[ Freelance Traveller Home Page | Search Freelance Traveller | Site Index ]

*Freelance Traveller / the RICE Archives

The Electronic Fan-Supported Traveller® Resource

Starports

This article was originally posted to the pre-magazine website in 1996, and was reprinted in the May 2013 issue.

Introduction

Starports tend to take on a certain importance to a frequent Traveller. They are a focus for certain necessary activities, and they provide services that Travellers of all types find desirable. However, the typical Universal World Profile provides only for a single-character descriptor for a starport - the familiar A, B, C, D, E, X ratings, and the ratings for spaceport types F, G, and H. These ratings give enough information for routine activities - they answer the questions "Can I get fixed here?" and "Can I get fuel here?".

There are other activities that take place at a starport - Quarantine, on the Frontier and inter-polity borders is one such activity; cargo loading and unloading is another; and various kinds of services, including tourism-related services, will be available. The following system will allow for an extended profile to give the Traveller information at a glance about the starport and its suitability for a particular purpose.

The Universal Extended Starport Profile

The format of a Universal Extended Starship Profile (UESP) is as follows:

A-AAAAAAAAAA
| ||||||||||
| |||||||||+--- (TF) Tourist Facilities
| ||||||||+---- (BF) Business Facilities
| |||||||+----- (LC) Live Cargo Handling
| ||||||+------ (CH) Non-living Cargo Handling
| |||||+------- (FA) Fuel Availability
| ||||+-------- (DS) Dock Size
| |||+--------- (SR) Ship Repair Capability
| ||+---------- (SC) Ship Construction Capability
| |+----------- (OR) Orbital Component Rating
| +------------ (GR) Ground Component Rating
+-------------- (OV) Overall Rating - the code from the UWP

Each character has a specific meaning, which, when combined with the ratings in other areas, gives an overview of what to expect at the starport. Note that no distinction between orbital ports and ground ports are made; it may be assumed that ports with an OV of A or B have orbital components; C ports may or may not, and all other ports are ground-based only.

Ground Component Rating

This describes the overall level of service at the ground-based portion of the starport. The same codes are used as for the Overall rating, with X meaning that there is no ground-based component for the starport. Note that any construction or docking facilities at a ground component will apply only to spacecraft and starships with hull configurations of SL and/or AF (streamlined and/or airframe). Ground-based starports should be assumed to have all facilities at the listed levels in the remainder of the profile, if the GR value is the same as the OV value. In the event that they are not, the "Minimum" values listed under "Standard Expectations", below, should be assumed.

Orbital Component Rating

This describes the overall level of service at the orbital portion of the starport. The same codes are used as for the Overall rating, with X meaning that there is no orbital component for the starport. Orbital starports should always be assumed to have all of the facilities at the listed levels in the remainder of the profile, if the OR value is the same as the OV value. In the event that they are not, the "Minimum" values listed under "Standard Expectations", below, should be assumed.

Ship Construction Capability

This code represents the ability of the starport to construct spacegoing vessels. The code that appears here represents the maximum hull rate (displacement tonnage) that can be constructed, as an exponent of 10 (e.g., 10-ton fighters use a code of 1, 100-ton scouts a code of 2, and so on). An SC of 0 implies that there are no ship construction facilities. As the construction of a ship with hull rate 10,000,000,000 is unlikely in the extreme, letter codes A through I have the same meaning as codes 1 through 9, respectively, except that such letter codes represent an inability to construct jump-capable ships. A code of X indicates that the port does not construct non-military ships, and that the hull rate of the military ships that are constructed is classified.

Ship Repair Capability

A starport can automatically perform annual maintenance and structural repairs on any ship that it could construct. This rating represents its ability to repair ships that are larger than it can construct, up to a limit of the port's dock size. Codes are one of the following:

Code

Meaning

0

  • None:
    Repairs to large ships are not possible

1

  • Cosmetic Damage:
    Adjustments and refinishing are available.
    Replacement parts are not generally available.

2

  • Light Damage:
    Drive parts are not available.
    Adjustments and remanufacturing or reconditioning
    of old drive components is possible.
    Parts for other systems are easily available.

3

  • Heavy Damage:
    Similar to annual maintenance.
    Some parts may not be immediately available.

4

  • Annual Maintenance:
    Heavy maintenance needed annually.
    Includes replacement of drive components.
    Parts needed are generally available immediately.

5

  • Structural Repairs:
    Load-bearing (stressed) members and hull sections
    can be replaced.

Dock Size

This code is interpreted the same as the code for Ship Construction Capability. "Docking facilities" refers to specific locations for a ship to position itself, with at least minimal communications and access control facilities. Letter codes are not used, except for X, which refers to a port that permits only military craft to dock. The 0 code is used for starports that have no docking facilities.

Fuel Availability

This code represents the type of fuel available, and, in the case of unrefined fuel, the method of availability.

Code

Meaning

R

  • Refined:
    Refined fuel is available from starport facilities.

U

  • Unrefined:
    Unrefined fuel is available from starport facilities.

D

  • Dipping:
    Unrefined fuel is available through "dipping" under
    control of starport authorities.

W

  • Wilderness:
    Unrefined fuel is available through "dipping" with no restrictions.

X

  • None:
    No fuel is available.

Non-living Cargo Handling

This code represents the level of loading and unloading services for non-living cargo available from the starport.

Code

Meaning

0

  • None:
    No cargo-handling facilities are available.

1

  • Crew:
    Minimal storage facilities are available.
    Manpower and equipment must be arranged for by crew.

2

  • Manual:
    Manual loading only.
    Anti-grav equipment is not available.
    Special Packaging is not available.

