Re: [GZG] Tanker Pods

At 11:58 AM -0500 11/15/07, DOCAgren@aol.com wrote:
>Okay this makes for an interesting question, so what is the "standard"
Container size in GZG unverse?
>

I kind of figured on ISO Flatracks and containers getting tweaked but
otherwise keeping their same form for a long time. It's a really useful
form and look how roman wheel widths have stuck with us. So anyhow, when
I was scratchbuilding some of my ships, I tacked on some boxes that were
much larger which I proposed to be cargo modules for a larger FTL tug
model that was part of the GZG line of ships. I put the spine  between
the engine pod and the crew module upfront and improvized some
attachment points around the hull for three pods or space cargo
containers.

I figure it would work like, this, ISO containers are lightered up to
orbit from the ground with earth to space shuttles OR with a beanstalk.
Then the ISO containers are assembled into blocks which are then
anchored into a space cargo containers that could also take bulks
shipments. ISO connectors can assemble blocks of containers into pretty
solid structures (they're great blocks of stressed members iiuc) and
with some row to row connectors, you could make the blocks up into
larger multi row blocks that, in microgravity, could be easy to move
around and insert into a larger space cargo container. You have 
assembled containers, your tug shows up, dumps it's modules, picks up
the new space cargo containers which could have ISO containers, bulk
cargo or small vessels anchored inside and then zips off to the next
port in orbit around X planet.

This builds on the existing ISP functions that are already extant with
the modules that are included in some GZG figures and extemporizes
current doctrine more or less on the LASH barge concept. Perhaps you
could even extemporize a lighter that could move a single space cargo
container down to the surface for unloading there. Presumably one of
these SCCs would be sealed and have multitudes of attachment points
inside, either for ISO corner lock attachments OR for other cargo, bulk
material walls/baffles (perhaps they fold against the sides when not
needed), and power terminals for your ISO containers. Presumably, they'd
even be able to accommodate smaller vessels.

The objective would be to modularize your loading and unloading process
AND to allow for automated loading for the ISO components as well as
speeding turnaround time of the FTL capable cargo ships.

I'm sure everyone is familiar with ISO containers. Here's the next step
in size for military applications:
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ship/lash.htm

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