Date: Fri, 17 Nov 1995 23:06:28 -1600 From: Michael Bailey Subject: Satellite Beacons Following on from Andy Davis' post regarding satellite beacons, I've (very quickly) knocked up two examples. Both use fusion power plants, and the radio beacon itself is by far the greatest consumer of power. URLI Model 44B satellite beacon (TL-12) Size: 2 tons (28 m^3) Mass: 55.34t Power: 22MW Fusion power plant Equip: 1 x 1000 AU radio transmitter 1 x 60,000km passive EMS 1 x Mod. 12 Flt computer. Price: MCr 3.825/3.055 (quantity) The URLI 44B is representative of a great number of satellie navigations deployed throughout the Last Imperium. The 44B is typically deployed at system jump and gas giant refuelling points, it's powerful radio transmitter can be detected from anywhere in the system. Passive EMS and optical sensors provide information to the Model 12 Flt computer, which continually updates positional and navigational data. Transmissions are fully programmable, normally by remote transmission to the unit's inbuilt radio receiver. The satellite contains a low thrust (0.01G) ion drive for station keeping, and sufficient ionizates for 10,000 hours operation. Power plant fuel is sufficient 5 years operation. The 44B has 4 m^3 and 1.39 MW spare capacity, which can be used for a variety of applications. URLI Model 43 satellite beacon (TL-12) Size: 1 ton (14 m^3) Mass: 33.26t Power: 12MW fusion power plant Equip: 1 x 300,000km radio transmitter 1 x 60,000km passive EMS 1 x Mod. 12 Flt computer Price: Mcr 2.623/2.098 (quantity) The URLI 43 is a smaller version of the 44B, using a less powerful radio transmitter. The Model 43 is typically deployed in far orbit around the system's mainworld, and provides realtime navigational and traffic control data. The Model 43 is also deployed in great numbers on the surface of many worlds - providing instant 'E' class starport facilities to any cleared area where it is deployed. The ion thruster and power plant fuel specs are identical to that of the Model 44B. The 43 has 0.5 m^3 and 0.39 MW spare capacity. Michael Bailey (pd82495@wapol.gov.au) "I was implying that the Honorable Member for Wentworth was like a lizard on a rock - alive, but looking dead" Prime Minister Paul Keating (on former Opposition Leader John Hewson)