charged. This can theoretically damage or destroy the K-F drive as if the ship were to use its own power plant to quick-charge the drives,<ref>''BattleSpace'', p. 47</ref><ref>''DropShips and JumpShips - Operations Manual'', p. 34</ref> but the overall risk is much reduced when using a jump station, and even the most cautious (and thus slowest) recharging in this fashion cuts down recharge time. The physical connection can be established by directly docking the JumpShip to the station, but the use of a cable connection is more common.
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==Space Station Production==
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{| class="wikitable"
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! Brand
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! Planet
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! Company
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|-
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| [[BattleSat]]
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| [[Luthien]]
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| [[BBP Industries]]
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|-
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| [[Capitol]]
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| [[Galax]]
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| [[Federated-Boeing Interstellar]]
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|}
  
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==Known stations==
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* [[Alyina]] zenith recharge station: in the [[Clan Jade Falcon]]. Still operative in 3060.<ref>''Natural selection'' p. 315</ref>
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* [[Andurien]] zenith recharge station, still operative in 3058.<ref name=ACtA04>''Double Blind'' p. 75</ref>
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* [[Arcturus]] system, in the [[Lyran Commonwealth]] space, had a zenith recharge station, still operative in the 3142, taken intact by [[Clan Jade Falcon]] forces.<ref>''A Bonfire of World'' p. 177</ref>
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* [[Blue Star (system)]] Nadir recharge station, mentioned by a anonymous ship captain, apparently a Blakist.<ref>''Jihad Conspiracies'' p. 50</ref>
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* [[Coventry]] nadir recharge station, still operative in 3058, used by the Jade Falcons during the [[Battle of Coventry]].{{cn}}
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* [[Delacruz]] system, in the [[Draconis Combine]] space, had both zenith and nadir recharge station, The first, named "Admiral Hourusho Kensii", still operative in the 3039, was scuttled by his Combine defenders during the [[War of 3039]] and destroyed.<ref>''Historical War of 3039'' p. 53</ref>
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* [[Gambilon]] nadir recharge station, still operative in 3069.<ref name=TCp75>''Total Chaos'', pp. 75-76 "SEED OF DISCONTENT"</ref>
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* [[Gatchina]] zenith recharge station, still operative in 3058.<ref name=ACtA5>''Double Blind'' p. 159</ref>
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* [[Grand Base]] zenith recharge station: in the [[Capellan Confederation]]. Taken by [[Andurien]] marines during the [[Andurien Wars]].<ref>''Historical Brush Wars'' p. 53</ref>
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* [[Granera]] zenith recharge station, still operative in 3058.<ref name=ACtA6>''Double Blind'' p. 157</ref>
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* [[Great X]] system, in the [[Lyran Commonwealth]] space, had a recharge station, still operative in the 3055.<ref>''Natural Selection'' p. 209+</ref>
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* [[Gulf Breeze]] system, in the Lyran Commonwealth has the largest habitat outside the [[Terra]]. It was originally created as part of Star League era Mining Operations.<ref>''[[Handbook: House Steiner]]'', p.81 - Gulf Breeze - Station mentioned.</ref>
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* [[Harrow's Sun]] system, in the [[Federated Suns]] space, had a recharge station, still operative in the 3139.<ref>''Redemption Rift'' p. 260</ref>
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* [[Kanzaka]] system, in the [[Draconis Combine]] space, had a nadir recharge station, still operative in the 3067, but destroyed total or partially due to a scuttling of Draconis forces, destroying the [[Clan Snow Raven]] Warship [[White Cloud]].<ref>''Field Manual: Updates'' p. 65</ref>
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* [[Kessel]] system, in the [[Draconis Combine]] space, had a zenith recharge station, "Simla Station", still operative in the 3039, taken intact by Davion troops during the [[War of 3039]].<ref>''Historical War of 3039'' p. 260</ref>
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* [[Kittery]] zenith recharge station, still operative in 3059.{{cn}}
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* [[Hesperus II]] station: Assaulted and captured in 3057 by a mercenary team lead by [[Grayson Carlyle]], as part of the Lyran offensive against the [[Free Star Republic]].<ref name=ACtA07>''Operation Excalibur'' p. 252-310</ref>
