Exploration Ships

A versatile vessel designed for exploration, survey, and courier duties, the Scout Ship has been a staple of deep-space operations since the Galactic Imperium era, with thousands still in service. Despite its compact 100 dTon streamlined hull, it is faster and more capable than most merchant vessels, featuring Jump-2 and Thrust-2 for extended-range missions. Built for self-sufficiency, it is often crewed by just one or two highly skilled individuals, though multiple stations are available. The ship's Crystaliron armor plating provides added protection, while its military-grade sensors and ten probe drones make it ideal for reconnaissance and survey work. Armed with a double turret, it can defend itself against light threats. Additional features include four staterooms, a workshop, docking space for an Air/Raft, and 8 dT of cargo capacity, making it a highly adaptable vessel for frontier operations, intelligence gathering, and planetary surveys.

The VSC SC-216 Scout Courier is a versatile 120 dT ship designed by Vespian Shipyards Consortium. Its streamlined hull resembles an upscaled fighter craft, featuring a large foldable wing that stands vertically upwards when landed, enhancing its profile and functionality on planetary surfaces. Equipped with a Jump-2 J-Drive and Thrust-6 M-Drive, the SC-216 offers excellent performance and agility for a range of missions. Armed with a double turret and outfitted with a civilian-grade sensor suite, the SC-216 is often equipped with additional data processing or scientific systems, making it adaptable to various tasks. The crew quarters are designed with three bunk beds, accommodating up to six crew members. The cargo hold can vary in capacity up to 37 dT, depending on the sensory systems installed, with the most common configuration featuring a 25 dT hold. This combination of features makes the SC-216 ideal for scouting, exploration, and courier missions across the galaxy.

The Imperial Star-Courier is a 200 dT multi-role starship, originally built for the Dominion’s Imperial Scout Service (ISS) and now available as a decommissioned model for civilian use. Featuring Jump-4 capability and Thrust-6 maneuverability, it is powered by a TL-13 power plant, making it a reliable and versatile vessel. This decommissioned version retains two forward-facing twin weapon mounts at the wing tips for effective self-defense and includes its military-grade sensors and recoded data processing systems, ensuring solid navigation and data collection. Stripped of ISS-specific features such as the stealth coating, science lab, medical bay, and probe drones, it now offers a 15 dT cargo hold for ample storage space. The ship is equipped with four staterooms, providing comfortable accommodations for a mix of crew and passengers. The Imperial Star-Courier is ideal for those looking for a robust and adaptable ship capable of handling various roles, from exploration and reconnaissance to cargo transport and courier duties.

A highly specialized research vessel, the Laboratory Ship is designed to transport scientists and equipment across the stars for remote and deep-space studies. Equipped with improved sensor arrays and 15 advanced probe drones, it excels at planetary surveys, astrophysical research, and biological studies in isolated environments. A unique feature of the ship is its rotational gravity system, which allows experiments to be conducted without interference from standard gravitic plates. For field expeditions, a Research Pinnace is carried via docking clamp, modified with a fuel processor and cargo module to support long-duration missions and surface operations. While typically staffed with a full complement of scientists and crew, the Laboratory Ship is designed to be operated by as few as two personnel when necessary. Additionally, the ship houses laboratories, 20 staterooms, 15 dT of cargo space, and a docking bay for an Air/Raft. With Jump-2 and Thrust-2, the Laboratory Ship is a premier choice for scientific institutions and corporate research teams operating in the frontier.

