[Starport/Downport] Armed & Armored or ?

[DaveChase]

Should a port be armed, armored and/or have ships protecting it?

Does the class of the port require that it be ready for battle?

Should a spaceport be able to move, even if slowly, and do evasive maneuvers or just have enough thrusters to do station keeping?

How many lifepods, escape pods or other safety devices/vehicles should a space port have?

Should a port (down or space) have rescue boats/ships to aid space craft/ships in their area?
If they have such, how far out are they allowed to go from the port to render aid?

Dave Chase

 

[Hemdian]

I’ve always thought there were as many different ports as there are worlds. For the highport (if any) there certainly needs to be some light defence: not military, just enough to deter any opportunistic shenanigans. However, some could have arms while others have a handful of defensive fighters. The downport also often needs something. IMTU I often co-locate some of the planetary defence batteries with the downport ... these may be more military.

As for highports moving ... most IMTU have station keeping thrusters only. However, I did have the Chaarnihom: originally built at Lunion/Lunion for use at Yori/Regina, it was intended to travel under its own steam and have its engines decommissioned once it was in place (except things didn’t work out that way). See here for details.

Lifeboats have always been a difficult issue. Very few canon ships seem to have them, they should probably be more common. But a few (depending on port size) would not go amiss. Of course they could just as easily be at the downport as the highport.

 

[mbrinkhues]

I would see active defences separat from the port and quite possible starting "further out" than the geostationary orbit a highport will likely occupy. This has a number of benefits:

• An attacker will likely leave an unarmed port alone concentrating on the battlestations
• You don't have to integrate the regular SDB and fighter patrol sorties in the ports traffic pattern
• You can use a smaller reactor (and less fuel) so for a given volume you get more cargo/hangar/shopspace

The highport might have a nuclear damper and maybe some sandcasters. Armoring will be enough to defend against micro-meteroids (MT: AV40, TNE AV100 IIRC) similar to a tradeship.

A highport might be build around an "armored core" that contains the critical systems (Life support, power) as well as the living space/mall etc. with hangars, cargo holds etc. build outside of that core and build along the lines of the "Blow out" panels in an ammo magazin

 

[Matt123]

IMTU ports high & low are commercial entities which support local government & Imperial functions but whose main function is to process commercial traffic. Of course there will be plenty of exceptions.

If I had to work out the inherant defensive armament, I'd base it on earning potential of the station from berthing fees, fuel sales, etc or perhaps more simplified on expected traffic flows. Logic being the station has to generate a profit plus cover its own costs including gunners from income earned by servicing merchants and leasing space.

Never actually had to calculate that tho'

I wouldn't generally base local fighters or SDB's on the high port, instead I'd use as a low cost option, an orbiting merchant hulk as a patrol base or better a specialised orbiting tender plus ground facilities.

High port armour would only be to civilian standards and there would generally be no military defence systems or design tricks to protect key structures.

Generally if a high port is under risk it will be abandoned to a skeleton staff and re-occupied once the threat has been driven off by SDB's & COACC. If a high port is seen as a threat, often it will be destroyed. If not a threat often it will be ignored, with the attacker hoping to capture and utilize or pillage it. Either way its quicker to restore to commercial operations a non-destroyed high port, important if you consider commercial operations are the reason for high ports.

Nearly forgot, station keeping thrusters only. Lifeboats are interesting, IMTU all craft carry lifeboats and so do Highports. In the OTU lifeboats are the exception, in which case highports would not have lifeboats. They do often have commercial shuttles on board tho' which could be ad hoc commandeered by the station commander.

And yes to Search & Rescue, whom can go wherever there is a need. Customs cutters & SBD's will also perform this role or act as escort for S&R.

 

[rancke]

Should a port be armed, armored and/or have ships protecting it?

Depends on the defense budget and local threat level. Ideally, yes.


Hans

 

[kafka47]

[FONT=arial,helvetica]Should a port be armed, armored and/or have ships protecting it?[/FONT]

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Does the class of the port require that it be ready for battle?

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Yes, even in the Core...space can a dangerous place. For the Starport is akin to capital cities, capture the Starport and it is very easy to decapitate a government.

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Should a spaceport be able to move, even if slowly, and do evasive maneuvers or just have enough thrusters to do station keeping?

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I think you mean, Highport. Sure, why not. Even a station in L5 orbit will suffer decay every decade or so...

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How many lifepods, escape pods or other safety devices/vehicles should a space port have?

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For every permanent employee of the station plus 10%. I don't know...just make it up. Essentially, a Starport is akin to an airport or the world trade centre...how many stairwells and elevators it had would not a difference in a lockdown situation. But, those who did take the stairs survived, if they got away in time...same thing with the safety devices...however, it is the mandate of the Imperial Marines, SPA, and other Imperial forces to protect the port at all costs.

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Should a port (down or space) have rescue boats/ships to aid space craft/ships in their area?

Yes, they can have help if there is a SDB base on the planet. Similarly, the COACC can render assistance. Also, there might be an Imperial Navy presence or IISS base that is mandated to help. But, just as above...the taxes the Imperium does collect pays for all of this. So, you decide, are the citizens protected or if their government lowers their taxes hence their tithe what services does the Imperium provide in turn...

[FONT=arial,helvetica] If they have such, how far out are they allowed to go from the port to render aid?[/FONT]

Depends on the nature of the threat...but the Imperium is not there to help rescue lost kittens...