Exploratory Survey Vessels

The Taloss class of Exploratory Survey Vessels are designed to operate wherever there is cartographic uncertainty. Unlike the Donosev class this vessel specialises in exploration. The class is regarded as sturdy and reliable and is easily recognised, despite its standard design, due to the pylons and masts protruding from its superstructure.

SHIP STATS

200 ton standard streamlined hull built at TL10

Jump Drive A

Manoeuvre Drive A

Power Plant A

100 tons of fuel provides for up to four consecutive Jump-1s and allows up to eight weeks operational duration

Aside the bridge is a Model 1 computer

The ship has a crew of six: Pilot/Navigator, Engineer, Medic, Chief Cartographer (academic rank 5 or 6) and two Assistant Cartographers (academic rank 3+)

There are 6 staterooms and 2 Emergency Low Berths

One hardpoint is fitted with fire control and a single turret installed. This is used exclusively to launch survey probes.

The ship has a 4 ton medical bay

The ship has a 6 ton Cartographic Suite

The ship has a 5 ton cargo bay

The ship carries an Air/Raft. Its hanger is located next to the Launch bay

The ship carries a 20 ton Launch, its 13 tons of excess space is used as follows:

1 ton extra fuel allowing for up to eight weeks operational duration

1 x Advanced Base

3 x Small Craft Couches

Cargo Capacity of 4.5 tons (capable of holding the Air/Raft)

The ship can be built in 9 months and costs MCr45

NOTES

1. The Exploratory Survey Vessel is fully capable of both stella and world surface mapping expeditions. It is designed to stray up to two jumps from a known fuel source (often into previously unmapped territory), map what it finds and then return.

2. The Launch is outfitted as an exploration craft. It is capable of landing a small team on a planet/moons surface and establishing a forward base of operations to investigate sites of unusual or special interest that may have been picked up during the survey.

3. Taloss class ships are frequently found in the service of Mining Corporations where they are used to "sniff" out lucrative mineral deposits in asteroid fields, moons and uninhabited planets. In this role one or both assistant cartographers are usually replaced by a geologist and/or metallurgist.