OBT Forum
General BattleTech => General Discussion => AeroTech => Topic started by: GiovanniBlasini on April 09, 2018, 03:06:19 PM
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(Further proof I have both lost my damned mind, and played too much Kerbal Space Program)
Belters in the Niops Association have always been an odd, but small, bunch, and the Niops Association Civil War, turning Niops V, VI and VII against one another, followed by the invasion and resistance against the Word of Blake, didn't help matters. What it did do, though, is stretch the supplies of technology even thinner for Niopian Belters.
Fortunately, the Niops Association's agreement to expand asteroid mining in partnership with Interstellar Expeditions has been a tremendous boon for Niopian Belters. Unfortunately, they are still too often finding themselves having to scrounge for hand-me-down technology, either from the rest of the Niops Association, from Interstellar Expeditions, or from trade with other systems. This left the Belters short on a reliable source of small shuttles and other spacecraft, and, like production of Space Hound IndustrialMechs for mining operations, the Belters have begun producing their own small shuttles, through the newly-founded Niops Association Space Administration
Unfortunately, a standard for fusion engines is still in short supply, so "NASA" has been forced to standardize on a collection of interchangable modules and parts, using the Pogo aerospace fighter/shuttle (http://www.heavymetalpro.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=3930) as a starting point. The basic craft, dubbed the Corvus, features a standardized two-seat cockpit module with integrated RCS thrusters, capable of being ejected from the main craft as an escape pod with limited maneuverability. Basic variations on this command pod include extensions for passenger compartements (nicknamed the "Appaloosa", "Brumby" and "Bigby" ensuring that, in an emergency, all passengers are capable of evacuating a stricken craft at the same time. This has permitted variations on the basic Corvus system to be used for craft ranging from a mere 5 tons all the way up to 80 tons.
In addition to these spacecraft, small space stations, some no larger than common satellites, have also been put into production. Built to lower technical standards than the Corvus, many of these stations utilize solar-electric propulsion for stationkeeping - while solar output from an M5V star like Niops is relatively low compared to larger yellow dwarfs like Sol, their needs tend to be modest enough for this to not be an issue. Also, because the Niopian Belters are, like most Belters, only loosely associated, it's no surprise then that other groups of belters have gone so far as to import or license other spacecraft, such as the Soyuz, common in the Fitvelt Coalition and Davion Outback, or even developed their own homegrown solutions.
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Corvus Series Civilian Shuttles
CRV-5c Corvus
(https://i.imgur.com/3bj4BX9l.jpg)
-- CRV-5c Corvus shown with supplemental solar panels deployed
Appearing to be either a licensed version or a knockoff of the Pogo civilian shuttle (or more likely inspired by the same progenitor), the Corvus series of civilian shuttles are, like the Pogo, essentially built to aerospace fighter standards, with the exception of using civilian electronics. Like the Pogo, the Corvus is built as a series of "modules" which can be attached to one another, depending upon individual needs.
The base model Corvus, designated the CRV-5c (for "5-ton civilian") is little more than the 3-ton standardized emergency cockpit module with RCS thrusters, a 1-ton payload bay divided evenly between consumables and fuel, and a small, 10-rating fusion engine and drive system. While severely limited compared to larger shuttles, this basic Corvus is capable of travel between nearby asteroid mining facilities, or even between the planets in the Niops system, though the limited fuel and passenger capacity makes this a difficult proposition, despite the close proximity of Niops V, VI and VII.
Corvus CRV-5c
Base Tech Level: Standard (IS)
Level Era
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Experimental -
Advanced -
Standard 3145+
Tech Rating: D/C-E-D-D
Weight: 5 tons
BV: 31
Cost: 473,362 C-bills
Movement: 3/5
Engine: 5
Heat Sinks: 10
Fuel Points: 0/40 (0.5 tons)
Structural Integrity: 3
Armor: 8
Armor
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Nose 2
Left Wing 2
Right Wing 2
Aft 2
Equipment Loc
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Cargo (0.5 tons) NOS
Quirks:
Modular "Weapons"
Rumble Seat
Whole-Cockpit Ejection System
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CRV-10c Corvus
(https://i.imgur.com/gCzmAv0l.png)
Essentially the smaller Corvus command module with a stretched cargo module and larger powerplant, the CRV-10c Corvus carries a larger cargo module than its smaller sibling, as well as a larger fusion engine. In the case of the CRV-10c, the cargo module and cockpit module do not quick detach, functioning as a single stretched module, akin to the Pogo. This allows the flight crew and up to seven passengers to detach the fusion drive and hydrogen tankage in an emergency, while possessing limited maneuverability thanks to the conventional RCS thrusters in the crew module.
