Exploration/Scout Equipment

[Jame]

This is in the same vein as "Merc equipment."

What would be "typical" exploratory gear? Yes, I am aware of atmosphere testers and such. I imagine that a vacc suit would be a good idea as well...

 

[Father Fletch]

Well it would have to be tailored to the atmosphere and hydrosphere of the planet they were exploring.
If a T-Prime type planet, comfortable field wear. If there are contaigents or irritants in the atmosphere, then filter masks.
Back pack
Tool Belt/Web Gear
Hand Trowel
Hand Towel (Zaphod Brand)
Goggles (Sun/Dust/Wind)
Medium sized knife
Inertial Locator/GPS Handheld
Good boots (or foot coverings for other sophonts)
Head or shoulder mount camera
Head or collar mount radio
Wrist or belt mounted mini-comp/multiplexer for Camera and Radio (All voice activated/gesture controlled)
First Aid Kit (Bandages, Sprayable Cleaner/Debrider/Sealant/Analgesic, Tourniquet, Bite kit, Morphine (or the TL 12 version), small scissors, tweezers, Trauma Dressing, Disposable Patient Vital signs Telemetry Pads-self adhesive [multiplex with Belt Comp], Various other small Techno wonder Medical stuff)
Sample Kit (plastic baggies, Sharpie pen, tweezers, small hammer/axe, ruler (5cm X 1cm), Metal Probe, Forceps)
Artistic supplies (per skills and inclinations of the Scout; Crayons, Chalks, Paints, Sheet of Blank Music, Better grade cameras, glue, construction paper, etc.)
Pens, Pencils, and pad of paper (Because the Scouts know that sometimes, the power goes out)
Flashlight/Chemlight
Night Vision/IR Goggles
Spare Clothes
Two (2) canteens
Some Field Rations
Shower-in-a-Can(R)! (You never know when your next one will be! In 3 wonderful scents! Baby-Powder, Sea-Spice, and new Husky-Musk!)
All of the Electronics are powered by High Tech Long Life Batteries, Rechargeable from ImpStan power hookups.
[Edited by FatherFletch 9/25/03]

 

[chrisr]

Don't forget LOTS of batteries for all those electronic gizmos!

 

[kaladorn]

Originally posted by ChrisR:
Don't forget LOTS of batteries for all those electronic gizmos!

And lots of manual maps, a manual compass, dividers, a counting cord for pacing or a clicker, etc.

Manual backups for when your gizmos fail.

 

[chrisr]

Because they always do...at the worst moment!!

 

[vegascat]

With such a detailed list, you left out the most important tool that a scout could possible have,

A BIG HAMMER!!!

With a big hammer, most problems can be solved.
Equipment breakage, hit it lightly with the hammer.
Personnel problems, hit it over the head with the hammer. Repeat as needed.
Unfriendly natives, hit the biggest one on the head with the hammer. Repeat as needed.
Need a spare part, hit a piece of hot metal with a hammer until it is the right shape.
Need a drink, hit the top of the bottle with a hammer to knock the top off.
Hitting it with a hammer didn't solve the problem, then get a bigger hammer.
No matter how big the problem, you can get a big enough hammer.
Unfriendly nation threatening your home world, hit them with an asteroid sized hammer from orbit, repeat as needed.

 

[vegascat]

AMMO hammer scale

A kind word
Jewelers hammer
Light hammer
Fist
Claw hammer
Ball Peen hammer
Boot
40 Oz beater
sledge hammer
Mk 82 500 lb GP bomb
Mk 84 2000 lb GP bomb
BLU82 15000 lb bomb
B52 conventional load
20kton special weapon
30Mton special weapon
If your problem still isn't solved, then you might try thinking better target placement.

 

[Jame]

All good and useful tools. Like Father Fletch said, good bateries - but what about those long-duration survey missions?

You fergot one thing, though - a CD Player!

