StarCitizen:Carrack Expedition
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Template:Vehicle The Carrack Expedition is a special edition variant of the StarCitizen:Carrack which is a large multi-crew explorer vessel developed by StarCitizen:Anvil Aerospace. It was created as part of the 2950 Carrack launch and showcases a distinctive limited-edition livery that celebrates the fearless crews piloting Carracks bravely into the unknown. Engineered to withstand the harshest environments in both space and atmospheric conditions, this self-sufficient explorer has rightfully secured its reputation as the preferred choice for both military and civilian operations.<ref name="CarrackExStore">Template:Cite RSI</ref>
Features
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Specifications
Model
Ship profile
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Series variants
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Acquisition
Template:Vehicle availability *The Carrack Expedition is no longer available as a stand alone pledge. It is still available as part of certain packages like the Multicrew Pack.<ref>Template:Cite RSI</ref>
Lore
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Early development=
In StarCitizen:2815, the UEEN cruiser Carraway, dispatched to investigate peculiar transmissions within the Tohil System's dense asteroid field, tragically vanished with its entire crew. This incident caused embarrassment for the Admiralty, as they had previously debated the value of utilizing warships for exploratory missions. To mitigate the loss and improve upon the missions previously undertaken by larger warships, a secret no-bid contract was awarded to StarCitizen:Anvil Aerospace. |-|
Unexpected appearance=
The year StarCitizen:2822 marked a significant turning point when the Anvil Carrack made an unexpected appearance at the MacArthur Naval Base in Kilian. Aerospace enthusiasts were astounded by the ship's impressive design and mystified about its origin. Developing a spacecraft in secrecy is a complex and costly endeavor, typically pursued when it can impact the balance of power. However, the Carrack, as the first corvette-sized, dedicated exploration ship in the Navy's inventory, seemed to have emerged fully formed and ready for service, leaving many perplexed. |-|
Ship's classification=
The unexpected arrival of the Carrack sparked widespread speculation about its true purpose. Sinister theories circulated, suggesting it might be a disguised electronic warfare vessel or harbored a powerful new type of weapon. However, these conjectures proved to be unfounded. The ship's classification, which was subsequently revoked, was intended to conceal the actual reason behind its development—a need for a dedicated explorer to replace and enhance the missions carried out by larger warships. |-|
Remarkable journey=
Despite the controversies surrounding its creation, the [[StarCitizen::Category:UEEN Carrack-class vessels|UEEN Carracks]] embarked on a remarkable journey of expert survey work that spanned more than a century. These military Carracks logged numerous discoveries, meticulously surveying moons, comets, jump points, and asteroid fields. Even to this day, they continue to be actively produced and utilized.<ref name="whitley"/> |-|
Civilianization=
In the early days following the Carrack's launch in UEEN service, its exceptional blend of military durability and appealing design captured the attention of the galaxy. Anvil Aerospace, the ship's manufacturer, received an overwhelming response, with over four thousand requests from organizations and individuals eager to acquire their own Carrack. Anvil sought permission from the military to sell the ship to civilians once the initial 18-month construction contract ended in StarCitizen:2825. However, the military initially declined due to the classified nature of the Carrack's original design process. Despite believing the decision to be wrong, Anvil chose not to contest it, as they didn't want to jeopardize their standing as a prime contractor for other projects like the Hornet. It would take the replacement of the staff officers who classified the destruction of the Carraway and several decades of waiting before the government finally relented. |-|
UEEN restrictions=
In StarCitizen:2933, Anvil finally obtained authorization to develop a civilian version of the Carrack. However, the UEEN imposed certain requirements, including a complete overhaul of the sensor software and the prohibition of producing civilian Carracks in the same facilities as the military hulls. Development work commenced promptly but encountered delays. Rewriting the software proved challenging, and teams faced difficulties adapting the ship's standard metrics to civilian equipment, even in seemingly simple aspects like the dimensions of the loading ramp. To secure a slot in the initial production run, prospective captains were encouraged to place a deposit, leading to a "Carrack craze" as people bought and traded planned future hulls. Owners closely followed the progress of the civilian version through the various development delays. |-|
Carrack Day=
Finally, on February 21, StarCitizen:2938, the first civilianized Carrack, affectionately named StarCitizen:Sonny Boy by its crew, was delivered. This momentous occasion is annually celebrated as an unofficial "Carrack Day" by Carrack user groups. Civilian Carracks and their crews swiftly became a symbol of humanity's finest spacefarers, dedicated to the noble pursuit of exploration rather than commerce or defense. They represented the epitome of human curiosity and the aspiration to venture into the unknown for both knowledge and profit.<ref name="whitley"/> |-|
Variants=
According to lore, military version of Carrack are actively produced and utilized by the UEEN.<ref name="whitley">Template:Cite Jump Point</ref> </tabber>
Gallery
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Development
| 2020-02-27 | Carrack Expedition implemented in Alpha 3.8.2. |
| 2024-12-19 | Blast shields made interactive and cargo pods are openable, but can not be lowered in Alpha 4.0.0. |
Trivia
- The name of the class comes from a three- or four-masted ocean-going sailing ship that was developed in the 14th to 15th centuries in Europe. The origin of the term carraca is unclear, perhaps from Arabic qaraqir "merchant ship", itself of unknown origin (maybe from Latin carricare "to load a car" or Greek καρκαρίς "load of timber") or the Arabic القُرْقُورُ (al-qurqoor) and from thence to the Greek κέρκουρος (kerkouros) meaning approximately "lighter" (barge) literally, "shorn tail", a possible reference to the ship's flat stern).
- Naval Station of La Carraca, is a naval shipyard and a naval base in San Fernando, Spain. It is a naval base for the construction and repair of ships, and the storage and distribution of arms and ammunition. The first military establishment of its kind to be created in Spain under the naval policy of Felipe V, it was developed by Patiño and the Marquis de la Ensenada. Though work on building the shipyard began in 1720, the formal decree issued by Fernando VI on October 3, 1752, accelerated its construction until it was completed in the late 18th century.
References
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