Excited about the possibility of a MISC Explorer.
I wonder what features it will have to set it apart from the Carrack, really hope its not just a MISC version of the Carrack but has something unique/compelling about it that sets it apart (not just the style).
--Maybe some part of it separates for exploration/emergency situations?
--Included space for hydroponics/garden/specimens?
--Some experimental type of engine/system with its own Pros and slight Cons
--Some kind of special heat shield that allows it to get closer to stars than other ships? (maybe this will allow only this ship to land on certain moons/planets that are too hot for others?)
Who knows!
The best theory I have is that based on lore & a few ships, MISC has worked with the Xi'an, so it might have some Xi'an features that would cater to a different niche of exploration in a size larger than the DUR.
I'm not a fan of MISC ships in general, and the only BIG ships I like have small crew requirements... but I'm a sucker for ARGO and their utilitarian ships. This year, I may reach Space Marshall.
If you reach Space Marshal this year, then congrats in advance. If not, congrats when you finally do.
I think I'll be a little miffed if it upstages the Carrack as a top-tier exploration ship. . . so instead I'm hoping for something that's more along the lines of a mini-Endo science vessel!
From my perspective, what makes the Carrack the top tier Exploration ship is its combined features & game play, but also that it has heavy armor to survive in extremely hazardous environments. So even if this MISC ship ends up larger than expected, it might not be superior by having less features or survive-ability.
Carrack was already sold as top tier, so its not going to undo that.
Its probably something Connie sized, long range, fast QT, space for a vehicle.
Based on how Jared was hinting at big, I'd guess somewhere between a Cat & the Carrack in length.