Long-Range Explorer Model (#602)

Overview

The long-range explorer is a deep-space endurance vessel — the largest ship in the fleet, purpose-built for maximum delta-v and range. Features a single high-efficiency drive, massive fuel tanks, extended radiator booms, and a forward science/observation module. No weapons or weapon hardpoints; science instruments and long-range comms replace combat systems.

Design language matches the cargo hauler and fast frigate: gray metal tones, exposed structural elements, utilitarian industrial construction.

Scale

  • Built at meter scale (1 unit = 1 m), then scaled by shipVisualScale (SVS)
  • Overall extent: ~80 m along Y-axis (forward), ~20 m across X (with radiator booms), ~14 m Z
  • Model Y-axis = ship forward direction

Immutable Constraints

These values are physics-dependent and must not change:

  • RCS pod positions: [±4.5, ±4.5, ±20] — 8 corner pods
  • Engine plume group named 'enginePlume', single plume at X=0
  • Nav lights group named 'navLights'
  • _addRCSPods() call with same position array and parameters

Materials (12)

All materials use MeshStandardMaterial unless noted. Same faction palette as hauler/frigate.

Name Color Metalness Roughness Notes
hullMat 0x666666 0.7 0.4 Main hull panels
hullDarkMat 0x555555 0.7 0.5 Worn/recessed panels
cmdMat 0x777777 0.6 0.3 Command/science module
frameMat 0x555555 0.8 0.3 Structural trusses
scienceMat 0x887744 0.5 0.5 Science instruments (= hauler podMat / frigate podMat)
sensorMat 0x776633 0.5 0.6 Sensor housings (= hauler doorMat)
tankMat 0x5a5a6a 0.6 0.4 Fuel tanks
radiatorMat 0x334455 0.3 0.6 Heat radiators (DoubleSide)
pipeMat 0x5a5a5a 0.6 0.4 Fuel/coolant piping
nozzleMat 0x333333 0.9 0.2 Engine internals
glassMat 0x112244 0.9 0.1 Viewports/dome (emissive: 0x0a1828)
dockMat 0x887744 0.5 0.5 Docking collar hardware

Structure

A. Structural Spine (open-frame truss) — ~24 meshes

Longest spine of any ship — the explorer’s backbone.

  • 4 longitudinal rails: BoxGeometry(0.6, 50, 0.6) at [±3, 0, ±3] — frameMat
  • 5 rib rings at Y = −20, −10, 0, 10, 20:
    • Outer frame: BoxGeometry(7, 0.5, 7) — hullDarkMat
    • X cross-member: BoxGeometry(6, 0.3, 0.3) — frameMat
    • Z cross-member: BoxGeometry(0.3, 0.3, 6) — frameMat

B. Forward Science Module (Y=+20 to +35, offset +2 Z dorsal) — ~18 meshes

The explorer’s distinguishing feature — a dorsally-offset science/command section with observation dome.

  • Main hull: BoxGeometry(7, 12, 6) at (0, 27, 2) — cmdMat
  • Side hull plates: BoxGeometry(0.15, 10, 5) on port/starboard faces — hullDarkMat
  • 3 viewport strips on forward face: BoxGeometry(5, 0.2, 0.8) at Y=30, 28, 26 — glassMat
  • Observation dome: SphereGeometry(2.5, 10, 8, 0, 2π, 0, π/2) (hemisphere) at (0, 33.5, 5) — glassMat
  • Dome base ring: TorusGeometry(2.5, 0.2, 6, 16) at dome base — frameMat
  • 2 lateral sensor arrays: BoxGeometry(2, 1.5, 1) at (±5, 28, 2) — scienceMat
    • Sensor lens: SphereGeometry(0.3, 6, 6) on forward face — glassMat
  • Forward sensor boom: CylinderGeometry(0.15, 0.15, 4) at (0, 37, 2) — frameMat
  • Boom-tip instrument: BoxGeometry(0.8, 0.8, 0.8) at (0, 39, 2) — scienceMat
  • Accent band: TorusGeometry(3.5, 0.2, 6, 16) at Y=25, rotated π/2 about X — frameMat

C. Central Hab Ring (Y=0, decorative) — ~4 meshes

Small torus ring around midsection — faction accent, decorative.

  • Main ring: TorusGeometry(5, 0.8, 8, 24) at (0, 0, 0), rotated π/2 about X — scienceMat
  • Ring accent stripes: 2× TorusGeometry(5, 0.15, 6, 24) offset ±0.5 on Y — frameMat
  • Support strut ring: TorusGeometry(4, 0.2, 6, 12) — frameMat

D. Aft Engineering (Y=−20 to −30) — ~12 meshes

Single large high-efficiency engine — wider bell than frigate, narrower than hauler’s dual setup.

  • Engineering hull: BoxGeometry(6, 8, 6) at (0, −24, 0) — hullMat
  • Reactor housing (dorsal): CylinderGeometry(2, 2, 6, 10) at (0, −24, 4) — tankMat
  • Engine mount frame: BoxGeometry(8, 1, 3) at (0, −28.5, 0) — frameMat
  • 2 stiffener struts: BoxGeometry(0.3, 4, 0.3) at X=±3.5 — frameMat
  • Outer bell: CylinderGeometry(1.5, 3.5, 6, 12) at (0, −33, 0) — frameMat
  • Inner nozzle: CylinderGeometry(1.0, 2.8, 4.8, 10) at (0, −33.2, 0) — nozzleMat
  • Nozzle lip ring: TorusGeometry(3.5, 0.25, 6, 16) at Y=−36 — nozzleMat
  • 4 equipment boxes: BoxGeometry(0.8, 0.8, 0.5) on engineering hull faces — hullDarkMat

E. Fuel Tank Array (4 tanks, flanking spine) — ~28 meshes

Largest fuel tanks of any ship — 4 cylinders in 2 pairs, visual emphasis on fuel fraction.

