Solar Observatory Group/Sandbox

Solar Observatory Group
Founded		10 October 2068
Parent Organization		United Nations
Headquarters		Shen Kuo Observatories Cluster, Daedalus Region, Luna
Type		United Nations Specialized Agency
Roles		Astronomy Astrography Space traffic control Impact detection
Size		48,133 individual members
Mottos		In starlight, peace

The Solar Observatory Group (SOG) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that coordinates astronomical research, space surveys, space traffic control, and impact detection between the UN's member states and territories. Known simply as the Observatory, the SOG was founded in 2068, subsuming the International Astronomical Union, the Minor Planet Center, and the 34 national member organizations of the International Spacewatch Group.

The SOG is headquartered at the Shen Kuo Observatories Cluster (SKOC), a multi-functional installation on the far side of Earth's moon Luna; the SOG also operates hundreds of other office, laboratory, or observation facilities across the Sol and Alpha Centauri systems, with observation posts scattered across the breadth of current human exploration.

Solar Traffic Coordination (SOLTR)

Solar Traffic Coordination, abbreviated to SOLTR (pronounced 'solter'), is the Observatory's universal identification, tracking, collision avoidance, and navigation system for space objects. SOLTR is the Observatory's single largest and by far most visible program; every detected object in its eight operating systems above a certain size threshold — even those unknown, unregistered, or illegally obtained — is assigned a temporary SOLTR track by the Observatory and logged within a central database. Once an orbital/trajectory track is established, or one is provided by a trusted agency, a permanent SOLTR ID is assigned to the object.

With its temporary track and permanent ID sections combined, the Observatory's Solar Traffic Coordination stores the spatial coordinates, characteristics, and expected positions of many tens of millions of objects, ranging in size from tiny pieces of space debris a centimeter wide to entire Sol Defence Corps battleships.

SOLTR ID

A permanent SOLTR ID consists of three universal alphanumeric components, separated by dashes — a four-letter system code, a ten-digit incrementing numeric identifier, and a three-letter type code. If multiple SOLTR tracks permanently merge, the resulting SOLTR track's ID is reset, with a new SOLTR ID created and its type code adjusted accordingly; previously occupied SOLTR ID slots are then filled as the need arises.

SOLTR IDs are designed for the precise identification and tracking of millions of individual objects by computer systems, autopilots, spaceguard drones, and collision avoidance systems, communicating to find and avoid danger faster than any human operator. Owing to their length and unwieldiness, SOLTR IDs are not generally used by captains, pilots, and traffic controllers in normal communication, instead replaced by COSPAR IDs or simple and clear callsigns.

System Code

Prior to the first successful warp journey in 2100, the ID consisted of only a identifier number and a type code; following the advent of interstellar travel, the SOLTR ID system was prefixed with a 4-letter system code to differentiate space objects detected (or originally launched) in separate planetary systems. As of 2116, nine system codes exist.

Code	System
UNCL	Unclassified
SOLA	Sol
ACTR	Alpha Centauri
TRPT	Trappist (TRAPPIST-1)
HLET	Helet (HD 85512)
HEZE	Heze (Zeta Virginis)
BLNA	Bellona (Delta Pavonis)
GLRY	Gliese 667
MRNR	Mariner (HD 28185)

Numeric Identifier

Each SOLTR-tracked object is assigned a 10-digit identification number that increments within its system code and type code — for example, within the type code STN (Station), SOLA-0000000001-STN is SDCSS Selene, SOLA-0000000002-STN is Zvezda Volkova, and ACTR-0000000001-STN is SDCSS Proxima.

Type Code

Appended to the end of a SOLTR ID's numeric identifier is a 3-letter type code, categorizing space objects into more useful lists. Certain type codes, like CSC (civilian spacecraft), are automatically allocated more tracking priority by the Observatory — others, like STR (star), mostly function as technical placeholders. As of 2116, 13 type codes exist.

Code	Type
UNC	Unclassified
STR	Star
PLT	Planetoid
ATR	Asteroid
CMT	Comet
SDB	Space debris (<1cm)
MDB	Space debris (1-10cm)
LDB	Space debris (>10cm)
LSA	Lander/shuttle/auxiliary
USC	Unregistered spacecraft
CSC	Civilian spacecraft
MSC	Military spacecraft
STN	Space station