Original Publication: Miller, Marc W. Electronically Exploring the Traveller Universe, Challenge Magazine, Issue No. 26, pp.24-25.

 

Editor's Notes: This document is a compilation of basic data from a variety of Traveller sources for the interpretation of world data codes. It accompanied an article and sample code describing the first standardized format for Traveller UWP data interchange, and is presented here verbatim.

Since the original publication of Traveller the term Universal Planetary Profile (UPP) has gradually been replaced with Universal World Profile (UWP) to disambiguate from Universal Personality Profile (UPP). Circa 2009, most extant documentation refers to UWP exclusively.

Many changes have been proposed or introduced to later de-facto updates to the format since the original publication, most notably the inclusion of world names as an initial field, and PBG codes which provide the Population Multiplier, number of Asteroid Belts, and number of Gas Giants respectively, replacing the simple G code for Gas Giants. Many other codes have been introduced, and the trade classification/remarks field is generally considered extensible.

 

Errata: The allegiance codes Jl and Jr appear to be swapped; Jr was the allegiance code used for the Julian Protectorate in Atlas of the Imperium, although this may also represent a later change. Trade classification codes nAg and nIn violate the clause up to five 2-letter trade classifications; although nAg and nIn are found in print, all electronic files have used Na and Ni respectively.

Standard Format

The Standard UPP Format for worlds saves basic data generated in accordance with world generation rules in Traveller.

All data for a sector is contained in one file (if disk space or available memory precludes it all being in one file, two or more may be necessary). Each record in the file is one world UPP.

Each record is divided into six fields:

Hex Location: Bytes 1-4. The hexagon location of the world within a sector map. Values range from 0101 to 3240.

UPP: Bytes 6-14. The actual generated UPP. Byte 6 is starport type; byte 7 is world size; byte 13 is always a hyphen (-); byte 14 is tech level.

Bases: Byte 16. A single code letter for any bases in the system.

Trade Classifications: Bytes 18-32. Up to five 2-letter trade classifications can be held in this field. Each classification is separated from the others by a space. If it possible to generate some of these trade classifications from the world UPP, but they are computed and included as part of the world data to allow quick scanning and analysis of the data.

Allegiance: Bytes 33-34. A 2-letter code for the interstellar government which claims the allegiance of the world.

Travel Zone: Byte 36. If the world is travel zoned, then this field holds the letter A (for Amber) or R (for Red).

Gas Giant: Byte 38. If the system has one or more gas giants, then this field has a G.

Tradeworld: Byte 40. Reserved for later use.

Explored?: Byte 42. Reserved for later use.

Data Formats

The information produced by the Imperial Interstellar Scout Service is provided in specific formats in order to allow quick and easy access to the data.

Data is grouped by Sectors, corresponding to sectors of the Imperium and of surrounding space.

Data Codes: The data in the UPP and in associated fields is coded to hold the maximum amount of information. This guide shows the basic interpretation of the codes used.

World UPPs

World UPPs (Universal Planetary Profiles) are constructed of eight discrete digits or characters in order to provide a quick readout of the basic information about the world. Each segment of the UPP is one digit or character. The data is presented in the following order:

World UPP Components

Code Description
Starport Type of starport facility on world.
Size World diameter (in units of 1,600 kilometers).
Atmosphere World atmosphere type.
Hydrographics World surface covered with water (in tenths).
Population Exponent of intelligent population.
Government World government type.
Law Level Degree of oppression by law.
Technological Level Level of technological achievement.

Starports

Code Starport Type
A Excellent Quality. Refined fuel available. Annual maintenance overhaul available. Shipyard capable of constructing starships and non-starships present. Nava base and/or scout base may be present.
B Good Quality. Refined fuel available. Annual maintenance overhaul available. Shipyard capable of constructing non-starships present. Naval base and/or scout base may be present.
C Routine Quality. Only unrefined fuel available. Reasonable repair facilities present. Scout base may be present.
D Only unrefined fuel available. No repair facilities present. Scout base may be present.
E Frontier Installation. Essentially a marked spot of bedrock with no fuel, facilities, or bases present.
F No Starport. No provision is made for any ship landings.

