# Smol But Effective **URL:** \ **Category:** General\ **Created:** [March 31, 2023, 12:41am UTC](https://eldraeverse.discourse.group/t/smol-but-effective/561 "2023-03-31T00:41:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![avatar](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/eldraeverse.discourse.group/avatar/32/2_2.png) [@avatar](https://eldraeverse.discourse.group/u/avatar)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2023, 12:41am UTC](https://eldraeverse.discourse.group/t/smol-but-effective/561/1 "2023-03-31T00:41:13Z")
Originally published at: [Smol But Effective | The Associated Worlds](https://eldraeverse.com/2023/03/30/smol-but-effective/) **GERRAWAY-BY-CLASS ORBITAL SERVICE VEHICLE** **Operated by:** The canine orbital mechanics of regular orbital mechanics. **Type:** Orbital transfer/service vehicle. **Construction:** Horizon Cageworks, ICC **Length:** 2.2 m **Beam:** 1.7 m **Dry mass:** 784 kg **Gravity-well capable:** No. **Atmosphere capable:** No. **Personnel:** 1 smart dog (prosophont _bandal_ partial uplift) **Drives:** - Propulsion Dynamics, ICC HX-3 Husky low-thrust orbital maneuvering engine - Propulsion Dynamics, ICC cold-gas reaction-control assembly - Horizon OrbitSpace, ICC reaction wheels **Propellant:** Liquid hydrogen/liquid oxygen mix. **Cruising (sustainable) thrust:** 0.25 g **Δv reserve:** 1,350 m/s **Sensors:** - Orbital Positioning System - Star tracker - Passive EM array - Short-range collision avoidance and docking radar - Transponder **Other Systems:** - Cognitech, ICC/Family of Species, ICC “Radio Sniffer” audio-olfactory _merkwelt_ translation system - Cognitech, ICC/Family of Species, ICC “Starlight Barking” multimodal communications system - Exogenesis, ICC AI pilot-assist and remote override system - Omnidirectional radio transceiver - 3 x Extropa Energy, ICC accumulators - Systemic Integrated Technologies radiative striping/solar power collection systems - 1 x Extropa Energy, ICC hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell - Canned (non-regenerative) life support; CO₂ scrubbers - High-intensity LED work lights - 4 x fixed-point multipurpose, interchangeable-tool work arms (Horizon OrbitSpace, ICC) - optional satellite servicing kit, tool platform, and component rack (Horizon OrbitSpace, ICC) - optional interchangeable drop tanks for use with refueling probe - optional debris-collecting shield, basket, and tow cables **DESCRIPTION** The _Gerraway-By_-class of “micro” orbital service vehicle was a unique oddity brought to life by the circumstances of the early space era, and a chance meeting at the Look Out Below Café and Bar. Specifically, a wide-ranging discussion over several beers between some of the celestime architects from Horizon Cageworks, a number of gentlesophs working in various orbital industries, and a trainer of working _bandal_ – and more specifically their “smart dog” variants who had undergone stage one uplift – who happened to be visiting the platform at the time. The topic was the increasing amount of grunt work – refueling satellites, performing basic maintenance, debris collection – that maintaining orbital industry required, and how inefficient it was to continue carrying this out by hand. The result, a design outline found scribbled on a pile of napkins delivered to the Horizon offices the next morning, was the _Gerraway-By_. In its essentials a shrunk-down version of the _Minnal_-class workpod – refactored so that one or two _Gerraway-Bys_ could be carried by a _Minnal_, or several by an OTV – the _Gerraway-By_ was intended as a means to bring our old friends with us into the space age. While AI was not quite ready for independent use performing the necessary tasks, it was more than capable of operating in conjunction with a well-trained working _bandal_, and their eldrae supervisor, to command a small service vehicle operating from a larger ship. Combined with the work into uplift carried out by Family of Species and Cognitech’s beginning research into _merkwelt_ translation easing interface difficulties, the timing was perfect for an entirely new kind of spacedog to take their place shepherding Eliéra’s increasingly crowded low orbitals, and a new era of partnership was born. ---
**Author:** ![Will\_Treaty\_1](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/eldraeverse.discourse.group/will_treaty_1/32/80_2.png) [@Will\_Treaty\_1](https://eldraeverse.discourse.group/u/Will_Treaty_1)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2023, 1:33am UTC](https://eldraeverse.discourse.group/t/smol-but-effective/561/2 "2023-03-31T01:33:37Z")
> _Everybody liked that._ ---
**Author:** ![NHO](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/eldraeverse.discourse.group/nho/32/82_2.png) [@NHO](https://eldraeverse.discourse.group/u/NHO)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2023, 5:19am UTC](https://eldraeverse.discourse.group/t/smol-but-effective/561/3 "2023-03-31T05:19:15Z")
It’s a satellite herder. But what’s a good boy.