To gain a level of Sensor skill: Difficult. (Unskilled). DET. Absolute (5 days). Referee: Only unskilled characters (or those with skill level 0) may attempt this week-long, 8 hours/day task under the supervision of a more skilled instructor.
To detect a target at 1/2+ to the stated sensor range: Difficult. Sensors + Suite Modifier + Signature (-3 for Partial Cover) (-1 for proximity to a recent nuclear detonation). Instant. Referee: Half the stated sensor range or less is Routine, 2x is Formidable, and 4x is Impossible, and total cover prevents detection at any range beyond touch. These range-bands hold true for all sensor tasks. In order to be technically correct, Signatures should follow the Inverse Square Law. This would mean dividing the distance between the Sensor and Target by the Sensor's stated range, and dividing the Signature by the square of that amount. Round all fractions to the nearest whole number. Example: Multiply positive Signatures by four at Close Range, by one at Medium, divide it by four at Long, and by 16 at Extreme. Negative Signatures use the same numbers, but divide by it at Close Range, and multiply at Long & Extreme. Since the highest/lowest possible Signature is +/-10, detecting any craft at Extreme Range basically ignores the Signature, except for very small craft, which become almost undetectable. For most space combats where technical correctness is unimportant, and ease of play is, ignore this trouble-making rule. For detection of starships, success in this task reveals the displacement, drive, crew complement, etc. of familiar ships (the computer calls up the Ship Status Sheet equivalent), or the displacement in cubic meters and the active and passive signatures of the unfamiliar vessel.
To maintain detection on a target at Medium (or worse) Range: Routine. Sensors + Suite Modifier (-1/target after the first). Instant. Referee: Once detected, Short Range targets need not be rolled for (detection is Automatic). Other than the preceeding exception, range has no effect on maintaining detection.
To map the land/water distribution and determine the hydrographic percentage of an entire planet with Cartographic Sensors: Simple. Sensors + INT. Absolute (20 hours X % of Earth's volume). Referee: Requires a ship with Cartographic Sensors in orbit about the planet. Volume = 4/3 Pi R cubed, and is equal to 1.0831579 times ten to the twelth power cubic km for the Earth. If successful, this task will give an outline map of the world. This task may be combined with any other Survey Task below (and done at the same time, if the ship has all of the necessary equipment) by rolling only for the most complex.
To determine the temperatures of all a world's climatological zones: Simple. Sensors - 1 + INT. Absolute (20 hours X % of the Earth's volume). Referee: May be combined with other survey tasks.
To determine the atmospheric composition and current weather conditions of a world's atmosphere: Simple. Sensors - 2 + INT. Absolute (20 hours X % of the Earth's volume). Referee: May be combined with all other Survey Tasks.
To determine the overall density, gravity, mass, mineral resources, radius/diameter, and volume of a world: Routine. Sensors + INT. Absolute (20 hours x % of the Earth's volume). Referee: May be combined with any other Survey Task(s).
To individually determine the elevations of every 100 km hex on a planet: Routine. Sensors - 1 + INT. Absolute (20 hours X % of the Earth's volume). Referee: Minimal Cartographic Sensors will only reveal the presence of continents, oceans, seas, major islands, large rivers & lakes, and mountains (elevation differences of tens of meters). Standard Cartographic Sensors will also reveal broken and flat terrain, hills, and peaks (elevation differences of meters), as well as agriculture, global weather patterns, mining, urban centers, and other large-scale, man-made changes. Advanced Cartographic Sensors can detect surface feature only 10 cm across from a close orbit (400 km or so). This task may be combined with other Survey Tasks, as usual
To map the predominate terrain features in each 100 km hex on a planet's surface: Difficult. Sensors + 1 + INT. Absolute (20 hours X % of the Earth's volume). Referee: This task may be combined with other Survey Tasks, as above, but is only possible with Standard Cartographic Sensors or better. Terrain features include barrens (such as deserts, salt flats, or other unarable land), brush, craters, forests, glaciers, ice fields, jungles, marshes, mud, plains, savannas, swamps, volcanoes, woods, and watery terrain.
