Zero Rocket Systems
Contents
The Rocketship Computational System[edit]
THE DEVELOPMENT PROCESS[edit]
The design of the computational system for the Mark V range of rocket ships began a full five years prior to the production of the vessels. A team of specialists, hand picked by the learned Professor Kessler began the design plans. The most striking advances to the system created during the formative years were the PROD field computer and the astounding VECTOR speech decoder.
THE FULL SYSTEM[edit]
The computer system onboard the rocket ship consists of several modules.
The Core Processor[edit]
The first and most important module is the core analog engine. It consists of an upright bank of processors and data stores. The vast majority of relevant mission data is stored on standard issue Tape Cartridges. Certain vital data is archived in the electrical store of the computer system itself, but only as necessary due to the large amounts of memory required for such storage. Priority files are hard-coded as data cards and need to be entered to load the appropriate functions.
The AT (Auto-Thinker)[edit]
The onboard AT for the rocket ship is a Thokum-Wersley model LL924 prototype. Developed seperately from the rest of the rocket ship computer the LL924 was integrated during the ship construction. The standard ‘duty’ of the onboard AT is to automate the non-essential ship functions, maintain security while the crew is in a rest-state, and make limited judgement calls in the event of unexpected events. Using technology borrowed from the VECTOR translation module the LL924 is also capable of abstract thought and has proven capable of reacting to random events with far greater ability than any previous design. The only drawback of the abstract matrix of the LL924 is that it requires a very specific startup sequence to engage properly and has a five minute boot procedure from a cold start. At the time of launch there is still a known bug in the AT system. The LL924 requires a minimal level of activity while in operation and if inactive for long periods of time is known to ‘fidget’ by activating/deactivating basic systems such as lights, minor electronics, etc.
The Sub-Stations[edit]
Located throughout the rocket ship are 3 Sub-Stations for each of the ships systems. The Kessler Field, atomic reactor, and life-support systems each have dedicated Sub-Stations that operate independantly of the rocket ship computer system. The Core Processor is able to tap into the Sub-Stations to make adjustments and in the event of an emergency an interface plug allows the use of a PROD remote to override the Core Processor settings. Each Sub-Station has hard-coded danger limits on the settings for each system, pushing past these limits requires a security card.
Data Output[edit]
The rocket ship computer system outputs data through devices:
- The Tape Feed: The Tape Feed is located next to the main console and spits out a written copy of the data and results from the computer. The data feed is an inch wide text feed with a larger feed for b&w image files, graphs and full-page reports.
- The Monitor: The Monitor is a video/audio output unit used to display long range sensor readouts, extrapolated readings, presentations and communications with Earth. It is wired into the computer system and located adjacent to the Core Processor.
Data Input[edit]
The data input for the rocket ship computer system is handled through 3 devices:
- The Keypad: A standard data entry device for years the keypad is used to enter the majority of all data from field reports, computer commands and all manner of sundry.
- The Scanomatic: The Scanomatic consists of two units. The first is an isolation chamber approximately one foot square with a heavy-duty sensor package. The second unit is a 6’ pull-down table used for medical diagnostics and large sample analysis.
- The VECTOR: The VEnman Communication TranslatOR is the greatest invention of Gabel Venman. It is able to directly translate spoken language into computer commands. While not as reliable as a Keypad for data entry the VECTOR allows the user to literally ‘talk’ to the AT.
- Tape Drives & Cartridges: While not strictly a data input device the Tape Drives & Cartridges are the heart and soul of the rocket ship computer system's memory. Tape Cartridges are slotted into Tape Drives and are used to store the majority of the data the rocket ship computer system processes. The data stored on the Cartridges is keyed to an identifier type, encoded as a data wave and marked with an end key. Any of the Venman-Thokum series of computers is capable of reading data a standard Tape Cartridge and the versatility of their format has put them into wide use. Tape Cartridges are capable of storing one data unit. A data unit consists of an hour of audio/video content or sensor readings. Audio/video content can be reduced in quality, or restricted to only one medium to reduce file size and increase tape storage capacity. Sensor data cannot be reasonably reduced in this manner.
Personal Remote Omni-Detector (PROD)[edit]
The second module for the rocket ship computer system is the PROD. The PROD is a man-portable compact duplicate of the primary systems sensor capabilities. Input/output is via a sensor wand, and a hand-held remote, both of which are detachable from the main module. There is also a data tape drive installed. The PROD is equipped with wheels for mobility on flat surfaces, although the primary method of transport is as a backpack. Straps anchor the PROD securely and comfortably and allow for relatively easy transport and use of the bulky device. While not attached to the rocket ship computer system the PROD uses a small internal tape drive for immediate data processing. Permanent data archival requires the Tape Drive and external Tape Cartridges. Due to the storage limits of the Tape Cartridges extras are often carried for long field missions.