 

[jappel]

If you don't have it already, I suggest hunting down a copy of the DGP "World Builder's Handbook" published for MT. It's got a lot of good info for exploration & survey scout missions, with a number of handy gadgets including:
- hand-held densitometer
- neural activity sensors
- a variety of vision enhancement aids
- chemical "sniffer" bioscanners
- self-precessing gyrocompass
- multichronometer (sets itself to local zero meridian time, local solar time, and local sidereal time after one planetary rotation)

Other things I'd add:
- Rope. You may not be doing any full-blown mountain climbing, but rope is always useful in wilderness situations.
- Communicators.
- Bags, vials or some other form of storage for plant / rock / soil / water samples.
- Hand computer for tracking all this data.

Base camps will require power sources (fusion, solar, petrochem-powered generators), lighting, computer facilities, field lab set-ups, etc.

Hostile environments (vaccumm, special atmospheres, etc.) will have other requirements for sure!

John

 

[Ganidirsii O'Flynn]

OK...Two VERY important items.

An Inertial Compass, and Flares...

My trip through the Army's PLDC (Corporal School, in European mil-speak) needed both. Had a big storm on our map problem and got stuck on a mountain (or very large hill) with a mudslide that washed out the road to one side, a flash-flood warning on the arroyo that was our alternate egress route on another and the river was at flood stage... ever been rescued by the Coast Guard 100 miles inland? We was damned glad for both items then, lemme tell ya.

Had a hell of a time living it down...

And why hasn't anyone mentioned four things that exporers ALWAYS need... a good knife, a machete, cordage (not rope, cordage), and TRAINING? Folks, you can have a Boy Scout Field Manuel and STILL bugger up a day-hike if you've never tried half the stuff you'll be doing before!

 

[Jame]

Ah yes, training. The ultimate equipment - it equips your BRAIN! (Mmmmmmm, Braaaaaaaaaaaains!)

I'd ask about training methods (and where to get training in my area in real life), but that's another topic for another forum (IISS, imnho).

 

[Zutroi]

Courtest of Larry Niven and Co.:

Begley Cloth - the tarp that's also a solar generator!

 

[plop101]

This isn't exactly personal equipment, but...

it would be nice if we had a better ORE SAMPLER.

The only one I know of is the TL8 version in CT's Beltstrike. IIRC, its like 20-25kg.

Surely there is something better available in the future.

On a seperate subject, I see Father Fletch mentions a metal probe; would this be ye olde tongs on a metal pole type thing? If so, yes, very usefull. Picks up those green globy things without using your hands.

 

[ctp]

Inertial Locator/GPS Handheld

GPS unit won't do a lot of good unless you bring a satellite network too.

Could be a bit bulky.

 

[Spinward Scout]

A Towel. You CAN'T forget a Towel! And make sure there's some food smeared on it so you can eat it during your exploration...

Retreating into the world of Douglas Adams,

Scout

 

[Golan2072]

Originally posted by Father Fletch:

Head or shoulder mount camera
Wrist or belt mounted mini-comp/multiplexer for Camera and Radio (All voice activated/gesture controlled)
Sample Kit (plastic baggies, Sharpie pen, tweezers, small hammer/axe, ruler (5cm X 1cm), Metal Probe, Forceps)
Two (2) canteens
Shower-in-a-Can(R)! (You never know when your next one will be! In 3 wonderful scents! Baby-Powder, Sea-Spice, and new Husky-Musk!)
All of the Electronics are powered by High Tech Long Life Batteries, Rechargeable from ImpStan power hookups.

Could you please post weight and size estimates for these? I especially like the "shower in a can"

Originally posted by jappel:

- hand-held densitometer
- neural activity sensors
- a variety of vision enhancement aids
- chemical "sniffer" bioscanners
...
- Rope. You may not be doing any full-blown mountain climbing, but rope is always useful in wilderness situations.
- Bags, vials or some other form of storage for plant / rock / soil / water samples.

