Compiled by Cadet Jack McKirgan II
The history of the Space Patrol is a long and glorious one. Only the finest candidates are considered from the ranks of the military and from the Cadet Corps. Likewise, patrol ships were among the finest performing available, but somewhat lacking in the refinements needed for optimum utilization. Patrol vessels with the names Terra, Terra II, Terra lll and Terra IV were the personal craft of Space Patrol's Commanders for over five decades, but were generally standard issue patrol ships. Due to budget constraints, a specialty vehicle was not fully realized until the latter half of the 30th century. Having a need for a relatively small craft optimized for pursuit, patrol and prisoner transport, the Space Patrol headquarters submitted specification 2945/0816-6247 to several contractors in August of 2945 A.D. Some main points of the specifications were: capability of being operated by one pilot even though a two person crew would be standard patrol configuration, submersible operations in water and ammonia liquids with water pressure capabilities equivalent to 9,000 feet submersed, prolonged patrol operations of over one year in deep space, vertical and horizontal launch/landing configuration, ability to survive extremely harsh solar and electromagnetic environments, prolonged atmospheric flight in and easy reconfiguration capability for exploration, trooper transport and command post duties. The 1/4 scale prototype designated XR-P was presented to Space Patrol's commissioner and officers for evaluation in October of 2947 A.D. Designed by the Moser-Darley team at Mitsui/Ramco industries, the prototype easily won out over submissions from several other United Planet contractors.
The keel of the Terra V was laid in the newly completed Mitsui/Ramco shipyard on Terra. There were a few in-construction changes made to the Terra V because of technological breakthroughs and miniaturization of hitherto bulky gravity generation equipment which not only provided crew comfort that had been previously been available only to large warships. Because of the small size of the Terra V, the new gravity wave generators could produce a gravity-warp field around the ship which gave the Terra V the capability for quick traverse of the solar system as well as extended interstellar travel, and even time travel, if necessary. The Space Patrol soon discovered that the delays in construction were well worth enduring. Rolled out on September 16, 2950 A.D., The Terra V was christened by retiring commissioner Kit Corry and ten days later the first shakedown cruise was flown by Mitsui/Ramco's chief test pilot, Serge Adamski who had just recovered from injuries suffered from the destruction of the YC-19 deep space tug project which was sabotaged by the suspected agent of a competitor to the mining company for which the YC 19 was being developed.
Hull construction of the Terra V is by carbon micro-former/longeron method which provides extreme rigidity as well as pressure protection. External hull plating is of valant-bonded Bucky aluminium/carbon/titanium alloy which can provide extreme pressure and temperature protection and seamless covering in all areas except for those with mechanically operated functions. The natural color of the hull plating gives the surface a matt aluminum finish with a tint of brown or pink reminiscent of platinum. The functional nose boom terminates into the front of the hull and incorporates a vertical strake for additional support and vibration dampening in atmospheric flight conditions.
Additional vertical and horizontal stabilization and low speed lift is provided for by wings and a vertical fin which also contain buoyancy chambers, emergency rafts and beacons, atmospheric missile bays, landing lights, traditional navigation lights and strobes and conduit passages for gas, plasma and circuitry. The vertical fin is mounted directly to the uppermost longeron and the wings are mounted 90 degrees to the vertical fin onto the 90 degree longerons with bucky-carbon wing roots extending through the fuselage to the opposite wing. These roots are non-obtrusive by virtue of extending between decks just above the hold area. There are no control surfaces on the wings or tail, directional control being provided by XY axis thrusters located in the nose of the craft. These thrusters are effective in the atmosphere while the ship is operated in gravity wave propulsion mode.
When under rocket thrust, the Terra V is directionally controlled by the conventionally gimbaled rocket motor. The rocket engine is an improved Plasma General R-1530-7 similar to those used in the larger early model X-100 class battle cruisers. Using triple mixing chambers controlling the thrust, the PG R1539-7 can maintain a hover in a light wind when used with the gravity wave generators or can propel the craft at over Mach 10 in dense atmosphere for sustained periods. In space, the engine can produce a constant 1 G acceleration for up to six Earth days reducing the need for gravity wave propulsion on routine patrol/interdiction duties. Fuel capacity and type is restricted information, but is rumored to be similar to that used in the gigantic military vessels of United Planets Solar Force. These fuels are believed to be so concentrated with potential energy that only 10% of the Terra V's volume is necessary to store the fuel supply. Fuel developer, Aries Chemical of Mars, is not in a position to divulge details, but press kits claim that the efficiency is obtained by progressive thermonuclear reaction in which lighter elements are converted to progressively heavier elements in infinitesimally small quantities and that the bulk of the "propellant" is actually only reactive mass that is expelled at extremely high rates as class 12 plasma which is not radioactive, non polluting and only affects the atmosphere in the immediate vicinity of the expulsion chamber. In some atmosphere compositions, such as on Venus, elements may react with the expelled plasma in such a way as to produce a shock wave at the rear of the Terra V. For this reason, the wings and vertical fin of the Terra V are radiuses to act as the leading edge of this shock wave, allowing the Terra V to "surf' at very low fuel expenditure rates.