Starport indicates the best quality starport in the star system.

World Size Data

Size Diameter Mass Area Gravity Esc. Vel
1 1,600 .0019 .015 .122 1.35
2 3,200 .015 .063 .240 2.69
3 4,800 .053 .141 .377 4.13
4 6,400 .125 .250 .500 5.49
5 8,000 .244 .391 .625 6.87
6 9,600 .422 .563 .840 8.72
7 11,200 .670 .766 .875 9.62
8 12,800 1.000 1.000 1.000 11.00
9 14,400 1.424 1.266 1.120 12.35
A 16,000 1.953 1.563 1.250 13.73

Size is the size code from the Universal Planetary Profile (UPP) and expresses the diameter of a world in approximately 1,600 km units (or 1,000 mile units). Diameter is in kilometers. Mass is in Earths (Earth=1) and assumes a density similar to Earth (5.5 grams per cubic centimeter). Area is in Earths (Earth=1). Gravity is in Gs (Earth=1). Escape velocity is in km per sec.

Atmosphere

Code Description
0 No atmosphere. Requires vacc suit.
1 Trace. Requires vacc suit.
2 Very thin. Tainted. Requires combination respirator/filter.
3 Very thin. Requires respirator.
4 Thin. Tainted. Requires filter mask.
5 Thin. Breathable.
6 Standard. Breathable.
7 Standard. Tainted. Requires filter mask.
8 Dense. Breathable.
9 Dense. Tainted. Requires filter mask.
A Exotic. Requires special protective equipment.
B Corrosive. Requires protective suit.
C Insidious. Requires protective suit.
D Dense, high. Breathable above a minimum altitude.
E Ellipsoid. Breathable at certain latitudes.
F Thin, low. Breathable below certain altitudes.

Atmosphere type shows the general character of the atmosphere for a world on its surface.

Hydrographics

Code Description
0 No water. Desert World.
1 10% water.
2 20% water.
3 30% water.
4 40% water.
5 50% water.
6 60% water.
7 70% water. Equivalent to Terra or Vland.
8 80% water.
9 90% water.
A 100% water. Water World.

Hydrographics shows the percentage of world surface covered by seas or oceans.

Note: If atmosphere type is A or above, fluid may be present in place of water.

Population

Code Description
0 Few or no inhabitants.
1 Tens of inhabitants.
2 Hundreds of inhabitants.
3 Thousands of inhabitants.
4 Tens of thousands of inhabitants.
5 Hundreds of thousands of inhabitants.
6 Millions of inhabitants.
7 Tens of millions of inhabitants.
8 Hundreds of millions of inhabitants.
9 Billions of inhabitants.
A Tens of billions of inhabitants.

Population shows a rough statement of population level for a world.

Government Type

Code Description Allegiance
0 No Government Structure.
1 Company/Corporation.
2 Participating Democracy.
3 Self-Perpetuating Oligarchy.
4 Representative Democracy.  
5 Feudal Technocracy.  
6 Captive Government/Colony.  
7 Balkanization.  
8 Civil Service Bureaucracy.  
9 Impersonal Bureaucracy.  
A Charismatic Dictator.  
B Non-Charismatic Dictator.  
C Charismatic Oligarchy.  
D Religious Dictatorship.  
E Religious Autocracy.  
F Totalitarian Oligarchy.  
G Small Station or Facility. Aslan.
H Split Clan Control. Aslan.
J Single On-world Clan Control. Aslan.
K Single Multi-world Clan Control. Aslan.
L Major Clan Control. Aslan.
M Vassal Clan Control. Aslan.
N Major Vassal Clan Control. Aslan.
P Small Station or Facility. K’kree.
Q Krurruna or Krumanak Rule for Off-world Steppelord. K’kree.
R Steppelord On-world Rule K’kree.
S Sept. Hiver.
T Unsupervised Anarchy. Hiver.
U Supervised Anarchy. Hiver.
V    
W Committee. Hiver.
X Droyne Hierarchy. Droyne.
Y    
Z    

Government shows the basic governmental structure for a world.

