Communication

Formulas and reference tables for calculating transmission times for intrastellar and interstellar communication.

Effective communication across vast distances is a crucial part of interstellar and intrastellar life. Colonies, space stations, and ships rely on advanced communication networks using laser or radio wave transmissions. These networks are facilitated by an inter-connected system of space stations to ensure messages are transmitted quickly, reliably and securely, even when obstacles like planetary bodies or star shadows block direct paths.

SPACE TIME

Space Time is a unit of measurement for distance that relies on light seconds, light minutes, and light hours, all based on the atomic second rather than any planetary cycles. By using the atomic clock, which measures time according to the stable vibrations of cesium atoms, Space Time provides a universally applicable and precise standard for measuring vast distances in space. This approach ensures that all colonies, regardless of their planet’s rotation or orbital period, use a consistent and universally understood system for interstellar distances, making it ideal for communication and travel across the cosmos.

Scale

To simulate communication times in the game, two different scales are used: intrastellar, for transmissions within the same star system (measured in light minutes), and interstellar, for transmissions between different systems (measured in light hours).

INTRASTELLAR: Intra-stellar communication refers to transmission between planets, space stations, or ships within the same star system. These distances are measured in kilometers, or light seconds/minutes/hours.

INTERSTELLAR: Inter-stellar communication occurs between colonies or stations located in different star systems. These distances are vast, measured in light hours or light years and communication times can range from minutes to hours to days or much longer.

The following table provides a conversion table between light speed transmission and distance in kilometers.

LIGHT MEASUREMENT	KILOMETERS
1 Light Second	299,792 km
1 Light Minute	17,987,520 km
1 Light Hour	1,079,251,200 km

Random Transmission Factor

Communication travels at the speed of light, but the exact distance between two bodies in space are constantly changing due to movement along their orbital paths. Accurately tracking the precise movement of stellar objects across Stela Mondo would be challenging and tedious. To simulate changes in relative distances, the game uses a random table to simulate variables that impact transmission times.

The base time is determined by the game host based on the average distance between two points in space. Once the base time is determined, the game host can roll a D100 to calculate the random relay factor.

EXAMPLE

The average transmission time between Akvega and the Sakejo colonies is approximately 9 light hours. Use the following random table to select a random transmission factor.

D100	RELAY FACTOR
01-10	-30%
11-25	-20%
26-40	-10%
41-60	0%
61-75	+10%
76-90	+20%
91-100	+30%

Calculate the randomized transmission time.

BASE TRANSMISSION TIME: 136 light hours

CHANCE ROLL: A roll of 85 determines for a relay factor of +20%.

RANDOMIZED TRANSMISSION TIME: 136 x 1.2 = 163.2 light hours