The Battlestar Hyperion BSR-53 is a Mercury Class Battlestar, constructed, completed and launched on 15 May 2007 from the Pacific, Washington
Shipyards. The Mercury class Battlestar is an advanced Colonial capital warship/carrier introduced into the Colonial Fleet sometime after the First Cylon
War.
The outward appearance of the Mercury class is markedly different from the Columbia Class and her sisters. The class is slightly larger in length and is both
wider and taller than the Columbia Class. Instead of six main ion thrusters, the Mercury class mounts eight Yoyodine engines. As a result, the sub-light
acceleration of the Mercury class is greater than that of the older vessels. As well, the "neck" section of the Mercury class is smaller. Instead of having a
single entrance and exit on each flight pod, the Mercury class has two. There is one above and below the midline of the pods. This allows for a faster rate of
recovery of Viper fighters combined with the vessel's computer assisted landing system. Unlike the Columbia Class, these flight pods do not need to be
retracted into the hull before the Battlestar jumps. As well, the Mercury class does not have external ribs.
Shipyards. The Mercury class Battlestar is an advanced Colonial capital warship/carrier introduced into the Colonial Fleet sometime after the First Cylon
War.
The outward appearance of the Mercury class is markedly different from the Columbia Class and her sisters. The class is slightly larger in length and is both
wider and taller than the Columbia Class. Instead of six main ion thrusters, the Mercury class mounts eight Yoyodine engines. As a result, the sub-light
acceleration of the Mercury class is greater than that of the older vessels. As well, the "neck" section of the Mercury class is smaller. Instead of having a
single entrance and exit on each flight pod, the Mercury class has two. There is one above and below the midline of the pods. This allows for a faster rate of
recovery of Viper fighters combined with the vessel's computer assisted landing system. Unlike the Columbia Class, these flight pods do not need to be
retracted into the hull before the Battlestar jumps. As well, the Mercury class does not have external ribs.
Speed:
Space Propulsion: The starship does not have an effective top speed but is limited by acceleration. The Battlestar can reach a top acceleration of 4 G but due to high fuel
consumption and extra strain on the engines, the ship will normally travel at 0.5 G for any extended trips. Top acceleration is only meant for emergencies and combat
maneuvers.
Because the Battlestar is mostly unshielded from the effects of radiation and hypervelocity atomic particles (It is not completely unshielded), the vessel is not operated at
speeds exceeding 20% of the speed of light.
Atmospheric Propulsion: The Battlestar cannot operate within an atmosphere. If the ship enters an atmosphere, it will crash. If the ship "Jumps" into a planetary
atmosphere, it will drop like a rock although could theoretically jump out of the atmosphere before it hits the planet.
FTL drive: A "Mercury" class Battlestar has a FTL Jump Drive which enables the vessel to disappear in one location and appear at another location, potentially many light
years distant, instantly. This drive requires extensive calculations and consumes fuel each time the ship "Jumps." The system can also make short-range jumps.
Maximum Range: Conditionally unlimited, while the fusion rector gives power for a decade of service, the ship's propulsion is limited by the ship's reaction mass (The ship
uses Tylium which is likely some hydrogen or helium isotope which has to be mined)
The vessel carries eight months of reaction mass for travel at 0.5 G of acceleration. Double the consumption of fuel for 1.0 G of acceleration and double the consumption
again for every 1.0 G of acceleration beyond 1 G. This means the ship will burn the fuel 16 times faster than at 0.5 G of acceleration at maximum acceleration (4 G). The
ship will often accelerate for a period of time and then shut down the engine and travel using the ships velocity. If the ships uses more than half of its reaction mass when
accelerating, the ship will be unable to decelerate fully and the ship will normally only use a third or less of its fuel on accelerating so it does not run into a problem. If the
ship runs out of fuel then it must be refueled by another vehicle traveling faster or be lost.
If the ship has a large amount of flight operations, the ship is limited to about four months endurance at cruising speed from the fighters using the ships reaction mass.
Statistical Data:
Length: 5,120 feet (1,652 meters) for main hull / 2,769 feet (843 meters) for flight pods
Height: 1,086.8 feet (331.26 meters) for main hull / 408 feet (124 meters) for flight pods
Width: 2,226 feet (678 meters) including flight pods / 513 feet (156 meters) for flight pods
Weight: 66.14 million tons (60 million metric tons)
Power System: The Ship is powered by 4 Tylium Fueled reactors that will provide effectively unlimited power for the ship and her systems. However, it was recommended
that the drive and power system have routine maintenance every 5 years. Also, the ship only carries about an eight month supply of reaction mass / fuel for Jump drives.
Cargo: 440,920 tons (400,0000 metric tons) of cargo. As well, each enlisted crew member has a small locker for personal items and uniforms. Ship's officers have more
space for personal items. Most of the ship's spaces are taken up by extra ammo, armor, troops, weapons, engine, reaction mass, equipment,
Market Cost: 45 billion Cubits to construct.
