imported>Cavgunner at 15:29, 28 February 2024

2024-02-28T15:29:53Z

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{{InfoBoxSupportVehicle
| image = [[Image:PowerSat.jpg|191px]]
| Name = PowerSat
| Use = Energy Collection Communications
| Manufacturer = [[Pinard-Dicolais Electronics]]<ref name="TRO:VAp136">''Technical Readout: Vehicle Annex'', p. 136, "PowerSat"</ref><ref name="TRO:VArp134">''Technical Readout: Vehicle Annex Revised'', p. 134, "PowerSat"</ref>
| Production Year =
| Year Reference =
| Tech Base = [[Inner Sphere]] <ref name="TRO:VAp136"/><ref name="TRO:VArp134"/>
| Chassis Type (Size) = Satellite (Medium)<ref name="TRO:VAp136"/><ref name="TRO:VArp134"/>
| Equipment Rating = C/X-D-D<ref name="TRO:VArp134"/>
| Cost = ???
| Introduced = [[2798]]<ref>[http://masterunitlist.info/Unit/Details/4854/powersat-standard MUL Profile for the PowerSat (Standard)]</ref>
| Mass = 45 tons<ref name="TRO:VAp136"/><ref name="TRO:VArp134"/>
| Structural Integrity = 1<ref name="TRO:VAp136"/><ref name="TRO:VArp134"/>
| Safe Thrust = 0.1 <ref name="TRO:VAp136"/><ref name="TRO:VArp134"/>
| Max Thrust = 0.2 <ref name="TRO:VAp136"/><ref name="TRO:VArp134"/>
| Power Plant = Electric (Solar)<ref name="TRO:VAp136"/><ref name="TRO:VArp134"/>
| Fuel (Type/Range) = None<ref name="TRO:VAp136"/><ref name="TRO:VArp134"/>
| Armament = None<ref name="TRO:VAp136"/><ref name="TRO:VArp134"/>
| Heat Sinks = None<ref name="TRO:VAp136"/><ref name="TRO:VArp134"/>
| comsys = Unspecified
| T&T = Unspecified
| Armor = [[Commercial Armor]]<ref name="TRO:VAp136"/><ref name="TRO:VArp134"/>
| BAR = [[BAR|3]]<ref name="TRO:VAp136"/><ref name="TRO:VArp134"/>
| Crew = None<ref name="TRO:VAp136"/><ref name="TRO:VArp134"/>
| BV (1.0) =
| BV (2.0) = ???
}}

== Description ==
In the age of fusion power, the '''PowerSat''' is an anachronism: a solar power satellite. Positioned in a geosynchronous orbit, it transmits energy gathered from its solar collectors to planet-based receiver stations via a microwave beam. Unhindered by atmosphere or terrain, it can collect energy as much as 144% more efficiently than a planet-bound solar farm, and depending on its orbital position can potentially do so around the clock.<ref name="TRO:VAp136"/><ref name="TRO:VArp134"/>

Solar power satellites were developed during the earliest days of the [[Terran Alliance]], but the development and spread of cheap fusion power made solar energy obsolete. A revival occurred centuries later after the loss of technology that came with the fall of the [[Star League]]. Solar power satellites became particularly popular in the [[Taurian Concordat]] during the [[Second Succession War]], where Taurian engineers were quick to redevelop the technology in order to save planets like [[Pinard]] from backsliding into preindustrial times.<ref name="TRO:VAp136"/><ref name="TRO:VArp134"/>

Although larger satellites are available, a PowerSat is often an adequate power-generation solution for a small settlement. Additional satellites can be deployed as needed, making such a system completely scalable.<ref name="TRO:VAp136"/><ref name="TRO:VArp134"/>

After the [[Jihad]], [[Pinard-Dicolais Electronics]] began producing the PowerSat in record numbers to plug gaps in the [[Taurian Concordat]]'s power grid.<ref name="TRO:VArp126">''Technical Readout: Vehicle Annex Revised'', p. 126, "Satellite Support Vehicles"</ref>

== Equipment and Capabilities ==
The PowerSat is constructed using basic Inner Sphere technology, and thus could be easily produced even during the darkest days of the Succession Wars. The design is highly utilitarian, almost minimalist. Station-keeping thrusters powered by the collection array provide just enough thrust to maintain an assigned geosynchronous orbit above a collection station and make minor corrections. The PowerSat features an armored chassis with 0.5 tons of [[BAR|BAR 3]] grade armor as protection against micro-asteroids. 1 ton worth of [[Communication Equipment]] allows the PowerSat to be used as a cheap and small communications satellite, and the 14 tons of solar collectors and microwave power transmitters are used relay energy to a planetside receiver.<ref name="TRO:VAp136"/><ref name="TRO:VArp134"/>

== Cargo ==
The satellite can carry 0.5 tons of cargo, which is usually limited to repair tools and replacement parts.<ref name="TRO:VAp136"/><ref name="TRO:VArp134"/>

== Variants ==
At this time there no known variants.

== Notes ==
As of this writing there is no published record sheet for the PowerSat.

== References ==
<references />

== Bibliography ==
* ''[[Master Unit List]]''
* [[w:Solar power satellite|Solar Power Satellite]]
* ''[[Technical Readout: Vehicle Annex]]''
* ''[[Technical Readout: Vehicle Annex Revised]]''

[[Category:Support Vehicles]]
[[Category:Satellite Support Vehicles|PowerSat]]
[[Category:Taurian Concordat Support Vehicles|PowerSat]]

PowerSat (Satellite) - Revision history

imported>Cavgunner at 15:29, 28 February 2024