View source for D40 Communication Satellite

{{InfoBoxSupportVehicle
| image = [[Image:D40-Sneaksat.jpg|191px]]
| Name = D40 Communication Satellite
| Manufacturer = [[Doering Electronics]]<ref name="TRO:VAp130">''Technical Readout: Vehicle Annex'', p. 130), "D40 / Sneaksat Communication Satellite"</ref><ref name="TRO:VArp128">''Technical Readout: Vehicle Annex Revised'', p. 128, "D40 / Sneaksat Communication Satellites"</ref>
| Production Year = 3064
| Year Reference = <ref>''[http://masterunitlist.info/Unit/Details/4085/doering-electronics-communications-satellite-d40 MUL online Profile for the 
Doering Electronics Communications Satellite D40]''</ref>
| Use = Communication Satellite 
| Chassis Type (Size) = Satellite (Small)<ref name="TRO:VAp130"/><ref name="TRO:VArp128"/>
| Tech Base = [[Inner Sphere]] (Advanced)<ref name="TRO:VAp130"/><ref name="TRO:VArp128"/>
| Equipment Rating = F/X-X-D<ref name="TRO:VArp128"/>
| Cost = 31,000<ref name="TRO:VAp130"/><ref name="TRO:VArp128"/>
| Introduced = [[3064]]
| Mass = 3.3 Tons<ref name="TRO:VAp130"/><ref name="TRO:VArp128"/>
| Structural Integrity = 1<ref name="TRO:VAp130"/><ref name="TRO:VArp128"/>
| Station Keeping Thrust = 0.1g (0.2 Thrust)<ref name="TRO:VAp130"/><ref name="TRO:VArp128"/>
| Power Plant = Electric (Solar)<ref name="TRO:VAp130"/><ref name="TRO:VArp128"/>
| Fuel (Type/Range) = Unlimited<ref name="TRO:VAp130"/><ref name="TRO:VArp128"/>
| Armament = None<ref name="TRO:VAp130"/><ref name="TRO:VArp128"/>
| Heat Sinks = None<ref name="TRO:VAp130"/><ref name="TRO:VArp128"/>
| comsys = Unspecified
| T&T = Unspecified
| Armor = [[Commercial Armor]]<ref name="TRO:VAp130"/><ref name="TRO:VArp128"/>
| BAR = [[BAR|2]]<ref name="TRO:VAp130"/><ref name="TRO:VArp128"/>
| Crew = None<ref name="TRO:VAp130"/><ref name="TRO:VArp128"/>
| BV (1.0) = 
| BV (2.0) = ???
}}


== Description ==
The '''D40 Communication Satellite''' is a small communication satellite developed for the military of the [[Lyran Commonwealth]], in response to the requirement for a disposable but cost effective communication satellite for use by their planetside arms. House Steiner pressed for a dedicated orbital unit following the [[Clan Invasion]], during which the existing system was found excessively vulnerable to disruption. At that time, the communications of the Lyran ground forces were dependent on a landline network from which messages were relayed to specialized orbiting aerospace craft.  This expensive and clumsy system broke down under the unusual strain of the new Clan threats.  The loss of a relatively small number of these aerospace craft rendered communications among formations unreliable or impossible, severely degrading operational coordination and leading to increased losses among employed forces.  

D40s, developed in response to this deficiency, first appeared in [[3064]], when it saw use in the [[FedCom Civil War]].  Compact enough to be deployed by a small shuttle or Aerospace Fighter, the satellite provides encrypted communications capability to friendly ground units, and networks with other  D40s to extend this capability planetwide . Relatively flimsy in construction, these inexpensive units were intended to be semidisposable, and are usually not expected to survive more than a few days in 
defended space. <ref name="TRO:VAp130"/><ref name="TRO:VArp128"/>

== Equipment and Capabilities ==
The D40 is built on an ultralight Chassis. Intended as an expendable asset, the D40 is practically unarmored; the majority of its tonnage is dedicated to the 2 metric tons of [[Communication Equipment]].  The hull is coated in a nonreflective black coating that greatly reduces its visual signature.  An onboard solar array provides unlimited power to the D40's systems, but also makes the vehicle detectable to enemy Aerospace units.<ref name="TRO:VAp130"/><ref name="TRO:VArp128"/>

== Design Quirks ==
The D40 has the following Design Quirks:
*[[Improved Communications]]
*[[Difficult to Maintain]]

== Similar Vehicles ==
*; [[SneakSat|SneakSat Communication Satellite]]: A smaller, fusion powered Communication Satellite built by a rival Lyran commonwealth manufacturer.<ref name="TRO:VAp130"/><ref name="TRO:VArp128"/>

== Notes ==
As of this writing, there are no published record sheets for this vehicle or any related vehicles.

== References ==
<references />

== Bibliography ==
* ''[[Master Unit List]]''
* ''[[Technical Readout: Vehicle Annex]]''
* ''[[Technical Readout: Vehicle Annex Revised]]''


[[Category:Support Vehicles]]
[[Category:Satellite Support Vehicles|D40]]