String of Pearls satellite system

[Chuck Anumia]

(I could use some help in better defining this item if anyone feels like adding to this to enhance its features or can better define them)

String of Pearls- TL 11
A String of Pearls is a set of between 8 and 12 Satellites deployed in a Geosynchronous and Polar orbits around a planet by Military craft during planetary operations.

These satellites operate independently of any other satellites around the planet. They provide the military with real time secure communication, up/down link capabilities and telescopically enhanced visuals in IR/VR/UV and other computer enhanced optical surveillance modes with small personal communications devices worn by military personnel on the planets surface. At least 4 satellites are available to confirm locations and sightings of personnel and targets in any area of operation.

 

[Zutroi]

You'll also need a series in polar orbit for full coverage...

 

[madmike]

Potentially, I would have put a string of pearls orbital array at TL10-11.

Not sure what the Starfist series (from where I assume you got the idea from) TL would really be, but I always guaged it at TL11 maximum.

 

[mike wightman]

I'd put that TL as too high - all you need is the maneuver drive or grav tech and satellite deployment becomes trivial.

Look at your ruleset of choice, find the minimum TL of grav vehicles and that becomes your TL for a fast deployment satellite system.

 

[Chuck Anumia]

Advice

Excellent advice!
Thanks
Any other modifications to their abilities?

 

[tjoneslo]

String of Pearls- TL 11
A String of Pearls is a set of between 8 and 12 Satellites deployed in a Geosynchronous and Polar orbits around a planet by Military craft during planetary operations.

These satellites operate independently of any other satellites around the planet. They provide the military with real time secure communication, up/down link capabilities and telescopically enhanced visuals in IR/VR/UV and other computer enhanced optical surveillance modes with small personal communications devices worn by military personnel on the planets surface. At least 4 satellites are available to confirm locations and sightings of personnel and targets in any area of operation.

I built something like this using the GURPS vehicles rules with the Traveller settings. For something that fits into a standard missile tube I got: Solar array and battery backup powered (high stealth), microgravity thruster, ground to orbit communications for people on the ground, plus laser comm between the satellites, giving world wide communication coverage, a GPS transmitter package for hyper accurate on world location, plus sensor package. The sensor packages in the civilian versions were weather tracking or ground/vegetation overwatch. For the military version I would include the optical sensor array you have, or a Teraherz passive array, or a neutrino sensor (fusion plants and deep meson gun sites), or an active side scan radar (very accurate maps of specific areas for the troops). Plus a fairly powerful computer to do sensor and communications analysis.

For a mercenary group or stealth operation, 8 to 10 is probably a minimum. Usual deployment would probably be between 12 and 24.

For a real military force, I'm thinking a couple of hundred. And for an invasion of a High Tech world, thousands.

 

[SanDragon]

Weaponizing them as defensive satellites may require a re-designation as "String of Perils."

 

[madmike]

Well, in the Starfist books they were only for surveillance and comms.

 

[77topaz]

Just a tip - you've a typo in your title ("Perals")... unless that's meant to be a portmanteau of "pearls" and "perils".

Indeed, such satellites probably wouldn't need a TL quite as high as that (we've got satellites on Earth now at our TL 8, though these satellites would obviously be more advanced), unless you wanted them all to have individual maneuver drives or something like that.

 

[Chuck Anumia]

Typo

Just a tip - you've a typo in your title ("Perals")... unless that's meant to be a portmanteau of "pearls" and "perils".

Indeed, such satellites probably wouldn't need a TL quite as high as that (we've got satellites on Earth now at our TL 8, though these satellites would obviously be more advanced), unless you wanted them all to have individual maneuver drives or something like that.

Indeed, I did mean Pearls. However, I am unable to go in and edit it at this time.
I wanted the Satellites to have the higher TL so that they can have more advanced capabilities than the Starfist series satellite system. Their system was susceptible to problems I desire to eliminate and I want them to have extra capabilities for the troops on the ground to call upon.
With onboard maneuver drives they don't need space shuttles to reposition them if they get out of alignment or loose altitude.

I built something like this using the GURPS vehicles rules with the Traveller settings. For something that fits into a standard missile tube I got: Solar array and battery backup powered (high stealth), microgravity thruster, ground to orbit communications for people on the ground, plus laser comm between the satellites, giving world wide communication coverage, a GPS transmitter package for hyper accurate on world location, plus sensor package. The sensor packages in the civilian versions were weather tracking or ground/vegetation overwatch. For the military version I would include the optical sensor array you have, or a Teraherz passive array, or a neutrino sensor (fusion plants and deep meson gun sites), or an active side scan radar (very accurate maps of specific areas for the troops). Plus a fairly powerful computer to do sensor and communications analysis.

I like these ideas very much. Thanks!

 

[aramis]

[m;]Typo Fixed[/m;]

 

[Chuck Anumia]

Thanks!

Thanks Aramis for fixing that.
The only other additions I would consider might make the satellites too bulky and therefore easier targets than these.