List of alternative ship scales

This page describes ship scales that differ from official lore.

Overview[]

In The Expanse, scales of spaceships are explained in concept art and Force Recon.

However, the actual concept art, also final and official 2D and 3D models, as well as on-screen scales for final models, do not match those descriptions.

This page lists the analysis of official lore and estimated ship scales.

Analysis Method[]

Scale Example:[]

Inside of airlock frame there is docking bridge frame, inside docking bridge frame there is door frame, inside door frame there is door.

Door height: 200 - 205 cm sides, 210 - 215 cm middle.

Universal door height standard (shuttering size) 200.5 cm, unless purposely specified and visible other, like in submarines (water pressure), or different purposes doors.

Shuttering size in vacuum (as visible) is 5 to 10% higher due to standard use of space suits, also unless purposely specified and visible other.

Door height is The Constant in scale equation.

Between Ships Proportions Example:[]

This scale comparison (blurry, shows Light Frigate's ventral side, hides its airlock) shows scale (height/length) proportion betwen Light Frigate 46m and Light Cruiser 89m to be 1.935, while if consider size necessary for airlock to fit Light Cruiser (mid dorsal, between red arrows marked) where it fits, scale proportion is 2.82 to 2.92 presuming that same-purpose airlocks (especially inside of same navy) are all very similar size (unless visible other), because doors and docking bridges are same/similar size (production, spare parts, compatibility), and if there is a size difference between doors and docking bridges, it still will be rather small size difference and they will be larger for higher classes (larger ships), not the other way around. But higly likely the sizes are the same, thus in this 1.935 scale proportion, airlock from Light Frigate is way too large for Light Cruiser. Meaning if Light Frigate 46 meters, then Light Cruiser 129 to 134 meters.

As for determining the real size itself and for each individual ship, use Scale Example.

Sizes and Proportions PDC guns[]

Point Defense Cannons are high pressure, smoothbore, low rate (12 - 18 rounds per second) fire 40mm guns. With improved accuracy (no gravity/air resistance in vacuum), achieving maximum muzzle velocity (starting between 50 to 60x longer barrel than caliber diameter) eliminates the need for high rate fire, and with six, instead one or two barrels (high/mid rate fire configuration for stated rate fire), barrel becomes ultra low rate fire, what additionally prolongs durability and prevents overheating (no air molecules to transfer the heat) in addition to cooling system which can be joint, or separate for each barrel.

MCRN practices the latter, and the assembly with the cooling system is what we see as "barrel" outter diameter, while caliber diameter 45% (+ / - 2) outter diameter.

MCRN PDC guns stand on light turrets for purpose of retracting, which by misconception is described as combat protection, while as statement contradicts itself, especially due to PDC chambers not additionally armored, thus retracting serves the purpose of protection from "space junk and dust", and it is pre-configuration for stealth capabilities.

Guns also come equipped with different sizes magazines, noticeable by positioning of "the magazine belt" (closer to the middle, smaller the magazine), with smallest by MCRN factory standard, added to smallest ship types like Morrigan-class and Corvette-class, largest (double "magazine belt") to largest like Donnager-class, while in-between sizes added to in-between ship types by military classes hierarchy. For non-factory standard applications, each size magazine can be added to guns of each ship type, because all ship types use same type gun.

Donnager-class seems not to have retractable guns, instead drums protected by added light armor plates, or has PDC chambers of a different build/type, as PDC frames for standard PDC chambers shared by other MCRN ship types, are not anywhere to be seen.

Nariman Dynamics 40mm PDC size: 4.06 - 4.19 meters length.

MCRN outter frames for PDC chambers are not all same sizes, instead overall size can vary up to 20% and is determined by robustness and depth (horizontal height, length and width) of the frame, while PDC chamber hatches and inner frames made for retracting same sizes PDC guns, for compatibility, should be, but not necessarily are of same dimensions. Differences between sizes of outter frames can be spotted and measured, between other, primarily by the amount and size of hull plate used on the frame.

UNN PDC guns are not retractable due to non-stealth doctrine (capabilities) of the Navy, thus have larger, heavy turrets serving as protection for vital components, like drum of the gun, targeting equipment and magazines. All that somewhat increases sizes of gun assemblies mounted on vessels.

Redfield Ballistics 40mm PDC size: 4.4 - 4.6 meters length (older version up to 10% longer).

Mikazuki Munitions PDC (seemingly joint cooling system) size: 5.2 - 5.4 meters length.

Bush Shipyards Hypercooled PDC size: Turret + Gun 7.6 - 8.5 meters length. These type guns built specifically for Amun-Ra-class have large turrets mounted behind guns, with likely additional purpose of, at least partially hiding inside turrets during stealth manuevers.

