terraforming_probe
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| The most commonly encountered terraforming probes in known space are those launched by the ancient Terrans of the Sol system, and the early [[Ascendancy]]. These probes were first developed and launched in 57 PT as clusters of autonomous robotic spacecraft, designed to travel at high sublight speeds and transform the environment of planets prior to the arrival of the sleeper colony ships launched in the two centuries prior. These probes typically travel at speeds of 0.95c, and the initial wave has travelled over 3,500 light-years from the Sol system. | The most commonly encountered terraforming probes in known space are those launched by the ancient Terrans of the Sol system, and the early [[Ascendancy]]. These probes were first developed and launched in 57 PT as clusters of autonomous robotic spacecraft, designed to travel at high sublight speeds and transform the environment of planets prior to the arrival of the sleeper colony ships launched in the two centuries prior. These probes typically travel at speeds of 0.95c, and the initial wave has travelled over 3,500 light-years from the Sol system. | ||
| - | Clusters of terraforming probes were launched indiscriminately from Sol for almost 400 years after they were developed, directed at practically every star where traces of carbon were detected in its emission spectrum. Some later probe clusers contained artificial intelligence systems programmed to identify additional candidate stars in their travels, and launch probe clusters at them. Terraforming probes can be found on a huge number of planets, oftenmade habitable by their action, but vast numbers are still travelling through interstellar space, targeting new candidate worlds all the time. | + | Clusters of terraforming probes were launched indiscriminately from Sol for almost 400 years after they were developed, directed at practically every star where traces of carbon were detected in its emission spectrum. Some later probe clusters contained artificial intelligence systems programmed to identify additional candidate stars in their travels, and launch probe clusters at them. Terraforming probes can be found on a huge number of planets, often made habitable by their action, but vast numbers are still travelling through interstellar space, targeting new candidate worlds all the time. |
| If you encounter a terraforming probe, either on a planet or in space, extreme care is advised in dealing with them. | If you encounter a terraforming probe, either on a planet or in space, extreme care is advised in dealing with them. | ||
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| Probe clusters are staged vehicles, clumped together and designed to split apart into smaller clusters and then their individual constituent probes. They would have originally been propelled to near-lightspeed by massive hydrogen fusion engines, which would have almost universally detached when they got up to speed near the Sol heliopause, and in some cases returned using more efficient ion propulsion. Probe clusters were typically attached to each other via a light connective structure, which allowed communication and coordination, often overseen by a programmed intelligence. The overall structure of the probe clusters was expected to cruise through the interstellar void, and as a result has very little shielding or protective elements. | Probe clusters are staged vehicles, clumped together and designed to split apart into smaller clusters and then their individual constituent probes. They would have originally been propelled to near-lightspeed by massive hydrogen fusion engines, which would have almost universally detached when they got up to speed near the Sol heliopause, and in some cases returned using more efficient ion propulsion. Probe clusters were typically attached to each other via a light connective structure, which allowed communication and coordination, often overseen by a programmed intelligence. The overall structure of the probe clusters was expected to cruise through the interstellar void, and as a result has very little shielding or protective elements. | ||
| - | Once it drew near to a candidate system, the guiding intelligence would cause a number of clusters to break off and divert towards it. The probe clusters would use directional thrusters to plot a course into the system that allowed stage gravitic deceleration, ending in the orbit of the target planet. Deceleration from 0.95c using gravity effects alone would often take tens or hundreds of years. Once it had slowed down enough and achieved orbit around a planet, the probe cluster would break apart and send probes falling towards the planet. Probes would then impact at strategic locations around the planet and deploy their terraforming systems. Each probe cluster contains a variety of probe types, each with a number of different systems for affecting the atmosphere, biosphere and geosphere of a planet. Once they have deployed, probes maintain a linked network to coordinate their activities and compensate for irregularities or the loss of individual probes. | + | Once it drew near to a candidate system, the guiding intelligence would cause a number of clusters to break off and divert towards it. The probe clusters would use directional thrusters to plot a course into the system that allowed staged gravitic deceleration, ending in the orbit of the target planet. Deceleration from 0.95c using gravity effects alone would often take tens or hundreds of years. Once it had slowed down enough and achieved orbit around a planet, the probe cluster would break apart and send probes falling towards the planet. Probes would then impact at strategic locations around the planet and deploy their terraforming systems. Each probe cluster contains a variety of probe types, each with a number of different systems for affecting the atmosphere, biosphere and geosphere of a planet. Once they have deployed, probes maintain a linked network to coordinate their activities and compensate for irregularities or the loss of individual probes. |
| Individual probes tend to be cylindrical and heavily shielded to protect from re-entry. They vary in size from about half a metre to ten metres in diameter, depending on the specific type and probe iteration. Most probes are designed to anchor themselves in hard substrate, and have tapered forms (usually coated with depleted Uranium or other super-dense elements) designed to penetrate the ground on landing. Once they impact the surface, they may unfold specialised equipment such as solar collectors, mirrors, sampling equipment or stabilisers, but the majority of their equipment is internal. The controls and intelligence core are usually located towards the top, where they are less likely to be damaged on impact. | Individual probes tend to be cylindrical and heavily shielded to protect from re-entry. They vary in size from about half a metre to ten metres in diameter, depending on the specific type and probe iteration. Most probes are designed to anchor themselves in hard substrate, and have tapered forms (usually coated with depleted Uranium or other super-dense elements) designed to penetrate the ground on landing. Once they impact the surface, they may unfold specialised equipment such as solar collectors, mirrors, sampling equipment or stabilisers, but the majority of their equipment is internal. The controls and intelligence core are usually located towards the top, where they are less likely to be damaged on impact. | ||
terraforming_probe.1516489493.txt.gz ยท Last modified: 2019/08/13 16:54 (external edit)
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