Surveys

Surveys of solar systems and their planetary bodies are broken up into several distinct phases. Many of these phases can be conducted by the same starship, but more often than not, Starfleet chooses to dispatch specialist ships to conduct indepth surveys.

Stellar Surveys

Stellar Surveys are conducted at extremely distant ranges. Since the early 20th century on Earth, astronomers have been able to determine from afar the basic characteristics of a star, such as type, mass, chemical composition. When a sector or other region of space is first mapped, the location and types of stars are presumed to come from a database compiled previously, based on prior observations.

Table 1: Stellar Survey – 1d10 days

Determine star fields
Step A: Roll 1d100
01 – 73	empty space
74 – 82	possible unusual item (go to Step B)
83 – 00	star system (go to Table 2)
Alternate Step A: Roll 1d100	(for when object positions are already known)
01 - 33	possible unusual item (go to Step B)
34 - 00	single star system (go to Table 2)
Step B - Unusual Item: Roll 1d100
01 – 17	unusual item* (Table 3)
18 – 59	binary star system (Table 2, roll for each)
60 – 87	trinary star system (Table 2, roll for each)
88 – 00	quadruple star system (Table 2, roll for each)

*Note: an unusual item has to be approached just like a star does, in order to be mapped. Determination of the type of unusual item cannot be made until it is studied individually.

Table 2: Star Type

Step A: Roll 1d10
01	Non-Main Sequence star
02 – 10	Main Sequence star
Step B - Non-Main Sequence: Roll 1d6
01 – 04	Class D White dwarf
05	IR Sequence star (go to Step D)
06	Class Z Blackhole1
Step C - Main Sequence: Roll 1d100
01	Class O “Blue”
02	Class B “Blue-white”
03 - 06	Class A “White”
07 - 14	Class F “Yellowish-white”
15 - 29	Class G “Yellow”
30 - 50	Class K “Orange”
51 - 00	Class M “Red”
Step D - IR Sequence: Roll 1d6
01 – 02	Class C “Red/IR”
03 – 04	Class S “Infrared”
05 – 06	Class X “X-Ray”

*Notes: 1 - Blackholes cannot co-exist with other stars; if the blackhole is the primary, all other orbits are empty; if it is in a secondary (or more) orbit, the orbit remains empty of any item, reducing the system by 1 item.

Unusual Item Surveys

Conventional planet- and orbit-bound sensors (including the various types of telescopes) can detect at extremely long ranges a large number of standard items that do not fit under the standard star system category, such as nebulae and non-standard stars. However, other interstellar items require detection by sensors in closer proximity, such as starships performing sector (or navigational) surveys (usually within 10 or so lightyears, depending on the long range sensor tech levels). Others require detection from almost right on top of them, or there are devastating consequences.

When a sector is generated (for game purposes), designate each of the items detected non-conventionally as U-(designation #), with the dedicated page indicating what exactly was generated in the notes section. When the item is then discovered, change the name to either the proper code (e.g., NMM for ion storm) or a proper name.

