THI Void Hauler-Class Mining Vessel

Vessel Classification: Transport and Processing Platform

Model Designation: VH-800 "Resource Conveyor"

Overview

The Void Hauler-Class represents Tachyon Heavy Industries' specialized logistics solution for the asteroid mining industry. Unlike dedicated extraction vessels, the VH-800 is designed to collect processed materials from multiple mining operations and perform advanced refinement during transit back to civilization. This dual-purpose design maximizes efficiency by eliminating idle time during long-distance transport.

With its massive cargo capacity and onboard refinement facilities, the Void Hauler transforms raw or partially processed materials into market-ready products during the weeks-long journey from the asteroid belt to planetary facilities. This capability significantly increases profit margins by delivering higher-value refined materials rather than raw ore, while freeing dedicated mining vessels to continue extraction operations without interruption.

Technical Specifications

Physical Dimensions

• Length: 520 meters
• Width: 210 meters
• Height: 115 meters
• Mass (unloaded): 125,000 metric tons
• Mass (fully loaded): 425,000 metric tons

Propulsion Systems

• Main Drive: Helios-VI Fusion Reactor (3 units)
• Maneuvering Thrusters: Standard Plasma Vectoring System (28 units)
• Emergency Propulsion: Chemical Backup Thrusters (12 units)
• Maximum Velocity: 0.14c (14% light speed)
• Standard Operating Velocity: 0.08c (8% light speed)
• Deceleration Capacity: 0-full stop in 75 minutes at standard velocity

Processing Equipment

• Primary Refinement: Advanced Molecular Separation Array
• Secondary Processing: Isotope Isolation Chambers (24 units)
• Tertiary Systems: Material Purification Lasers (36 units)
• Quality Control: Automated Spectrographic Analysis System
• Processing Capacity: 1,200 metric tons per hour
• Packaging Systems: Automated Material Containerization

Cargo Capacity

• Raw Material Holds: 180,000 cubic meters
• Refined Material Holds: 120,000 cubic meters
• Quantum Crystalline Lattice Vault: 1,500 cubic meters (temperature and pressure controlled)
• Hazardous Material Containment: 25,000 cubic meters (radiation shielded)
• Fuel Storage: 35,000 cubic meters

Crew Accommodations

• Standard Crew Complement: 65 personnel
  • Command Staff: 8
  • Engineering: 18
  • Processing Operations: 25
  • Medical: 4
  • Security: 6
  • Administration: 4
• Emergency Capacity: 100 personnel
• Crew Quarters: Private cabins for all personnel
• Recreation Facilities: Holographic recreation chamber, gymnasium, communal dining hall, observation deck

Life Support

• Atmospheric Recycling: Bioengineered algae system with mechanical backup
• Water Reclamation: 99.8% efficiency
• Food Production: Moderate hydroponic gardens (supplementary to stored supplies)
• Medical Facilities: Medical bay with 6 beds, surgical capabilities, diagnostic equipment

Defensive Systems

• Hull: Reinforced titanium-ceramic composite with cargo protection emphasis
• Shields: Electromagnetic barrier system (protection against radiation and small debris)
• Point Defense: Automated laser turrets for debris clearing (18 units)
• Security Measures: Internal bulkhead lockdown systems, cargo vault security protocols

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. Power Distribution Network
6. Primary Communications Array
7. Structural Integrity Monitoring System

Category II: Essential Systems (SL-T3)

8. Molecular Separation 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. Defensive Systems Control
16. Hazardous Material Containment Monitoring

Category III: Important Systems (SL-T2)

17. Quality Control Analysis System
18. Maintenance Management System
19. Inventory Control System
20. Medical Diagnostic System
21. Resource Consumption Monitoring
22. External Sensor Array Control
23. Material Value Assessment System
24. Automated Containerization Control
25. Cargo Transfer Coordination System

Category IV: Standard Systems (SL-T1)

26. Crew Personal Devices Network
27. Administrative Documentation System
28. Non-critical Communications
29. Recreational Facility Controls
30. Lighting Control Systems (non-emergency)
31. Waste Management Tracking
32. Market Analysis and Pricing System

Network Architecture

The Void Hauler-Class implements a comprehensive zone-based network architecture with five distinct security zones:

1. Command Zone (Red): Highest security, containing critical navigation, propulsion, and life support systems
2. Operations Zone (Orange): High security, containing processing 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
5. External Zone (Blue): Isolated systems for external communications with strict access controls

All cross-zone communications pass through hardened security gateways with comprehensive monitoring and filtering capabilities. The cargo management systems receive special protection due to the high value of materials being transported.

Cybersecurity Features

• Air-gapped critical systems with physical separation
• Redundant control systems with diverse implementation
• Hardware-based authentication for critical system access
• Comprehensive logging and monitoring across all systems
• Regular automated vulnerability scanning
• Quantum encryption for sensitive communications
• Faraday caging around critical system components
• Manual override capabilities for all essential functions
• Enhanced protection for cargo management and valuation systems

Certification Requirements

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

• Comprehensive asset inventory verification
• Network security architecture validation
• Penetration testing of all security zones
• Incident response procedure validation
• Recovery capability demonstration
• Cargo security system validation

The Astronomical Bureau of Shipping (ABS) must certify compliance with all E26 requirements before the vessel can be cleared for transport and processing operations.