Using a 600-ton hull, the Sextant class is a long-range exploration vessel intended for surveys of systems, stars and planet surfaces in frontier areas. It mounts jump drive-J, maneuver drive-J and power plant-J, giving it a performance of jump-3 and 3G acceleration. Fuel tankage of 210 tons supports the power plant and allows one jump-3 before refueling. Adjacent to the bridge is a computer Model/3, and there is a backup computer Model/3 located near the main engineering control center.
There are 16 staterooms and 20 low berths.
The ship has three hardpoints and three tons allocated to fire control. While there is no standard configuration, it is common for one to be equipped to launch missiles and drones while the other two are equipped with a heterogeneous mix of defensive weaponry.
There are four ship’s vehicles: two 40-ton Pinnaces, a G-Carrier and an Air/Raft.
Cargo capacity is 60 tons. The hull is unstreamlined. There are 40 tons dedicated to laboratories for surveys of star systems, planets and planetary surfaces.
The Sextant requires a crew of six: Pilot, Navigator, Medic and three Engineers. It is common for a Pinnace Pilot and three Gunners to be added, with the other six crew positions filled by science specialists.
While the Sextant is capable of gas giant refueling, it usually relies on one of its Pinnaces to act as a fuel lighter to refuel from wilderness sources.
The Sextant costs MC354 to build (MCr357.4 with architect’s fees) and takes 24 months to build.
General Arrangement
The Sextant has a twelve deck design, with decks perpendicular to main engine thrust. It has a large sensor cluster on the bow, followed by labs, cargo spaces, crew service areas and the main engineering control spaces. While most of the ship’s hull is a cylinder, a good part of the drives protrude aft in a long, narrow tube. Fuel spaces make up most of the outer hull, at least of the main cylinder.
Exterior Access by
Deck
A Deck – Sensor Dome: Avionics Inspection Airlock
B Deck – Remote Sensing: three Telescope Shutters
C Deck – Bridge: Main Docking Airlock, forward Pinnace Hangar Doors.
D Deck –
E Deck – Cargo Services: Forward Cargo Transfer Lock
F Deck – Weaponry: three Turret Inspection Hatches
G Deck –
I Deck – Main Engineering: Engineering Inspection Airlock
J Deck – Aft Pinnace Hangar Doors, Hangar Inspection Airlock
L Deck –
Deckplans
Exterior
Views and Deckplan Key
Detailed Deck
Descriptions
A Deck: Sensor Dome
This deck contains much of the hardware for the ship’s long-range sensors. The bulkheads here curve inwards to create a dome. The available headroom near the edges of the deck, except in the airlock, is only about two meters instead of the usual three. The deck is dimly lit with illumination coming from the display panels and indicator lights of the electronics that crowd most available space. A hatch near the center of the deck provides access to B Deck below.
P: Sensor Pylons: These two spaces represent the support structures for the ship’s two large sensor booms that protrude forward. These booms extend about 15 meters, but can be retracted when gas giant refueling or other hazards threaten to damage them.
L: Equipment Locker: This storage locker contains replacement modules for some of the electronics on this deck as well as a vacc suit and other EVA equipment.
B Deck: Remote Sensing
This deck contains additional sensor equipment, including some very specialized long-range telescopes that operate in various bands of the EM spectrum.
W: Avionics Workshop: This area is a workshop for repairing electronic equipment in service on this deck and the surrounding decks. Hatches and an iris valve provide access to the Sensor Dome above and the Bridge Deck below. The rest of the area is taken up by test benches, tool racks and parts bins. Two vacc suits are on an open rack near the Telescope Access Corridor.
T: Telescope Access Corridor: This passageway is actually an internal airlock, providing access between the sensitive telescopes, which are kept in vacuum, and the shirtsleeves environment common to the rest of the ship.
S: Telescopes: These three areas each contain one remote-controlled telescope, controlled from the Survey Lab on C Deck. The telescopes are kept in vacuum to reduce distortions and are very powerful. Sturdy shutters, controlled from the bridge, protect each telescope when not in use. It is possible to enter the ship through the telescope mounts and the Telescope Access Corridor when the shutters are open.
A: Avionics: These areas are crowded with more sensors and other electronic equipment. As is the case with the Sensor Dome above, these areas are dimly lit.
