10.1 Long-Range Sensors

The most powerful scientific instruments aboard the USS Camelot are probably those located in the long-range sensor array. This cluster of high-power active and passive subspace frequency sensors is located in the Engineering Hull directly behind the main deflector dish.

The majority of instruments in the long-range array are active scan subspace devices, which permit information gathering at speeds exceeding light speed. Maximum effective range of this array is approximately 22 light-years in high-resolution mode. Operation in medium-to-low mode resolution yields a usable range of approximately 42 light-years (depending on instrument type). Standard scans permit total and complete study of approximately 4 adjacent sectors per day at this rate. Within the confines of a solar system, the long-range sensor array is capable of providing instantaneous information.

Sensor devices are located in a series of 8 instrument bays directly behind the main deflector. Direct power taps from primary EPS conduits are available for the high-powered instruments. The main deflector emitter screen includes perforated zones designed to be transparent for sensor use, although some sensors cannot yield decent data if the deflector is operating at more than 55% of maximum rated power. Within these instrument bays are fifteen mount points, which are normally unassigned and available for mission-specific problems or future upgrades. All instrument bays share the use of the deflector's subspace field generators.

The long-range sensor array is designed to scan in the direction of flight, and its routinely used to search for possible flight hazards such as micrometeoroids or other debris. The CONN officer, under automated control, manages this operation. When anything hazardous is detected, the main deflector is automatically set to sweep the objects from the flight path. Scan range and degree of deflection depends on vessel speed.