- Joined
- Jul 4, 2012
- Messages
- 3,740
- Reaction score
- 1,822
- Staff
- #1
![tumblr-mzxdpfsook1rkpedso1-1280-crop.jpg](https://i.ibb.co/QCsMnhm/tumblr-mzxdpfsook1rkpedso1-1280-crop.jpg)
8X924 ORBITAL CUSTOMS PLATFORM
AFFILIATION
Open market.
MANUFACTURER
Blackwell Orbital.
CLASS
Space station.
ROLE
Customs platform.
COMPOSITION
Durasteel and transparisteel.
DIMENSIONS
Width - 1.5 kilometers.
CREW
200-2,000.
PASSENGER CAPACITY
5,000.
CARGO CAPACITY
2.5 megatons.
HANGAR CAPACITY
- 48x starfighter/light starbomber.
- 36x shuttle/light freighter.
- 18x corvette/bulk freighter.
CONSUMABLES
6 standard months.
SPEED/MANEUVERABILITY
Stationary.
ARMAMENT
- 4x dual medium turbolaser turret.
- 8x quad light turbolaser turret.
- 16x quad medium laser turret.
- 4x dual medium ion cannon turret.
- 18x tractor beam projector.
EQUIPMENT
- 1x large detention block.
- 1x large medcenter.
- 1x aerospace control center.
- 1x long-range communication suite.
- 1x long-range sensor suite.
- 18x contraband detection system, 1x per hangar bay.
- 1x heavy deflector screen generator.
- 1x holographic monitoring system, covers primary and secondary areas.
- Many x docking ring with integrated docking tube and refueling probe.
- Many x escape pod.
DESCRIPTION
The 8X924 orbital customs platform is a space station manufactured by Blackwell Orbital, a division of Blackwell Technologies closely related to Blackwell Driveworks, but specializing in large-scale space stations and related products. One of the division's more popular offerings, the 8X924 was designed to perform large-scale customs inspections and law enforcement duty over planets with high levels of space traffic, and is used by a number of trade worlds to curb smuggling and other elicit activity in their systems.The 8X924 is a large station, 1,500 meters in width, with a crew of 2,000 personnel, a cargo capacity of 2,500,000 standard tons, and a relatively heavy armament consisting of light and medium turbolaser turrets, quad laser turrets, ion cannons and tractor beams. Being essentially an armed star-port in space, it has an array of cavernous hangar bays, including 10 large enough to house 2 bulk freighters or corvette-scale capital ships at once. Smaller hangars are provided for light freighters and shuttles, as well as the station's compliment of up to 48 starfighters or similarly sized craft, typically light patrol skiffs and starhoppers.
Notably, the hangar bays of most 8X924 platforms are equipped with a powerful contraband detection system. Tailored to the laws regarding restricted or high-tariff substances on a given world, the system scans for specific chemical signatures as programmed by the customer, and can detect them even through the hull of most spacecraft. This system does not work outside the station, and can be defeated by most anti-scanner countermeasures, but many a small-time smuggler with a hold full of spice has met the end of their career after being selected to have their ship brought in and scanned.
8X924 platforms are excellent value for money, but are still relatively expensive. They are not typically found beyond the Mid Rim, although they are operated by wealthier trade planets even on the fringes of Wild Space.
LEGALITY
Legal. 8X924 orbital customs platforms are legal to purchase and operate in most of the Galaxy, although their size and armament may require some special licensing.INTENT
To create the sort of space station a smuggler would want to avoid, as well as a place law enforcement-type characters might visit or be based out of in a given system.RESTRICTIONS
8X924 platforms are fairly common, but are not easy or cheap to obtain. They are typically faction assets.