MISC Hull series concept for 512 SCU containers

This image studies possible layouts for the larger MISC Hull series ships when making use of a theoretical 512 SCU cargo container that is scaled as a 10 meter cube. The image is shown to scale with the ships using the concept images of the Hull C/D/E with the spindle extended, scaled to lengths of of 125, 209 and 372 meters respectively. This is a possible solution to long cargo loading times especially for the Hull E as well as the Hull D and Hull C. It also serves as a case study in figuring out the potential deployable cargo pad sizes for the Hull D and Hull E which are still in development.

The Hull E has a total cargo capacity of 98,304 SCU which if divided into the current standard sized 32 SCU container available in game would result in it carrying 3,072 containers fully loaded. This would reuslt in notably long loading times especially when manually operated by the crew on board using the cargo loadmaster station and mounted tractor beam turrets, or by other attending ships with tractor beams. With the sixteen cargo pads on the spindle, each pad would hold 6,144 SCU in 192 containers of 32 SCU size. The 32 SCU container has a dimension of 10x2.5x2.5 meters.

A potential 512 SCU cargo container that has a dimension of 10x10x10 meters would be the equivalent of 16 stacked containers in 32 SCU size so would result in the Hull E fully loaded having only 192 containers in comparison to 3,072. Each of the sixteeen cargo pads would then hold only 12 containers instead of 192. This would serve to significantly reduce loading and unloading times. The Hull E is therefore theorized to have a cargo pad size of 20x30 meters.

The Hull D has a concept cargo capacity of 20,736 SCU however based on some development whitebox images of the Hull series that were posted portraying possible container layouts is shown here with a capacity of 21,504 SCU to more evenly divide the container sizes on the cargo pads. If the Hull D ends up with that larger capacity it would result in 672 containers of 32 SCU size when fully loaded, with each of the twelve cargo pads holding 1,792 SCU in 56 containers.

Using 512 SCU containers would reduce the total number significantly however not completely replace the 32 SCU containers to full capacity. In this case it would be possible to have a total of 24 larger and 288 smaller containers with 2 large containers and 24 small containers on each cargo pad. If the finalized cargo capacity of the Hull D however was increased to 24,576 SCU that could result in a full compliment of 48 containers of 512 SCU size, with 2,048 SCU in 4 containers on each cargo pad, or using 32 SCU containers would be 768 containers with 64 on each pad. Using either 21,504 SCU or 24,576 SCU could result in the Hull D having a theortical cargo pad size of 10x20 meters.

The Hull C is already in game with a cargo capacity of 4,608 SCU consisting of 144 containers that are 32 SCU in size, with each of the eight cargo pads having a dimension of 10x15 meters that hold 576 SCU in 18 containers. The Hull C could also benefit from carrying 512 SCU containers and conveniently has cargo pad sizes that can carry one 10 meter cube on each pad for a total of 8 with room left over for a couple of 32 SCU containers on each cargo pad, totalling 16.

The analysis of the cargo pad sizes are important not only for carrying containers but also in determining potential future modules that could fit on the MISC Hull series. With the Hull C having eight 10x15 meter pads, the Hull D having twelve 10x20 meter pads and the Hull E having sixteen 20x30 meter pads the potential for expansion beyond cargo is readily evident. Whether that be for passenger modules, weapon and defense modules, or snub craft and small ship hangar modules, each of the Hull series could scale to different player or organization requirements in different transportation roles.