Remote Sensor Probes

Remote Sensor Probes, sometimes referred to as either Orbitals, or Whiskers, are small (relatively speaking) spherically shaped autonomous remote sensor probes designed to help ships of exceptionally large size to better, and more easily. navigate through areas of high traffic, or confined spaces, by increasing the bridge crew, with a more detailed and accurate picture of the immediately area around the ship. These probes are also used to scan the exterior of the ship for faults, failures, cracks, or other information necessary for the proper, and safe, operations of such large vessels.

Remote Sensor Probes are only ever used when a ship is at sublight, as none of them are capable of FTL speeds, nor can they operate, or survive, inside an FTL flight bubble. Remote Sensor Probes are also used on smaller ships, such as battleships, destroyers, and numerous different types of civilian ships, for many of the same purposes. They're also used quite extensively in search and rescue operations in areas that are too tight or confined for larger vessels, where regular sensors can't penetrate, or where it's too dangerous to send in manned ships due to a wide variety of reasons. They are also used, in a limited number of cases, as early warning devices in places where security is tight.