Law Level

Code Description
0 No prohibitions.
1 Body pistols, explosives, and poison gas prohibited.
2 Portable energy weapons prohibited.
3 Machineguns, automatic rifles prohibited.
4 Light assault weapons prohibited.
5 Personal concealable weapons prohibited.
6 All firearms except shotguns prohibited.
7 Shotguns prohibited.
8 Long bladed weapons controlled; open possession prohibited.
9 Possession of weapons outside the home prohibited.
A Weapon possession prohibited.
B Rigid control of civilian movement.
C Unrestricted invasion of privacy.
D Paramilitary law enforcement.
E Full-fledged police state.
F All facets of daily life regularly legislated and controlled.
G Severe punishment for petty infractions.
H Legalized oppressive practices.
J Routinely oppressive and restrictive.
K Excessively oppressive and restrictive.
L Totally oppressive and restrictive.
S Special/Variable situation.

Law level indicates basic legal status and shows probability of harassment by local enforcers.

Technological Level

Code Description  
0 Stone Age. Primitive.  
1 Bronze, Iron. Bronze Age to Middle Ages
2 Printing Press. circa 1400 to 1700.
3 Basic Science. circa 1700 to 1860.
4 External Combustion. circa 1860 to 1900.
5 Mass Production. circa 1900 to 1939.
6 Nuclear Power. circa 1940 to 1969.
7 Miniaturized Electronics. circa 1970 to 1979.
8 Quality Computers. circa 1980 to 1989.
9 Anti-Gravity. circa 1990 to 2000.
A Interstellar community.  
B Lower Average Imperial.  
C Average Imperial.  
D Above Average Imperial.  
E Above Average Imperial.  
F Technical Imperial Maximum.  
G Robots.  
H Artificial Intelligence.  
J Personal Disintegrators.  
K Plastic Metals.  
L Comprehensible only as technological magic.  

Technological level shows the degree of technological sophistication to be expected on a world.

Stellar Data

Stellar Data indicates the spectral class and size class of stars in the system. Up to three stars may be present and information shown on them.

Stellar Type

Code Description Temperature
B White 14,200-28,000
A Blue-White 8,000- 9,900
F Yellow-White 6,100- 7,400
G Yellow 4,700- 6,100
K Orange 3,300- 5,000
M Red 1,900- 3,800

Stellar type indicates the spectral classification of a star; colors are the essential perceived colors of the star’s visible light. Temperature is given in degrees Kelvin.

Stellar Size

Code Description Diameter
Ia Bright Supergiant. 52   - 3500  
Ib Weak Supergiant. 30   - 3000  
II Bright Giant. 14   - 1000  
III Normal Giant. 4.6 -  360  
IV Subgiant. 3.3 -   13  
V Main Sequence Star. 0.2 -   10  
VI Subdwarf. 0.1 -    1.2
VII White Dwarf. 0.006 - 0.018

Stellar size indicates the radius of the star expressed in solar radii and shows the relative differences to be expected.

Base Codes

Base codes show the presence of military bases in a system; special codes deal with the presence of more than one type of base within the same system in order to maintain a single base code letter per system.

Code Description Allegiance
A Naval Base and Scout Base. Imperial.
B Naval Base and Way Station. Imperial.
C Corsair Base. Vargr.
D Depot. Imperial.
E Embassy Center. Hiver.
F Military and Naval Base.  
G Naval Base. Vargr.
H Naval Base and Corsair Base. Vargr.
J Naval Base.  
K Naval Base. K’kree
L Naval Base. Hiver.
M Military Base.  
N Naval Base. Imperial.
O Naval Outpost. K’kree
P Naval Base. Droyne.
Q Military Garrison. Droyne.
R Clan Base. Aslan.
S Scout Base. Imperial.
T Tlauku Base. Aslan.
U Tlauku and Clan Base. Aslan.
V Scout/Exploration Base.  
W Way Station. Imperial.
X Relay Station. Zhodani.
Y Depot. Zhodani.
Z Naval/Military Base. Zhodani.