3

  • Small:
    Anti-grav equipment is available.
    Maximum cargo loadable in one operation is 50 displacement tons.

4

  • Medium:
    Special Packaging for Flammable, Gas, Corrosive, and Radioactive only is available.
    Maximum cargo loadable in one operation is 100 displacement tons.

5

  • Standard:
    Cranes and heavy anti-grav are not available.
    Special Packaging is available except for Special Environment.
    Maximum cargo loadable in one operation is 250 displacement tons.

6

  • Large:
    All Special Packaging including Special Environment is available.
    Maximum cargo loadable in one operation is at least 1000 displacement tons.

7

  • Special:
    Virtually any starship can be loaded into the cargo hold of a sufficiently larger ship. (Most Depot starports will have this rating.)
    May be pre-empted by military during hostilities.

Live Cargo Handling

This code represents the level of loading/unloading and life-support services for living cargos. Note that these codes apply only to broadly terrestrial-compatible life forms. The capability drops based on the need of an ungeneered human to survive in the required environment as follows: If a human needs a class C environment suit (basically thermal clothing and/or filter masks), life forms from that environment can be handled at the indicated level. If a class B suit (pressure differential) is required, life form handling is at one level lower. If a class A suit (protection from corrosives or extreme pressure differentials) is required, life form handling is at two levels lower. Note that these codes assume that all life forms involved are for a single cargo, and are all of the same type. Many starports are able to handle several live cargos at once.

Code

Meaning

0

  • None:
    No live cargo handling/maintenance is available.

1

  • Contained:
    Small animals caged or otherwise contained (e.g., aquaria, terraria, etc.) can be maintained for up to one week.

2

  • Kennel:
    Single medium-sized animals (e.g., dogs, cats) can be maintained for up to one week.

3

  • Pack:
    Groups of medium-sized animals can be maintained for up to one week.

4

  • Stable:
    Single large animals (horse to elephant sized) can be maintained for up to one week.

5

  • Herd:
    Large groups of large animals can be maintained for up to one week.

Business Facilities

This code describes the ability of the shipowner or operator to conduct business without leaving the starport. It includes availability of brokerage services, legal assistance (both barristers and solicitors), obtaining permits and clearances, and other business-related services. Note that the availability of any particular service implies that all services with lower codes are also available (i.e., Barrister availability implies availability of Solicitors, Trans-shipment, Brokerage, Permits/Clearances, and Communications.

Code

Meaning

0

  • None:
    No business facilities are available.

1

  • Recorded Communications:
    A recorded message may be left for later transmission
    to planetary surface or nearby cities.

2

  • Live Communications:
    Real-time communications are possible between the starport and the planetary surface or nearby cities.

3

  • Permits:
    Permits and clearances can be arranged.

4

  • Brokers:
    The starport officials can arrange an initial meeting with a broker.

5

  • Trans-shipment:
    Trans-shipment of cargo to the planetary surface or nearby cities can be arranged.

6

  • Barristers:
    Trial lawyers can be arranged.

7

  • Solicitors:
    Legal assistance of all types can be arranged.

8

  • Consulate:
    Consular or Diplomatic services are available.

9

  • Name it:
    All services are available, perhaps at a price.

Tourist Facilities

Most planets consider it advisable to make it easy for tourists to visit - tourism, after all, brings in offworld money, which makes it easier for the planet to engage in offworld trade. Nevertheless, there can be a wide variation in the quality of service that an incoming tourist can expect to experience. This code provides a guideline on what to expect. Note that there is a high level of overlap with business facility availability - it is occasionally difficult to draw a line between tourist and business facilities; both codes should be examined by all travellers.

Code

Meaning

0
  • None:
    No tourist facilities are available.
1
  • Recorded Communications:
    A recorded message may be left for later transmission to the planetary surface or nearby cities.
2
  • Live Communications:
    Real-time communications are possible between the starport and the planetary surface or nearby cities.
3
  • Customs:
    Customs/Health/Immigration and/or Frontier Quarantine (where applicable) are available.
4
  • Shopping:
    Shopping (usually duty-free) and dining facilities are available.
5
  • Trans-Shipment:
    Transfer of baggage or small packages to the planetary surface or nearby cities is available.
6
  • Emergency:
    Emergency medical help is available.
    Criminal lawyers can be arranged.
7
  • General Assistance:
    Non-Emergency medical help can be arranged.
    Legal assistance of all types can be arranged.
8
  • Extended Stay:
    Transient residential facilities (B&B, hotel, etc.) are available.
    Consular or Diplomatic services are available.
9
  • Name It:
    Every courtesy is extended.
    Any service may be available (at a price).

Standard Expectations

As was indicated earlier, the single-character starport/spaceport code allows you to assume a certain level of facilities at a port. The table below shows the minimum and "normal" facilites levels in UESP format for each single-character port type. The "minimum" profile represents what various rating organizations in the Imperium consider absolutely necessary to gain a specific overall rating; the "normal" profile represents what extensive experience has shown is typical for a starport of the specified rating.

Overall
Rating

Minimum
for Rating

Normal
Expectation

A

A-AX547R5077

A-AA647R6488

B

B-BXD44R5077

B-BB445R6388

C

C-XCX24U4055

C-XCD34U4276

D

D-XDX13W2053

D-XDX24U3C64

E

E-XEX03X0000

E-XEX04W1021

F

F-XFD13U5051

F-XFD23U5151

G

G-XGX03W2041

G-XGX13D3061

H

H-XHX02X0000

H-XHX02W0021

X

X-XXX00X0000

X-XXX00X0000