Missiles Types and Type Variations[]

Alternative Scale[]

Ship	Official Scale	Alternative Scale	Analysis
Donnager-class (TV)	475.5 meters^[1]	528 - 548 meters, 255 000 - 285 000 tonnes	Complicated scale due to sheer size. Measured from cargo bay ceiling height consisting of 14 large (visible human scale) storeys
Corvette-class	46 meters^[2]	64 - 66 meters, 2500 tonnes	Door height in proportion with ship's height
Morrigan-class	31 - 33.5 meters (depending on source)^[2]	44.5 - 46.5 meters, 1400 tonnes	Door height in proportion with ship's height
Unidentified light cruiser class	89 meters^[3]	180 - 189 meters, 32 000 tonnes	Scale by ship's own design proportions, airlocks, PDCs, scale with the Chetzemoka, Tycho/Free Navy repair skiff and Ceres station docks
Unidentified heavy frigate class	66 meters^[3]	95 - 96 meters, 8500 tonnes	Door height in proportion with ship's height
Granicus	46 meters^[3]	98 meters	Door height in proportion with ship's height
Tynan	36 meters^[3]	48 meters + antenna	Door height in proportion with ship's height, scale with Medina station docks
D-class	109 meters^[3]	189 - 191 meters, 25 500 tonnes light	Proportion with average MCRN PDC frame
Scirocco-class (TV)	200 meters^[4]	260 - 270 meters 88 000 tonnes,	Proportion with standard MCRN PDC frame
Razorback	20 meters^[5]	24.5 - 26 meters, 200 - 250 tonnes	Door height in proportion with ship's height
Mowteng	36 - 48 meters (depending on source)^[3]	58 meters	Door height in proportion with ship's height
Dewalt	53 meters^[3]	66 meters	Door height in proportion with ship's height
Bashi Bazouk, Jotunn	32 meters^[3]	43 meters	Door height in proportion with ship's height
Amun-Ra-class	61.5 meters^[6]	116 - 123 meters, 16 000 tonnes	Scale with Khonsu-class shuttlecraft, and airlock
Khonsu-class	8 meters^[2]	11 - 12 meters	Human scale
Leonidas-class / UNN unidentified cruiser class	270 meters	270 meters (250 meters + antenna) (450 meters + antenna) 70 000 tonnes	Enough to fit UN One, scale with PDCs, scale with Corvette-class (Abandoned scale with Fred Johnson, "Back to the Butcher" only example)
Truman-class (TV)	376 meters	476 - 500 meters, 250 000 - 260 000 tonnes	Complicated scale due to sheer size. Proportion with the (minimum/average) size of 40mm six-barrel PDCs with back-mounted turret-domes
Belt Transit Ferry, Lazy Songbird, Amberjack and Pizzouza, Seung Un	110 - 115 meters (depending on source)	233, 265 meters and 128, 115 meters	Scale with tycho manufacturing accelerator tug (automated version of repair skiff), scale with breaching pods, scale with the Tynan, and design self-proportions
Galt, Saberhagen, Golden Bough ship and Sulaiman Al Mahri	66 meters	83 meters, 115 meters and 233 - 265 meters	Same model as Pizzouza, Seung Un, Amberjack and others, although different configurations are noticeable by placements of outer support structures and compartments connections (between reactor/lower compartment on the bottom and ops/bridge/upper compartment on the top) depending on outter compartments lengths, which reduces/increases overall length, without changing the width significantly or at all
Azure Dragon (TV)	107 meters	138 - 147 meters	Door height in proportion with ship's height
Chetzemoka	75 meters	94 - 97 meters	Door height in proportion with ship's height, scale with Tycho station docks
Nauvoo (TV) / Behemoth ((TV) / Medina station (TV)	2160 - 2460 meters (depending on source)	No less than 2460 meters	Nauvoo no less than 2580 meters with the statue on top
Canterbury	750 - 1000 meters (depending on source)	700 meters (575 meters for same type Ice Haulers like Giambattista (TV) with no engines upgrade)	Scale with Knight
Nathan Hale-class	252 - 290/310 meters presumed	approx 270 meters, 42 000 tonnes	Proportion with the (average) size of 40mm six-barrel PDCs with back-mounted turret-domes (UNN PDC gun). Due to lack of appearance and details, estimated scale is incomplete
MCRN Stealth C ballistic missile platform	83 meters	141 meters	Configuratiom of ten large silos each housing one ultra heavy long range carrier missile each carrying twenty aeroballistic missiles with multiple megatonnes warhead each, reveals the size.Airlock is also visible, and can be used for scale, in case of which, puts the platform at about 141 meters (83 meters width).
Knight	20 meters	17 - 19 meters	Airlock and human scale
Zmeya	61 meters	84 meters	Scale with fore hangar bay doors and missile launchers
UN One		58 meters length, 57 meters wingspan, 21.5 to 22 meters folded wings, 110 tonnes	Scale with side windows (2 meters length/width)
Lauber, Scrappy Belter Ship		66 meters	Scale with airlock and breaching pod, ship type scale with Tycho station docks
Edward Israel	210 meters	292 - 295 meters	Although scale should be with RCE heavy lift shuttle (47 - 52 meters) and RCE light shuttle (9 meters) and thus more accurate, in this case same scale proportion (not necessarily accurate) with Corvette-class as that between stated/claimed "official" scales was used
Guy Molinari	121 meters	168 - 171 meters	Same scale proportion (not necessarily accurate) between the ship and Corvette-class by stated/claimed "official" scales was used
