The scientific minded Ulfgar have
always been fascinated by the less practical sciences and the HMSA
observatories allow them to gather vast amounts of data regarding
astrophysics and related fields. Four of these craft have been
made, each with slightly different specifications. The craft
described above is HMSA-3, currently headed for the galactic core.
The primary function of the HMSA craft is to gather sensory
data. In addition to the listed sensor totals, the HMSA is capable
of receiving numerous other types of information, including, but
not limited to tachyon, subatomic, alpha and beta particle
information, X-, Gamma, radio, and other ray information. Because
of this sensitivity, HMSA craft negate cloak technology that causes
detection penalties of less than 4D, and gains a +4D bonus vs. more
sophisticated cloaks. In addition, the HMSA can follow hyperspace
wakes up to 5 days old, at 1.5 past lightspeed. The HMSA contains
a number of laboratories and research areas. The HMSA-3 contains
labs for particle physics, quantum physics, xeno-biology, and
astrophysics, and 4 other labs that can be adapted for other
purposes, depending on the nature of the mission. Due to the fact
that the Yaeger sector is a war zone, these craft are often
accompanied by warcraft of various types. Unfortunately, the
energy emissions of combat vehicles interfere with the HMSA's most
delicate sensors, distorting data, and the scientists in control of
these craft prefer to go unescorted whenever possible.
As with all Ulfgar technology, the HMSA is somewhat
unreliable, as it includes numerous untested improvements over the
standard drives and hulls, and they are prone to breakdowns and
other difficulties, when they are not preforming well over
specifications.