Corvus CRV-10c
Base Tech Level: Standard (IS)
Level Era
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Experimental -
Advanced -
Standard 3145+
Tech Rating: D/C-E-D-D
Weight: 10 tons
BV: 110
Cost: 695,275 C-bills
Movement: 6/9
Engine: 40
Heat Sinks: 10
Fuel Points: 240 (2.0 tons)
Structural Integrity: 6
Armor: 32
Armor
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Nose 8
Left Wing 8
Right Wing 8
Aft 8
Equipment Loc
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Cargo (2 tons) NOS
Quirks:
Modular "Weapons"
Rumble Seat
Whole-Cockpit Ejection System
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CRV-80c Corvus
(https://imgur.com/gzFSksXm.jpg)
Significantly larger than the more common CRV-10c or CRV-5c, the 80-ton Corvus mounts the common crew compartment on a much larger winged chassis capable of atmospheric flight, as well as vertical landings on airless bodies. The standard layout of the Corvus 80c is to carry thirty tons of cargo, a 10-ton fuel bunker, and a variety of useful civilian sensors and imagery equipment, as well as enhanced communications gear. Unfortunately, the CRV-80c uses the same 160-rating fusion plant as the Rock Hound IndustrialMech, making engines harder to come by.
One common variant of the 80-ton Corvus is the CRV-80m, which uses a 240-rating fusion engine, and military-grade sensors and communications equipment. The remaining mass is taken up by three extended range large lasers, and a tail-mounted ER medium laser, with a Beagle active probe to enhance sensor capabilities. Two tons of cargo are reserved for the flight crew to use for supplies.
Corvus CRV-80c
Base Tech Level: Standard (IS)
Level Era
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Experimental -
Advanced 3145+
Standard -
Tech Rating: D/X-X-F-E
Weight: 80 tons
BV: 499
Cost: 4,075,587 C-bills
Movement: 4/6
Engine: 160
Heat Sinks: 10
Fuel Points: 240/800 (10.0 tons)
Structural Integrity: 8
Armor: 160
Armor
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Nose 40
Left Wing 40
Right Wing 40
Aft 40
Equipment Loc
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Cargo (10 tons) NOS
Communications Equipment (6 ton) AFT
Satellite Imager [Hyperspectral Imager] LWG
Satellite Imager [Look-Down Radar] RWG
Cargo (10 tons) AFT
Cargo (10 tons) AFT
Satellite Imager [High-Resolution (Hi-Res) Imager] RWG
Corvus CRV-80m
Base Tech Level: Standard (IS)
Level Era
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Experimental -
Advanced -
Standard 3145+
Tech Rating: E/X-X-D-D
Weight: 80 tons
BV: 1,224
Cost: 4,437,720 C-bills
Movement: 5/8
Engine: 240
Heat Sinks: 36
Fuel Points: 800 (10.0 tons)
Structural Integrity: 8
Armor: 160
Armor
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Nose 40
Left Wing 40
Right Wing 40
Aft 40
Weapons Loc Heat
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ER Large Laser LWG 12
ER Large Laser NOS 12
ER Large Laser RWG 12
ER Medium Laser AFT 5
Equipment Loc
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Active Probe (Beagle) NOS
Cargo (2 tons) NOS
Quirks:
Modular "Weapons"
Rumble Seat
Whole-Cockpit Ejection System
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Bigby Orbital Habitat
(https://imgur.com/TekG14gl.jpg)
The Bigby Orbital Habitat is a small, 80-ton space station constructed largely to satellite standards. With, nominally, space for four crew, the Bigby has sufficient cargo capacity to support them for a standard Terran year without resupply, though fuel supplies for the solar-electric stationkeeping thrusters will need more frequent replenishment if the station is not placed in a gravitationally-stable orbit. With a cost of just under 700 thousand C-Bills, the Bigby is a remarkably cheap for a station that can support four people for long periods.
While lacking an integrated launch bay for a lifeboat or escape pod, craft such as the Corvus or Helios class craft are usually used in conjunction with a Bigby, giving inhabitants a quick means of escape.
Bigby Habitat
Type: Satellite
Tech Base: Inner Sphere
Tech Rating: D
Total Mass: 80 tons
Structure Wt (Rounded): 10 tons
Engine Weight: 36 tons
Fuel (~93 burn-days): 4 tons
Armor: 44 points BAR 7 (11/location): 2 tons
Steerage Quarters (4): 20 tons
Cargo (4 doors): 8 tons
Cost: approx. 674 thousand C-Bills
BV: HAH!
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Fun! :D