- - - - - - - - - - MISSION - - - - - - - - - -
Because the mission of the Space Patrol is one of law enforcement, the Terra V is equipped for such duties. Criminals now have access to sophisticated transportation, weaponry and information and it is well known that the criminal mind is not capable of acting within the normal parameters of civilization. Today's criminal is an egotist, bent on gathering power over segments of civilized peoples. They are usually loners with a small collection of henchmen dedicated to serving and supplying them. For this reason the Space Patrol's vessels usually have no brig and suspects are shackled in the living quarters of the ship. The Terra V, being smaller than previous class ships, does suffer from cramped space when taking on additional crew or transporting suspects for trial and rehabilitation. In-space encounters with disabled vehicles can be handled in a number of ways.
Storage of up to four EVA suits is provided in the air-lock access room for occasions where EVA is required. An extendable magnetic coupler tube is located on the port side forward area accessed through the gravity wave/hyperdrive room. This is the recommended method of boarding a disabled craft, the termination of the tube being made of an electro malleable alloy with a seal that conforms to the boarding hatch of almost any airlock. An additional feature is a cargo hold which is not large enough to completely enclose most vessels, but can accommodate a large section which can be secured for transport by magnetic/mechanical grapples. A small gravity wave projector in the hold can be used to draw another vessel into the hold for docking. A retractable ladder in the open hold can also be used for boarding the Terra V while in a port or resting on a launch ramp.
Defensive armament on the Terra V is of three types:
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Hand held weapons such as the standard issue Colt Mk. XXI pulse rifle and Mayo MIM-22 nerve disrupter pistol are stowed in cabinetry just aft of the flight deck. This facility is also used to stow assorted hand and power tools including an atomic torch/welder.
Directly beneath the flight deck is the weapons bay in which are located two launch tubes for Heller-Raytheon Space Serpent Missiles. Linked racks are capable of feeding ten missiles into each tube for an amazing amount of firepower in a ship of this size.
Additionally, atmospheric encounters can be dealt with by virtue of a pair of Pinga MM67 air-to-air missiles located in weapons bays near the root of each wing. Detonations and targeting on all missiles is programmed prior to launch and may be reprogrammed or cancelled in flight.
Performance details for these weapons is restricted information. Reconnaissance and sampling probes may be manually substituted for explosive warheads.
Navigation and Electronic Countermeasures Equipment is stowed in several locations on the ship, most notably in the nose boom and the vertical fin. Other than typical civilian navigation equipment, all specialized astronav and ECM equipment is classified, but typical military type emission arrays have been noticed on the very edges of the vertical fin and the boom strake. Communications are conducted on accelerated spectrum transmitters within the solar system and by space-o-phone transceiver on hyper-drive missions. The space-o-phone communications system is limited in value because of the fact that there are no other transceivers of that type other than at a remote observatory and Space Patrol Headquarters located on planet Terra. Extra-Solar missions can be nerve-wrecking if communications are required with outposts equipped with only standard communications gear. Rumor has it that the military is considering providing space-o-phone links on secure bands as a courtesy the the Space Patrol.
Living quarters on the Terra V are Spartan. Hatches between decks and between compartments are not symmetrical, some being located along the central line of the keel and most being offset to the port or starboard side of the center line. This is a necessary requirement due to the design and placement of internal fittings of a ship as small as the Terra V. Intimate knowledge of the ship's layout is absolutely necessary in case of a total power failure, else one could find himself entering a storage cabinet instead of the next compartment during a blackout! The living quarters area, consisting of two folding racks that double as seating, the crew does split duty during rest periods. Small view screens and library/ entertainment data are available in the living quarters, galley and flight deck.
