MM-1 MiningMech

MM-1 MiningMech
Production information
Manufacturer
Use	IndustrialMech
Class
Technical specifications
Mass
Chassis
Armor
Engine
Speed	km/h
Armament	3 drilling lasers, rock cutter, drill
BV (1.0)	???

Description

Simply called the MiningMech, the MM-1 is a standard humanoid IndustrialMech designed for asteroid mining in zero-g.

Capacities

For zero-g operations, the MiningMech is equipped with zenith and nadir camera displays for the views directly above and below the 'Mech. It is equipped with a rock cutter assembly in the right arm resembling a sharply angled "T", a bulbous triple drill in the left arm and a trio of head- and chest-mounted mining lasers which are too weak to be considered weapons. A built-in analysis system (called "Assay") determines the vapor of the medium being worked on and gives a warning if the drilling lasers encounter ice (which might cause a steam eruption).

The 'Mech is armored to protect it against meteor strikes and debris; its surface is typically polished silver to achieve improved visibility on sensors.

In zero-g operations, using the rock cutter as a pike to brace against torque while drilling was reported as "the number one cause of downtime for the MiningMechs".

Variants

• MM-1S MiningMech: The MM-1S variant replaces the treads on the MM-1 with an anchor system, with a sensor system in the foot pads determining whether to use electromagnets, grapples or both to hold the 'Mech firmly to any surface. The feet are visibly outsized.

Notes

The mass of 35 tons is deducted from conjectural information from the story Pirates of Penance:

• When it first appears in the story, it is thought to mass 35 to 40 tons (p. 7);
• A (70-ton) Grasshopper is described as having "about twice the size" of the MiningMechs(p. 18);
• Yet later the MiningMech is referred to as "an extra thirty tons of mass" (p. 69), however at that time it has already lost the rock cutter assembly and amputated the right arm.

References

• Pirates of Penance