How hard is the science behind the "neural activity sensor"? And otherwise, I'd like to know weights and prices of these objects, please.

Originally posted by plop101:
it would be nice if we had a better ORE SAMPLER.

The only one I know of is the TL8 version in CT's Beltstrike. IIRC, its like 20-25kg.

Any takers on this one?

At any rate, I'd suggest a "survey kit", containing a small hand computer, a small flashlight, pincers, scissors, several hermetically-sealing plastic bags (20cmX20cm, 50cmX20cm and a few 1mX1m), a few hardened, hermetically-sealing plastic bottles, a basic litmus (sp?) paper or a later-TL chemical analyser, a digital camera with a large memory, a miniaturized geiger counter, a rock hammer, several plastic gloves, a screwdriver and maybe a small laser knife (or a metal scalpel at a lower TL); all packable into a small suitcase or backpack.

 

[Maladominus]

Duct tape.

 

[RainOfSteel]

</font>

• TL-12: Fire Block: Cr6 A 15 cm square, 2 cm thick. A pre-packaged block of flamable solid chemicals. When unwrapped, and the "lighter" tab ripped off, the block self-ignites. Lasts for thirty minutes. Burns in torrential downpours (and underwater, too, though usually ineffectual for cooking purposes). Leaves nothing behind after burn is completed. Non-toxic. Wrapper disintegrates into harmless waste within ten minutes of removal.</font>
• TL-10: Expedition Food Pack: Cr8/12, .5 Kilo A pre-packaged thin block of dried condensed foodstuff, 5 cm square and 1 cm thick. Drop into 1 litre of water, add heat, and it expands into a dinner-sized meal, if rather well-mixed. Comes in a variety of dishes and preparatory styles. Season to taste. The standard pack is widely viewed as tasty and acceptable. The Cr12/pack version is viewed as superior. Non-toxic. Guaranteed safe and edible for 200 years. Wrapper disintegrates into harmless waste within ten minutes of removal.</font>
• TL-10: Hot Food Packs: Cr10/15, .25 Kilo A variant of the Expedition Food Pack. It is contained in a cup-shapped package. The top may be ripped off, and water added. The bottom of the cup is a block of self-heating chemicals that may be activated by removing an activation tab. Requires 60 seconds to fully heat and be ready to eat. Is enough for about 1/2 of a full meal. Non-toxic. Guaranteed safe and edible for 200 years. Wrapper disintegrates into harmless waste within ten minutes of removal.</font>
• TL-10: Mil/Field Food Packs: Cr3, .5 Kilo A mass-produced meal pack. It comes in the same format as the Expedition Food Pack, except that the ingredients are the minimum acceptable quality. The stew-mixture that results from the addition of water is reported to have an "off" smell, and that the tastes range from bland to less than pleasant. Most users add spices or mix in additional foodstuffs. Non-toxic. Guaranteed safe and edible for 200 years. Wrapper disintegrates into harmless waste within ten minutes of removal.</font>
• TL-10: High Passage Day Food Pack: Cr150, 10 Kilos A combination pack of several food and beverage choices, all of high quality (including brand-name items that are expensive solely because of their name). It contains sufficient materials for three meals in an easy to purchase and handle package, and where the contents are engineered to require minimal cooking and preparation. Ship's stewards typically break open several packs at once on a voyage and mix and match the contents to vary meal delivery to each High Passenger. It is a favorite purchase of tramp freighter captains who usually do not have epicurean chef's aboard. Manufactured by sector and subsector corporations across Charted Space. Available in any starship outfitter's inventory. Shelf life is six months. Cases of twelve are available for Cr1600.</font>
• TL-10: Mid Passage Day Food Pack: Cr80, 10 Kilos A less expensive version of the High Passage Day Food Pack. It economizes on its content and choices of vendors, but otherwise is the same. The food and beverage quality is still above average, though. Shelf life is one year. Cases of twelve are available for Cr850.</font>