To determine the mineralogical resources in each 100 km hex of a world individually: Difficult. Sensors + INT. Absolute (20 hours X % of the Earth's volume). Referee: This Survey Task may be combined as usual, but is only possible with Advanced Cartographic Sensors.
To individually determine the geography & geology (including the presence of minerals/vegetation found only one place on the planet) of all a world's 100 km hexes: Difficult. Sensors - 1 + INT. Absolute (20 hours X % of the Earth's volume). Referee: See the task above.
To pick up individual creatures, buildings, et cetera with Advanced Cartographic Sensors: Difficult. (Sensors OR Reconnaisance) + Eyesight # + INT. 10 seconds. Referee: This task assumes that the target's location is known. If it must be searched for, the Base Time is one minute. Note that this is not a Survey Task, and may not be combined with them.
To identify an object by its distinctive echo on Navigational RaDAR: Difficult. Sensors + Suite Modifier + the target's Active Signature (-3 for partial cover) (-1 for proximity to a recent nuclear detonation). Instant. Referee: See the notes under the second task, above. Ships not in the Sensor-Op's database may not be recognized, so this task is little help with one-of-a-kind yachts, Ylii spaceships, or other unknown designs.
To determine the locations, physical aspects, sizes, and types of all stellar and planetary bodies, rings, and belt systems within 1,000 AU with a Deep-System Scanner: Difficult. Sensors + INT. Instant. Referee: 500 AU or less is Routine, 1,000+ to 2,000 is Formidable, and 2,000+ to 4,000 Impossible.
To detect the energy emissions of any vessel's active powerplant from 1/2+ to 1 AU away with a Deep-System Scanner: Difficult. Sensors + INT + the vessel's Active Signature. Instant. Referee: 1/2 AU or less is Routine, 1+ to 2 is Formidable, and 2+ to 4 is Impossible.
To determine the masses and locations of of all stellar and/or planetary bodies within 1,000 AU with a Gravitational Scanner: Difficult. Sensors + INT. Instant. Referee: 500 AU or less is Routine, 1,000+ to 2,000 is Formidable, and 2,000+ to 4,000 Impossible.
To detect an active stutterwarp drive from 75+ to 150 AU away with a Gravitational Scanner: Difficult. Sensors + INT. Instant. Referee: 75 AU or less is Routine, 150+ to 300 Formidable, and 300+ to 600 Impossible.
To conduct a gravitational survey with a gravimeter in order to locate minerals with a greater or lesser density than the surrounding rock: Difficult. Sensors + INT. Variable. Referee: If using a Gravitational Scanner from a circumpolar orbit, the time is Absolute (20 hours X % of the Earth's Volume). If using a smaller unit on the ground, the time will vary, depending on how long it takes to pass over the terrain. Deposits of higher density (such as metal ores) increase the pull of gravity in the area around them. The force of the pull (F) is determined by the Universal Gravitational Constant (g) and the mass of the ore body (m1) and the planet (m2), and the distance between their centers of mass (r). It is given by the formula:
g m1 m2
F = -------
r^2
To determine the drive type (New Military, etc.), wattage, and distinctive "electronic fingerprint" of all detected active stutterwarps with Neutrino Sensors or Gravitational Scanners at 1/2+ to the stated sensor range: Difficult. Sensors. Instant. Referee: No information is given on Neutrino Sensors, in the game. Range-bands are the same as always.
To detect active Screens with Spectral Sensors: Automatic. (Unskilled). Sensors. Instant. Referee: Activating screens allows any ship in-system to spot you, immediately.
