Yes, TL13 "living metal" structures don't need access space for that
reason. VE 18.
And even at earlier TLs, 'Cyberswarms' (from GURPS Robots) can
perform some maintenance work with very minimal access space
(the microbots are about the size of small insects). Of course,
with their limited effective skill levels and tools they really
cannot effect any major repairs, but they should be able to do
routine maintenance within specific components.
that sounds right. Especially with Robotic hulls, where the control pathways
are included.
Another thing to consider is that with sufficient skill level
several maintenance intervals can be fairly routinely skipped,
(at -3 penalty per each skipped interval). At higher TLs, neural
net skill programs running on military spacedock computers may
well have skill levels way above 20+ or so.. The thing is,
a large organization like a military only needs to get its hands
on just one high-skill neural net program - It can then be copied
and used everywhere within that organization.
that does explain some kids Scifi shows where the vehicles are stored apart,
and they come together in an Action Sequence(tm)
This could also work with Traveller's "annual maintenance" plan, but is
inconvenient for most other universes to stop the ship for a week while it
is disassembled.
Also, having automated hardware and droids disassemble and put
back together an engine is way, way cheaper than having a team
of human mechanics do it, so this might be a viable option for
a state-of-the-art starfighter.. It would be possible to have
several sets of modular components for each fighter in storage,
so that the fighters would be grounded for maintenance for
the minimum possible amount of time.
Like in computer games where you buy "Mark III laser" unit, and can simply
swap it in a shop.
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