Kind of new to this

[Panopticon]

I've built my survey ships both ways, cheap and expendable with just a couple engines and sensors. Or full on specialist designs as described above, I often include some purpose built box launchers with some really big missiles too, which can be helpful when confronted at close range by something unexpected.

[blue emu]

Lately I've been building a class of super-cheap Civilian ships, classed as "Exploration Vessels". They carry nothing but one high-performance Civilian engine, a one-hull-square active sensor, a one-hull-square EM (or Thermal) sensor, and minimal life support and fuel. No armor, shields or weapons, no Geo- or Grav- sensors.

They can be built (and therefore replaced) in just a few months in any Civilian shipyard, cost next to nothing in credits and minerals, and their job is to be the first ship through any newly-discovered jump point and to quickly visit every signifigant body in the system and then return home to report.

The active sensor is carried simply to give away their position and draw out any hostiles in the system. I lose quite a few of them... but because they flush out any hostiles before I send in my Geo- and Grav- ships, I very rarely lose a more valuable ship.

[Erik L]

Lately I've been building a class of super-cheap Civilian ships, classed as "Exploration Vessels". They carry nothing but one high-performance Civilian engine, a one-hull-square active sensor, a one-hull-square EM (or Thermal) sensor, and minimal life support and fuel. No armor, shields or weapons, no Geo- or Grav- sensors.

They can be built (and therefore replaced) in just a few months in any Civilian shipyard, cost next to nothing in credits and minerals, and their job is to be the first ship through any newly-discovered jump point and to quickly visit every signifigant body in the system and then return home to report.

The active sensor is carried simply to give away their position and draw out any hostiles in the system. I lose quite a few of them... but because they flush out any hostiles before I send in my Geo- and Grav- ships, I very rarely lose a more valuable ship.

I can see it now...

"Due to your excellent performance and loyalty to the throne, you've been assigned to the ISS ShootMeNow. Good luck in your next performance review if you survive Captain."

[blue emu]

I can see it now...

"Due to your excellent performance and loyalty to the throne, you've been assigned to the ISS ShootMeNow. Good luck in your next performance review if you survive Captain."

Naturally, I have selected an appropriate name for the class of ships.

Here's a slightly more expensive version, with a jump drive and a full suite of sensors:

Expendible class Exploration Ship    2,750 tons     85 Crew     382 BP      TCS 55  TH 109.2  EM 0
5672 km/s    JR 1-25(C)     Armour 1-17     Shields 0-0     Sensors 11/14/0/0     Damage Control Rating 1     PPV 0
MSP 87    Max Repair 205 MSP

JC3K Commercial Jump Drive     Max Ship Size 3000 tons    Distance 25k km     Squadron Size 1
Internal Confinement Fusion HyperDrive E0.6 (1)    Power 312.5    Fuel Use 6%    Signature 109.375    Armour 0    Exp 4%    Hyper Capable
Fuel Capacity 50,000 Litres    Range 545.4 billion km   (1112 days at full power)
Civilian Search Sensor MR3-R1 (1)     GPS 28     Range 3.9m km    Resolution 1
Civilian Search Sensor MR15-R16 (1)     GPS 448     Range 15.7m km    Resolution 16
Civilian Search Sensor MR39-R100 (1)     GPS 2800     Range 39.2m km    Resolution 100
Civilian Thermal Sensor TH1-11 (1)     Sensitivity 11     Detect Sig Strength 1000:  11m km
Civilian EM Sensor EM1-14 (1)     Sensitivity 14     Detect Sig Strength 1000:  14m km

This design is classed as a Commercial Vessel for maintenance purposes