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Concept The "Star Vessels" universe is a fictional era centuries in the future where Humans have achieved a moderate level of star-faring technology with a noticeable variety of shapes for their spaceships. In the "Star Vessels" fictional environment, Human starships have been around for about 200 years. During that time, Humans have discovered only one other sentient species with star-faring technology, the Nyoshahl. The Nyoshahl have been exploring space for longer time than Humanity and are not pleased to run into another species with comparable technology. The "Star Vessels" setting one of my more romantic science fiction universes, especially in its use of whimsical spaceship hull forms. Other features that set this uiniverse apart from my other universes are smaller ship sizes, smaller crews supplemented by lots of robots, more colorful color schemes for the vessels, and almost all designs being landable on planetary surfaces. The major inspirations for the "Star Vessels" universe are spaceship illustrations from the late 1970's / early 1980's by Jim Burns, David Egge, Peter Elson, Chris Foss, Colin Hay, Paul Jacquays, Angus McKie, Chris Moore, and Tony Roberts. There is also a bit of the computer game "Homeworld" thrown in. Programs used to create the images for the "Star Vessels" project include Rhino, Corel Draw, Corel Photo-Paint, GIMP, and Inkscape. Star Surveyor Adventurous The “Adventurous” class Star Surveyor is one of the smallest and most numerous Human starships currently in service. It has proven to be robust and versatile. This popular vessel has been adapted for use as a warp-jump capable ambulance, light freighter, and light patrol ship, in addition to its primary role as survey ship. “Adventurous” class ships operate both alone and as support vessels for larger exploration and commercial starships. Originally outfitted with first generation Tech Level 6 propulsion, most surviving vessels have been upgraded to second or third generation technology. An example boasting third generation Tech Level 6 drive and its accompanying statistics are depict here. Date Entered Service: 439 RE (Radiant Era) Length: 40.5 meters Crew: 8 Passengers: 2 Maximum Sublight Speed: 0.23 c Maximum Warp-Jump Performance: 7.8 light years per day Smallcraft Carried: 0-2 survey drones Primary Design Influence: Moon Cargo Ship by Richard Jeferies Star Surveyor Vanguard The “Vanguard” class Star Surveyor is one of the smaller Human starships currently in service. Unlike the older “Adventurous” class, The “Vanguard” class has been designed solely for survey work. An unusual feature of this diminutive vessel is that it is not landable on planetary surfaces, depending instead upon its shuttle for such missions. “Vanguard” class ships were the first vessels with second generation Tech Level 6 propulsion. Their crews often consist of one or two families. Most “Vanguard “ class vessels operate alone. Date Entered Service : 458 RE (Radiant Era) Length: 28.5 meters Crew: 8 Passengers: 2 Maximum Sublight Speed: 0.20 c Maximum Warp-Jump Performance: 6.0 light years per day Smallcraft Carried: 1 large exploration shuttle, 3 survey drones, 2 repair drone Primary Design Influence: Original design by David C. Mueller from 1985 Star Investigator Inquisitive The “Inquisitive” class Star Investigator is the newest Human exploration vessel currently in service. This advanced starship includes the latest tweaks to third generation Tech Level 6 warp-jump systems. The “Inquisitive” class is used for short-term and mid-term exploration missions lasting from weeks to months in duration. Date Entered Service : 498 RE (Radiant Era) Length: 102.6 meters Crew: 40 Passengers: 20 Maximum Sublight Speed: 0.24 c Maximum Warp-Jump Performance: 8.1 light years per day Smallcraft Carried: 2 large exploration shuttles, 10 survey drones, 2 repair drones Primary Design Influence: Original design by David C. Mueller from 1985   Star Investigator Outreach The “Outreach” class Star Investigator is one of the first Human starships with third generation Tech Level 6 propulsion. This class is replacing many older exploration vessels and is set to become the primary exploration class for years to come. The “Outreach” class is used for missions lasting from months to years. While capable of landing on planetary surfaces, this class usually relies upon its complement of smallcraft for such duties. Date Entered Service : 489 RE (Radiant Era) Length: 133.3 meters Crew: 50 Passengers: 30 Maximum Sublight Speed: 0.23 c Maximum Warp-Jump Performance: 8.0 light years per day Smallcraft Carried: 4 small exploration shuttles, 10 survey drones, 2 repair drones Primary Design Influence: A starship design by Chris Foss from 21st Century Foss (c) 1978 Star Investigator