The Type 10 shuttle has proven to be a reliable design for the Federation, able to be modified for many different purposes. One version that is used for colonization purposes, combines the ability to lift heavy loads to and from the planet, with atmospheric engineering capacity due to its high-powered life support system.

The on board fusion plants are designed to allow the shuttle to be refueled from any hydrogen source, rather than needing a complex antimatter storage and injection system. The key power consumption system (the warp system) has been removed for two reasons. The first reason is that in the worst case scenario, the shuttle will be operating from a colonization vessel in orbit, meaning it will not need to go far. The second reason is that 1.2 light years is not enough range to allow the shuttle to reach help, based on a top speed of warp 5 (214c) for 48 hours.

One of the more common complaints is that the equipment is out in the open where anyone could wander in and access it. Supporters of the design have replied that installing a padlock on the door is often more effective than Federation physical security.

(SU amounts are in <>)

Type 10 Shuttlecraft:
Size: 2
SU available: 500

Hull:
Outer: <8>
Inner: <8>

Resistance:
Outer Hull (4): <3>
Inner Hull (4): <3>

SIF:
Main (Class 1) (Protection 40/60) (1 Power/rnd): <14>
Backup #1 (Class 1) (Protection 20): <7>
Backup #2 (Class 1) (Protection 20): <7>

Atmospheric/Planetfall ability: <4>

Crew/Passengers/Evac Capability: 4/12/20
Crew Quarters: none

Life Support
* Basic Life Support (4 Power/rnd): <8>
* Terraforming Life Support (62 Power/rnd = 9e18 personnel capacity): <8>
* Reserve Life Support (2 Power/rnd): <4>
* Emergency Life Support (no emergency shelters): <4>
* Gravity (2 Power/rnd): <1>
* Consumables (1 week worth): <1>
* Replicator Systems (None, at most a refrigerator and heater for pre-made food): <1>
* Medical Facilities (Class 1) (1 Power/rnd): <5>
* Personnel transport (shoe leather due to no panels hiding critical equipment): <0>
* Fire Suppression system (1 Power/rnd): <1>
* Cargo: None
* Escape Pods: None

Propulsion System
* (Warp drive removed to make room for Tractor beams and Auxiliary Power)
* Impulse Engine (Class 1) (3/5 Power/rnd): <5>
* RCS: (2 Power/rnd): <2>

Power Systems:
* Impulse Engine (generates 8 Power/rnd)
* Auxiliary Power (55 Power): <33>
* Tractor Power (from Auxiliary Reactors) (120 Power): <72>
* EPS (Standard Power +50): <15>

Bridge: <10>
Computers: (1 Computer, plus ODN) (5 Power/rnd): <10>

Sensors:
* Navigational Deflector (5 Power/rnd): <8>
* No long-range Sensors (removed to make room for tractor beams and auxiliary power)
* Lateral Sensors (Class 2) (5 Power/rnd): <4>
* Navigational Sensors (Class 2) (5 Power/rnd): <4>

Flight control:
* Autopilot (Skill 1, Coordination 1) (1 Power/rnd): <4>
* Navigational Computer (1 Power/rnd): <0>
* Inertial Dampening Field (Primary) (3 Power/rnd): <4>
* IDF (Backup) (3 Power/rnd): <1>
* Attitude Control (1 Power/rnd): <1>
* Communications system (Class 1) (2 Power/rnd): <2>

Tractor beams
* Ventral 1 (Delta emitter) (30 Power/rnd): <12>
* Ventral 2 (Delta emitter) (30 Power/rnd): <12>
* Ventral 3 (Delta emitter) (30 Power/rnd): <12>
* Ventral 4 (Delta emitter) (30 Power/rnd): <12>

Transporter:
* 2 Pads: <1>
* Emitter/Receiver (Class 1) (1 Power/rnd): <1>
* Class A Coils: <1>

Cloak: none

Security Systems
* Rating: N/A (Leverage enhancement rotational equipment is included as desired by onboard personnel)
* Anti-intruder systems (1 Power/rnd): <2>
* Internal Force Fields (1 Power/rnd/3 strength): <2>

Science Systems: None (removed to make room for tractor beams and Auxiliary reactors)
Weapons: None (removed to make room for tractor beams and Auxiliary reactors)
T/A/TS: None (removed to make room for tractor beams and Auxiliary reactors)
Shields: None (removed to make room for tractor beams and Auxiliary reactors)
Autodestruct: None (removed to make room for tractor beams and Auxiliary reactors)

SU Used: 314
Remaining: 186


With two of its four Ventral Tractor beams operating at full strength, the twenty-ton Cargo shuttle is capable of carrying up to 15 million tons into orbit. Admittedly it only has .2 m/sē leftover acceleration in an Earth-like gravity field, meaning it will take half an hour to go from planetary surface to 300 km altitude, but the two additional tractor beams are there. This is capable of carrying the entire cargo from a NXGL-15M freighter from ground to orbit and back by itself.

The other use for this shuttle is in terraforming operations. Able to support up to 9*10^18 people with its life support, the Auxiliary reactors are used to support the Terraforming Life Support system, allowing the system to exchange the entire atmosphere of a Class M planet in one day. Heavier atmospheres will take longer, though the primary problem for the colonists is the Mach 1.4 winds occuring around the shuttle's location.

With heavy lift capability, and excellent atomspheric conversion capacity, this shuttle is an excellent addition to Federation colonization services.