Every starship must include a set of essential components to ensure it operates effectively and safely. These basic systems are crucial for the fundamental functions of any vessel, from navigation and communication to maintaining structural integrity and power management.

This basic equipment occupies five slots in a small craft, or ten slots in a starship. The increased volume for starships is due to the additional equipment needed for FTL navigation, and greater access to compartments for maintenance on long cruises.

The following is a list of the basic equipment required for all small craft and starships.

Function: Essential for piloting and navigation.
Details: Includes flight control interfaces, navigation systems, and autopilot capabilities.

Function: The brain of the ship, managing all systems and data processing.
Details: Handles operations, diagnostics, system integration, and provides computational power for various tasks.

Function: Provides the necessary energy to power all systems and equipment on the ship.
Details: Includes power generation for all basic equipment and control systems for the power plant itself. Other equipment that requires large amounts of power will include additional power plant volume to supply the required energy. You won't need to determine individual power needs separately.

Function: Protects the ship from external threats and environmental hazards.
Details: Constructed from durable materials to withstand impacts, radiation, and extreme temperatures. Includes structural reinforcements.

Function: Protects the crew and sensitive equipment from harmful radiation.
Details: Includes shielding materials and technologies designed to block or absorb various types of radiation.

Function: Controls the ship's orientation and stability in space.
Details: Small thrusters positioned around the ship to adjust pitch, yaw, and roll.

Function: Stabilizes the ship's movement and aids in maintaining course.
Details: Gyroscopic systems that provide rotational stability and assist in navigation adjustments.

Function: Facilitates communication with other ships, space stations, and planetary surfaces.
Details: Includes subspace transmitters, long-range communication arrays, and encryption/decryption systems.