• TL-15: Imperium Novafire Expedition Goggles: Cr7,500 These goggles hold a single-pane of optically transparent nano-layered machinery. The pane may alter its outward appearing color from from clear to metallics of black, blue, green, orange, red, silver, or gold. Proactive anti-fog effect (fogging/moisture build-up on exterior and interior removed actively). Built-in barometer, humidity sensor, and altimeter (any world's information may be pre-programmed into the goggles to enhance the effectiveness of these sensors). Provides flash-suppressed low-light, far-infrared, ultraviolet, and x12 visual magnification. Provides a 36-bit color visual marquee display system. Automatic range-finder. Auto "target-select" mode: uses display system to "highlight/outline" groups of selected targets (user may select from built-in menus the types of targets that will automatically be selected, people, vehicles, etc.; named templated groups of targets may be established in advance); the system will show range to target, as well as provide textual lists of information about the target or target type that are loaded into onboard memory; onboard memory capable of holding up to 100,000 target types and a large amount of textual data for each target type. Integrates with six common global positioning systems. Integrated inertial tracking system. Tracking systems integrate with onboard display system, and can cross reference with maps to display courses, past and future. Has a one-hundred channel secure wireless high-bandwidth data transceiver, Range: 1000m. Records up to 200 hours of a/v (the main optical pane is the camera and microphone, as well) on removable datachips (has two slots). Is shatter and impact resistant (considered bullet-proof vs. TL-12 or lower projectiles, and will not shatter if struck with a heavy pry-bar; although 95% of kinetic force is still transmitted to the wearer). More expensive models integrate military quality frequency agility in the communications suite. Weight: .5 kilos.</font>
• TL-15: Imperium Starfire Glory Odyssey Goggles: Cr14,000 A stylish improvement over the Novafire Expedition Goggles. Comes with x50 visual magnification, automatic multi-mode eye prescription configurations (dynamically corrective for any known vision defect, as programmed, switches for close and long range activity based on the built-in range finder), military quality frequency agility for wireless communications, 1 micron burst transmission capability, up to one million target memory, is shielded against up to gamma ray radiation, flash suppression speed increased to 1 nanosecond, and carries the imprint of the signature of the founder of Imperium Visual Optics (appointed Imperial Opticalist to the Iridium Throne), Baronet Michael V. Eriikshonn. Guaranteed free of defects from workmanship or optical pane scratches for 100 years (guarantee does not apply to combat or deliberate damage, original purchase receipt and product registration at headquarters on Dingir/Sol within 1 year of purchase are mandatory for recovery against guarantee terms, no exceptions). Weight: .6 kilos.</font>
• TL-15: Imperial Visual Optics: Ruggedized Survey Binoculars: Cr1,200: A single pair of binoculars. Multi-Mode magnification, x12, x15, and x20. Built-in zoom. Automatic range-finding with built-in display. Interior/Exterior Anti-Fogging, case is self-cleaning. Case and optics are sealed and waterproof to a depth of 30 meters in standard water oceans. One full charges lasts 14 days. 100 year guarantee against optical scratches or case breakage, can be battered with ordinary blunt instruments, or can fall at terminal velocity, without suffering impact damage. Comes with stylish black synthetic leather carry-case; solar power absorbing exterior, recharges binoculars. (Guarantee does not apply to combat or deliberate damage, original purchase receipt and product registration at headquarters on Dingir/Sol within 1 year of purchase are mandatory for recovery against guarantee terms, no exceptions.) Binoculars: 1 Kilo; Carry-Case: .25 Kilos.</font>
