Ashin Varanin
Professional Enabler
Image Source: Here
Intent: The second in a line of probe droids, this one for space and atmospheric use
Development Thread: None
Manufacturer: Theed Palace Space Vessel Engineering Corps
Model: Naboo Extended Prospecting and Atmospheric Reconnaissance (EXPARC) Probe Droid
Affiliation: Royal Naboo Defense Force, Theed Hangar, Galactic Alliance
Modularity: No
Production: Minor
Material: Durasteel, electronics
Classification: Second-degree/class two
Weight: 360kg
Height: 2.2m at longest dimension
Movement: Engine/repulsorlift combination, comparable to a starfighter (class 2) or a standard probe droid’s maneuvering pod, minus the hyperdrive.
Armaments: None. In extreme conditions, with time and effort, sensor gear could be removed and replaced with a basic warhead. This would be a last-ditch defensive option and a total waste of a good probe.
Misc. Equipment:
- Full-spectrum high-powered sensor package covering realspace (to a range of two light-hours).
- High-powered lifeform sensors.
- High-powered comm suite, including tightbeam laser communications.
Strengths:
- Provides comprehensive scans of a good-sized area within a relatively short amount of time.
- Using tightbeam laser comms, can transmit data despite virtually any communications jamming, within line of sight.
- Focused on analysis of astronomical phenomena (asteroids, planets, etc.), with a focus on atmospheric composition and detection of a wide range of raw materials. When you need to find that one last pocket of stygium crystals, deploy a couple of EXPARCs.
- Capable of extended operation in space or atmosphere, generally around a month unless radical maneuvering is required.
- Disposable if necessary.
Weaknesses:
- Extremely obvious and easily targeted when actively scanning.
- Sensors not specialized for detecting or analyzing things other than astronomical phenomena (asteroids, planets, etc.). Sometimes recognizes starships as metal-rich asteroids with unusual trajectories.
- Quite fragile, comparable to your average probe droid or a very light starfighter.
- If communications are being jammed and the tightbeam laser comm is required, line of sight is paramount. Planetary curvature, nebular density, and atmospheric interference can all obstruct the probe's ability to relay its findings.
The EXPARC probe has two basic mission profiles.
In its first mission profile, the EXPARC is deployed in low orbit, usually in a given planet's exosphere or thermosphere depending on atmospheric composition and items of interest. It will scan the planet comprehensively so far as its trajectory allows. Multiple probes or varying orbital angle of inclination will allow scanning of the entire planet. Afterward, or if items of special interest show up, the EXPARC will descend into the upper atmosphere and continue scanning for greater resolution. Within a few days or weeks, the EXPARC will produce high-resolution scans of the planet, to include locations of tectonic stability, rare material concentration, and lifeform density. This protocol can be adapted for non-terrestrial planets; diving to scan the core of a gas giant, for example.
In the second mission profile, the EXPARC is fired into a small, dense nebular region, of which the Naboo system boasts at least three. The EXPARC will determine the densest and most promising areas of the nebula using spectrographic analysis, among other things. A heuristic navigation protocol helps it ferret out pockets of valuable gas or dust, as well as asteroids and debris. The EXPARC thus provides ramjet operators, miners, salvagers, and security forces with a comprehensive picture of what lies inside high-density nebular regions, within a radius of two light-hours. It will certainly detect most hiding starships, but will likely mistake them for metal-rich asteroids.
Primary Source: Some elements adapted from the Naboo SIARC probe.
