THI Comet Chaser-Class Mining Vessel

Vessel Classification: Mobile Extraction Platform

Model Designation: CC-450 "Stellar Nomad"

Overview

The Comet Chaser-Class represents Tachyon Heavy Industries' most agile mining vessel, designed specifically for pursuing and extracting resources from fast-moving celestial bodies such as comets and small asteroids in non-standard orbits. With its revolutionary Pursuit Trajectory Calculation System and rapid-deployment mining apparatus, the CC-450 can intercept, match velocity with, and begin extraction operations on targets that would be inaccessible to conventional mining vessels.

The Comet Chaser is the vessel of choice for specialized mining operations targeting rare volatile compounds and exotic ice formations found primarily in cometary bodies. Its ability to rapidly deploy, extract, and disengage makes it invaluable for time-sensitive operations where target bodies are only briefly accessible.

Technical Specifications

Physical Dimensions

• Length: 185 meters
• Width: 65 meters
• Height: 38 meters
• Mass (unloaded): 18,200 metric tons
• Mass (fully loaded): 32,500 metric tons

Propulsion Systems

• Main Drive: Helios-IV Fusion Reactor (3 units)
• Maneuvering Thrusters: High-Output Plasma Vectoring System (64 units)
• Emergency Propulsion: Chemical Backup Thrusters (16 units)
• Maximum Velocity: 0.22c (22% light speed)
• Standard Operating Velocity: 0.09c (9% light speed)
• Deceleration Capacity: 0-full stop in 18 minutes at standard velocity
• Acceleration Profile: 0-standard velocity in 12 minutes

Mining Equipment

• Primary Extraction: Thermal Extraction Array (TEA-450)
• Secondary Extraction: Volatile Compound Collectors (18 units)
• Tertiary Systems: Ice Fracturing Drills (12 units)
• Collection Systems: Cryogenic Containment Fields (8 units)
• Processing Capacity: 180 metric tons per hour
• Refinement Systems: Low-Temperature Molecular Separator

Cargo Capacity

• Raw Material Holds: 9,000 cubic meters
• Refined Material Holds: 4,500 cubic meters
• Cryogenic Storage Vault: 1,200 cubic meters (variable temperature and pressure control)
• Fuel Storage: 5,000 cubic meters

Crew Accommodations

• Standard Crew Complement: 28 personnel
  • Command Staff: 4
  • Engineering: 8
  • Mining Operations: 10
  • Medical: 2
  • Security: 2
  • Science Team: 2
• Emergency Capacity: 40 personnel
• Crew Quarters: Private cabins for senior staff, shared quarters (2 persons) for general crew
• Recreation Facilities: Compact holographic recreation chamber

Life Support

• Atmospheric Recycling: High-efficiency carbon scrubber system
• Water Reclamation: 99.1% efficiency
• Food Production: Minimal hydroponic garden (emergency supplementary only)
• Medical Facilities: Medical bay with 3 beds, emergency surgical capabilities

Defensive Systems

• Hull: Lightweight reinforced titanium-ceramic composite with ice impact resistance
• Shields: Rapid-cycling electromagnetic barrier (optimized for ice particle deflection)
• Point Defense: Automated laser turrets for debris clearing (10 units)
• Security Measures: Internal bulkhead lockdown systems, emergency pressure doors

Computer Based Systems (CBS) Inventory

Category I: Critical Systems (SL-T4)

1. Main Propulsion Control System
2. Life Support Management System
3. Emergency Response System
4. Navigation and Positioning System
5. Pursuit Trajectory Calculation System
6. Power Distribution Network
7. Primary Communications Array

Category II: Essential Systems (SL-T3)

8. Thermal Extraction Array Control
9. Secondary Propulsion Control
10. Cargo Management System
11. Crew Management and Access Control
12. Resource Allocation System
13. Backup Communications System
14. Environmental Control System
15. Cryogenic Storage Management
16. Defensive Systems Control

Category III: Important Systems (SL-T2)

17. Target Acquisition and Tracking
18. Volatile Compound Analysis
19. Maintenance Management System
20. Inventory Control System
21. Medical Diagnostic System
22. Resource Consumption Monitoring

Category IV: Standard Systems (SL-T1)

23. Crew Personal Devices Network
24. Administrative Documentation System
25. Non-critical Communications
26. Recreational Facility Controls

Network Architecture

The Comet Chaser-Class implements a highly responsive version of THI's zone-based network architecture, with four distinct security zones optimized for rapid reconfiguration during pursuit operations:

1. Command Zone (Red): Highest security, containing critical navigation, propulsion, and life support systems
2. Operations Zone (Orange): High security, containing mining operations and cargo management systems
3. Engineering Zone (Yellow): Controlled access, containing maintenance and diagnostic systems
4. Crew Zone (Green): General access, containing crew facilities and entertainment systems

All cross-zone communications pass through hardened security gateways with comprehensive monitoring and filtering capabilities, with special emphasis on rapid threat isolation during high-velocity operations.

Cybersecurity Features

• Air-gapped critical systems with physical separation
• Hardware-based authentication for critical system access
• Comprehensive logging and monitoring across all systems
• Regular automated vulnerability scanning
• Quantum encryption for sensitive communications
• Manual override capabilities for all essential functions
• Rapid system isolation capabilities in case of breach
• Enhanced protection for trajectory calculation systems

Certification Requirements

This vessel requires full IACS UR E26 certification before deployment, with particular emphasis on:

• Pursuit Trajectory Calculation System security validation
• Network security architecture validation under high-velocity conditions
• Penetration testing of all security zones
• Incident response procedure validation during simulated pursuit operations
• Recovery capability demonstration

The Astronomical Bureau of Shipping (ABS) must certify compliance with all E26 requirements before the vessel can be cleared for comet and non-standard orbit mining activities.