Ringo

The Ringo (pl. Ringos; also Ringo-Raumer or Ringoraumer) is the ubiquitous disc-shaped small spacecraft of the Terran stellar empire. Appearing in 53 of 99 booklets, the Ringo is the single most frequently referenced vehicle class in the entire saga of Die Terranauten. Versatile, rugged, and produced in enormous quantities, Ringos serve as shuttles, lifeboats, combat craft, couriers, planetary landers, and general-purpose auxiliary vessels. They are carried aboard virtually every major starship in the saga and are operated by every significant faction -- from the Gray Guards and the Kaiser Corporation to the Terranauts, the League of Free Worlds, and the IWF.

Design and Construction

The Ringo is a disc-shaped (diskusformig) spacecraft of relatively compact dimensions. The basic hull form is a flattened disc or saucer, a design that provides structural strength and allows for atmospheric re-entry. Individual Ringos are typically identified by the name of their parent vessel followed by a numeral (e.g., CYGNI-Eins, JAMES COOK Eins, STEELFIST-Drei, REGENT-Neun, IRMINSUL-One).

Manufacturer

Ringos are produced by the Kawasaki-Ringo Corporation (German: Kawasaki-Ringo-Konzern), a major industrial conglomerate led by Jorge Huan. The corporation is also referred to as Kawasaki-Ringo, Kunststoff-Produkt-AG. Its Manag, Pankraz Paklew, sits on the Council of Corporations, reflecting the economic importance of Ringo production. The ships are developed by "countless Techno-Arbiters" and produced at the corporation's shipyards, indicating large-scale industrial manufacturing. The spaceport at Port Tankred was planned to accommodate 500 Ringo-class schooners, giving some sense of the production volume.

Key Components

• Ringo-Triebwerk (Ringo drive) -- The standard propulsion system used for interplanetary travel. Ringos are capable of both atmospheric flight and space transit, though they typically rely on a parent vessel for interstellar journeys through Space II.
• Ringo-Ball / Ringoball -- The spherical control device used to pilot a Ringo spacecraft, manipulating the drive rings.
• Ringohangar -- The dedicated hangar bay aboard larger vessels (such as the STORTIS) where Ringos are stored and launched.
• Onboard laser -- Ringos carry at least one laser weapon system for defense and combat.
• Weapon systems -- Combat variants mount heavier armaments including torpedoes.
• Landing gear -- Retractable landing struts for planetary surface operations.
• Airlocks -- Standard personnel airlocks for docking and EVA operations.
• Propulsion system components -- Various thrust and maneuvering elements including damaged-vulnerable subsystems.

Variants and Designations

Over the course of the saga, several distinct Ringo variants and subtypes appear:

Standard Ringo (Ringo-Raumer)

The baseline model used as a shuttle, lifeboat, and planetary lander. Described variously as "small, fast feeder ships" (Booklet 001), "small spacecraft used for planetary landings and transfers between ships" (Booklet 002), and "a small, spherical auxiliary craft used for transport to planets" (Booklet 067). Capable of carrying a crew and passengers for short-to-medium-range operations.

Kampfringo (Combat Ringo)

Armed combat variants of the standard Ringo, specifically outfitted for military operations. Described as "combat versions of the Ringo spacecraft, occupied by Gray Guards." These are the Ringos that pursue fleeing ships, intercept hostiles, and provide close air/space support. In Booklet 038, two Kampfringos track the SONNENWIND after the Lodge's escape from Taschkanur.

Garden-Ringo (Garde-Ringo)

A variant specifically associated with the Gray Guards. Described as "a Ringo (disc-shaped spacecraft) used by the Gray Guards." This designation likely refers to Guard-standard military configuration.

Kaiser-Ringo

Ringos operated by or associated with the Kaiser Corporation. The KAI-907 is a named Kaiser-Ringo stationed at the spaceport on Syrta, commanded by a dedicated Kapitan.

Gross-Ringo (Large Ringo)

A larger variant of the standard Ringo design. Referenced in the glossary as standing on a "repaired energy anchor," suggesting these are used for heavier transport or extended-range missions.

Ringokurier (Ringo Courier)

A specialized variant optimized for fast message delivery and small-cargo transport between systems and stations.

ConTon Ringos

Ringos belonging to the ConTon corporation, one of the commercial operators maintaining private Ringo fleets.

STERNENWOLF

A named Ringo-class ship used by Chan de Nouille and David terGorden during the climactic events on Earth (Booklet 079), demonstrating that some Ringos serve as personal command craft for high-ranking individuals.

REGENT-One / REGENT-Neun

Named Ringos associated with Max von Valdec's flagship REGENT. REGENT-One is used by Valdec himself as an escape craft (Booklet 068), while REGENT-Neun is commanded by Queen Shetzan (Booklet 067).

Tactical and Strategic Roles

The Ringo fills an extraordinary range of roles across the saga, reflecting its status as the standard small craft of the Terran stellar empire:

Shuttle and Transport

The most common role. Ringos ferry personnel between ships and planets, transport delegations to meetings, carry supplies, and serve as general-purpose utility craft. Examples include transporting the Terranauts to Sarym (Booklet 040), carrying Morgenstern, Myranda Llan, and Can Katzenstein to negotiate with the Krisaners (Booklet 067), and shuttling David terGorden and Narda to the CYGNI (Booklet 047).

Combat Craft

Kampfringos serve as the primary short-range combat vessels of the Gray Guards and other military forces. They pursue fleeing ships, intercept unauthorized traffic, and enforce blockades. In Booklet 038, combat Ringos track the SONNENWIND after its escape. In Booklet 010, Ringos serve as "Guard combat ships" on Luna. In Booklet 044, an OUTPOST Ringo fires torpedoes at escaping Terranauts.

