MT Only: World Builder's Handbook

snrdg082102 · #1 May 7th, 2016, 10:22 AM

Hello all,

I'm reading through MT World Builder's Handbook and per the Planetographer's Checklist on p. 4 Step 1 Setup one determines the type and class of survey.

I know that there are five classes of survey but I seem to have missed the types of surveys conducted.

Can anyone please take the time to provide the answer about the types of surveys conducted?

**robject** · #2 May 7th, 2016, 06:50 PM

Pages 2-3.

Class I: 1 parsec distant. A 2D-hour charting of basic stellar data and probable GG presence. ASAP (or perhaps SOP) for just-encountered, never-before-surveyed systems.

Class II: A 2D-day insystem survey, possibly with probes, to record bodies over 800km dia and satellites over 200km dia and asteroid belt characteristics.

Class III: **most common**. 2D weeks, incl probes deployed into the habitable zone. Landing parties at discretion. Physical profiles of significant bodies. Orbital map created. Preliminary UWPs filed. (Presumably, the identification of the mainworld is also made at this survey).

Class IV: 2D months. Landing parties to hab zone worlds. Intensive study and mapping of the mainworld. Geology and biology studied. Native sophonts studied, but not usually contacted.

Class V: 2D+ years. Considered "exploration" rather than just a "survey". Usually only performed when requested by the surveyed system's government / Imperial military, for example as a precursor to colonization. Probes and landing parties to all surveyed bodies. Planetary dynamics modeled, climate stability measured, resources identified, native sophonts contacted.

snrdg082102 · #3 May 7th, 2016, 08:21 PM

Hello robject,

Thank you for your reply and at least this time I'm thanking the right person for answering one of my poorly worded questions. ;-)

Quote:

Originally Posted by robject

Pages 2-3.

Class I: 1 parsec distant. A 2D-hour charting of basic stellar data and probable GG presence. ASAP (or perhaps SOP) for just-encountered, never-before-surveyed systems.

Class II: A 2D-day insystem survey, possibly with probes, to record bodies over 800km dia and satellites over 200km dia and asteroid belt characteristics.

Class III: **most common**. 2D weeks, incl probes deployed into the habitable zone. Landing parties at discretion. Physical profiles of significant bodies. Orbital map created. Preliminary UWPs filed. (Presumably, the identification of the mainworld is also made at this survey).

Class IV: 2D months. Landing parties to hab zone worlds. Intensive study and mapping of the mainworld. Geology and biology studied. Native sophonts studied, but not usually contacted.

Class V: 2D+ years. Considered "exploration" rather than just a "survey". Usually only performed when requested by the surveyed system's government / Imperial military, for example as a precursor to colonization. Probes and landing parties to all surveyed bodies. Planetary dynamics modeled, climate stability measured, resources identified, native sophonts contacted.

From MT WBH p. 4:

1. Setup
Determine the type and class of survey being conducted.
Remember that some survey sensors are active rather than passive; using active sensors could gave away the ship's presence, which may not be wise if contact is to be avoided at all costs.

The text indicates that the there is more than one "type" and "class" of survey that the IISS conducts.

In my opinion the five items, from MT WBH pp. 2-3, you quoted above covers the class requirement in Step 1 Setup.

Unfortunately, again in my opinion, I'm not sure what type of survey is going to be conducted.

After a bit more reading I think the type requirement may be either contact or non-contact with the local sentients from p. 3.

If my guess is correct if my description is a non-contact Class III I have satisfied Step 1 Setup requirements for determining the type and class of survey being conducted.

Does the above sound reasonable?

**robject** · #4 May 8th, 2016, 01:14 AM

You're right of course - the semi-orthogonal "other" classifications for surveys must be what they're asking for.

snrdg082102 · #5 May 8th, 2016, 09:51 AM

Morning PDT again robject,

Quote:

Originally Posted by robject

You're right of course - the semi-orthogonal "other" classifications for surveys must be what they're asking for.

The "type" reference is, in my opinion, poorly explained and while covered is not easy to follow for individuals like myself who more often than not need some details clearly identified. In my case had the author or authors used something like: The types of survey included contact or non-contact with native cultures or landing parties I might catch on a little quicker.

Thank you for the help.