Outpost Model (#600)

Overview

All three stations (Gateway Station, Lunar Gateway, Frontier Outpost) share a single procedural mesh: a detailed, industrial/utilitarian outpost with modular construction. The design replaces the earlier hub-and-ring model with a more visually interesting structure featuring a rotating habitation section, visible fuel storage, multiple docking ports, radiator panels, and antenna arrays.

The design language matches the existing faction aesthetic (cargo hauler, fast frigate) — gray metal tones, exposed structural elements, utilitarian construction.

Scale

Built at meter scale (1 unit = 1 m), then scaled by SHIP_VISUAL_SCALE_TRUE
Overall extent: ~120 m vertical (Y-axis = up)
Model Y-axis is the station’s long axis (spin axis for the hab section)

Materials

All materials use MeshStandardMaterial unless noted.

Name	Color	Metalness	Roughness	Notes
hullMat	0x666666	0.7	0.4	Main hull panels
cmdMat	0x777777	0.6	0.3	Command module accent
frameMat	0x555555	0.8	0.3	Structural frame/trusses
tankMat	0x5a5a6a	0.6	0.4	Fuel tanks
radiatorMat	0x334455	0.3	0.6	Radiator panels (DoubleSide)
panelMat	0x2244aa	0.3	0.7	Solar panels
glassMat	0x112244	0.9	0.1	Viewport glass (emissive: 0x0a1828)
dockMat	0x887744	0.5	0.5	Docking port hardware
windowMat	MeshBasicMaterial 0x88aaff	—	—	Window strips (unlit)
navLightMat	MeshBasicMaterial 0xff0000	—	—	Red nav light
beaconMat	MeshBasicMaterial 0x00ff88	—	—	Green approach beacons

Structure

A. Static Service Section (lower half, Y ≤ 10)

1. Central Spine

CylinderGeometry(8, 8, 50, 16) centered at Y=0
Main structural core connecting all modules
Uses hullMat

2. Docking Module

4 docking ports at 90° intervals around spine at Y=−10
Each port: CylinderGeometry(5, 5, 8, 12) extending outward along ±X and ±Z
Guide rails: BoxGeometry(0.5, 2, 12) flanking each port
Approach beacons: green SphereGeometry(0.8) at port entrance (self-illuminating, beaconMat)

3. Fuel Storage

4 spherical tanks at 45° angles between docking ports at Y=−10
SphereGeometry(8, 16, 12) at radius ~20 m from center
Cylindrical pylons connecting to spine
Transfer pipes: thin CylinderGeometry(0.3) to nearest docking ports

4. Radiator Panels

2 pairs extending ±X at Y=−20
BoxGeometry(25, 0.15, 8) with support trusses underneath
Uses radiatorMat (DoubleSide for thin panel visibility)

5. Antenna Array

Bottom of spine (Y < −25)
Mast: CylinderGeometry(0.5, 0.5, 12, 8)
Large inverted dish: ConeGeometry(5, 3, 12) rotated π
2 smaller side dishes on booms at ±X offsets

B. Spin Bearing (Y ≈ 10)

TorusGeometry(9, 1.5, 8, 24) — darker mechanical look
Uses frameMat
Marks the visual boundary between static and rotating sections

C. Rotating Hab Section (Y > 10)

Contained in a THREE.Group named 'habSection' that rotates around local Y-axis in the render loop at ~1 RPM (0.105 rad/s).

1. Hab Drum

CylinderGeometry(12, 12, 20, 20) at Y=22
3 window strips: TorusGeometry at Y=15, 22, 29

2. Connecting Struts

4 radial CylinderGeometry from drum exterior to inner shaft

3. Inner Shaft (zero-g corridor)

CylinderGeometry(3, 3, 20) through center of hab drum

4. Solar Panel Arms

2 BoxGeometry(40, 0.2, 6) extending ±X from drum top at Y=32
Support trusses underneath
Rotate with hab section

Named group 'navLight' — blinks on 2-tick/8-tick cycle (existing logic).

Red light on antenna tip (bottom of station)
4 white corner lights on docking port tips

Hab Section Rotation

In the station render loop, after nav light blink logic:

if (station._habSection === undefined) station._habSection = station.getObjectByName('habSection');
if (station._habSection) {
  station._habSection.rotation.y += 0.105 * cappedDt;
}

The cappedDt variable (frame delta time, already in scope) ensures smooth rotation independent of frame rate. ~1 RPM provides a subtle but visible spin effect.

Unchanged Behavior

Nav light blink pattern (2 on / 8 off) — unchanged
Map view cyan diamond indicators — unchanged
Station proximity warning (50 km) — unchanged
Station indicator CSS2D labels — unchanged
Station physics (gravity-only, fixed attitude in physics) — unchanged