Despite the new found predilection for kilolieters I have always
assumed the standard unit of measure, and thus the size of one container
of cargo, in the ton.
Given the normal 1.5m floor grid one ton occupies two squares
of a normal starship deck. This gives a rather overbalanced crate so my
standardised cargo containers are four deck squares in area and only half
a deck's height. There are standards for projections and indentation by
which they could be lifted and stored. All connections are simple mechanical
to facilitate production and repair at all tech levels. They all have a
certain necissary load bearing capacity to enable them to be stacked as
well as a maximum weight for the unit. This is sumarised below:
Volume of Shape Height Max Supporting
container Weight Weight
1 ton 1.5m x 6m half 40,500kg 283,500kg
1 ton 3m x 3m half 40,500kg 283,500kg
2 ton 3m x 6m half 81,000kg 567,000kg
4 ton 3m x 6m full 162,000kg 486,000kg
8 ton* 6m x 6m full 324,000kg 972,000kg
*The 8 ton cargo container is optional and is generally only supported by
the largest of transports. Class A facilities must be able to handle these
but not necissarily in all berths.
By simple examination you can see the standard requirements that
cargo bays be fitted with 6m wide doors. Similarly that containers may
be stacked as much as four full sized containers deep or eight half sized
containers deep. The specific density of a container cannot exceed that
of three times water. There are further regulations covering how much
shock, temperature extremes, and so on cargo may be subjected to. These
are very important for insurance reasons.
Jo Jaquinta
[email removed]
PS: There are now 260 ships in the "library". Volunteers for creating
background or floorplans are always welcome.