Per tank (at [±2.5, Y=−5, ±4.5] — 4 positions):

  • Tank body: CylinderGeometry(1.8, 1.8, 22, 10) — tankMat
  • 2 end cap domes: SphereGeometry(1.8, 8, 6) scaled (1, 0.4, 1) at tank ends — tankMat
  • 3 mounting straps: TorusGeometry(2.0, 0.15, 6, 12) along tank length — frameMat
  • Transfer pipe: CylinderGeometry(0.2, 0.2, 8) angled to engine section — pipeMat

F. Long Radiator Booms (port/starboard) — ~14 meshes

Extended radiator panels — longest of any ship, for high-Isp drive heat dissipation.

Per radiator (at X=±10):

  • Panel: BoxGeometry(0.1, 24, 8) — radiatorMat (DoubleSide)
  • 4 subdivision lines: BoxGeometry(0.12, 0.1, 8) — frameMat
  • Deployment boom: CylinderGeometry(0.25, 0.25, 5, 6) rotated π/2 on Z at Y=−5, 0, 5 — frameMat
  • Hinge sphere: SphereGeometry(0.4, 6, 6) at boom-panel connection — frameMat

G. Antenna Array (forward) — ~8 meshes

Large comm dish + deployable antenna boom — long-range comms emphasis.

  • Main antenna mast: CylinderGeometry(0.15, 0.15, 8) at (0, 39, 2) (extending from science module) — frameMat
  • Large comm dish: ConeGeometry(3, 2, 10) inverted at mast top, rotated π — cmdMat
  • Dish support ring: TorusGeometry(3, 0.15, 6, 12) at dish rim — frameMat
  • Lateral antenna boom: CylinderGeometry(0.1, 0.1, 6) at (0, 35, −2) rotated π/4 on Z — frameMat
  • Boom-tip dipole: 2× CylinderGeometry(0.08, 0.08, 2) at boom ends — frameMat
  • 2 small relay dishes: ConeGeometry(0.6, 0.4, 8) at (±4, 30, 2) — cmdMat

H. Ventral Docking Port (Y=−8, Z=−5) — ~6 meshes

Same design language as hauler docking port.

  • Docking collar: CylinderGeometry(2.0, 2.0, 3, 12) rotated π/2 about X — dockMat
  • Lip ring: TorusGeometry(2.0, 0.25, 6, 12) at collar end — frameMat
  • Guide rails: 2× BoxGeometry(0.3, 0.3, 4) flanking port — frameMat
  • Approach beacons: 2× SphereGeometry(0.4, 6, 6) with MeshBasicMaterial 0x00ff88

I. Navigation Lights (6 total) — 6 meshes

Named group 'navLights' — blinks on existing 2-tick/8-tick cycle.

Light Color Position Notes
Port red 0xff0000 (−11, 0, 8) Radiator boom tip, port
Starboard green 0x00ff00 (11, 0, −8) Radiator boom tip, starboard
Forward white 0xffffff (0, 42, 2) Antenna mast tip
Aft amber 0xffaa00 (0, −38, 0) Below engine bell
Dorsal white strobe 0xffffff (0, 34, 5.5) Observation dome top
Ventral white strobe 0xffffff (0, −8, −7) Below docking port

J. Engine Plume (triple-layer, single) — 3 meshes

Named group 'enginePlume'. Single plume at X=0.

Layer Color Opacity Radius factor Height factor
Outer 0x4488ff 0.7 1.0× 1.0×
Inner 0xaaddff 0.8 0.6× 0.6×
Core 0xddffff 0.9 0.3× 0.35×

Base plume radius = bell bottom radius (3.5). Base plume height = 16.

K. RCS Pods — ~56 meshes

Via _addRCSPods(). Positions: [±4.5, ±4.5, ±20]. Parameters: 1.0, 0.8, 0.25, 2.0, 0.5

Integration struts: 8× connecting each pod to nearest spine rail corner at [±3, ±3] — frameMat.

L. Ventral Keel — 4 meshes

  • Keel beam: BoxGeometry(1.2, 44, 0.6) at (0, 0, −4.5) — frameMat
  • 3 keel ribs: BoxGeometry(2.5, 0.3, 1.2) at Y=−12, 0, 12 — frameMat

M. Surface Greebles — ~12 meshes

  • 4 equipment boxes on engineering hull: BoxGeometry(0.8, 0.6, 0.5) — hullDarkMat
  • 4 panel lines on science module: BoxGeometry(3, 0.05, 0.05) — hullDarkMat
  • 4 fuel conduits: CylinderGeometry(0.15, 0.15, 3) — pipeMat

Estimated Mesh Count

~200 meshes total (excluding RCS ~56) = ~256 total.

Verification Checklist

  • RCS pods visibly attached to hull (struts, no floating)
  • Toggle thrust: single plume with 3-layer glow
  • Nav lights blink correctly (6 lights)
  • Faction consistency: same color palette, truss spine, torus accents, engine design as cargo hauler/frigate
  • Distinct silhouette: elongated spine, large fuel tanks, observation dome, long radiator booms
  • No console errors from missing group names (enginePlume, navLights, rcsPods)
  • Ship envelope within ~80 m × 20 m × 14 m
  • No weapons or weapon hardpoints visible

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