Weapon Systems:
Eight (8) Fixed Super Heavy Kinetic Energy Weapon Mounts: Mounted to fire forward on the Battlestar and weapons can fire individually or in groups. The weapons are in
the bow of the ship under the "chin” of the forward section. Instead of firing bursts, the weapon fires a single high density round at extremely high velocities and inflict
incredible damage. Cannons have standard penalties for heavy starship weaponry when used against small targets.
Maximum Effective Range: 480 miles (772.5 km) in space and 24 miles (38.6 km) if fired into an atmosphere.
Rate of Fire: 2 rounds per cannon per melee (a total of 16 rounds can be fired per melee)
Payload: 100 rounds per weapon mount. Additional ammunition carried in the ship's main magazines (Takes 6D6 minutes to reload)
Thirty (30) Heavy Kinetic Energy Weapon Turrets: Main batteries of the Battlestar in turrets. Each turret has two barrels which normally fire together. Four are mounted on
the underside of the upper hull on the ship's bow, two more turrets are mounted on the front and back of each flight pod, with others scattered along the length of the hull
and flight pods. Each mount can rotate 360 degrees and has a 90 degree arc of fire. Each mount fires rounds at extremely high velocity and inflict heavy damage upon
their target. Cannons have half standard penalties for heavy starship weaponry when used against small targets.
Maximum Effective Range: 320 miles (515 km) in space and 16 miles (25.6 km) if fired into an atmosphere.
Payload: 2,000 rounds (200 bursts) per weapon mount. Additional ammunition carried in the ship's main magazines.
Point Defense Kinetic Energy Mounts (322): These act as the Battlestar's main point defense weaponry and are in twin mounts. They are similar to the mounts carried on
Vipers and are used against both fighters and missiles. The Battlestar has these mounts on the main hull and flight pods. Each mount can rotate 360 degrees and has a
90 degree arc of fire. These electromagnetic weapons fire high-density projectiles at incredible velocities.
Maximum Effective Range: 4,000 feet (1,200 meters) in an atmosphere and 32,000 feet (9,600 meters) in space.
Payload: 8,000 rounds (800 bursts) per weapon mount. Additional ammunition carried in the ship's main magazines (Takes 1D4 minutes to reload)
Other Systems:
Hardened Circuitry and Electromagnetic Shielding: All electronics and computers on the Battlestar are constructed with hardened circuitry and the ship itself is built with
shielding to prevent EMP and jamming from damaging circuitry. The effect is that jamming and EMP will not damage any system.
Command and Control Facilities: The Battlestar carries extra communications equipment and command facilities, to enable the ship to operate as the flagship for a Battle
Group.
Jamming System: This system scrambles all electronic signals for a range of 10,000 miles (16,100 km) in space and will penetrate an atmosphere for a distance of 100
miles (161 km). The system can also confuse missiles. It has a 55% chance of confusing missiles but some missiles can home on jamming signals.
DRADIS: This system can detect jamming systems at one quarter of the systems normal range allowing the system to work well against targets that are jamming. The
system has a range of 120,000 miles (193,000 km) in space and can penetrate the atmosphere up to 1,200 miles (1,930 km). The system can track and identify 5,120
targets at on time. Can also target each individual missile to a separate target at up to 1200 targets.
Space Propulsion: The starship does not have an effective top speed but is limited by acceleration. The Battlestar can reach a top acceleration of 4 G but due to high fuel
consumption and extra strain on the engines, the ship will normally travel at 0.5 G for any extended trips. Top acceleration is only meant for emergencies and combat
maneuvers.
Because the Battlestar is mostly unshielded from the effects of radiation and hypervelocity atomic particles (It is not completely unshielded), the vessel is not operated at
speeds exceeding 20% of the speed of light.
Atmospheric Propulsion: The Battlestar cannot operate within an atmosphere. If the ship enters an atmosphere, it will crash. If the ship "Jumps" into a planetary
atmosphere, it will drop like a rock although could theoretically jump out of the atmosphere before it hits the planet.
FTL drive: A "Mercury" class Battlestar has a FTL Jump Drive which enables the vessel to disappear in one location and appear at another location, potentially many light
years distant, instantly. This drive requires extensive calculations and consumes fuel each time the ship "Jumps." The system can also make short-range jumps.
Maximum Range: Conditionally unlimited, while the fusion rector gives power for a decade of service, the ship's propulsion is limited by the ship's reaction mass (The ship
uses Tylium which is likely some hydrogen or helium isotope which has to be mined)
The vessel carries eight months of reaction mass for travel at 0.5 G of acceleration. Double the consumption of fuel for 1.0 G of acceleration and double the consumption
again for every 1.0 G of acceleration beyond 1 G. This means the ship will burn the fuel 16 times faster than at 0.5 G of acceleration at maximum acceleration (4 G). The
ship will often accelerate for a period of time and then shut down the engine and travel using the ships velocity. If the ships uses more than half of its reaction mass when
accelerating, the ship will be unable to decelerate fully and the ship will normally only use a third or less of its fuel on accelerating so it does not run into a problem. If the
ship runs out of fuel then it must be refueled by another vehicle traveling faster or be lost.