To detect and identify the "electronic fingerprint" of illuminated Navigational RaDAR/Active Sensors: Simple. Sensors OR Communications. Instant. Referee: As usual, this information must be in the database to be found, and misidentifications are possible. Success allows the type, brand, strength, range, and other pertinent information to be known.
To detect life within from 1/2+ to 1 kilometer with a Minimal Life Sensor, and determine its location to within 10 meters: Difficult. (Uncertain). Sensors + INT. 1 second. Referee: Superficial Mishaps are off by up to 1D6 meters, Minor by up to 1D10, and Major Mishaps mean detection failed.
To detect life within from 5+ to 10 kilometers with a Standard Life sensor, and determine its location to within one meter, and its mass to the nearest kilogram: Difficult. (Uncertain). Sensors + INT. 1 second. Referee: Superficial Mishaps are off by up to 10% on range & mass, Minor by 25%, and Major Mishaps mean that detection failed.
To detect a lifeform from within 50+ to 100 kilometers with an Advanced Life Sensor, and determine its location to within 10 cm, its mass to the nearest kg, its type, and sex: Difficult. (Uncertain). Sensors + INT. Referee: Superficial Mishaps are off by 10% on location and mass, Minor are off on sex or type, and Major means detection failed.
To plot a Thruster course from one world to another planetary body when their orbits are known, using Hohmann ellipse transfer data: Difficult. (Sensors OR Astronomy OR Physics) + INT. 6 minutes. Referee: Use of a computer will divide the time required by one order of magnitude (a factor of 10).
To detect and determine the type and intensity of radiation at 1/2+ to the stated sensor range: Difficult. Sensors + Physics - 1 + Suite Modifier + the radiation's Signature (-3 for partial cover). 1 second. Referee: The Range-bands are as in the second task, above, and the Signature of the radiation (if any) is treated likewise. The sensor used must be able to detect that type of radiation.
To detect the emission of RF (radio frequency) energy and locate its source: Difficult. Sensor + Suite Modifier + Signature of the transmission source (-3 for partial cover). 1 second. Referee: Ranges & Signatures, as above. Detection of sources under total cover is Undoable, but note that "cover" must be impermiable to RF energy, and therefore block broadcasts, as well. Vegetation which blocks sight is not even partial cover, to radio waves.
To detect the presence of a poison with a Biomonitor: Simple. (Unskilled). Sensors + Biology + Chemistry. 1 second. Referee: Requires a sample to run through the Biomonitor, or physical contact with the poison or victim.
To analyze the breathability of an atmosphere with a Biomonitor or Remote Weather Station: Easy. (Unskilled). Sensors + Biology + Chemistry. 1 second. Referee: Requires contact with the atmosphere. If the analysis succeeds, this task will indicate whether the atmosphere is Breathable, Neutral, or Poisonous, and will also detect the presence of harmful bacteria, pollen, spores, et cetera circulating through the Biomonitor/Station.
To analyze an atmospheric sample with a Biomonitor or Remote Weather Station: Routine. Sensors - 2 + INT + (Biology + Chemistry). Referee: If the analysis succeeds, it will indicate whether the atmosphere is Breathable, Neutral, or Poisonous, as well as which gases are present in what percentages. Note that if Biology/Chemistry skill is present, they may be added to the task, but not having these skills does not increase the Task Complexity, as it usually would.
To detect a concentration of Kafer Fungal Blight, harmful bacteria, fungi, pollen, spores, viruses, et cetera within 2.5+ to 5 meters with a Biomonitor: Difficult. (Unskilled). Sensors + Biology. 1 second. Referee: The concentration must be open to the air in order to be detectable. 2.5 meters or less is Routine, 5+ to 10 is Formidable, and 10+ to 20 Impossible.
To determine the edibility of plants/animals with a Biomonitor: Easy. (Unskilled). Sensors + Biology + Chemistry. 1 second. Referee: Requires a sample to be run through the Biomonitor, and success will reveal its nutritional value, as well as any toxins or other biological hazards.