Sojourner The “Sojourner” class Star Investigator is the largest Human exploration ship currently in service. It once formed to core of the Human exploration fleet and a replacement class is now under construction. The “Sojourner” class is a second generation Tech Level 6 ship and is used for exploration missions lasting from months to years. It is capable of towing two large cargo containers to assist in its duties. It was a “Sojourner” class vessel that made first contact with the star-faring Nyoshahl in 471 RE (Radiant Era). Date Entered Service : 463 RE (Radiant Era) Length: 187.4 meters Crew: 100 Passengers: 60 Maximum Sublight Speed: 0.19 c Maximum Warp-Jump Performance: 6.0 light years per day Smallcraft Carried: 3 small exploration shuttles, 12 large exploration shuttles, 28 survey drones, 6 repair drones, 6 patrol drones Primary Design Influence: A large space carrier design used as cover art for the tactical starship combat board game Starfire II Star Investigator Patience The “Patience” class Star Investigator was the largest and most advanced Tech Level 5 ship in the Human exploration fleet. Existing in an era where the total number of Human starships was only a few hundred vessels, it served at the outer edge of the expanding sphere of the Human presence in interstellar space. Date Entered Service : 374 RE (Radiant Era) Length: 162.8 meters Crew: 25 Passengers: 15 Maximum Sublight Speed: 0.15 c Maximum Warp-Jump Performance: 0.8 light year per day Smallcraft Carried: 4 large exploration shuttles Primary Design Influence: A UFO design by Brick Price for the 1970's TV series Project UFO The Nyoshahl The Nyoshahl are large (up to 19 meters in length), lithe, four-legged, and bi-winged sentient vertebrates that somewhat resemble dragons of Human legend.  The folding wings, smooth skin, and toned musculature of the Nyoshahl give them to ability to perform astounding feats of running, leaping, and flying within the gravity and atmosphere of their home planet.  The Nyoshahl have sizable brains accustomed to three-dimensional movement, paired with retractable "arms" within the forelegs for intricate physical manipulation.  These features have enabled them to embark upon and maintain a remarkable pace of technological development across their recorded history.  The Nyoshahl are oxygen-breathers and have an omnivorous diet.  They are asexual with most adults able to produce children via an egg-laying process.  Nyoshahl body coloration consists of smooth, silvery skin with subtle, individualized streaks and spots.  The fibrous areas of a Nyoshahl body, such as wings and feet, range from medium blue to dark gray.  The typical lifetime of a Nyoshahl is around 80 years.  Some Nyoshahl have their wings removed to extend their lives about ten years and improve their mobility in cramped spaces.  Many of these Nyoshahl serve aboard space vessels. As a larger than average sentient species with a high level of technological achievement, the Nyoshahl have developed strong feelings of natural superiority.  This has led to strained relations between them the sentient species nearest them in interstellar space, Humans. The Nyoshahl yearn to discover a sentient species physically comparable to themselves, a natural peer they could finally respect.  This innate pride of the Nyoshahl exhibits itself in a callous and aloof attitude towards most other sentient species.  It has led most Nyoshahl to limit their interactions with Humans.  Only the most eccentric Nyoshahl will participate in cultural exchange activities with other sentient species. The majority of Nyoshahl military actions consists of rival groups of Nyoshahl fighting each other. Nyoshahl “Dragonlord 7” Mothership The “Dragonlord 7” class Mothership is the largest Nyoshahl starship yet encountered by Humans. As with all Nyoshahl designs, it is spherical and much larger than its closest Human counterpart. This noticeable size differential between Nyoshahl and Human starships is believed to be due to the much greater size of the dragon-like Nyoshahl who themselves range up to 20 meters long. The observed performance of the “Dragonlord 7” suggests that it is a first or second generation Tech Level 7 design. It carries a fleet of smallcraft, most of which are drones of various types. The smallest Nyoshahl starship come across by Humans to date is about 150 meters in diameter. While Human explorers have been frustrated by the Nyoshahl's general indifference to Humans, military and governmental leaders have been relieved that the few encounters with this technologically superior star-faring sentient species have been mostly free of conflict. Date First Encountered: 480 RE (Radiant Era) Diameter: 1376 meters Estimated Maximum Sublight Speed: 0.35 c Estimated Maximum Warp-Jump Performance: 18 light years per day