Ship Classifications
Given the rather diverse sources of hardware used for space travel by Fendom, any formal classification of vessels would be rather problematic. The notion of formally licencing them or establishing an actual registry, would also of course be laughable.
However, some degree of distinction is necessary for traffic control purposes around space stations and planetary facilities, so in one of the many (many, many, many) clauses of the Treaty of Kandor-Con, the major ports of Fendom agreed to the following nomenclature. Pilots are asked to use them when identifying themselves to request landing or launch clearance and most docking protocols (such as they are) are based upon them. As a matter of courtesy, some Fen list their craft's name with the appropriate prefix for their classification.
Space Craft (SC)
The most common space transports by far, Space Craft are defined as any spacecraft that can be landed within a standard parking lot's parking spaces. The technical requirement is 'less than 18 feet along a viable direction of thrust and less than 9 feet horizontally perpendicular to this axis, with landing gear suitable to a flat surface'. Craft between 9 and 18 feet wide and less than 9 feet long will usually have to demonstrate that they can fly sideways with reasonable precision before anyone believes that they count as Space Craft as otherwise they can't be relied upon to be able to navigate into the internal Space Craft docks of most really large facilities. Most Space Craft, for obvious reasons, began life as automobiles.
Space Ship (SS)
In general, Space Ships are considered to be anything mobile that falls between the definitions of Space Craft and Space Vessels. There is considerable variation in size and type - modified aircraft are fairly common but probably not a majority. Typically they function as mobile homes or as medium cargo transports but many other purposes exist.
Space Vessel (SV)
This deisgnation is reserved for the largest of craft - heavy cargo haulers and semi-mobile stations being the most common. In general, any space vessel that has a longest dimension in excess of 250 feet is classed as a Space Vessel and most docking facilities insist that they do not make close approaches, instead transferring crew, passengers and cargo by means of auxiliary craft.
Space Port (SP)
A Space Port is defined as any space station that has capability to dock Space Craft without the use of specialist gear on the part of the Space Craft (Stations that that require specialised docking gear to allow access without EVA are unofficially designated as b****y rude), but that cannot usually make accomodation for most Space Ships. Many Space Ports have a 'parking lot' area and/or extendable airlocks that can make a tight seal around car doors or windows.
Space Dock (SD)
Space Docks are defined as space stations that have a resonable chance of docking Space Ships internally. While there are no guarentees, designating yourself as a Space Dock implies that a good faith effort will be made to dock anything less than a Space Vessel if landing permission is needed, and that Space Craft are available for ferrying duty if docking is not possible.D for Drakensis
You're only young once, but immaturity is forever.
D for Drakensis
You're only young once, but immaturity is forever.
Given the rather diverse sources of hardware used for space travel by Fendom, any formal classification of vessels would be rather problematic. The notion of formally licencing them or establishing an actual registry, would also of course be laughable.
However, some degree of distinction is necessary for traffic control purposes around space stations and planetary facilities, so in one of the many (many, many, many) clauses of the Treaty of Kandor-Con, the major ports of Fendom agreed to the following nomenclature. Pilots are asked to use them when identifying themselves to request landing or launch clearance and most docking protocols (such as they are) are based upon them. As a matter of courtesy, some Fen list their craft's name with the appropriate prefix for their classification.
Space Craft (SC)
The most common space transports by far, Space Craft are defined as any spacecraft that can be landed within a standard parking lot's parking spaces. The technical requirement is 'less than 18 feet along a viable direction of thrust and less than 9 feet horizontally perpendicular to this axis, with landing gear suitable to a flat surface'. Craft between 9 and 18 feet wide and less than 9 feet long will usually have to demonstrate that they can fly sideways with reasonable precision before anyone believes that they count as Space Craft as otherwise they can't be relied upon to be able to navigate into the internal Space Craft docks of most really large facilities. Most Space Craft, for obvious reasons, began life as automobiles.
Space Ship (SS)
In general, Space Ships are considered to be anything mobile that falls between the definitions of Space Craft and Space Vessels. There is considerable variation in size and type - modified aircraft are fairly common but probably not a majority. Typically they function as mobile homes or as medium cargo transports but many other purposes exist.
Space Vessel (SV)
This deisgnation is reserved for the largest of craft - heavy cargo haulers and semi-mobile stations being the most common. In general, any space vessel that has a longest dimension in excess of 250 feet is classed as a Space Vessel and most docking facilities insist that they do not make close approaches, instead transferring crew, passengers and cargo by means of auxiliary craft.
Space Port (SP)
A Space Port is defined as any space station that has capability to dock Space Craft without the use of specialist gear on the part of the Space Craft (Stations that that require specialised docking gear to allow access without EVA are unofficially designated as b****y rude), but that cannot usually make accomodation for most Space Ships. Many Space Ports have a 'parking lot' area and/or extendable airlocks that can make a tight seal around car doors or windows.
Space Dock (SD)
Space Docks are defined as space stations that have a resonable chance of docking Space Ships internally. While there are no guarentees, designating yourself as a Space Dock implies that a good faith effort will be made to dock anything less than a Space Vessel if landing permission is needed, and that Space Craft are available for ferrying duty if docking is not possible.D for Drakensis
You're only young once, but immaturity is forever.
D for Drakensis
You're only young once, but immaturity is forever.