Space Stations, Starports and Starbases

ORBITAL CITIES

This is the most expensive and prestigious stations available at the moment
capable of housing up to 16000 occupants, 200000t of cargo and up to 30 large ships 
(500-2200t) or up to 100 small ships (10-500t).

Designed in Tokyo Shipyards and now seen in the capitals of all three political powers.

The space inside the AF9270 can be increased or decreased to meet current needs
with the addition of extra pods on to the structure. Each pod is capable of housing 
4000 occupants and comes in three variations, the two pod, the three pod and the four pod.

The center pod houses cargo, ships and personnel.

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Four Pod AF9270 4PV

Three Pod AF9270 3PV

Two Pod AF9270 2PV

This Orbital City is the another of its the kind that can be upgraded or downgraded as necessary.

The orbital city has four sections that rotate in such a way that they do not touch each other.

This has increased the number of human occupants in sustained artificial gravity to 14000. 3500 in each arm. 

Two of the arms can be removed and relocated or replaced as needed making this one
of the most versatile stations in existence. 

Capable of holding 200000t of cargo and up to 35 large ships (500-2200t) or up 
to 120 small ships (10-500t).

ORBITAL STATIONS

This is the other possible variation. It only holds 7000 occupants so does not qualify as an 
orbital city. This station has the advantage over the others that it can be upgraded to a orbital
city at a later date. Many frontier worlds buy these stations in anticipation of future growth.
This way the government can bypass buying an new station and simply add two more arms.

Relatively new design, this station actually holds more cargo and ships then the more modern
pod station. 
.

Their physical similarity to an artifact from an antiquated communication system led 
to their widely used nickname of 'Letterboxes'. Capable of holding 5000 occupants these
stations are one of the designs that replaced the Coriolis and Dodo stations over 150 years
ago. A primitive but effective design it provides consistent artificial gravity throughout the
base, which can be both a disadvantage or an advantage depending on what it is used for.

A relatively uncommon station, the SQUID's primary role is the housing of passengers
with trading a secondary concern. Capable of housing 4500 passengers the SQUID is often
used as an orbital hotel by large corporations. Quick and cheap to manufacture this 
station provides an unexpected amount of luxury to the weary traveler.

The SQUID also has 30000t of cargo space, which although is little compared to other 
stations it is more then enough for this station.

Capable of holding 3500 occupants this station was the direct successor of the Advanced
Orbital Trading Post. The Odessey station is less focused toward trading and more towards
Administration and Governing.

ORBITAL TRADING POSTS

This Station in the more advanced of the two Orbital Trading 
Posts featuring two bi-gravitatational rings. The outer ring 
creating slightly more then 1g is used for housing all 
station staff their families, also including facilities for any people
wanting to stay. 

The inner section creates 0.3g and stores the cargo, all ships 
(no more than 10) and equipment.

The most recently designed OTP. It is designed for small amounts 
trade both from and out of the system and to supply mining settlements
not capable of producing their own food.

The Coriolis was once a common sight in human space with every habited
planet having at least one of these stations in orbit above them.
Coriolis stations had the advantage of being comparatively cheap and
quick to manufacture and were turned out in the tens by local shipyards as little
more then shells. Then they were towed into orbit and were fitted with 
necessary equipment. Original models were made of steel but later they
used heavy plastic or synthetic metals.

Designed almost 800 years ago these stations a primitive by today's standard
but still have uses in Frontier systems or in areas where there is little trading. 
The Dodo (or Dodecahedral) station like the bird became extinct because it could 
not adapt. Being replaced by the modern stations there were no niches that it
could fill.

The Coriolis Station has enough room for 5 ships and 25000t Cargo as well as 
Viper Defense craft and living quarters. Many of these stations have become 
mostly automated with a few necessary staff.

The Coriolis station comes in three variations, The no arm variation is used on systems
where there is a bright sun and it is easy to see. The two and the four arm variation is used in
darker systems to help space travelers locate it.

Coriolis stations were designed at the GASEC (Galactic Astronautic and Space 
Exploration Center) Laboratories on the planet Vetitice. The first station was in orbit 
around the world Lave in 2752. 

No arm stations are the earliest and most rare of the 3 variations as Imperial and Federal
regulations now require all new Coriolis stations to be produced with at least two arms.

No Arm

Two Arm

Four Arm

ALIEN STATIONS

The Thargoids have the technology to move a large mass at astounding speeds with no visible means of propulsion. Also Thargoid Hyperspace technology is much more advanced then ours which may mean that this station is capable of moving under its own power and entering witch space.

Taking these things under consideration may mean that the nearest Thargoid base to this one may be over 450ly distant, and outside explored space!

OBSOLETE STATIONS

Few examples of the Dodo still exist with most of them being broken up for scrap over 200 years ago. 
 

A common base on large frontier planets that have not fully developed or in areas with only moderate traffic. Most common on agricultural worlds.  Realitively modern design

The Pincer type base is commonly seen in developing systems. It features extensive facilities for ship building and maintenance not usually seen in two port bases. Although a little small for large systems or trading it is ideal for cities on the frontier.  During wartime the pincer type base excels as a refuling and supply depot with its large storage area and tough armor.  Know to be able to withstand close proximity nuclear blasts these starports have been a welcome sight to many a pilot flying a crippled ship back from a dangerous mission.

Usually found on ice and water planets these stations are most common in the Alliance and Federation, an example can be found on the ice world of Alioth. These starbases have the advantage of being easy to relocate unlike the pincer type which is permanent if the surface becomes unstable, a particular trouble on ice worlds.

The hexagonal base is commonly seen in the capital planets in main systems. It has enough facilities for six ships landing at once as ships are directed by the control tower in the center. With the need to accommodate large amounts of traffic these are the most strict type starport, with any mischief  being quickly neutralized by the Viper Mk 2's. 

One of the rarest types of starport to be seen in human space. Like the old earth railway towns that would pop up along a major railway line these cities are starport cities.  Often dubbed the cityport they themselves originally did not produce anything but were a recreation area for those on a long journey.  As you can see all business is centered around the starport itself. and while the city may no longer require the starport to survive it was the main reason for its existence.

Common throughout human space but particularly in the Federation.  This station (pictured) is actually one of the most ancient designs pre-dating hyperspace.  Apollonius City was one of the first off world human colonies with its large flat shape to be clearly visible from space so that lifter and other primitive ship pilots could see it.  With the invention of computer guidance and the refinement of communication technology this is no longer needed, but it makes an interesting stop off for tourists wishing to learn more about human history.

The two smaller domes to the right of the base are around the same age as the base itself, being designed to withstand micro meteorites.  The larger dome in the background is a more modern addition.  With the invention of the energy shield these domes don't need to be reinforced and can be transparent to allow the growing of crops and for recreation.

Common throughout human space but particularly in the Empire.  This starbase is designed for continual life within the base with all facilities needed for living within the domes surrounding the landing area.  In the Empire these domes are usually homes for the administration staff of the mines while slaves have their quarters underground.

More modern then the Apollonius type bases, three ports are available for simultaneous docking and take-off.

This base is instantly recognizable by the distinctive pyramidal structures.  The largest pyramid is used for docking, each of its four sides fold down to reveal a landing pad. A strange design feature of these bases is the two pillars of either side which serve as a visual beacon for mining ships on return from elsewhere on the planets surface. These pillars are much more visible from the side then from above, so as to attract low altitude craft on often featureless planets. Common in the Alliance mining systems.