Talk:Surveys

Test Case: New Intrasystem Surveys

Intrasystem surveys are completed by vessels as they approach the target star system, usually within the Oort orbit of that system. The survey takes 1d10 days, usually to the maximum length when there are indications of additional planetary bodies not fully identified. The ship typically does not need to enter the system in order to complete the survey.

Part 1: Maximum Number of Planets

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. UV Sequence Stars	Roll:
	3d6/2 (and all are charred rockballs)
C. IR Sequence Stars/Blackholes	none

Part 2: Bode's Law

Bode's Law is a hypothesis that the bodies in some orbital systems, including Sol's, orbit at semi-major axes in a function of planetary sequence. In other words, it can be used to determine how far out from a star each planet would orbit.

Step 1: The first orbit lies at a distance of (1d6*0.1) astronomical units (AU) from the star, regardless of star class. Therefore, around any given star, the first orbit could lie anywhere from 0.1 to 0.6 AUs from the center of the star's mass. This distance (D) is also used in determining the orbital distances of all other planets.

Step 2: Each star applies what is referred to as Bode's Constant (B) to the formula. As the word 'constant' suggests, the B value, once determined, does not change (within that system). For M-class stars, B is always 0.2. For all other star classes, it can be (equally) 0.3, 0.35 or 0.4, randomly determined.

Step 3: The following formula is applied to each sequential orbit, in order to determine its distance (in AUs) from the star:

Orbit 1: D

Orbit 2: D + B

Orbit 3: D + 2B

Orbit 4: D + 4B:

Orbit 5: D + 8B

Orbit 6: D + 16B:

Orbit 7: D + 32B:

Orbit 8: D + 64B:

Orbit 9: D + 128B:

Orbit 10: D + 256B:

Orbit 11: D + 512B:

Orbit 12: D + 1,024B:

Orbit 13: D + 2,048B:

Orbit 14: D + 4,096B:

Orbit 15: D + 8,192B:

Orbit 16: D + 16,384B:

Orbit 17: D + 32,768B:

Orbit 18: D + 65,536B:

Part 3: Assigning Orbits to Zones

Each orbit falls into one of four zones: in the first, the red zone, the heat and gravity of the star prevent any planets from forming at all. Planets form in the the next three zones (yellow, green, blue) according to the conditions that exist in each one. Past a certain point, the outer boundary, the star’s gravity is no longer strong enough to form or hold planets. Per the following table, if an orbit falls within the red zone (measured in AUs) or past the outer boundary, consider it empty. For all others, note which zone it falls in.

Star Class	Red	Yellow	Green	Blue	Outer Boundary
B	< 5.5	5.5 - 27.4	27.5 - 37.4	37.5 - 2,690	> 2,690
A	< 0.8	0.8 - 2.5	2.6 - 4.2	4.3 - 130	> 130
F	< 0.4	0.4 - 1.2	1.3 - 2.1	2.2 - 68	> 68
G	> 0.2	0.2 - 0.5	0.6 - 1.0	1.1 - 32.4	> 32.4
K	< 0.08	0.08 - 0.25	0.26 - 0.42	0.43 - 14.4	> 14.4
M	N/A	0 - 0.025	0.026 - 0.042	0.043 - 1.6	> 1.6
D	N/A	0.08 - 0.25	0.26 - 0.42	0.43 - 25.6	> 25.6

Part 4: Planet Classes per Zones

Reference: Planetary Classifications

Yellow Zone

Roll 1d100	Planet Class
01 - 07	A
08 - 14	B
15 - 21	C
22 - 28	D
29 - 40	E
41 - 46	J
47 - 49	K
50 - 82	N
83 - 85	Y
86 - 00	Z

Green Zone

Roll 1d100	Planet Class
01 - 03	A
04 - 06	B
07 - 09	C
10 - 24	D
25	E
26 - 27	F
28 - 30	G
31 - 35	H
36 - 43	I
44 - 50	J
51 - 60	K
61 - 65	L
66 - 77	M
78 - 82	O
83 - 87	P
88 - 91	Q
92 - 93	S
94	T
95 - 00	Z