If the ship has a large amount of flight operations, the ship is limited to about four months endurance at cruising speed from the fighters using the ships reaction mass.
Statistical Data:
Length: 5,120 feet (1,652 meters) for main hull / 2,769 feet (843 meters) for flight pods
Height: 1,086.8 feet (331.26 meters) for main hull / 408 feet (124 meters) for flight pods
Width: 2,226 feet (678 meters) including flight pods / 513 feet (156 meters) for flight pods
Weight: 66.14 million tons (60 million metric tons)
Power System: The Ship is powered by 4 Tylium Fueled reactors that will provide effectively unlimited power for the ship and her systems. However, it was recommended
that the drive and power system have routine maintenance every 5 years. Also, the ship only carries about an eight month supply of reaction mass / fuel for Jump drives.
Cargo: 440,920 tons (400,0000 metric tons) of cargo. As well, each enlisted crew member has a small locker for personal items and uniforms. Ship's officers have more
space for personal items. Most of the ship's spaces are taken up by extra ammo, armor, troops, weapons, engine, reaction mass, equipment,
Market Cost: 45 billion Cubits to construct.
Weapon Systems:
Eight (8) Fixed Super Heavy Kinetic Energy Weapon Mounts: Mounted to fire forward on the Battlestar and weapons can fire individually or in groups. The weapons are in
the bow of the ship under the "chin” of the forward section. Instead of firing bursts, the weapon fires a single high density round at extremely high velocities and inflict
incredible damage. Cannons have standard penalties for heavy starship weaponry when used against small targets.
Maximum Effective Range: 480 miles (772.5 km) in space and 24 miles (38.6 km) if fired into an atmosphere.
Rate of Fire: 2 rounds per cannon per melee (a total of 16 rounds can be fired per melee)
Payload: 100 rounds per weapon mount. Additional ammunition carried in the ship's main magazines (Takes 6D6 minutes to reload)
Thirty (30) Heavy Kinetic Energy Weapon Turrets: Main batteries of the Battlestar in turrets. Each turret has two barrels which normally fire together. Four are mounted on
the underside of the upper hull on the ship's bow, two more turrets are mounted on the front and back of each flight pod, with others scattered along the length of the hull
and flight pods. Each mount can rotate 360 degrees and has a 90 degree arc of fire. Each mount fires rounds at extremely high velocity and inflict heavy damage upon
their target. Cannons have half standard penalties for heavy starship weaponry when used against small targets.
Maximum Effective Range: 320 miles (515 km) in space and 16 miles (25.6 km) if fired into an atmosphere.
Payload: 2,000 rounds (200 bursts) per weapon mount. Additional ammunition carried in the ship's main magazines.
Point Defense Kinetic Energy Mounts (322): These act as the Battlestar's main point defense weaponry and are in twin mounts. They are similar to the mounts carried on
Vipers and are used against both fighters and missiles. The Battlestar has these mounts on the main hull and flight pods. Each mount can rotate 360 degrees and has a
90 degree arc of fire. These electromagnetic weapons fire high-density projectiles at incredible velocities.
Maximum Effective Range: 4,000 feet (1,200 meters) in an atmosphere and 32,000 feet (9,600 meters) in space.
Payload: 8,000 rounds (800 bursts) per weapon mount. Additional ammunition carried in the ship's main magazines (Takes 1D4 minutes to reload)
Other Systems:
Hardened Circuitry and Electromagnetic Shielding: All electronics and computers on the Battlestar are constructed with hardened circuitry and the ship itself is built with
shielding to prevent EMP and jamming from damaging circuitry. The effect is that jamming and EMP will not damage any system.
Command and Control Facilities: The Battlestar carries extra communications equipment and command facilities, to enable the ship to operate as the flagship for a Battle
Group.
Jamming System: This system scrambles all electronic signals for a range of 10,000 miles (16,100 km) in space and will penetrate an atmosphere for a distance of 100
miles (161 km). The system can also confuse missiles. It has a 55% chance of confusing missiles but some missiles can home on jamming signals.
DRADIS: This system can detect jamming systems at one quarter of the systems normal range allowing the system to work well against targets that are jamming. The
system has a range of 120,000 miles (193,000 km) in space and can penetrate the atmosphere up to 1,200 miles (1,930 km). The system can track and identify 5,120
targets at on time. Can also target each individual missile to a separate target at up to 1200 targets.
| MERCURY CLASS BATTLESTAR SHIP SPECIFICATIONS |