H: Pinnace Hangars: These two tubes run most of the length of the ship, from the top of C Deck to the bottom of J Deck. While they are sealed by iris valves forward and aft, they are kept in vacuum. The ship’s two 40-ton Pinnaces dock here.
C Deck – Bridge
This deck is dedicated to the ship’s bridge and stellar survey labs.
R: Reception Corridor: This area acts as a security station when the ship is docked at an orbital facility. A seat and small control panel fold out from the bulkhead opposite the airlock so a crewman can be stationed here if necessary. This area can also be used as an EVA prep area.
L: Storage Locker: This locker contains vacc suits and EVA tools.
F: Forward Lounge: this is a break area for crewmen working on the Bridge or in the Survey Lab. It can also be used as a meeting room for guests who visit the ship while it is in port. It contains a snack dispenser, comfortable chairs, a small meeting table and a display screen.
B: Bridge: This compartment is the control center for the ship. Five crew stations are arranged around a central combined control panel. A large display screen is on the bulkhead towards the Forward Lounge, and secondary control panels and display screens dot the other bulkheads throughout. The crew stations use dynamically configurable controls so different crewmen can be present depending on what operations the ship is involved with at the time. The usual crew stations include Helm, Astrogation, Ship Systems and two Survey stations.
W: Fresher. These two compartments include standard sanitary facilities. The slightly larger one by the bridge has some extra crew comfort equipment as bridge crew might have to stand extended watches during emergencies.
S: Survey Lab: This area contains equipment for stellar and system surveys. Control stations for the ship’s telescopes on B Deck are located here, as are image analysis workstations, mapping equipment and other gear. Some avionics and sensor modules extend from here to B Deck above, and even all the way up to A Deck.
P: Sensor Pods: These two compartments contain additional sensor systems.
M: Map Room: This compartment is the ship’s cartography library. Memory modules, microfiche and hardcopy transparencies are kept in file drawers, and equipment for map reproduction and analysis is present.
C: Storage Closet. Used for tools, general supplies and emergency equipment
H: Pinnace Hangars: these hangars for the ship’s two 40-ton Pinnaces extend through these areas.
D Deck:
This deck is dedicated to supporting surveys of planet surfaces.
AR: Air/Raft Hangar: This area serves as a hangar bay for the ship’s enclosed Air/Raft. Large shutters on the outer hull and inner bulkheads allow this compartment to act as an airlock so the Air/Raft can be loaded and unloaded in a shirtsleeves environment. Another shutter connects this hangar with the nearby G-Carrier Hangar, allowing equipment to be easily transferred between them. While the Air/Raft can travel between orbit and planet surfaces on its own, it usually rendezvous with a waiting Pinnace for the trip to the surface and back.
G: G-Carrier Hangar: This area is almost identical to the nearby Air/Raft Hangar, except that it is somewhat larger to accommodate the ship’s G-Carrier.
S: Planetary Sciences: This area contains workstations and equipment for analyzing biological, mineralogical and other samples collected from planet surfaces. Hatches and elevators provide access to the cargo bay below so samples and equipment can be accessed or stowed.
M:
C: Storage Locker: This compartment is used to store emergency equipment and equipment for use by survey teams.
A: Armory Locker: This reinforced storage locker contains most of the ship’s weapons and ammunition, as well as any other equipment the ship’s senior crew may want to keep secured. The door can be opened by any crewmember in an emergency, but access is logged and access by a junior crewmember triggers several alarms.
L: Storage Locker: This is a standard equipment locker, used to store tools and equipment for the Planetary Sciences Lab.
P: Ship’s Computer: The core of the ship’s main Model/3 computer is located here. There is a crew workstation for repair and maintenance, and shelves contain manuals, tools and some ready spare parts.
LB: Low Berths: These two hibernariums contain the ship’s low berths. Twenty are available in all, intended for transporting biological specimens. Any seriously injured crewmen would probably be placed in a low berth until the ship returned to base. These low berths are equipped with long-duration battery backups to allow them to be used for crew survival emergencies if necessary.
H: Pinnace Hangars: These two hangars are for the ship’s 40-ton Pinnaces. On this deck, access locks are present that mate with the Pinnaces’ passenger airlocks. Interlocks prevent an access lock from opening if the Pinnace’s passenger lock is not mated to it.
E Deck: Cargo Services
This deck contains the forward cargo bay, as well as some crew accommodations.