The galley is also space-efficient with a fold-out table and benches. The lavatory is located along the bulkhead on the port side of the galley, making privacy unattainable and occasionally disruptive to crews using the galley. Ration packs and supplements are the only nutrition on board. Water and a variety of water-based beverages are available and may be dispensed in hot or cold form as required. Immediately behind the galley is the life support locker. This area contains atmospheric scrubbers, recyclers, oxygen and nitrogen reserves and extra and emergency air supplies for EVA suits. It also contains water reserves and recycling equipment as well as additional rations. It has been noted that upon occasion, private stores of foodstuffs including cocoa, candy bars, breakfast cereal and reconstituted milk have been found stowed here.
The Gravity wave/Hyperdrive is the most protected area of the ship. No journalist, politician or entity other than crew and constructor has been allowed access. It is known that there are apparently at least two levels of operation in this unit. The lowest level provides levitating counteractions to planetary gravity and the upper level can provide drive speeds well beyond that of light. Rumors abound that the unit can exceed light speed by a factor of 10! If this is indeed the case, then time travel is indeed possible or even probable if spaceport stories are to be believed. The technology for this drive unit is based on the ancient 21st century Cochran drives derived from alien artifacts found some sixty years earlier. Electro-magnetic conduits allow small amounts of gravity wave energy to be piped to various parts of the ship for redirection of thrust Gs to provide directional dampening during hard maneuvers, artificial gravity while in non-thrust cruising and tractoring and towing operations. It is rumored that portions of this energy source can also dampen the physical effects of hyper drive acceleration, but that the levels of acceleration and deceleration can only be partially cancelled and that the crew is subject to blackouts at these times, a particularly dangerous condition in space flight. A very small amount of energy produced by the gravity wave generators is also tapped to generate all electrical needs of the Terra V. All electrical and electronic systems powered by the gravity wave generator are protected by a redundancy factor of two to three.
- - - - - - - - - - HISTORY - - - - - - - - - -
Operational History of the Terra V is a long and famous one. Replacing the previous Commander-in- Chief"s flagship Terra IV, which was damaged in June 2949, Terra V's launching was timely, indeed. Originally planned to be the first in a new class of patrol ships, the Terra V remains the only one of her type. Continued updating of the X-100 class ships has reduce the need for further examples. A smaller class of patrol ship is now being designed under the prototype designation XR-C and refitting of the Terra V is also being considered. Among the retrofits considered are: new wing configuration with main wings at 120 degrees to the vertical fin, auxiliary fins situated between the vertical fin and main wings (rumored to cover a newly developed plasma drive to assist the main propulsion system), lengthened fuselage to house the new plasma propulsion system, additional nav systems, enlarged cargo hold, redesigned nose boom and other refinements.
The Terra V was accepted as the personal patrol vessel of the newly promoted Commander-in-Chief of the Space Patrol, Commander Ed "Buzz" Corry on December 1, 2950. Commander Corry was not a bureaucrat, having served with distinction in the military with many decorations and commendations for valor. A true hero, Commander Corry entered Space Patrol service soon after his his retirement from the Space Force and was promoted quickly without regard to his relationship with the Commissioner of the Space Patrol. Involved in every aspect of a patrolman's duties, he was promoted to the rank of Commander on May 2, 2949 and again to Commander-in-Chief on August 1, 2949. This last promotion was personally made by the Secretary General of the United Planets above the objections of Commissioner Kit Corry who felt the promotion of his younger brother would be viewed as an act of nepotism. Not one to be the desk-bound beaurocrat, Commander Corry was on Patrol more often than heading up administration duties. During the first six years of his administration, he and his hand picked teams arrested no less than 150 felons and averted many disasters which could have wreaked havoc throughout the galaxy. All of Commander Corry's exploits have been made possible by the unique capabilities of the Terra V.
The Terra V's home base is the Spaceport in Terra City on the man-made planet Terra, located at a resonant orbit between Earth and Mars. Formed by importation of asteroid and comet material, Terra's landscape is barren of most plant and animal life save for a benign covering of lichens. All plant, animal and human life is contained within the buildings of Terra City on the equator and several mining outposts around the planetary basins. Short exposures to the surface are not harmful, but can be uncomfortable. Generally, exposures are made only when boarding a scrambled ship for emergency launch. Terra V's home berth is launch ramp three adjacent to Space Patrol's Headquarters building near the southern edge of Terra City. Personnel liaison with the United Planets Headquarters staff is usually made by taking the monorail system or staff vehicle along the high speed beltway to United Planets' complex in the center of Terra City. To this day, Terra V remains at the ready to dispense law and order under throughout the galaxy and to bring offenders face to face with Justice.
Thank you Cadet Jack McKirgan II for this wonderful History on the spaceship Terra V
For more information visit his Space Patrol web site.
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