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A Geology skill task (taking 40 hours of work) provides a
although settling for a few representative locations is common.
preliminary assessment of planetary resources.
The survey requires at least 60 man-hours of Biology work per
environment studied. Specialties may be required (Botany to
Modifiers: Apply modifiers from the spacecraft s geology
study plant samples, Zoology for captured animals, Biochem-
lab facilities.
istry or Microbiology for bacteria and soil samples, and so on).
This gives a precise estimate of the age of the planet, and
On worlds with extensive seas or oceans, GMs may split biolog-
identifies any special features about its overall composition.
ical survey work into separate land and ocean surveys, treating
On planets without life-forms, this should be sufficient to
each distinctly. Ocean surveys require that the team has equip-
determine the Resource Value Modifier (see GURPS Space,
ment for underwater operations, e.g., submarines (manned or
robotic), diving gear, etc.
Modifiers: Equipment quality.
Completion of the survey
Surveys on Non-Garden Worlds
recovers a representative collec-
The survey rules detailed above mostly apply to garden worlds where there is a wide
tion of biological organisms and
variety of obvious life. On other worlds, it may be uncertain whether life even exists at
environmental samples (such as
all! Life-forms may be limited to microorganisms, be found only in a limited number
soil samples).
of environments, or simply be too alien for easy identification. If so, the primary goal
of a biological survey is to determine whether there is any life. The GM may impose
penalties or extend the time required based on how hard the life-forms are to find or Analysis
analyze. If it is confined to certain environments or regions of the planet, the expedi-
Analysis is a long task that
tion must search the right spot. For instance, the only life on a world might be located
requires 20 hours of Biology work
in thermal vents at the bottom of a subsurface ocean beneath 50 miles of ice. A survey
for each survey to catalogue and
performed at the surface would reveal no life; the explorers would only succeed if they
assay the samples collected. Use the
breached the ice and sampled the deep ocean environment.
appropriate planet-type specialty
(p. B180).
EXPEDITIONS AND OPERATIONS 34
Modifiers: Apply modifiers from the spacecraft s biology lab Bioengineering skill is invaluable in interpreting the genetic
facilities. data. If live samples were collected, Animal Handling and
Biology (Entomology) may be required to wrangle the critters
Once analysis is complete, the biological survey yields
in the lab.
enough information to get a broad picture of a world s natural
history. Major plant and animal orders are understood and the
prevalent large species are identified. The researchers discover,
ECOLOGICAL SURVEY
at least in outline, the biochemical basis of life on the planet
To gain a real understanding of how local ecosystems work,
(see GURPS Space, p. 140) and, at late TL9+, have sequenced
a full ecological survey is necessary. This is a series of long
the genome of several animals and plant species. (At a lower
tasks that takes at least 3d years to complete. The surveyors
TL, analysis of a genome may take months or years.)
must painstakingly identify local species down to the smallest
Successful study can also answer basic questions for colonists
animal and plant forms. Further, the team must observe how
and castaways, such as:
they interact over several local years to make sure any seasonal
" Is the environment inherently hazardous (will it eat or changes are noticed and understood. The survey involves many
poison us)? rolls against various Biology specialties.
" Is the environment benign (can we eat them)? Ideally this should be done in advance of any colonization
" Is the environment sustainable (do we have to take vita- effort, but greed or politics may result in it being delayed until
mins, or can we just live off the land)? after an outpost or even a full-scale colony is established,
sometimes with dangerous or tragic consequences.
FIRST CONTACT
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