A: Forward Cargo Airlock: This airlock is equipped with a docking tube, and can mate with most standard 3m cargo locks.
C:
SQ: Senior Crew Quarters: The second and third most senior crewmembers are quartered in this space. The modular nature of the quarters and furnishings allows almost unlimited variation, but usually portable dividers are used to separate a sleep area from a living area with each crewmember provided with a bunk, worktable and two storage lockers. Under-bunk storage and shelves allow more personal items to be kept close to hand. The outer bulkhead has three large viewports that can be closed by shutters controlled from this compartment or from the bridge.
W: Fresher: This cubicle is a standard fresher, for use by the crewmen quartered nearby.
Q: Crew Quarters: Three junior crewmembers are quartered here. The modular furnishings and dividers are often used to set up a small sleeping area with three stacked bunks while the rest is set up as a shared lounge.
H: Pinnace Hangars: These tubes represent the hangars for the two Pinnaces that continue through this deck.
F Deck: Weapons
This deck is very similar to E Deck above, but also supports the ship’s three hardpoints spaced along the circumference of the ship’s hull.
C: Amidships Cargo Bay: This compartment is similar to the Forward Cargo Bay on E Deck above, but it lacks the cargo management station and the external Cargo Airlock. It does have the cargo transfer hatches for accessing the Pinnaces in the docking tubes. The space in this cargo bay is usually used for storing repair parts, consumables and specimens. Racks of starship missiles and space probes are stored in the bay near the access to crew quarters.
Q: Crew Quarters: Identical to Crew Quarters on E Deck above, each area houses three junior crewmembers. Crewmembers skilled at starship gunnery are preferentially quartered on this deck.
W: Fresher: A standard fresher for use by crewmembers quartered nearby.
T: Hardpoint and Gun Turret: Each of these locations supports one of the ship’s three gun turrets. The one nearest the access to the cargo bay is usually armed with missile racks modified to launch and control both missiles and remote sensor packages, while the other two turrets are usually equipped with heterogeneous mixes of missile rack, sandcaster and beam laser. Each turret is equipped for both local control and remote control from a bridge workstation.
H: Pinnace Hangars: These tubes represent the hangars for the two Pinnaces that continue through this deck.
G Deck: Lower Cargo Hold
This deck is also similar to E Deck.
A: Aft Cargo Airlock: This airlock is equipped with a docking tube, and can mate with most standard 3m cargo locks.
C: Aft
L: Crew Lockers: This area contains lockable compartments for storage of crew personal items. There is one full-height locker towards the center of the cargo bay for the most senior crewmember’s use, while the other fifteen lockers are stacked three high to the top of the compartment. The lockers are vented to the cargo bay, but the vents automatically close if there is a pressure drop in the bay.
P: Pharmaceutical Storage: This secure compartment contains medicines and other equipment for replenishing stores in the sick bay on H Deck below. While any crewmember can open the compartment in an emergency, only the ship’s doctor and senior crewmembers can enter the compartment without setting off an alarm.
W: Fresher: A standard fresher for use by crewmembers quartered nearby.
Q: Crew Quarters: Identical to the Crew Quarters on E Deck above, this compartment is used by three junior crewmembers. Crewmembers with engineering skills are preferentially quartered here.
R:
H: Pinnace Hangars: These tubes represent the hangars for the two Pinnaces that continue through this deck.
H Deck: Crew Services
This deck supports the ship’s galley, mess, captain’s suite and medical facilities.
CQ: Captain’s Quarters: This suite contains a sleeping area and a private office for the ship’s most senior crewmember. A safe with originals of important documents and other valuables is in the office area. The modular furnishings allow captains to modify their quarters easily, with the usual arrangement including a bed, comfortable chair, wardrobe, shelves, a work desk and a couple of visitor’s chairs. The outer bulkhead has two large viewports that can be shuttered from here or from the bridge.
MQ: Medical Quarters: This is the private stateroom of the ship’s doctor. While it can be modified as easily as any of the other quarters on the ship, it usually contains a bunk, wardrobe, shelves and a comfortable chair.