To detect a creature or heat source within from 2.5+ to 5 meters with a Biomonitor: Difficult. Sensors + Signature of the target (-3 for partial cover). Instant. Referee: Note that some creatures are too small to have any Signature, and thus can not be detected in this manner. Heat sources of body temperature (98.6 degrees Farenheit/37 degrees Centigrade) or less have a Signature of 0.
To conduct a gravitational survey with a gravimeter in order to locate minerals with a greater or lesser density than the surrounding rock: Difficult. Sensors + INT. Variable. Referee: If using a Gravitational Scanner from a circumpolar orbit, the time is Absolute (20 hours X % of the Earth's Volume). If using a smaller unit on the ground, the time will vary, depending on how long it takes to pass over the terrain. Deposits of higher density (such as metal ores) increase the pull of gravity in the area around them. The force of the pull (F) is determined by the Universal Gravitational Constant (g) and the mass of the ore body (m1) and the planet (m2), and the distance between their centers of mass (r). It is given by the formula:
g m1 m2
F = -------
r^2
To locate a body of iron ore with a dip-needle or magnetometer: Difficult. (Unskilled). Sensors + Prospecting + INT. 1 minute. Referee: A dip-needle rotates about a horizontal axis, and will tell a PC the general direction of a deposit of magnetic iron ore. A magnetometer is a sensitive scientific instrument capable of indicating even slight variations in the horizontal or vertical components of a planet's magnetic field.
To detect a man-sized or larger target within 1/2+ to the stated range, and determine direction and distance to it, with a RaDAR: Difficult. Sensors + Suite Modifier + the target's Active Signature (-3 for partial cover). Instant. Referee: See the notes under the second task, above.
To identify a target by its distinctive echo on RaDAR: Difficult. Sensors + Suite Modifier + the target's Active Signature (-3 for partial cover). Instant. Referee: Spectrum analysis of the Doppler Shift is compared with library data in order to identify a vehicle or lifeform.
To detect an object of ferrous metal within 1/2+ to the stated range of a Magnetic Intrusion Detector (MagID) or Magnetic Anomaly Detector (MAD): Difficult. Sensors + Suite Modifier + Signature. Instant. Referee: There is no cover modifier for magnetic field detection (as nothing blocks it except another such field), but this task is otherwise the same as the second, above. Detecting man-sized objects is done at about 1/6 to 1/10 the range of vehicles. MagIDs & MADs are forms of magnetometers.
To detect vibrations within 1/2+ to the stated range of a Seismic Intrusion Detector (SID): Difficult. Sensors + Suite Modifier + (1/100 kg mass) - (Stealth OR Reconnaissance Skill Level of target; if successfully used). Instant. Referee: Detection is based on vibrations carried through the ground. Sensors can detect an individual moving at 1/10 the range that vehicles can be sensed at. If the target is using Stealth (or Reconnaissance) to sneak past the Sensor, successful completion of the appropriate task allows them to subtract their skill level from this task roll. Obviously, vehicles get no Stealth!
To determine the number of people, or type of vehicle detected with a SID: Difficult. Sensors + Suite Modifier + (1/100 kg mass) - (Stealth OR Reconnaissance; if used successfully) + INT. Instant. Referee: The above task must succeed before this one may be attempted.
To detect any type of movement within 1/2+ to the stated Sensor range of an Electromagnetic Intrusion Detector (EID): Difficult. Sensors + Suite Modifier. Instant. Referee: EIDs detect movement through their electromagnetic field (ultrasonic versions also exist). Since any type of movement sets them off (leaves, rain, snow), they are always backed up by some other form of sensor!
To detect a noise within 30 meters with an Accoustic Sensor: Routine. (Unskilled). Hearing #. Instant. Referee: 15 meters or less is Simple, and 30+ up to 60 is Difficult. Proximity to noise decreases the chance, while a more sensitive sensor may improve the range.