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* [[Marlowe]] system, in the [[Federated Suns]] space, had a zenith recharge station, still operative in the 3139.<ref>'' Kill Zone'' ''Redemption Rift'' p. 260</ref>
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* [[Mica Majority]] recharge station: in the Periphery. Is unknown if was of Olympus class.<ref>''Battletech Field Manual periphery'' p. 109</ref>
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* [[Milnerton]] system, in the [[Free Worlds League]] space, had a nadir recharge station, still operative in the 3137.<ref>''To ride the Chimaera'' p. 13</ref>
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* [[Nashuar]], in the [[St. Ives Compact]] had both zenith and nadir recharge station, still operatives in 3062, and used by the Capellan forces during the [[Capellan-St. Ives War]].{{cn}}
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* [[New Home]] station: Recharge station in the nadir jump point, located in New Home, in [[Chaos March]]. Still operative in 3058.<ref name=ACtA08>''Double Blind'' p. 49</ref>
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* [[Northwind]] zenith and nadir recharge stations: Still operatives at the beginning of the [[Jihad]].<ref>''Dawn of the Jihad'' p. 85</ref>
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* [[Procyon]] system, in the [[Chaos March]] space, had a zenith recharge station, still operative in the 3057.<ref>''Chaos march Sourcebook'' p. 22</ref>
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* [[Rest Stop]] system, in the [[Deep Periphery]], had no habitable planets, but a nadir recharge station, a rest and recharge place, still operative in the [[Dark Age]].<ref>''Interestellar Expeditions: Interestellar players 3'' p. 71</ref>
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* [[Romita]] zenith recharge station, still operative in 3058.<ref name=ACtA09>''Double Blind'' p. 157</ref>
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* [[Ross 248]] system had both nadir and zenith recharge station operatives in the [[Dark Age]].<ref>''Interestellar Expeditions: Interestellar players 3'' p. 25</ref>
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* [[Ryerson]] recharge station, still operative in 3058.<ref name=ACtA10>''Double Blind'' p. 155</ref>
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* [[Shimoseki]] recharge station, in the [[Draconis Combine]] space had a recharge station, still operative in 3058.<ref>''Black Dragon'' p. 121</ref>
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* [[St. Loris]] zenith recharge station, in the [[St. Ives Compact]], still operative in 3062 and used by the Capellan forces during the [[Capellan-St. Ives War]].<ref name=ACtA011>''The Killing Fields'' p. 134</ref>
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* [[Gondola Station]], in Zenith Jump point of [[Skye]] system, was still operative in 3134 until it was attacked and almost destroyed by a warship of [[Clan Jade Falcon]] during his final attack on Skye in 3134. <ref name=BotIp15>''Blood of the Isle'', p. 161</ref>
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* [[St. Jean]] had a station at the zenith jump point, but it is unclear if it was a (functional) recharge station.<ref>''Trial of Faith''</ref>
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* [[Terra]] stations. The system had two stations, named Versailles, in zenith point, and Brandenburg, in nadir jump point. They're still operative in 3058. <ref name=TCp12>''The Fall of Terra'', p. 57</ref>
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* [[Thuban]] system, in the [[Lyran Commonwealth]] space, had a recharge station, still operative in the 3055.<ref>''Natural Selection'' p. 195</ref>
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* [[Wapakoneta]] system, in the [[Federated Suns]] space, had a recharge station, still operative in the 3139.<ref>''Kill Zone'' ''Redemption Rift'' p. 260</ref>
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* [[Zhongshang]] system, in the [[Lyran Commonwealth]] space, had a nadir recharge station, still operative in the 3055.<ref>''Natural Selection'' p. 148</ref>
  
[[Category:Technology]][[Category:Space Stations]]
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==See also==
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*[[:Category:Space Station classes|List of Space Station classes]]
  
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==References==
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<references/>
  
 +
==Bibliography==
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*''[[BattleSpace]]''
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*''[[DropShips and JumpShips]]''
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*''[[Total Warfare]]''
  
{{stub}}
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[[Category:Technology]]
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[[Category:Spacecraft classes]]

Revision as of 19:49, 17 April 2020

Space Stations are (semi-)immobile facilities in space that fill many roles including zero-g production, habitation, and even defense. Many space stations orbit planets or moons, and can be categorized into several groups including low-orbit, geosynchronous-orbit, or stable-point.[1] Others are deep-space stations far from any planetary body; this is particularly true for recharge stations at jump points.