• TL-12: Camera Stickers: Cr50/Sheet: A standard pape sized sheet of adhesive stickers, each 1 cm in diameter, 120/Sheet. Each one bears a flat camera and tranceiver (Range: 100m). Peel off, place on any reasonable flat surface, and monitor the video transmissions to observe whatever the sticker films. Range: 1km (booster/relay stickers available in their own sheet-sets, each adds 4km range). Operates for 4 hours. Stack of 50 Sheets: .2 Kilos.</font>
• TL-15: Standard Atmosphere Tester: Cr5,000 A large PDA-sized specialized computer and sensor. 12cm long x 5cm wide x 2cm deep, .5 kilos. Battery life, 2 weeks; recharge time, 1 hour. The computer has all the major atmosphere types loaded, plus five thousand known variants and special conditions. It can also store up to one billion biological signatures. The sensor is a combination mass-spectrometer, microscopic densitometer, x-ray, and molecular detector. Its purpose is to test and assure the safety of the present atmosphere, and it can do so with great accuracy. It requires only three seconds to fully analyze the basic atmospheric contents, and a mere sixty to test the safety of biologicals present. Its onboard database can be loaded and reloaded from any ship's computer. It is fully ready for rugged environments, and can withstand a six meter drop with no damage. The Imperial Scouts commissioned SuSag to create a new atmosphere tester in 990 shortly after Gavin ordered the Second Survey. SuSag completed the design in 991 and fielded the first devices into the IISS by 992. Even as late as 1116, a compliment of two is found as standard equipment in the ship's locker aboard all IISS operated vessels, and as many as twelve aboard survey vessels. Available to the public in non-IISS markings. Individualized designs are available for a Cr250 surcharge for single prints (with lower rates of Cr50 available for mass production). Its production is licensed to sector level corporations across the Imperium by SuSag, and it can be found for sale in starship outfitter shops anywhere.</font>
• TL-15: Glisten Outworld Outfitters: Journey's End Clothing Line: Cost Varies (see below): A line of expedition clothing. Shirts, pants, shorts, underwear (heavy, medium, and light), shock-absorbing socks and shoes/boots, jackets, hats, belts, equipment webbing, beltpacks, and backpacks of varying types. All come in desert, jungle, and light forest camo patterns (four types each). Shirts, jackets, shorts, and pants come with varying external pockets. All clothing is considered lightweight, and is manufactured of multi-layered nanotech manchinery. The clothing actively breathes air and moisture in the heat, and breaths away moisture in the cold (variable insulation quality, as well, from none at all to protection vs. -25 C). All clothing is self-cleaning of minor soiling (caked on dirt will sheet off in a day or two, but even vigorous shaking cannot remove all particulate soil, so a good wash can remain necessary). The underwear heavily modies the ability of the clothing to provide environmental protection. It is full body, soaks up sweat into internal circulatory system and cools liquid in system by by slow re-release of moisture into air, where it is immediately reabsorbed by outer clothing and then released to into the atmosphere (it can also operate in reverse to provide limited heating capability). Beltpacks and Backpacks are stylish accessories, and except for being tough and rugged, have only self-cleaning and waterproof fabric features. Cost: Shirts: Cr200; Pants Cr250; Shorts: Cr175; Jackets: Cr300; Coat: Cr500; Socks: Cr50; Shoes: Cr195; Hiking Boots: Cr295; Heavy Knee Boots: Cr 495; Underwear Light/Heavy: Cr250; Underwear Medium: Cr125. Hats: Cr50-150; Belts: Cr25-75; Equipment Web Belts: Cr40-90; Beltpack: Cr75; Backpack: Cr120; Framepack Small: Cr200; Framepack Large: Cr300. Weight: Clothing is close to normal weights, can be considered distributed. Beltpacks: .25 Kilos; Backpack: 1 kilo; Framepack: 3 Kilos)</font>
