Standard Probes

There are 9 standard probe classes launched from starships. While these classes are primarily used for Federation / Starfleet vessels, other civilian organizations / governments use them as well. Each organization usually has tweaks to the standard classifications, these classifications apply to Solas Tempus / the Serenity Concord. Probes of this type are designed to be launched from a standard Photon Torpedo launcher, though other launch methods exist, it is similar to use existing launch technology.

Class 1 - Standard Probe

Range

200,000 km

Max Speed

0.5 c

This type of probes is equipped with a full EM / subspace and interstellar chemistry pallet for in-space applications. This probe is the standard probe for initial contact with unknown phenomena they are designed to be inexpensive to construct, though their function is limited in many ways they are also incredibly versatile for basic sensing, detecting, and even simple cartographic study. These probes have minimal computational abilities and rely on the mother ship's computer for all but the most basic imaging / image processing. Some of their versatility comes in their low fuel overhead as they require minimal power to operate. As a sub-warp probe it has a basic impulse drive engine as well as simple maneuvering thrusters for course corrections.

Class 2 - Sensor Probe

Range

400,000 km

Max Speed

0.65 c

A variation on the Class 1 probe with increased range, a full on board imaging system, larger fuel capacity, larger impulse engine and enhanced long-range particle and field detectors. The name sensor probe can be used interchangeably with a class 1 (standard) probe. Many vessels use the Class 2 in place of a Class 1 whenever possible.

Class 3 - Planetary Probe

Range

1,200,000 km

Max Speed

0.65 c

This is a planetary probe, with a full range of terrestrial soft landing to subsurface penetrator missions. Gas giant atmosphere missions are survivable up to 45 MPa (megapascals) pressure.

Class 4 - Stellar Encounter Probe

Range

3,500,000 km

Max Speed

0.6 c

This is a stellar encounter probe, modified from Class 3. The probe is equipped with triply redundant stellar fields and particle detectors and a stellar atmosphere analysis suite. There are six ejectable/survivable radiation flux subprobes, deployable for nonstellar energy phenomena.

Class 5 - Medium Range Reconnaissance Probe

Range

287.4 AU

Max Speed

Warp 2

This is a medium-range reconnaissance probe, with extended passive data-gathering and recording systems. The probe has a full autonomous mission execution and return system and is capable of atmosphere entry and soft landing. It is coated for low observability and may be modified for tactical missions with a custom sensor countermeasure package.

Class 6 - Comm Relay / Beacon

Range

287.4 AU

Max Speed

0.8 c

This is a comm relay and beacon, modified from Class 3. It provides 9270 RF and subspace channels, with a 360° antenna coverage and 0.0001 arc-second high-gain antenna pointing resolution. The probe features an extended deuterium supply for transceiver power generation and planetary orbit plane changes.

Disaster / Emergency Beacon Variant

A variant of this beacon is equipped with specialized hull plating and transceiver array designed to specifically attract attention using a specialized signal that disrupts friendly space traffic. Used by vessels a a disaster or emergency beacon, it is designed to survive the destruction of a ship and emit a homing signal. These beacons serve as a space vessel's black box and are designed to be found. They can also be launched, though this is uncommon. In most cases they are kept in specially protected areas of a vessel to aid in their survival. While it is equipped with an impulse drive, this will only be activated if directed to do so to assist in locating and retrieving the beacon. The on board fuel is used primarily to power the beacon for as long as possible once activated.

Class 7 - Remote Culture Study Probe

Range

3 AU

Max Speed

Warp 1.5

This is a remote culture study probe, modified from Class 5. It is applicable to civilizations up to level III and has low observability coatings and hull materials. The maximum loiter time is 3.5 months. A low-impact molecular destruct package is tied to antitamper detectors.

Class 8 - Medium-Range Multimission Warp Probe

Range

120 ly

Max Speed

Warp 9

This probe uses a modified photon torpedo casing. It is equipped with a standard sensor pallet and mission-specific modules. Its applications vary from galactic particles and fields research to early-warning reconnaissance missions.The most common use of this probe is medium-range interstellar cartography, programmed to slow down and take more detailed scans of anomalous readings and provide more detailed navigational / scientific information. It has a long range subspace transceiver array and a navigational AI (non-sentient) capable of plotting the optimal course to obtain the most data for a given area and return home. The probe is also a standard template for long-range mission specific packages, providing a standardized system for development of purpose-built equipment.

Emergency Evacuation Pod (Obsolete)

While described as being universally uncomfortable and claustrophobic, a modified version of this probe can have the on board systems removed (other than fuel and propulsion) and a rebreathing life support system added. Seldom used past the the early to mid-24th century in favor of more practical escape pods, this type of pod is mainly used for emergency egress from small planetary or interstellar facilities. The pod is designed to survive full warp velocity for up to 8 days. There is no room for rations, though the on board system is able to provide waste-water reclamation and minimal life support. The life support can last a maximum of 9 days.

The major drawback of this kind of pod is that there is no ability for rations to be stored or consumed, meaning by the end of its range the occupant is literally staving (or has already starved) to death. Neither the Serenity Concord nor the Federation use these pods in any facility as a standard practice. Some civilian governments do still use them as a last-ditch emergency solution and even then only to transport the occupant into orbit or out of a blast area. In 2317, these pods were used by a civilian transport vessel in Federation space, all 3 occupants died when the pod's drive system unexpectedly failed. Widely covered on news organizations at the time as a condemnation of these types of pods, the nearest help was only 2 hours away at Warp 9.

Class 9 - Long-Range Multimission Warp Probe

Range

760 ly

Max Speed: Warp 9

This probe uses a modified photon torpedo casing. It is equipped with a complete sensor suite including interstellar dust sampling, full sensor imaging suite, and advanced cartographic suite. The most common use of this probe is for long-term mapping of interstellar space. It has a long range subspace transceiver array and a navigational AI (non-sentient) capable of plotting the optimal course to obtain the most data for a given area and return home. The probe is also a standard template for long-range mission specific packages, providing a standardized system for development of purpose-built equipment.

Log Buoy Variant

The probe has most of its internal systems removed and replaced with additional fuel capacity, a specialized homing beacon, and high capacity long-term data storage system. The on board computer is simple and when launched it is programmed to seek out and home in on the nearest friendly signal or (if no signal is detected) the nearest friendly facility in its navigational database.