3. Interstellar Phenomena Survey – 1d10 days
see Interstellar Phenomena for details

Roll 1d100	Item (Catalog ID)	Notes
01 - 02	Lost planet (Class R) (NMA)	Detectable at low-resolution range on starship long range sensors
03	Lost planet (Type I) (NMB)	Detectable at low-resolution range on starship long range sensors
04 - 09	Planetary nebula (1d10 x 0.1 lys) (NMC) (go to Table 3.1)	Detectable by conventional sensors; always have a white dwarf (Class D) star at center
10 - 30	Small nebula (1d6 x 0.33 lys) (NMD) (go to Table 3.1)	Detectable by conventional sensors
31 - 38	Large nebula (3d6 lys) (NME) (go to Table 3.1)	Detectable by conventional sensors
39 - 44	Proto star (NMF)	Detectable by conventional sensors
45 - 48	T. Tauri star (NMG)	Detectable by conventional sensors
49 - 50	Variable star (NMH)	Detectable by conventional sensors
59	Neutron star (NMI)	Detectable by conventional sensors
60	Pulsar (NMJ)	Detectable by conventional sensors
61	Nova (NMK)	Detectable by conventional sensors
62 - 63	Lazarus star (NML)	Detectable by conventional sensors
64 - 65	Ion storm (1d10 strength level) (NMM)	Detectable only at high-resolution range on starship long range sensors
66 - 81	Plasma field (1d10 strength level) (NMN)	Detectable at low-resolution range on starship long range sensors
82	Subspace corridor (NMO)	Detectable only at high-resolution range on starship long range sensors
83	Interphase pocket (NMP)	Detectable only at high-resolution range on starship long range sensors
84	Subspace shockwave (NMQ)	Detectable only at high-resolution range on starship long range sensors
85 - 87	Subspace compression (NMR)	Detectable only at high-resolution range on starship long range sensors
89	Subspace eddy (NMS) (Ex: loss of the HMS Prince Edward)	Detectable only at high-resolution range on starship long range sensors
90	Subspace Turbulence (NMT)	Detectable only at high-resolution range on starship long range sensors
91 - 92	Subspace Rift/Rupture (NMU)	Detectable only at high-resolution range on starship long range sensors
93	Subspace Vacuole (NMV)	Detectable only at high-resolution range on starship long range sensors
94 - 98	Star cluster (1d12 stars and roll for another interstellar phenomenon)	Detectable by conventional sensors
99	Wormhole (randomly determine exit) (NMX) (go to Table 3.2)	Detectable only at high-resolution range on starship long range sensors
00	Cosmic String (NMY)	Detectable only at high-resolution range on starship long range sensors

3.1 Nebula Classes (roll 1d100)

01-60	Class A (Hydrogen type)
61-64	Class C (Mutara type)
65-68	Class E (Gamma Eridani type)
69-72	Class G (Dichromic type)
73-76	Class H (Hugora type)
77-79	Class I (Idari type)
80-83	Class J (Mar Oscura type)
84-86	Class K (Cerulean type)
87-91	Class P (McAllister type)
92-94	Class R (Rolor type)
95-98	Class T (Emission type)
99-00	Class Y (Inversion type)

*Note: See Nebula for descriptions and rules regarding the different types of nebulae.

3.1.1 Nebula Levels (roll 1d17)

1	Level 1
2	Level 2
3	Level 3
4	Level 4
5	Level 5
6	Level 6
7	Level 7
8	Level 8
9	Level 9
10	Level 11
11	Level 10
12	Level 12
13	Level 13
14	Level 14
15	Level 15
16	Level 16
17	Level 17

*Note: These levels indicate the basic structure and composition of individual nebulae, with no direct bearing to the game or charting.

3.1.2 Nebula Centers (roll 1d6)
(Planetary nebulae only have the 1 center.)

	Small Nebula	Large Nebula
1-3	1 center	3 centers
4-5	2 centers	4 centers
6	3 centers	5 centers

*Note: See Help:Sectors for guidance on depicting multi-center nebulae on the sector charts.

3.2 Wormhole Opposite Side (roll 1d100)

01 – 95	unattached opposite end (jumps around between quadrants/galaxies)
96 – 00	attached end (go to Table 3.1.)

3.2.1 Wormhole Exit Point (roll 1d100)

01 – 19	within charted Alpha Quadrant
20 – 25	uncharted Alpha Quadrant
26 – 50	Beta Quadrant
51 – 75	Delta Quadrant
76 – 00	Gamma Quadrant

Intrasystem Surveys

4. Intrasystem Survey – 1d10 days (Part 1)

A. Main Sequence Stars	Roll for number of planets:
O (Blue)	none
B (Blue-white)	3d6
A (White)	3d6-1
F (Yellow-white)	3d6-1
G (Yellow)	3d6-2
K (Orange)	3d6-2
M (Red)	3d6-2
B. D (White dwarf)	3d6/2 (and all are charred rockballs)
C. IR Sequence Stars/Blackholes	none

