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Description
"As plans for the initial exploration of Meios were set down, it went without saying that all journeys to the planet would have to be automated; the conditions were simply too extreme to attempt any human landing. This required an entirely new outlook on mission elements - these would not be limited to data collection, but would ultimately have to be responsible for any task the researchers required. These would become not only their eyes, ears and hands to a pristine alien landscape, but could well become their first envoys to the sapient Meiosians."

Ponhatac Sakdeav,
Ministry of Xenological Resource Administration,
From Briefing Assessment A102, Ryear 9997

The aquatic vector provided the least problems for probe designers, as these were to face the most familiar conditions of all machines sent to the planet surface. The increase in pressure was not too far beyond what deep-sea-trench craft on Earth and other worlds had already faced, and it was more the heat of the water than the force exerted that troubled engineers working on what would come to be known as Introspection class probes.

What was settled on was the Introspection class prove; a tried-and-true missile-like shape provides minimal forward cross-section, hence minimizing drag, while swiveling engines can be paired opposite one another to create couple moments about the central axis, allowing the ship to spin on a dime. Together these give rise to a fast and maneuverable vessel, allowing it to chase down even the most nimble creatures of the deep and scoop them up with its sling-like net. Theoretically, the Introspection could carry specimens larger than its onboard storage containers, but the sub-like vessel does not try; these would be denied water the second the probe docked back with the carrier.

That being said, the probe's size does block it from more compact sites of interest, and it is to this purpose that the Introspection carries a menagerie of mini-probes with their own sample collection abilities. It is capable of more delicate duties on its own; with diverse sensor arrays and complex manipulators, it can distinguish and safely analyze brittler materials, gently taking in its surroundings and evaluating them for study.

Description
"As plans for the initial exploration of Meios were set down, it went without saying that all journeys to the planet would have to be automated; the conditions were simply too extreme to attempt any human landing. This required an entirely new outlook on mission elements - these would not be limited to data collection, but would ultimately have to be responsible for any task the researchers required. These would become not only their eyes, ears and hands to a pristine alien landscape, but could well become their first envoys to the sapient Meiosians."

Ponhatac Sakdeav,
Ministry of Xenological Resource Administration,
From Briefing Assessment A102, Ryear 9997

The aquatic vector provided the least problems for probe designers, as these were to face the most familiar conditions of all machines sent to the planet surface. The increase in pressure was not too far beyond what deep-sea-trench craft on Earth and other worlds had already faced, and it was more the heat of the water than the force exerted that troubled engineers working on what would come to be known as Introspection class probes.

What was settled on was the Introspection class prove; a tried-and-true missile-like shape provides minimal forward cross-section, hence minimizing drag, while swiveling engines can be paired opposite one another to create couple moments about the central axis, allowing the ship to spin on a dime. Together these give rise to a fast and maneuverable vessel, allowing it to chase down even the most nimble creatures of the deep and scoop them up with its sling-like net. Theoretically, the Introspection could carry specimens larger than its onboard storage containers, but the sub-like vessel does not try; these would be denied water the second the probe docked back with the carrier.

That being said, the probe's size does block it from more compact sites of interest, and it is to this purpose that the Introspection carries a menagerie of mini-probes with their own sample collection abilities. It is capable of more delicate duties on its own; with diverse sensor arrays and complex manipulators, it can distinguish and safely analyze brittler materials, gently taking in its surroundings and evaluating them for study.