Blue Zone

Roll 1d100	Planet Class
01 - 02	A
03 - 05	B
06 - 11	C
12 - 39	D
40	E
41 - 42	F
43 - 45	G
46 - 58	I
59 - 66	J
67 - 71	K
72 - 76	L
77 - 79	N
80 - 85	P
86 - 91	S
92 - 94	T
95 - 00	Z

Determining Orbital Durations (Years)

1. Determine base mass:

Stellar Mass

Star Types	Solar Masses
D (White dwarf)	0.36
O (Blue)	15-90
B (Blue-white)	5.9
A (White)	1.86
F (Yellow-white)	1.2
G (Yellow)	0.98
K (Orange)	0.63
M (Red)	0.2

2) Add or subtract 1d10% from base mass for specific mass.

3) Compute the orbital period using this formula: P = sqrt((D^3)/M), i.e., square root of D³ divided by M, where:

• P = period in standard years (to third decimal); also list (in parenthesis) standard days (converted as by multiplying years by 365.24, to first decimal).
• D = Distance, in AUs (as pre-determined by planetary surveys)
• M = specific mass of star

Determine Rotation Durations (Days)

1) Roll 2d6-2 for base hours.

2) Apply this formula: P = 4(B) + 5 + (M/D), where:

• P = period in total hours (to second decimal)
• B = base hours
• M = star's specific mass
• D = Distance, in AUs (as pre-determined by planetary surveys)

3) If the final result is greater than 40, there is a 50% chance it has no rotation (i.e., "tidal locked").

Determine Atmospheric Density (expanded)

1. Classes A, B, C, D, and Z worlds automatically have "None/Trace (less than 0.01 atm)."

2. For Classes E, F, G, H, K, L, M, O, and P worlds, roll 3d6/10 to determine Atmospheric Mass (M). For Class Q, roll 1d10 on the following table:

• 1: Very Thin
• 2: Very Thin to Thin
• 3: Very Thin to Standard
• 4: Very Thin to Dense
• 5: Thin
• 6: Thin to Standard
• 7: Thin to Dense
• 8: Standard
• 9: Standard to Dense
• 10: Dense

For Y class world’s, atmospheric mass is between 1.21 (Dense) to 10 atms (Very Dense).

3. The Pressure Factor (P) for each of these worlds is 1, except for Y (which is randomly either 100 or 500).

4. Surface Gravity (S) is also a consideration.

5. Determine the atmospheric pressure by the following formula: M * F * S

Determine Temperatures by Zone

1) Roll high temperatures (Fahrenheit) for each of the following zones:

Class H (Desert)

Zone	Extreme High	Optimum Max	Optimum High	Average	Optimum Low	Optimum Min	Extreme Low
Polar	120	85	73	67	61	45	0
Temperate	150	111	98	92	86	76	45
Tropical	180	134	119	111	103	97	70
Equatorial	210	157	139	130	121	115	100

Class K (Adaptable)

Zone	Extreme High	Optimum Max	Optimum High	Average	Optimum Low	Optimum Min	Extreme Low
Polar	77	19	0	-10	-20	-49	-128
Temperate	117	72	57	50	43	20	-40
Tropical	151	109	95	88	81	67	24
Equatorial	188	136	119	110	101	92	55

Class K planets have the same temperature ranges as Classes L & M. However, the thin atmosphere typically sees the more extreme colder
side of each zone's range for a majority of the time, while the abundance of carbon dioxide allows heat to quickly build during the parent star's
solar events.

Classes L (Marginal) & M (Terrestrial)

Zone	Extreme High	Optimum Max	Optimum High	Average	Optimum Low	Optimum Min	Extreme Low
Polar	77	19	0	-10	-20	-49	-128
Temperate	117	72	57	50	43	20	-40
Tropical	151	109	95	88	81	67	24
Equatorial	188	136	119	110	101	92	55

Class O (Pelagic)

Zone	Extreme High	Optimum Max	Optimum High	Average	Optimum Low	Optimum Min	Extreme Low
Polar	89	24	2	-9	-20	-42	-109
Temperate	108	67	54	46	39	22	-34
Tropical	139	100	87	81	74	62	22
Equatorial	173	126	110	102	94	85	50

Class P (Glaciated)

Zone	Extreme High	Optimum Max	Optimum High	Average	Optimum Low	Optimum Min	Extreme Low
Polar	-3	-61	-80	-90	-99	-130	-210
Temperate	37	-20	-39	-48	-57	-95	-190
Tropical	77	19	0	-10	-20	-49	-128
Equatorial	117	72	57	50	43	20	-40

Determine Populations

Base Populations

The base population calculation only applies to the following classes of worlds: C, D, G, H, K, L, M, O, P, Z.

