Differences

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--- starship_classes_and_examples [2011/08/06 19:17] – [Modern Spacecraft Classification] hagalaz
+++ starship_classes_and_examples [2011/08/16 09:19] – Added 'deep space hardware' add-on package to TAV entry hagalaz
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 Some common examples are:
-  * Transatmospheric Vehicle (TAV) - A generic catch-all term for an aerodynamic, single-stage-to-orbit vehicle.  They are classified as short- or long-range, with long-range TAVs being technically capable of interstellar travel.  Militaries will generally use 'assault shuttle' or 'aerospace fighter' to describe short-range TAVs, and 'corvette' to describe long-range TAVs.  Civilians will generally use short-range TAVs as cargo shuttles or passenger shuttles, and refer to them as such.
+  * Transatmospheric Vehicle (TAV) - A generic catch-all term for a small, aerodynamic, single-stage-to-orbit vehicle.  They are classified as short- or long-range; long-range TAVs are technically capable of interstellar travel, and are essentially short-range TAVs with a 'bolt-on' space-only engines/sensors/support package that is detached before reentry and attached before departing for deep space .  Militaries will generally use 'assault shuttle' or 'aerospace fighter' to describe short-range TAVs, and 'corvette' to describe long-range TAVs.  Civilians will generally use short-range TAVs as cargo shuttles or passenger shuttles, and refer to them as such.
+//(Note: Think of TAVs as updated versions of the real-world [[https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/Reaction_Engines_Skylon|Skylon spaceplane]] proposed by Reaction Engines Limited. They are essentially winged, flying fuel/oxidizer tanks with a small percentage of internal volume dedicated to payload, be it cargo, living quarters, etc... - Hagalaz)//
   * Deep Space Operations Vehicle (DSOV) - These are the ships that function for extended periods of time away from home, primarily as a research vessel.  They carry a lot of fuel, and are normally equipped with enhanced sensors and plenty of cargo space for mission equipment.  The DSOV will also have some way of generating artificial gravity inside a rotating habitat module, and are only capable of operation in space.  DSOVs will usually carry a complement of short-range TAVs and work pods.
-  * Executive Space Vehicle (ESV) - A fast transport equipped with passenger cabins but little cargo space. Governments often use these as consular ships. They are almost always transatmospheric.
+  * Executive Space Vehicle (ESV) - A fast transport equipped with passenger cabins but little cargo space. Governments often use these as consular ships. They are almost always transatmospheric (see TAV blurb re: add-on equipment).
   * Passenger Space Vehicle (PSV) - A transport equipped with lots of passenger cabins, and spin gravity (if designed to operate solely in space).  They can carry up to five short-range TAVs for transferring passengers to and from the ship.
-  * Scout Vessel (SV) - the DSOV's smaller sibling. This is a transatmospheric ship capable of interstellar travel, but generally lacks the extra fuel/cargo capacity of the DSOV.  Militarized versions of this ship are sometimes also referred to as 'corvettes'.
+  * Scout Vessel (SV) - the DSOV's smaller sibling. This is a transatmospheric ship capable of interstellar travel, but generally lacks the extra fuel/cargo capacity of the DSOV.  Militarized versions of this ship are sometimes also referred to as 'corvettes'.  Again, see TAV entry re: add-on equipment for space operations.
   * Space Dominance Vehicle (SDV) - A heavily armed and armored space-only vehicle. They can carry up to five short-range TAVs and/or work pods, and a squad of marines. Traditionalists will refer to these as 'frigates', 'destroyers', 'cruisers', or 'battlecruisers', depending on their relative size at the time of commissioning.
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 And, of course, everyone's favorite:
-  * Starfighter - a single- or double-occupant, space-only vehicle, equipped with armor, ECM, and a varying payload of anti-ship weapons.  Missions include patrol, escort, screening, and strike.  Starfighters are highly maneuverable, but that maneuverability comes at a price: stress fractures, bruising, internal organ damage, and temporary blindness due to detached retinas are common side effects of those who survive violent combat maneuvers.
+  * Starfighter - a single- or double-occupant, space-only vehicle, equipped with armor, ECM, and a varying payload of anti-ship weapons.  Missions include long-range patrol, convoy escort, fleet screening, and long-range strike.  Starfighters are highly maneuverable, but that maneuverability comes at a price: stress fractures, bruising, internal organ damage, and temporary blindness due to detached retinas are common side effects of those who survive violent combat maneuvers.
 //"You are here because you think you have what it takes to be a fighter pilot. You are almost certainly wrong. Ninety percent of you aren't even worth the price of shipping to Gaspra, and we will find you out. For those who are left, you have years of hard training in microgravity. It will permanently warp you. Starfighter pilots have an average life expectancy forty years short of the norm, and much of this is due to the health problems. If you are skilful and adapt, then maybe you can hope for an honourable death in battle, rather than end up an arthritic wreck." - Admiral Antoine Lagalliard, introductory talk, Space Defense Force Academy, class of 2130//