Hello
I'm working on an Exploration Forward Outpost (EFO) for a new approach on my exploration strategy and to give more RP flavour to my current game. At this moment I am, as always, building Survey Cruisers SRV (9000t) with both Geo and Grav sensors and Long Range (233.1b Km). I'm in the first stages of the game (NPE Engines).
Now, I'm thinking that I will spend a lot of fuel and time sending back the SRV to overhaul, so I am planning to develop an EFO so it can assists some SRVs in a closer place rather than move back to the nearest maintenance outpost.
I know, I know, it is much more complex, expensive, etc. But, as said, it is for RP Purposes
In my mind I have something like a huge station that is tugged from a place to another with a bunch of service vessels at her service (tankers, replenishment, shuttles, etc.). More or less something like Babylon 5, Deep Space 9 or any huge autonomous space stations you can think. As said, I'm in the very first stages of the game so tech is very limited at this moment (specially for sensors and CIWS) but... well, that would give me more RP when the old, ancient, first stations are back to Earth for a complete refit (or scrap).
For now I have this:
Vishnu class Exploration Forward Outpost 119,711 tons 1,122 Crew 2,888.8 BP TCS 2,394 TH 0 EM 0
1 km/s No Armour Shields 0-0 HTK 117 Sensors 6/6/0/0 DCR 1 PPV 0
MSP 20,015 Max Repair 2000 MSP
Troop Capacity 5,000 tons Cargo Shuttle Multiplier 3
Captain Control Rating 2 BRG AUX
Intended Deployment Time: 3 months
Recreational Facilities
Fuel Capacity 7,750,000 Litres Range N/A
Refuelling Capability: 50,000 litres per hour Complete Refuel 155 hours
Ordnance Transfer Rate: 40 MSP per hour
Sentinel Navigational Sensor (1) GPS 1200 Range 22.2m km Resolution 100
IRPAR Civilian Sensor TH1-6 (1) Sensitivity 6 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 19.4m km
EMPAR Civilian Device EM1-6 (1) Sensitivity 6 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 19.4m km
This design is classed as a Commercial Vessel for maintenance purposes
This design is classed as a Space Station for construction purposes
This design is classed as a Troop Transport for auto-assignment purposes
As you can see, there are several components that are just for fun (Yep, again, I'm searching for good RP). The Auxiliary Bridge (1200 Crew would need a first commander), the 5t barracks for a marine detachment, the redundance in the sensors...
There are some components that are not yet installed:
* I will develop also some CIWS for autodefense (more RP Purposes, because it will not have many options in a coordinated attack)
* The Maintenance Modules for the SRVs. Currently they are 9000t, so I guess I would add up to 18000t so it can overhaul two of them at the same time (don't know very well how that works)
* I am thinking to include a commercial hangar and include a couple of "service shuttles". Maybe defensive (with weapons) or with sensors or even small cargo holds. Any idea?
* Several Misc Components for RP Flavour (we have a huge list created long ago, so it will be very helpful).
* More extra "bridges" like the Engineering or CAG.
* I will also need a Jump Point Tender.
On the other hand, I'm hesitating to take the "next step" and try to make it completely self-sufficient... with a couple of orbital habitats, sorium harvester, big cargo capacity to carry back and forth a couple of mines or automines, a bigger hangar to load with orbital mining drones... That would be a HUGE station, but will give me a lot of background.
Well.. any ideas, suggestions?