1) Assign the appropriate points for the relevant Planet Class:

• C, D, G, K, Z: 0
• H, P: 1
• L, O: 2
• M: 3

2) Assign the following points for the respective Atmospheric Densities:

• None/Trace (less than 0.01 atm): -1
• Very Thin (0.01-0.5 atm): 0
• Thin (0.51-0.8 atm): 1
• Standard (0.81-1.2 atm): 3
• Dense (1.21-1.5 atm): 2
• Very Dense (1.51-10 atm): 1

3) Assign the indicated points per the world's gravity:

• 0.6: 1
• 0.7: 2
• 0.8-1.0: 3
• 1.1: 2
• 1.2: 1
• 1.3: 0
• 1.4-1.5: -1

4) Assign the following points for the respective role and opportunities for agriculture:

• 0% - 5% (Predominantly land covered): 0
• 6% - 25% (One mega-continent with various small island chains): 1
• 6% - 25% (Several large continents with a few small continents and island chains): 2
• 26% - 77% (Several large continents with several small continents and island chains): 3
• 26% - 77% (Several large continents with a few small continents and island chains): 3
• 26% - 77% (One large continent with several small continents and island chains): 3
• 26% - 77% (One large continent with a few small continents and island chains): 2
• 26% - 77% (Many small continents with many island chains): 2
• 26% - 77% (Many small continents with several island chains): 1
• 78% - 85% (Several small continents with many island chains): 1
• 78% - 85% (Several small continents with several island chains): 1
• 86% - 95% (One small continent with many island chains): 1
• 86% - 95% (One small continent with several island chains): 1
• 86% - 95% (Many large islands and archipelagos): 0
• 86% - 95% (Some large islands and archipelagos): -1
• 96% - 100% (No significant land masses): -2

5) Assign the appropriate points for the relevant level of Geologic Activity (volcanoes and tectonic activity):

• None: 0
• Light: 2
• Moderate: 3
• Heavy: 0
• Extreme: -1

6) Assign 1 point for each indication of abundance of a particular resource:

• Normal Metals: 85 or higher
• Special Metals: 3 or higher
• Radioactives: 6 or higher
• Gem Stones: 6 or higher
• Industrial Crystals: 3 or higher

7) 4) Assign the following points for the respective role and opportunities for aquaculture (water-based food):

• 0% - 5% (Predominantly land covered): -1
• 6% - 25% (One mega-continent with various small island chains): 0
• 6% - 25% (Several large continents with a few small continents and island chains): 1
• 26% - 77% (Several large continents with several small continents and island chains): 2
• 26% - 77% (Several large continents with a few small continents and island chains): 1
• 26% - 77% (One large continent with several small continents and island chains): 2
• 26% - 77% (One large continent with a few small continents and island chains): 1
• 26% - 77% (Many small continents with many island chains): 3
• 26% - 77% (Many small continents with several island chains): 3
• 78% - 85% (Several small continents with many island chains): 3
• 78% - 85% (Several small continents with several island chains): 3
• 86% - 95% (One small continent with many island chains): 2
• 86% - 95% (One small continent with several island chains): 2
• 86% - 95% (Many large islands and archipelagos): 3
• 86% - 95% (Some large islands and archipelagos): 2
• 96% - 100% (No significant land masses): 1

8) Total these points together for the Affinity Score.

9) Determine the Base Capacity based on the Civilization Scale Rating of the current population. If the planet is uninhabited, assume a Rating of 0:

Base Capacity Table

Rating	Base Capacity
0	10,000
1	100,000
2	500,000
3	600,000
4	700,000
5	2.5 million
6	5 million
7	7.5 million
8	10 million
9	15 million
10	20 million
11	optional

If the Scale Rating is 11, then the GM decides as to what the actual Base (as well as Current) Population will be.