Sojourner		455 - 480 meters	Approx scale by base-hull of this model Colony ship - Colony transport shared with Canterbury, Giambattista (TV) and other ice haulers
Weeping Somnambulist		192 - 198 meters	Docked with Rocinante, ship is approx/very close to 3× longer (higher)
Inazami		79 - 81 meters	Scale with airlock and with the Tynan
Black Sky ship	60 meters	81 meters	Scale with Tycho station docks
Matar Kubileya ship - Matar	71 meters	96 - 105 meters	Scale with Tycho station docks
UNS Hasami, Arboghast	40 to 43 meters (depending on source)	45 - 48 meters diameter	Human scale with Hasami
Xinglong		19 meters	Type vessel seen used by different crews, for different purposes in multiple occasions. Scale with Medina station docks
Y Que	10.3 meters	18 - 21 meters	Minimum size necessary for craft of that proportion between length and body width to have just minimum enough room inside for a single pilot in horizontal configuration. In case of vertical orientation (which isn't likely for these types craft) it would have to be additional 45 - 50% overall minimum, unless proportions of the craft changed (wider in proportion to height)
Guanshiyin	205 meters	305 meters approx	Stated/claimed "official" scale in scale proportion with Razorback makes the Razorback only 16.5 - 17 meters, thus the Guanshiyin has to be about 20% larger just to fit proportions created by stated/claimed "official" scales, while with "alternative" size of the Razorback (real scale, measured by the height of the door in proportion with the height of the ship), the Guanshiyin becomes additionally 20 - 30% larger. Alternative scale section is approx, due to necessity for more accurate measurements
L-Type Dropship, Chariot-Type Dropship	17 meters	21 - 23 meters length (about 17 meters wide), 10.5 - 11.5 meters height, 80 - 100 tonnes	Scale by height of the door/entrance point (Ramp Doors)
Tycho station	700 meters radius	700 meters diameter (more accurately 735 meters)	Scale by configuration of station's docks (docking clamps, airlocks). Habitat Ring 105 meters of which 65 meters are docks
Anderson station	270 meters radius	270 meters radius (presumed)	450 - 500 meters diameter is minimum necessary for creation and "effortless" (minimum cost/resources over long time period) sustainability of low Spin Gravity (approx 0.3G or/and less), which would be required even as part of low quality work environment for case of continuous employment of this type
Thoth station	approx 1000 meters radius	approx 1000 meters diameter	Scale with Corvette-class and Amun-Ra-class
Tycho Repair Skiff, UNN Repair Skiff, Tycho Manufacturing Accelerator Tug	13.4 meters, 9.1 meters, 13.4 meters	16 - 23 meters	By placements of airlocks and their size compared to crafts, all various crewed construction skiffs are between 16 - 17 and 21 - 23 meters, while automated Accelerator Tugs instead of crew cabin, have additional working equipment added which, as seen on Ceres Station, can also be, amongst other, additional thruster/drive mounted on top (no need for Tug to flip), that somewhat increases their overall size
Epstein's yacht	16 meters		By design proportions, in horizontal and vertical configuration both, the yacht has to be 50 - 70% (40 - 45% minimum) larger to have room for 3 person cabine(s) and cockpit (flight room/deck) as shown it has. Since airlock/entrance point still hasn't been identified on the ship, which identification would be reliable and accurate base for scale measurements showing the exact scale, "alternative" scale section is left empty
Scopuli	153 meters	103 - 113 meters	Scale with Knight and breaching pods
UNN escort ship design	104 meters	90 - 94 meters 7000 tonnes	Scale is 104 meters only if guns on the ship are larger than size we see with average UNN PDC guns
Belter Skiff	32 meters	60 meters approx	Ship used during Free Navy boarding assault on UNS Hasami Scale with ship's airlock and by interior decks/storeys configuration blueprint (hologram) provided
Luna Shuttle	23 meters	23 - 25 meters	Scale with shuttle's airlock (official scale for this case is rather accurate)
UNN unidetified ship type		120 - 130 meters, 16 500 tonnes	Approx only scale with PDC guns (average UNN size) which are not easy to clearly identify, except in one or few close shots we have, where we can see that guns are approx/similar size as sigils on the ship's hull located in proximity of the guns, thus using more easier to spot and identify sigils, we can apply scale by proportion of the ship with average size UNN PDC guns. More accurate (if possible) measures needed
Barbapiccola			Determining more accurate scale of the ship depends on determining the size of visible containers it carries, which likely are (usually are) of average, between 8 and 12 meters size (length)
Belter Pirate Ship	32 meters^[3]		Ship doesn't exist, or design ended up unused
Shandian	Unknown	44 - 46.5 meters, 1480 tonnes	Doesn't exist as class (production model). It is Morrigan-class, of which one unit modified for stealth carried the name Shandian