• TL-15: Glisten Outworld Outfitters: Journey's End Mk II Clothing Line: Adds Cr200: As the Journey's End clothing line, except there is only one camo pattern for each environment, and only one pocket pattern. Adds the features of multi-xenological pest repellant (safe and non-toxic to wearer) and on-demand inflatable floatation support. See Journey's End Clothing Line for weight information.</font>
• TL-15: Glisten Outworld Outfitters: Journey's End Clothing Repair Center: Cr2,000 (Repair Fluid: Cr100/Litre): A large brushed aluminum case container about 60cm Wide x 40cm Deep x 30cm High. It has a lid on top, and an empty chamber inside. It has has an internal battery good for 12 hours of operation, and the case's surface is all solar powered, and the device can accept external power, as well. When Journey's End brand clothing from Glisten Outworld Outfitters is damaged (ripped, torn, etc.), the damaged article of clothing can be placed inside this device. Approximately 30-60 minutes later, the article of clothing can be removed. Requires a "repair fluid". 16 Liters fills the chamber, and can repair appoximately 100 articles of damaged clothing (getting slower in repair rate as time goes on). Repair Center: 6 Kilos; Repair Fluid: 1 Kilo/Liter.</font>
• TL-15: OD-Steelsilk Reel (ODSR): Cr100 "On Demand Steelsilk". A 2cm thick and 9 cm wide circular "reel". Contains a resevoir of nano-machines that dispense themselves into a fine near-monolithic cord approximately the diameter of a human hair. Has a test load of 5,000 kilos. The amount of "stretch" is user-selectable before each dispensing. Can dispense up to 1000m of "cord". Cord is too thin to be useful for manual climbing, but is often quite useful for a variety other purposes.</font>
• TL-15: OD-Steelsilk Anchors (ODSA): Cr1 A nano-based "stub" with a flat surface on one side that uses microscopically structured high-friction "connectors" to adhere to virtually any surface (which can be deactivated by applying a carefully three fingered pressure to the anchor from the opposite side). The reverse side has an attachment point for OD-Steelsilk. These anchors can successfully hold hair thin OD-Steelsilk, where most sophont appendages cannot.</font>
• TL-15: OD-Steelsilk Climber (ODSC): Cr1,000 A large multi-purpose pistol shaped device that holds a magazine for up to 20 OD-Steelslik Anchors (ODSA), and one OD-Steelsilk Reel (ODSR). Can fire an ODSA up to 200m with 95% change of successfully adhering a target surface, and out to 400m with a 75% chance. The ODSA, when fired, drags a line of ODS behind it. If the anchor does not adhere, up to 100m of line per minute may be drawn back. If the anchor does adhere, the ODSC may be used to pull up to 500 kilos straight up against 1G. Also, the fired "cord" may be detached from the ODSC using a free ODSA, and then that may be adhered to a new surface; and then ODSC may then be converted to cord-traversing "conveyor".</font>
• TL-10: Auto-Tent Mk I: See Below for Cost A cube (see below for size) of hardened synthetic material. Waterproof, and cannot be harmed even by striking with heavy objects. When tossed on the ground (ideally on soft flat and level surface), and both activation buttons are pressed and held for five seconds, the cube unfolds and self-assembles into a fully free standing double-wall tent. The walls of the tent are not 100% waterproof, but it is nearly so. The double wall prevents an accidental touch of the inner wall bleeding water through the woven artificial fabric in major downpours. Inside, held in loops attached to the floor of the tent, are eight 12cm x 1 cm sharpened stakes used for securing the tent to the ground (the tent may not remain in place without being secured, but is still free standing). Removing and replacing all the stakes causes the tent to compress back into its cube shape. 1 Person, Cr1,000 (1 kilo, 5cm cube); 2 Person, Cr1,200 (1.1 kilos, 5.5cm cube); 4 Person, Cr2,000 (1.5 kilos, 7cm cube); 8 Person, Cr5,000 (2.5 kilos, 9cm cube); 12 Person, Cr8,000 (4.0 kilos, 12cm cube).</font>

 

[mike wightman]

[copy/paste]

Thanks for all that RoS

 

[Pickles]

[copy/paste]

Ditto! This should go in the next Stellar Reaches.