10) Find the assigned Affinity Modifier on this table:

Affinity Modifiers Table

Affinity Score	Modifier
0	0.25
1	0.5
2	1
3	2
4	4
5	8
6	15
7	30
8	60
9	125
10	250
11	500
12	1,000
13	1,500

11) For the Diameter Modifier, divide the planet's diameter by 12,742 (Earth's own diameter) and square the result. (Ex: a planet with a diameter of 28,600 kms would have a Diameter Modifier of 5.02: 28,600 / 12,742 = 2.24 rounded; 2.24² = 5.02 rounded.) For Class Z (Asteroid Belt), the Diameter Modifier is 50, representing the breadth of choices for potential living surfaces.

12) To determine a planet's Base Population, multiply the Base Capacity by the Affinity and Diameter Modifiers.

Current Populations

The previous section determined the base population of a world, establishing the capacity of a world to be self-sustaining, existing on the world without over-consuming the present resources. However, as is evident, world's don't naturally restrict the populations of their intelligent species and the capacity to sustain a species with the world alone is often overrun. As such, these determination rules do allow for over-population, which leads to potential problems to be solved, or tensions to run amuck--reducing the population with a problematic solution.

1) To determine the Current Population of a homeworld (i.e., the starting world of an independent species), multiply the Base Population by 10 and divide with the result of a roll of 2d6+3.

2) If a minor planet (of another species) is found during exploration of a sector, it is presumed to not have a population in excess of the planet's Base Population: multiply the Base Population by 10 and divide with the result of a roll of 1d6+3. Re-roll if the population exceeds the allowed Base Population.

Also roll 1d100 to determine at what level of economic development the planet exists:

• 01-10: Major Industrial World (Minor Industrial World, if population less than 3 billion)
• 11-70: Colony (Minor Industrial World, if population over 1 billion)
• 71-00: Other (Colony, if population over 100,000)

Population Increase

Populations increase by 25.53% every 10 years (or 2.3% annually); therefore, presuming no catastrophes or other population-changing events occur within a given time period, increase the population by the given amount.

Planet Classes & relevant data

Class A (Orbits: yellow, green, blue)

• Diameter: 1,000 to 3,200 kms (% of Earth)
• Gravity: ((1d10+5)/10) * %E
• Surface Area: 510,075,000 * G
• Water Area: -
• Rotation Period: 1d20 * 4 days
• Atmospheric Density: trace
• Climate: -
• No. of Satellites: 0
• Resources: -

Class B (Orbits: yellow)

• Diameter: 1,000 to 3,200 kms (% of Earth)
• Gravity: ((1d10+5)/10) * %E
• Surface Area: 510,075,000 * G
• Water Area: -
• Rotation Period: 1d20 * 3 days
• Atmospheric Density: 35% none, 65% trace
• Climate: -
• No. of Satellites: 0
• Resources: -

Class C (Orbits: green, blue)

• Diameter: 1,000 to 3,200 kms (% of Earth)
• Gravity: ((1d10+5)/10) * %E
• Surface Area: 510,075,000 * G
• Water Area: -
• Rotation Period: 1d30 days
• Atmospheric Density: frozen
• Climate: -
• No. of Satellites: Table 7A
• Resources: Table 8H(3)

Class D (Orbits: yellow, green, blue)

• Diameter: 1,000 to 3,200 kms (% of Earth)
• Gravity: ((1d10+5)/10) * %E
• Surface Area: 510,075,000 * G
• Water Area: -
• Rotation Period: 1d30 days
• Atmospheric Density: 65% none, 35% trace
• Climate: -
• No. of Satellites: Table 7A
• Resources: Table 8H(2)

Class E (Orbits: yellow, green, blue)

• Diameter: 3,200 to 10,000 kms (% of Earth)
• Gravity: ((1d10+5)/10) * %E
• Surface Area: 510,075,000 * G
• Water Area: -
• Rotation Period: (2d10+14) * 3 hours
• Atmospheric Density: Table 8F
• Climate: -
• No. of Satellites: (1d6-3) (all Class D)
• Resources: Table 8H(2)