The Survey Scout is a dedicated exploration and mapping vessel, designed for the ongoing task of re-surveying the interior regions of a polity. Its primary mission is to update stellar maps and charts, maintain navigational beacons, and monitor astrogation hazards. Built on a 400 dT hull, the Survey Scout is equipped with Jump-3 and Thrust-3, allowing it to operate independently across vast distances. It features improved sensor arrays, a dedicated sensor station, and a complement of 20 advanced probe drones, enabling it to conduct extensive planetary and stellar surveys with precision. Onboard workshop and laboratory facilities allow for in-depth analysis and technical support during missions. The vessel’s modular cutter is often outfitted with a fuel skimmer module for wilderness refueling operations, while additional space for a spare cutter module provides versatile mission support. Further docking space for three Air/Rafts ensures planetary surface access and mobility. With accommodations for a full survey team across 10 staterooms, as well as 14 dT of cargo capacity, it is well-suited for extended missions in deep space.

The Covenanter-Class Scout Corvette is a hybrid design, merging the versatility of an S-type Scout with the combat resilience of a Close Escort. Built for long-range reconnaissance, deep-space patrols, and rapid-response missions, it offers a balance of speed, firepower, and utility. At 500 dT, it features Jump-4 and Thrust-6, ensuring exceptional mobility across contested or uncharted space. Its armament includes three beam laser turrets, one pulse laser barbette, and one missile barbette, providing solid offensive and defensive capabilities. Designed for a 13-person crew, it houses 15 staterooms, a medical bay, a research lab, and a workshop, making it well-suited for extended independent operations. For logistics, the 15 dT cargo hold is complemented by dedicated docking space that can accommodate either two ATVs or a Gig, while still retaining room for two air/rafts, ensuring mission flexibility. Favored by scout services, corporate survey teams, and frontier defense forces, the Covenanter-Class remains a reliable choice for those operating on the fringes of known space.

A highly adaptable variant of the Broadsword-Class Expeditionary Frigate, the Broadsword-Class Exploration Frigate trades its troop deployment capabilities for advanced sensor suites and scientific facilities, making it a formidable deep-space survey vessel. Retaining its 800 dTon spherical hull, Jump-3 capability, and Thrust-3 drives, it remains well-suited for long-range missions beyond established space lanes. The armament has been reduced to four beam laser turrets to accommodate additional sensor arrays and computational systems. Internally, the ship houses extensive research labs, expanded mapping and analysis stations, and enhanced data processing cores, enabling it to conduct planetary surveys, resource assessments, and astrophysical studies. While its operational costs place it beyond the reach of most independent explorers, it remains a favored platform for corporate survey teams and research institutes. With its blend of endurance, scientific capability, and rugged self-sufficiency, the Broadsword-Class Exploration Frigate is a premier choice for charting the unknown.

The Qasar-class Scout Frigate designed to support long-range scouting missions in uncharted territory. The design incorporated multiple levels of redundancy required to survive months or even years at a time out of contact and has proven so reliable it continues to be used on the frontiers. Because of its mission profile, the Qasar has some defensive capability, sporting two triple sandcaster turrets and two triple beam laser turrets. Qasars usually carry a scout/courier, used as a large ship’s boat allowing extended missions away from the parent vessel jumping to neighbouring systems to widen coverage of the mission.

Designed for deep-space exploration and reconnaissance, the Alahir-Class Scout Frigate serves as the cutting edge of fleet pathfinding operations. Built on a 1,000 dT hull, it boasts Thrust-5 and Jump-4 capabilities, enabling it to traverse vast distances and operate independently in the most remote and uncharted regions. While officially designated as an exploration vessel, its advanced sensor suites, high mobility, and stealth capabilities make it an ideal platform for intelligence gathering and covert operations. The Alahir carries a modular cutter for planetary excursions and logistics, along with three light fighters for reconnaissance, escort duties, or rapid response scenarios. Though not heavily armed compared to dedicated warships, it is well-defended, featuring a mix of energy and point-defense systems to deter hostiles. Its streamlined, durable hull allows it to withstand long-duration missions, whether charting unknown star systems, securing strategic hyperspace routes, or engaging in high-risk espionage. A crucial asset for any fleet or intelligence network, the Alahir-Class blends exploration with military versatility, making it a formidable presence wherever it operates.