MO: Medical
Office: Contains a work desk, chair,
visitor’s chair and cabinets of medical records. From here the ship’s doctor can review
patient records, analyze lab results and consult with crewmembers who have
medical questions. There is an
observation window in the bulkhead separating the Medical Office from the
S:
C: Corridor: Two areas of this deck, the areas in front of
the Galley and the
G: Galley: Meal preparation facilities for the
ship. Junior crewmembers usually take it
in turns to obtain pre-packaged food from the
M: Commons: This area serves as a mess deck and crew
lounge. The entire ship’s company can be
seated here at once, or tables and chairs can be stowed against the bulkheads
or in the
L: Equipment Locker: This closet is the storage closet for the Commons. It usually contains cleaning supplies, emergency stores and recreation equipment.
W: Fresher: The captain and ship’s doctor each have a private fresher. There is also a fresher off the corridor near the Commons for general use.
H: Pinnace Hangars: These tubes represent the hangars for the two Pinnaces that continue through this deck.
I Deck: Main Engineering
This deck supports the ship’s power plant and the main engineering control station. Most of the deck is filled with the ship’s power plant, and conduits and machinery are attached to bulkheads and deck everywhere. It is possible to cross over the power plant, even where it runs from bulkhead to bulkhead, as it is designed with access handholds and inspection ledges over much of the surface.
A: Engineering Inspection Airlock: This airlock allows the ship’s engineers easy access to external portions of the ship’s drives.
L: Equipment Locker: These storage lockers contain tools, spare parts and emergency equipment. The larger one near the Engineering Inspection Airlock contains vacc suits and EVA gear.
C: Backup Computer Core: This compartment contains the core for the ship’s backup Model/3 computer. The computer is usually active and running as a mirror to the ship’s main computer, able to take over ship operations within microseconds of a fault being detected. When the ship is in low-risk situations, such as performing sensor scans, the backup computer is often shifted into an independent mode and used to bolster the signal processing capabilities of the ship’s survey labs. The compartment contains computer equipment and computer maintenance gear.
E: Main Engineering Control: These control panels are used to control and monitor the ship’s drives. Both seats are usually occupied during jump preparations and hard maneuvering, and at least one engineer is usually in this area while the drives are operating.
W: Engineering Workshop: This is a repair and maintenance area, equipped with tool racks, work benches, test equipment and other gear. Failed parts and equipment are brought here to be repaired or broken down for spare parts. The ship’s senior engineer often uses a workbench in this compartment as an engineering office.
H: Pinnace Hangars: These tubes represent the hangars for the two Pinnaces that continue through this deck.
J Deck:
This deck supports major components of the ship’s jump drive. Portions of the jump drive, which allows access as easily as the power plant on I Deck above, take up most of the deck.
A: Hangar Inspection Airlock: This airlock opens onto the aft end of the main hull, right next to the aft hangar doors and the fuel transfer connections. Engineers use it to access these areas for maintenance and repair.
L: Equipment Locker: Storage compartment for tools, spare parts and emergency equipment. The locker right beside the Hangar Inspection Airlock also contains vacc suits and EVA gear, while the large locker on the opposite side of the ship is devoted to tools and protective gear.
E: Secondary Engineering Control Panel: Monitor panels for the jump drive are located here, and basic control of the ship’s engineering functions can be performed from this location if Main Engineering Control on I Deck above is unmanned or out of action.
H: Pinnace Hangars: These tubes represent the hangars for the two Pinnaces that continue through this deck. At the aft end of this deck are the aft iris valve hangar doors that close the hangars once the Pinnaces have docked or departed.
K Deck:
This deck is twice as tall as the other decks of the ship, and contains jump drive components and power conduits. The drive components on this deck allow easy passage over, through and between much as the drives on the decks above.
F: Fuel Transfer Equipment: This area contains an extensible probe that connects fuel lines with other ships, especially its own Pinnaces when they are acting as fuel tenders. While the Pinnaces can transfer fuel while docked, this probe allows refueling operations to continue without requiring the craft to enter the hangars. This area also contains the connections used by spaceports to provide fuel while the ship is docked. The equipment is normally kept in vacuum, but the area can be pressurized to a shirtsleeve environment for maintenance.
L Deck:
Most of this deck is taken up by the ship’s maneuver drives, which extend through the deck and out the aft end of the ship.
A: Aft Engineering Access Airlock: This airlock is used by the ship’s engineers to access the maneuver drives.
L: Equipment Locker: Contains tools, emergency equipment, vacc suits and EVA gear.
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Copyright Walter G. Smith 2004