Class F (Orbits: green)

• Diameter: 3,200 to 10,000 kms (% of Earth)
• Gravity: ((1d10+5)/10) * %E
• Surface Area: 510,075,000 * G
• Water Area: 1d20 (as %)
• Rotation Period: (2d10+14) * 2 hours
• Atmospheric Density: Table 8F
• Climate: -
• No. of Satellites: Table 7A
• Resources: Table 8H(4)

Class G (Orbits: green)

• Diameter: 3,200 to 10,000 kms (% of Earth)
• Gravity: ((1d10+5)/10) * %E
• Surface Area: 510,075,000 * G
• Water Area: 1d60 + 20 (as %)
• Rotation Period: (2d10+14) * 1.5 hours
• Atmospheric Density: Table 8F
• Climate: Table 8G
• No. of Satellites: (1d6-3) (all Class D)
• Resources: Table 8H(1)

Class H (Orbits: green)

• Diameter: 3,200 to 10,000 kms (% of Earth)
• Gravity: ((1d10+5)/10) * %E
• Surface Area: 510,075,000 * G
• Water Area: 1d20 (as %)
• Rotation Period: 2d10+14 hours
• Atmospheric Density: 65% thin, 35% standard
• Climate: desert
• No. of Satellites: (1d6-3) (all Class D)
• Resources: Table 8H(1)

Class I (Orbits: blue)

• Diameter: 10,500 to 55,000 kms (% of Earth)
• Gravity: (gas planet formula)
• Surface Area: -
• Water Area: -
• Rotation Period: 1d8 + 12 hours
• Atmospheric Density: -
• Climate: -
• No. of Satellites: 0-8 (then Table 7b)
• Resources: -

Class J (Orbits: green, blue)

• Diameter: 55,000 to 900,000 kms (% of Earth)
• Gravity: (gas planet formula)
• Surface Area: -
• Water Area: -
• Rotation Period: 1d6 + 7 hours
• Atmospheric Density: -
• Climate: -
• No. of Satellites: 3d6 (then Table 7b)
• Resources: -

Class K (Orbits: green)

• Diameter: 3,200 to 10,000 kms (% of Earth)
• Gravity: ((1d10+5)/10) * %E
• Surface Area: 510,075,000 * G
• Water Area: 0
• Rotation Period: 2d10+14 hours
• Atmospheric Density: thin
• Climate: -
• No. of Satellites: (1d6-3) (all Class D)
• Resources: Table 8H(1)

Class L (Orbits: green)

• Diameter: 3,200 to 10,000 kms (% of Earth)
• Gravity: ((1d10+5)/10) * %E
• Surface Area: 510,075,000 * G
• Water Area: 1d20 + 20 (as %)
• Rotation Period: 2d10+14 hours
• Atmospheric Density: Table 8F
• Climate: 33% tropical, 34% temperate – warm, 33% temperate – cool
• No. of Satellites: (1d6-3) (all Class D)
• Resources: Table 8H(1)

Class M (Orbits: green)

• Diameter: 3,200 to 10,000 kms (% of Earth)
• Gravity: ((1d10+5)/10) * %E
• Surface Area: 510,075,000 * G
• Water Area: 1d60 + 20 (as %)
• Rotation Period: 2d10+14 hours
• Atmospheric Density: Table 8F
• Climate: Table 8G
• No. of Satellites: (1d6-3) (all Class D)
• Resources: Table 8H(1)

Class N (Orbits: yellow, green)

• Diameter: 3,200 to 10,000 kms (% of Earth)
• Gravity: ((1d10+5)/10) * %E
• Surface Area: 510,075,000 * G
• Water Area: -
• Rotation Period: 2d10+14 hours
• Atmospheric Density: extremely thick
• Climate: -
• No. of Satellites: (1d6-3) (all Class D)
• Resources: Table 8H(4)

Class O (Orbits: green)

