Yalu Type Long Range Explorer

The Yalu type makes use of an experimental Antimatter reactor, the first vessel to use one. Antimatter power generation, even in its earliest stages promises to be significantly more efficient than even the latest in fusion technologies. However, as the reactors in Yalu type ships are very early prototypes, they themselves are relatively inefficient compared to the more advanced experimental designs in static laboratory facilities.

The Yalu type possesses a modernized J-Drive, this drive is rated for J-1 jumps. In addition to the basic jump drive, the Yalu type mounts a magnitudinal jump drive (colloquially known as a Hop Drive), capable of jumping as far as ten parsecs in a single jump using the same fuel per jump as the normal jump drive. The Hop Drive is less accurate than the J-Drive, requiring an auxiliary J-Drive to get closer to possible planets. The Hop Drives on the Yalu type are the first to be implemented on a crewed vessel, the technology having previously only been used on drones. For Slower than Light travel, the Yalu type possesses a highly energy-efficient M-Drive. This M-Drive is capable of operating in areas of space far from the gravitational pull of a star system, allowing for deep space operations.

The Yalu type is extremely heavily armed for a civilian ship of its size. As it is believed the ship should be prepared for any number of dangers from pirates to exotic alien spaceborne organisms, the ship must be well protected. The Yalu type is primarily armed with two barbettes equipped with Plasma-Pulse Cannons. Secondary armament for point defense and use against light targets comes in the form of four triple beam laser turrets.

The Yalu type's primary defense is not being hit, relying on a black globe generator to deflect all incoming fire. More advanced white globes exist, however, the designers of the Yalu type selected a more basic system for the sake of space and power efficiency. In addition, sandcasters can launch any number of particulates to deflect lasers, plasma bolts, or unwanted boarders. As a final defense however, the Yalu type possess reasonable thick armor composed of molecular bonded materials.

The Yalu type explorer has one of the most advanced and robust sensors known to exist in the whole of the galaxy. In addition to superior processing power, the the Yalu type has highly specialized additional sensor suites covering mineral seeking, planetology, and life scanners. This gives vessel nearly unparalleled long range scanning capabilities, allowing it to chart star systems with extreme rapidity. In addition, the Yalu type explorer maintains an extensive squadron of probe drones that can survey a planet with the Yalu in orbit.

The Yalu type explorer has a robust suite of scientific, medical, and engineering auxiliary systems for the task of completing its important mission. It maintains laboratory facilities for eight scientists, not count more specialized planetology, space science, and a scientific operations suite, allowing the Yalu type to conduct multiple experiments within a relatively compact frame. For engineers, there are several workshops, a robotics laboratory and manufactory, and a large construction deck. This, paired with onboard mining drones and auxiliary craft give the Yalu the capacity to manufacture almost everything it needs to repair itself, and maintain operations in the field for an extended period, as well as carry out in the field prototyping of advanced technologies away from home. The Yalu type also has an extensive artificial biosphere that make life more pleasant for crew, and provide organic components for food and science, in addition to an enormous cargo bay capable of providing supplies for a year long mission, not counting any additional production the ship may do.

The Yalu type is intended to operate alongside the Jannah type explorer, a smaller auxiliary craft that is intended to operate semi-independently of the Yalu while in system, carrying out surveying missions and setting up mission bases. In addition there are five docking bays rated for ten ton craft. These are not equipped with any specific vehicle allowing the operator of the vessel to add whatever auxiliary craft they need, from most standard light fighters, to cargo crawlers, to heavy air/rafts serving as backup to the Jannah.