5. Intrasystem Survey (Part 2)

A. Planets of Main Sequence Stars	Roll: 1d100 for each planet	Example
01-05	Class A - Geothermal	Gothos
06-10	Class B - Geomorteus	Mercury
11-15	Class C - Geoinactive	Pluto
16-20	Class D - Dwarf Planet	Luna
21-22	Class E - Geoplastic	Excalbia
23-24	Class F - Geometallic	Janus IV
25-28	Class G - Geocrystalline	Delta Vega
29-35	Class H - Desert	Vulcan
36-41	Class I - Ice Giant	Uranus
42-48	Class J - Gas Giant	Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune
49-53	Class K - Adaptable	Mars
54-60	Class L - Marginal	Indri VIII
61-67	Class M - Terrestrial	Earth
68-70	Class N - Reducing	Venus
71-74	Class O - Pelagic	Argo
75-81	Class P - Glaciated	Andor, Breen
82-84	Class Q - Variable	Genesis
85-87	Class S - Gas Hypergiant
88-89	Class T - Gas Ultragiant
90	Class Y - Demon	Tholia
91-00	Class Z - Asteroid Belt

6. Intrasystem Survey (Part 3)

A. Satellites	Roll for number of moons, based on planet Class:	Result/Go to:
Class A, B, C, Q	1d100	Table 7A
Class D, R	n/a	no moons
Class E, F, G, H, K, L, M, N, O, P, Y	1d6-3	all Class D
I	roll: 0-8	Step 7B
J	3d6	Step 7B
S	4d6	Step 7C
T	1d8-5	Step 7D

7. Intrasystem Survey - Satellite Classes (Part 4)

Step 7A	Roll 1d100: Results
01 - 66	0 moons
67 - 00	1 Class D

Step 7B	Roll 1d100: Results
01 - 33	Ring
34 - 40	Class A
41 - 54	Class B
55 - 75	Class C
76 - 00	Class D

Step 7C	Roll 1d100: Results
01 - 20	Ring
21 - 25	Class A
26 - 34	Class B
35 - 47	Class C
48 - 74	Class D
75 - 79	Class E
80 - 84	Class F
85 - 89	Class G
90 - 91	Class H
92	Class K
93	Class L
94 - 95	Class M
96	Class N
97	Class O
98	Class P
99	Class Q
00	Class R

Step 7D	Roll 1d100: Results
00 - 51	Ring
52 - 56	Class A
57 - 62	Class B
63 - 67	Class C
68 - 84	Class D
85 - 88	Class E
89 - 92	Class F
92 - 96	Class G
97 - 00	Class Q

Habitability Surveys

If any class H, K, L, M O or P planets are found, the ship immediately investigates. In an extremely high orbit – geosynchronous with the day side and in radio-frequency silence in order to not be discovered by celestial observatories or other tracking devices – begin scan of the planet.