• Diameter: 3,200 to 10,000 kms (% of Earth)
• Gravity: ((1d10+5)/10) * %E
• Surface Area: 510,075,000 * G
• Water Area: 1d20 + 80 (as %)
• Rotation Period: 2d10+14 hours
• Atmospheric Density: Table 8F
• Climate: 33% tropical, 34% temperate – warm, 33% temperate – cool
• No. of Satellites: (1d6-3) (all Class D)
• Resources: Table 8H(1)

Class P (Orbits: green)

• Diameter: 3,200 to 10,000 kms (% of Earth)
• Gravity: ((1d10+5)/10) * %E
• Surface Area: 510,075,000 * G
• Water Area: 1d60 + 20 (as %)
• Rotation Period: 2d10+14 hours
• Atmospheric Density: Table 8F
• Climate: arctic
• No. of Satellites: (1d6-3) (all Class D)
• Resources: Table 8H(1)

Class Q (Orbits: green)

• Diameter: 3,200 to 10,000 kms (% of Earth)
• Gravity: ((1d10+5)/10) * %E
• Surface Area: 510,075,000 * G
• Water Area: 1d60 + 20 (as %)
• Rotation Period: 2d10+14 hours
• Atmospheric Density: Table 8F
• Climate: varies
• No. of Satellites: (1d6-5) (all Class D)
• Resources: Table 8H(1)
• Note: no sentience rolls

Class S (Orbits: yellow, green, blue)

• Diameter: 900,000 to 4,160,000 kms (% of Earth)
• Gravity: (gas planet formula)
• Surface Area: -
• Water Area: -
• Rotation Period: 1d6 + 5 hours
• Atmospheric Density: -
• Climate: -
• No. of Satellites: 4d6 (then Table 7c)
• Resources: -

Class T (Orbits: yellow, green, blue)

• Diameter: 4,161,000 and 5,200,000 kms (% of Earth)
• Gravity: (gas planet formula)
• Surface Area: -
• Water Area: -
• Rotation Period: 1d6 + 3 hours
• Atmospheric Density: -
• Climate: -
• No. of Satellites: 1d8 - 5 (then Table 7d)
• Resources: -

Class Y (Orbits: green)

• Diameter: 1,000 to 10,000 kms (% of Earth)
• Gravity: ((1d10+5)/10) * %E
• Surface Area: 510,075,000 * G
• Water Area: -
• Rotation Period: 1d6+14 hours
• Atmospheric Density: 30% thick, 70% extremely thick
• Climate: -
• No. of Satellites: (1d6-3) (all Class D)
• Resources: Table 8H(4)
• Note: no sentience rolls

Class Z (Orbits: yellow, green, blue)

• Diameter: -
• Gravity: -
• Surface Area: -
• Water Area: -
• Rotation Period: -
• Atmospheric Density: -
• Climate: -
• No. of Satellites: -
• Resources: Table 8H(2)

Notes:

1. rework zone planet options (Table 4)
2. rework Table 6 to reflect depicted satellite ranges per planet class
3. confirm/correct Resources (Table 8H(1-4)) match the planet classes' current status

Alternate Method for Gravity, Diameter & Surface Area

Rocky planets

To determine diameter, gravity, and surface area for rocky (versus gas) planets:

Establish Density (Rocky)

Roll 3d6 on the appropriate table for each of the following planets:

• Class A, C: Table A1
• Classes B, D: Table A2
• Classes E, F, G, H, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, Y: Table A3

Table A1: Density

• 03-06: 0.3
• 07-10: 0.4
• 11-14: 0.5
• 15-17: 0.6
• 18: 0.7

Table A2: Density

• 03-06: 0.6
• 07-10: 0.7
• 11-14: 0.8
• 15-17: 0.9
• 18: 1.0

Table A3: Density

• 03-06: 0.8
• 07-10: 0.9
• 11-14: 1.0
• 15-17: 1.1
• 18: 1.2

Establish Diameter (Rocky)

Roll 1d10 and then apply to the following formulas (per planet class), to get the diameter in units of diameter (d):

• Class A, B, C, D: roll between 0.07 and 0.25 diameters
• Classes E, F, G, H, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, Y: roll between 0.26 and 1.51 diameters

Establish Gravity (Rocky)

Gravity is determined by the following formula: density * diameter, as measured in units of gravity(g).