Yesterday I wrote about the HUGE mining/processing ship. First I apologize, the name was not Belt Strike, Belt Strike sounded familiar. I've since looked up my copy the correct name is Nyotekundu Sourcebook. Its from GDW's 2300 series.
The mining/processing ship is 1500 meters long and has a inside core (bore?) of 50 meters. It looks like a cannon barrel with a rotating habitat ring near the back. In this case ice chunks are brought in to the rear (breach) and melted, then case into a manageable size and fired towards the desert world.
On the receiving end there would have to be something to stop the pellet, and I think a breaking thruster would work well. It could be fueled using liquid hydrogen from an ice asteroid and the thruster could be given commands and guided into a stable low orbit by something like NASA control or maybe Freedom Station, and a shuttle as part of its satellite launch duties retrieves the pellet. The refurbished thrusters could be returned to the processing ship by a resupply ship on a regular food and parts mission.
I'm picturing this ship being used in today's world, does anyone know the dimensions of the space shuttle's cargo bay and the maximum cargo return weight?
Also does anyone have the FF+S stats for an ore processor, I have seen one in Gurps Starships, but I would prefer to use one from CT or MT or one from someones TNE Home Rules.