8. Habitability Survey – 1d6 days

A. Determine planetary gravity (G)	Roll (1d10 + 5)/10
B. Determine diameter (km)	Multiply 13,000 by G
C. Determine surface area (km^2)	Multiply 510,075,000 by G
D. Determine water area (%)	Roll:
Class H	1d20
Class L	1d20+20
Class M	1d60+20
Class O	1d20+80
Class P	1d100 (ice-covered)
E. Determine rotation period	Roll 2d10+14 hours
F. Determine atmospheric density	Roll 1d10:
01-02	thin atmosphere
03-08	standard atmosphere
09-10	thick atmosphere
G. Determine general climate	Roll 1d100 for Classes L, M, O
01–15	desert (all Class H)
16–35	tropical
36–60	temperate – warm
61–85	temperate – cool
86–00	arctic (all Class P)
H (1). Class G, H, K, L, M, O, & P Resource availability (%)	Roll 1d100:
Normal Metals	01-20: n/a 21-80: 1d30 81-00: 1d30+30
Special Metals	01-95: n/a 96-98: 1d2 99-00: 1d3+2
Radioactives	01-80: n/a 81-97: 1d5 98-00: 1d10+5
Gem Stones	01-80: n/a 81-97: 1d5 98-00: 1d10+5
Industrial Crystals	01-95: n/a 96-98: 1d2 99-00: 1d3+2
H (2). Asteroid Belts & Class D Resource availability (%)	Roll 1d100:
Normal Metals	01-75: n/a 76-82: 1d25 83-00: 1d25+75
Special Metals	01-95: n/a 96-98: 1d2 99-00: 1d3+2
Radioactives	01-80: n/a 81-97: 1d5 98-00: 1d10+5
Gem Stones	N/A
Industrial Crystals	N/A
H. (3) Class C Resource availability (%)	Roll 1d100:
Normal Metals	01-20: n/a 21-80: 1d30 81-00: 1d30+30
Special Metals	01-80: n/a 81-90: 1d4 91-00: 1d6+2
Radioactives	01-60: n/a 61-85: 1d5 86-00: 1d10+5
Gem Stones	01-80: n/a 81-97: 1d5 98-00: 1d10+5
Industrial Crystals	01-95: n/a 96-98: 1d2 99-00: 1d3+2
H. (4) Class F, Q, & N Resource availability (%)	Roll 1d100:
Normal Metals	01-40: n/a 41-80: 1d15 81-00: 1d15+30
Special Metals	01-95: n/a 96-98: 1d2 99-00: 1d3+2
Radioactives	01-80: n/a 81-97: 1d5 98-00: 1d10+5
Gem Stones	01-80: n/a 81-97: 1d5 98-00: 1d10+5
Industrial Crystals	01-75: n/a 76-90: 1d4 91-00: 1d6+2
I. (1) Class H, M, O & P Dominant lifeform	Roll 1d100
01–03	micro-organisms
04–07	plants
08–14	insects/mollusks
15–20	fish
21–30	amphibians
31–40	reptiles
41–50	avians
51–95	mammals
96–00	special
I. (2) Class F Dominant lifeform	Roll 1d100
01–90	N/A
91-00	micro-organisms
I. (3) Class L, G & Q Dominant lifeform	Roll 1d100
01-40	N/A
41–65	micro-organisms
66–75	plants
76–90	insects/mollusks (re-roll for L)
91–00	fish (re-roll for L)
J. Presence of sentience	Roll 1d100
Micro-organisms	n/a
Plants	n/a
Insects/mollusks	n/a
Fish	n/a
Amphibians	12%
Reptiles	25%
Avians	25%
Mammals	36%
Special (includes non-corporeals, fish, and below)	90%

Xeno-anthropology Surveys

If a sentient species is discovered, special directives are put in place. A landing party may be sent down to investigate.

9. Xeno-anthropology Survey

A. Determine Industrial Scale	Roll 1d100	Scale Rating
01-50	Stone Age (10,000 BCE)	1
51-60	Metal Age (2,000 BCE)	2
61-80	Science Age (1400 AD)	3
81-86	Steam Age (1900 AD)	4
87-88	Atomic Age (1950 AD)	5
89-90	Space Age (1960 AD)	6
91-92	Fusion Age (1990 AD)	7
93-94	Planet Age (1995 AD)	8
95	Star Age (2020 AD)	9
96-00	Power Age (2030 AD)	10
B. Social Rating	Roll 1d100	Subtypes
01-10	Anarchy	n/a
11-35	Decentralized	n/a
36-45	Monarchy	military, religious, social
46-50	Theocracy	n/a
51-55	Aristocratic	military, religious, scientific, social, trade
56-65	Imperialist	military, religious, trade
66-70	Technocratic	military, scientific
71-75	Collective	n/a
76-80	Totalitarian	military, religious, social
81-87	Confederate	military, scientific, social, trade
88-97	Representative	military, religious, scientific, social, trade
98-00	Meritocracy	military, religious, scientific, social, trade

A landing party has a 5% chance of taking casualties within its 6 members. If casualties are taken, roll 1d6 for the number killed.

Landing Party/Away Team Deaths

Cause of death	Roll 1d100
01–60	natural deaths
61–80	inhabitants caused deaths (criminal)
81–00	inhabitants caused deaths (official)

If the inhabitants caused the death(s) of the explorer(s), and their technology is 8 or above, the ship is in danger. There is a 30% chance the ship is attacked:

Hostile Planet Attack

Industrial Rating	Roll 1d100
8	01-65: No damage 66-82: 1d2x25% Total SU damage 83-94: (1d2+1)x25% Total SU damage 95-00: (1d3+1)x25% Total SU damage
9	01-50: No damage 51-75: 1d2x25% Total SU damage 76-92: (1d2+1)x25% Total SU damage 93-00: (1d3+1)x25% Total SU damage
10	01-30: No damage 31-65: 1d2x25% Total SU damage 66-88: (1d2+1)x25% Total SU damage 89-00: (1d3+1)x25% Total SU damage