[...]
1) Long range active sensor PDC, no weapons, lots of armor
[...]
I like the idea of having the sensors separated in massive armor. It's kinda like a decoy so the main PDCs don't get attacked for long, and also the magazines are save from lucky hits, hmm...
Deja-Vu right now. I think I have seen and recognized such an idea before.
A quick question on the spacedock type PDC design, whena ship is docked I understand how it becomes in effect free to upkeep. But they still use MSP for things the ship needs in dock? Does this mean you need to have maintenance supplies for them at the colony?
They would only use MSP for actual repairs, but the rewind of the clock is free, and there is no need arising as long as the ships are stored. It will never cost you a dime for anything if you only fly in healthy ships.
Otherwise, normally you do your in hangar repairs from the ships reserves. It will certainly help to have a deposit on the body so that your ship can refill on MSP (eventually even in between repairs if the damage suffered was heavy). You can do the refill manually in the ship window, or just order resupply upon leaving the planet.
It is actually perfect to have such PDC as distant, silent, self sufficient outpost. For example you could move some prefabricated PDC to some asteroid or whatever, and then have either habitat or underground infrastructure+population run some factories to piece them together.(will also cost some minerals) Then you just leave with your team, so only the base stays. Ships can easily be flown in as guards for the sector, or just use it as a repair base rallying point, which can be invaluable for those who have left the capital far behind them.
The main problem you normally have with traditional colony bases that would do the same, is supplying just the right amount of resources. It is amazingly problematic - a logistic nightmare, which is why I stay away from it. With such a base however, you basically only ever need fuel supply, for which you can make automated or repeated orders. Keeping watch over eventual MSP consumption is easy to do, but the best is that as long as you don't use the station, or ships are just in there on watch -> it will not require any upkeep or management. Just be there. A nice reservoir and haven, built in ancient times. Still functioning.
I love the things practical as this. Probably my german side.^^