Classification

Although there is no formal classification of space stations, a few particularly common "classes" have emerged:

Cargo/Passenger Terminal

The most common type of space stations, they can be found either in planetary orbit or at the nadir/zenith jump point. Their primary purpose is to facilitate the transfer of goods and people between ships and the surface.[2]

Factory/Shipyard

Orbital factories and shipyards provide for the manufacture and maintenance of JumpShips and DropShips.[2]

Battle Stations

Carrying an impressive array of weaponry and facilities for the repair and launching of Aerospace Fighters and Small Craft, battle stations are primarily designed to defend a planet from attack, whether in planetary orbit or at a jump point. Most were destroyed during the course of the Succession Wars.[2]

Space Habitat

Most space habitats were constructed during the First Exodus to serve as stepping-stones for the exploration and terraforming of new worlds; in the succeeding centuries, many were abandoned and cannibalized for their parts and technology. Of those which remain, most are either in close planetary orbit or located at a Lagrangian point. The Clans built space habitats to house sibkos for their aerospace and naval bloodlines.[2]

Recharge Stations

Also known as a "Jump Station", these space stations are found at jump points, as their primary purpose is to recharge JumpShips.[2] Recharge stations use solar collectors similar to Jump Sails and store the collected energy in power banks. A recharge station will typically hold four to six such banks, and each one can fully recharge the largest Kearny-Fuchida Drive. While energy transfer is not instantaneous, it will still cut down idle recharging time for the valuable JumpShips, and possibly allow for simultaneous recharging of a drive core and a lithium-fusion battery.

The most common transfer method is for the energy to be beamed to the JumpShip via its jump sails, with full recharge taking 150 hours. This only makes sense at dim stars where it would otherwise take the JumpShip longer than 150 hours to recharge via its own jump sail though.

Another method involves the JumpShip physically connecting to the station, whereupon its drive can be quick-charged. This can theoretically damage or destroy the K-F drive as if the ship were to use its own power plant to quick-charge the drives,[3][4] but the overall risk is much reduced when using a jump station, and even the most cautious (and thus slowest) recharging in this fashion cuts down recharge time. The physical connection can be established by directly docking the JumpShip to the station, but the use of a cable connection is more common.

Space Station Production

Brand Planet Company
BattleSat Luthien BBP Industries
Capitol Galax Federated-Boeing Interstellar

Known stations

See also

References

  1. Total Warfare, p. 26
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 BattleSpace - Sourcebook, p. 21
  3. BattleSpace, p. 47
  4. DropShips and JumpShips - Operations Manual, p. 34
  5. Natural selection p. 315
  6. Double Blind p. 75
  7. A Bonfire of World p. 177
  8. Jihad Conspiracies p. 50
  9. Historical War of 3039 p. 53
  10. Total Chaos, pp. 75-76 "SEED OF DISCONTENT"
  11. Double Blind p. 159
  12. Historical Brush Wars p. 53
  13. Double Blind p. 157
  14. Natural Selection p. 209+
  15. Handbook: House Steiner, p.81 - Gulf Breeze - Station mentioned.
  16. Redemption Rift p. 260
  17. Field Manual: Updates p. 65
  18. Historical War of 3039 p. 260
  19. Operation Excalibur p. 252-310
  20. Kill Zone Redemption Rift p. 260
  21. Battletech Field Manual periphery p. 109
  22. To ride the Chimaera p. 13
  23. Double Blind p. 49
  24. Dawn of the Jihad p. 85
  25. Chaos march Sourcebook p. 22
  26. Interestellar Expeditions: Interestellar players 3 p. 71
  27. Double Blind p. 157
  28. Interestellar Expeditions: Interestellar players 3 p. 25
  29. Double Blind p. 155
  30. Black Dragon p. 121
  31. The Killing Fields p. 134
  32. Blood of the Isle, p. 161
  33. Trial of Faith
  34. The Fall of Terra, p. 57
  35. Natural Selection p. 195
  36. Kill Zone Redemption Rift p. 260
  37. Natural Selection p. 148

Bibliography