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As the leading machine-focused division of Prime Labs, the Sprocketeers have once again been hard at work building things we are not qualified to operate. Today we are proud to present the public-testing model of the exploration vessel that first decided not to contact the Kerbal system, the SPK-Longbow:
Despite its namesake, the Longbow is not specialized for combat; it is primarily designed for deep-space exploration and comfortable human living. Below is a tour of its assets and systems.
The Longbow's most distinct exterior feature is a single antimatter weapon atop its hull, the "Head Cannon", which acts primarily as a defensive shield for the bridge and hangar. Its sides bear the Sprocketeer brand logo, cut permanently into the hull plating as a deterrant against vandalism.
Recent advances in antimatter ionization technology have been ignored in favor of a more traditional thermal coil system, in order to save on manufacturing costs. The resulting difference pays for almost a full day of power generation, which is quickly lost again to the inefficiency of the weapon.
Second in prominence to the Head Cannon are two pairs of shutters used to cool the main thrusters, dubbed the "Intimidation Vents" by bored engineers. Due to the combat-averse nature of the ship's design, it was deemed more useful to leave the vents exposed as a scare tactic than to shield them against attack.
Near the ship's tail are a pair of manual turrets, which designers felt "... rounded out its look nicely." They are technically functional, and even capable of fending off light attacks, but their light shields and remote, solitary location ensure that they are likely to be manned at the drawing of straws.
At the ship's rear is a hangar port, left permanently open after a piloting error destroyed the prototype's door and the event was embellished to engineers, who decided the safest solution was to remove it entirely. The public-testing model has also been upgraded with explicit docking indicators, to prevent further iterative improvements to the walls, ceiling, and floor.
Every Longbow leased from a licenced Sprocketeer dealership is required to be outfitted with a single manned repair unit. This is only to comply with government regulations; Prime Labs and the Sprocketeers do not recommend operating the unit in a real-life repair emergency.
As seen here, the Head Cannon is connected directly to the main power conduit, which has the side effect of producing a pleasent blue glow to welcome visitors before the main entrance. Engineering has assured us that the support beams around the conduit double as a coarse Faraday cage, blocking most types of harmful radiation.
The entrance is secured with a manual airlock, behind which is the ship's piloting station. It is not recommended to open both doors simultaneously.
The bridge is spacious and dimly-lit, to ensure the pilot's visibility is not distracted. Space for other stations exists, but only two are installed in the current production run: on the left, a salvage computer connected to the front-mounted Gimme Array, and next to it a large button used to close the Intimidation Vents in case of diplomacy.
NOTE: Under some common circumstances, the main engine reactor has been shown to build up heat even when not thrusting. Execute your diplomacy quickly.
To either side of the piloting station is a brightly-lit hall that connects to the patent-pending Inverted De-Elevator shaft, and continues into the crew habitat area.
Crew quarters are left unfurnished, in order to save on manufacturing costs. The resulting difference is enough to pay for furnishings for the crew's quarters.
Each room has a powered shutter system and a side-facing window. As these windows are not tinted, it is recommended to close the shutters whenever a star is nearby.
At the end of the habitat hall is a spacious lounge area, also unfurnished.
From the bottom of the Inverted De-Elevator, an impressive exterior view of the underside of the crew habitat area is visible, as well as a portion of its interior ceiling.
To either side of this space is a corridor leading to one of the side-mounted turrets.
NOTE: There is no airlock in this area. The Sprocketeers recommend closing the turret access door behind you when exiting the ship.
Thank you for touring the SPK-Longbow exploration vessel. We're looking forward to getting some great test data from your seasoned pilots.
ADDENDUM: As it is a new, patent-pending technology, our CEO has insisted the Inverted De-Elevator unit come with a recorded demonstration for new users. This demonstration has been filmed on recycled video tape; please disregard any footage which may contain trade secrets.
StarMade Tutorials - Gravity Elevator
Full-size gallery and ship download
Despite its namesake, the Longbow is not specialized for combat; it is primarily designed for deep-space exploration and comfortable human living. Below is a tour of its assets and systems.
The Longbow's most distinct exterior feature is a single antimatter weapon atop its hull, the "Head Cannon", which acts primarily as a defensive shield for the bridge and hangar. Its sides bear the Sprocketeer brand logo, cut permanently into the hull plating as a deterrant against vandalism.
Recent advances in antimatter ionization technology have been ignored in favor of a more traditional thermal coil system, in order to save on manufacturing costs. The resulting difference pays for almost a full day of power generation, which is quickly lost again to the inefficiency of the weapon.
Second in prominence to the Head Cannon are two pairs of shutters used to cool the main thrusters, dubbed the "Intimidation Vents" by bored engineers. Due to the combat-averse nature of the ship's design, it was deemed more useful to leave the vents exposed as a scare tactic than to shield them against attack.
Near the ship's tail are a pair of manual turrets, which designers felt "... rounded out its look nicely." They are technically functional, and even capable of fending off light attacks, but their light shields and remote, solitary location ensure that they are likely to be manned at the drawing of straws.
At the ship's rear is a hangar port, left permanently open after a piloting error destroyed the prototype's door and the event was embellished to engineers, who decided the safest solution was to remove it entirely. The public-testing model has also been upgraded with explicit docking indicators, to prevent further iterative improvements to the walls, ceiling, and floor.
Every Longbow leased from a licenced Sprocketeer dealership is required to be outfitted with a single manned repair unit. This is only to comply with government regulations; Prime Labs and the Sprocketeers do not recommend operating the unit in a real-life repair emergency.
As seen here, the Head Cannon is connected directly to the main power conduit, which has the side effect of producing a pleasent blue glow to welcome visitors before the main entrance. Engineering has assured us that the support beams around the conduit double as a coarse Faraday cage, blocking most types of harmful radiation.
The entrance is secured with a manual airlock, behind which is the ship's piloting station. It is not recommended to open both doors simultaneously.
The bridge is spacious and dimly-lit, to ensure the pilot's visibility is not distracted. Space for other stations exists, but only two are installed in the current production run: on the left, a salvage computer connected to the front-mounted Gimme Array, and next to it a large button used to close the Intimidation Vents in case of diplomacy.
NOTE: Under some common circumstances, the main engine reactor has been shown to build up heat even when not thrusting. Execute your diplomacy quickly.
To either side of the piloting station is a brightly-lit hall that connects to the patent-pending Inverted De-Elevator shaft, and continues into the crew habitat area.
Crew quarters are left unfurnished, in order to save on manufacturing costs. The resulting difference is enough to pay for furnishings for the crew's quarters.
Each room has a powered shutter system and a side-facing window. As these windows are not tinted, it is recommended to close the shutters whenever a star is nearby.
At the end of the habitat hall is a spacious lounge area, also unfurnished.
From the bottom of the Inverted De-Elevator, an impressive exterior view of the underside of the crew habitat area is visible, as well as a portion of its interior ceiling.
To either side of this space is a corridor leading to one of the side-mounted turrets.
NOTE: There is no airlock in this area. The Sprocketeers recommend closing the turret access door behind you when exiting the ship.
Thank you for touring the SPK-Longbow exploration vessel. We're looking forward to getting some great test data from your seasoned pilots.
ADDENDUM: As it is a new, patent-pending technology, our CEO has insisted the Inverted De-Elevator unit come with a recorded demonstration for new users. This demonstration has been filmed on recycled video tape; please disregard any footage which may contain trade secrets.
StarMade Tutorials - Gravity Elevator
Full-size gallery and ship download