Base codes indicate allegiance and general mission or type.

Trade Classifications

Trade classifications indicate obvious or important characteristics for worlds defined by the world UPP. They serve to show the potential for a world based on its capacity as a source of trade goods, a market for trade goods, or both.

Trade Classifications

 

Code Description  
Ag Agricultural.  
As Asteroid Belt.  
Be Barren World.  
De Desert World.  
Fa Fascinating. Hiver.
Fl Fluid Hydrographics (in place of water).  
Hi High Population.  
Ic Ice Capped.  
In Industrialized.  
Lo Low Population.  
nAg Non-Agricultural.  
nIn Non-Industrial.  
Po Poor.  
Ri Rich.  
St Steppeworld. K’kree
Va Vacuum World.  
Wa Water World.  

Remarks

Code Description  
An Ancient Site.  
C0 Chirper Population (0-9 indicates tenths of population).  
Cw Chirper World. Chirper.
Cp Subsector Capital.  
Cx Sector or Regional Capital.  
Ex Exile Camp.  
D0 Droyne Population (0-9 indicates tenths of population).  
Dw Droyne World. Droyne.
Nh Non-Hiver Population. Hiver.
Nk Non-K’kree Population. K’kree.
Pr Prison World.  
Rs Research Station. Imperial.

Remarks are additional statements not considered to be trade classifications.

Additional Data

The additional data fields show the travel status (when known), the presence of a gas giant, and the allegiance of the system.

Travel Codes

Code Description  
R Red. Interdicted. Dangerous. Prohibited. Imperial.
A Amber. Potentially dangerous. Caution advised. Imperial.
G Green. Unrestricted. Imperial.
F Forbidden. Access prohibited. Zhodani.
U Unabsorbed. Access restricted. Zhodani.

Imperial travel codes are provided by the Journal of the Travellers’ Aid Society, and are used with permission of that publication.

 

Gas Giants: The code G indicates one or more gas giants present.

Allegiances

Code Description Sector (if less than one)
As Aslan (general designation).  
A0 Aslan Tlauku Clan (numbers 0-9 indicate Tlauku clan).
A- Aslan Clan (2nd letter a through z indicates specific clan).
Cs Client State (usually of the Imperium).  
Ch Chirper.  
Dr Droyne.  
Fa Federation of Arden. Spinward Marches.
Gf Glimmerdrift Spread. Glimmerdrift.
Gl Glorious Empire. Trojan Reach.
Hv Hive Federation.  
Jl Julian Protectorate.  
Jr Joint Action Confederation. Empty Quarter.
Im Imperium.  
Kk K’kree.  
La League of Antares. Antares.
Na Non-Aligned (independent neutral world without affiliation).
Ra Ral Ranta. Hinterworlds.
Sf Senlis Foederate. Trojan Reach.
So Solomani Confederation.  
Sw Sword Worlds. Spinward Marches.
Sy Sylean Federation. Core.
Va Vargr (general designation).  
V- Vargr (2nd letter a to z indicates specific allegiance).  
Ve Vegan Autonomous District. Solomani Rim.
Zh Zhodani Consulate.  
Z- Zhodani (2nd letter a to z indicates specific allegiance.).  

Allegiances indicate the government which dominates a system. Only selected allegiances are shown in this table.

References: The Traveller Book (GDW: 1982). Scouts, Traveller Book 6 (GDW: 1984). Merchant Prince, Traveller Book 7. Aslan, Alien Module 1 (GDW: 1984). K’kree, Alien Module 2 (GDW: 1984). Vargr, Alien Module 3 (GDW: 1984). Zhodani, Alien Module 4 (GDW: 1985). Droyne, Alien Module 5 (GDW: 1985). Solomani, Alien Module 6 (GDW: 1986). Hivers, Alien Module 7 (GDW: 1986).

 

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