Survay Mission Play Book

 By the Book - this is how is should be done. 

1. Ship enters the system.  

Exiting H-space creates a sizable footprint, (about equal to 1MT nuclear blast / 100T of ship mass) so anyone with decent telescopes and sensors is likely to see it. We do not try to hide our arrival.  But a solar system is a big place it it could be missed. Entry point is to be 1 AU above the plane of the system, out of the way of any likely obstacles. 

2. Recharge Time. 

The ship will quietly wait and recharge its H-Systems so it can jump out if necessary. It will conduct passive scans, looking for radio signals and other signs of intelligent life. If signals are found they will be recorded and the ship will remain in quiet observation mode for 1 week. It will then drop a drone to continue recording and return home.  

3. If no intelligent life is detected...

A drone is dropped to monitor the ship's progress, the ship then moves in to survey the habitable zone of the system. If the ship is damaged or destroyed the drone will help the rescue mission understand what happened.

4. The Active Sweep. 

The Ranger will investigate the 3 most interesting planets or objects in the system. Active scans will be conducted at this point, and info analyzed before samples are acquired. One day in orbit of each object is recommended for this sweep. A drone will be left in orbit of each to continue data accumulation. 

5. The Landing Party. 

After the 3 objects are investigated, one will be selected for a landing. Preference is given to habitable worlds. One more day will be spent in orbit as the landing sites are selected, typically 3. The aim this day is to gather as much info as possible before you put boots on the ground.   

The Ranger ship has an operations crew of 6 and a science team of 4, the usual landing party consists of 2 crew and 3 scientists. One pilot and One tech, along with the medic and one scientist always stay on the ship. The captain and one pilot usually accompany the 3 scientists down to the planet. Along with the humans will go two robots, a Fido & Mule. The away team must wear full suits on the first landing, even if scans show the air is breathable. Mission time is 8 hours maximum. 

Although a Ranger ship is made to land and launch, usually the shuttle craft will be used for the first landing. Subsequent landings are at the captains discretion, however caution favors using the shuttle.

The Explorer ship, being twice the size of a Ranger, has a dedicated away team of ten persons; 5 scientists, 5 soldiers, 2 Fido and 2 Mule robots. They are equipped for landing missions lasting up to 1 week.  They are tasked with a much more detailed examination of any location.  The shuttle may be used as an air taxi to move the team around once the base came is set up.

Note ; the Ranger can only carry a small shuttle (Falcon type), with a small cargo. the Explorer on the other hand can carry a larger craft (Condor type), which is able to handle the 20ft ISO style cargo pod.  

6. If intelligent life is detected... 

The away team avoids contact and returns to the ship as soon as possible. A dedicated first contact team will be sent out on a later mission. The team should avoid killing any local inhabitants. Yes this is a bit like the Star Trek prime directive, but the motivation is a bit more practical than altruistic. 

In recognition of the "shit happens quickly" principal. The captain must have some training and authority in regards to diplomacy.  If avoiding contact is impossible, the captain may act with a wide degree of autonomy. Of course he may not make any binding promises beyond what the immediate situation may see accomplished. As the first contact situation will likely involve a language barrier, we caution that attempts at communication may lead to misunderstanding and hostile reactions.

In the event that the aliens capture some of the away team, serious effort must be made to liberate them, including the use of deadly force, if the captain deems it necessary.  Equipment may be sacrificed, lives should not be. 

7. Inconvenient but necessary.

Once the away team returns to the ship it and all its equipment will be decontaminated and put into quarantine for 24hours. If the medic has any reason, even a hunch, he can extend this to 48 hours. The team is scanned when they enter the isolation room and again when they leave it.  During the quarantine, the team is expected to write their mission reports.

The isolation room has its own air and water supply including filtration-recycling systems, which can operate for 1 week before requiring any input of new air and water. It is a mini life support unit able to handle 10 people. Thus in the event of a ship wide disaster the isolation lab may act as survival shelter. It also has an E-cell battery system good for 1 week of minimal power use.

8. Lets do it all again.

Assuming the first survey landing has gone smoothly, the captain may order two more. Usually dropping to different sites, but if something very interesting is discovered he may order it be investigated further. 
Generally away team personnel will be changed up each mission so that everyone can have a chance to visit the planet.  The medic being sent down with the last mission, if he wants to go.