Lifeboat and Escape Craft

When larger ships are destroyed or disabled, Ringos serve as lifeboats. In Booklet 093, Silent Chorp and surviving Terranauts escape the destruction of the JAMES COOK in a Ringo. In Booklet 068, Morgenstern and the Electronic Assassin escape the REGENT in a Ringo. In Booklet 099, Zarkophin and Chelskij attempt to flee Earth in a Ringo during the Eco-Shock.

Reconnaissance and Exploration

Ringos are used for scouting planetary surfaces and investigating unknown phenomena. In Booklet 055, teams from the CORTES use Ringos to explore the Wreckage Nebula and the planet Glimmer. In Booklet 069, an IWF crew uses a Ringo to investigate COSMODROM Plato III.

Planetary Operations

On worlds like Rorqual, Ringos serve as ground vehicles and atmospheric craft. In Booklet 051, David terGorden uses a Ringo to search for the seeds of Yggdrasil, flying over a chaotic landscape before being attacked by creatures and crashing.

Conference and Meeting Venue

Larger Ringos can serve as meeting spaces. In Booklet 071, Cantos meets with David terGorden, Asen-Ger, and Llewellyn 709 aboard a Ringo to discuss the increasing Kaiser Force flights.

Orbital Logistics

Ringos are launched from planets to bring Lodges aboard Orbital Freighters, serving as the primary interface between planetary surfaces and orbiting vessels.

Operators

Gray Guards

The Gray Guards are the most prominent military operators of Ringos. Their combat Ringos (Kampfringos) are a persistent threat throughout the saga, pursuing Terranauts, enforcing Council edicts, and conducting combat operations. Gray Guard Queens frequently command individual Ringos: Queen Astavan (Booklet 079), Queen Shetzan (Booklet 067), and Queen Myra (Booklet 067) are all documented Ringo commanders.

Terranauts

The Terranauts adopt Ringos as their primary auxiliary craft once they begin operating captured or allied starships. They use Ringos for rescue missions (the PSI-Search to Aqua in Booklet 033), combat operations (the Finstermann raid in Booklet 075 with a four-Ringo group commanded by Shifty McSmart), and general transport throughout their campaigns.

Kaiser Corporation

The Kaiser Corporation operates its own Ringo fleet, including the Kaiser-Ringo designation (KAI-907). Max von Valdec personally uses Ringos as escape craft on multiple occasions, including fleeing the REGENT (Booklet 068) and attempting to escape the Reality Switch (Booklet 097).

IWF (Interstellar Federation)

The IWF's internal security service operates Ringos for intelligence and transport missions. In Booklet 069, a Ringo crewed by Roger Kruschen, Naomi de Lisle, Enrique Rilla, and Consy Reid is sent to investigate COSMODROM Plato III.

League of Free Worlds

Ships of the League of Free Worlds carry Ringos as standard auxiliary craft, using them for planetary operations and inter-ship transfers.

Commercial Operators

Corporations such as ConTon and the Kawasaki-Ringo Corporation itself operate private Ringo fleets for commercial purposes.

Driver Pirates

Independent operators and pirate crews use Ringos. The STORTIS carries a Ringo in its dedicated hangar (Booklet 081), piloted by Jeng-Jeng for planetary landing operations.

Key Events Involving Ringos

Early Saga (Booklets 001-010)

Mid-Saga: Alliance and Conflict (Booklets 011-050)

Late Saga: Civil War and Beyond (Booklets 051-099)

Countermeasures and Weaknesses

Despite their ubiquity, Ringos are far from invulnerable:

• PSI Powers: David terGorden destroys a pursuing Ringo using raw psionic force in Booklet 004. The PSI-Net on Arioch causes a launched Ringo to explode (Booklet 062).
• Conventional Weapons: Torpedoes, laser fire, and Atar-class space fighters can destroy Ringos. The OUTPOST Ringo is destroyed by "a mysterious ray-shaped object" (Booklet 044).
• Hostile Flora: Semi-intelligent plant life on Glimmer destroys a Ringo (Booklet 055). Cosmic Spores disable and destroy Ringos on Maranyn (Booklet 069) and during the Eco-Shock on Earth (Booklet 099).
• Kaiser Force Effects: Kaiser Force flashes and transitions can disable or destroy Ringos caught in their path (Booklet 068).
• Environmental Hazards: Ringo crashes are relatively common, whether caused by hostile creatures (Booklet 051), atmospheric conditions, or combat damage.
• Booby Traps: Valdec rigs a Ringo with a bomb containing the antidote and Ebberdyk's family (Booklet 049), demonstrating that Ringos can be weaponized against their own crews.

Cultural Significance

The Ringo is so pervasive in the Terran stellar empire that it has generated its own vocabulary:

• Ringoanflug -- "Ringo approach," the standardized docking/landing approach procedure
• Ringoflug -- "Ringo flight," a general term for any Ringo mission
• Ringo-Staffel -- "Ringo Squadron," a tactical formation of multiple Ringos
• Ringohangar -- The dedicated bay for storing Ringos aboard larger ships
• Unglucksringos -- "Unlucky Ringos," a colloquial term referencing crashed or ill-fated Ringo craft

The existence of a dedicated corporation (Kawasaki-Ringo Corporation) with a seat on the Council of Corporations underscores the Ringo's central role in the economy of the stellar empire. The planned construction of Port Tankred for 500 Ringo-class schooners gives some indication of the vast scale of Ringo operations.

Notable Named Ringos

See Also

• Kawasaki-Ringo Corporation -- Manufacturer of Ringo spacecraft
• Gray Guards -- Primary military operators
• Terranauts -- Rebel faction that adopted Ringos
• Kaiser Corporation -- Corporate operator of Kaiser-Ringos
• Kampfringo -- Combat Ringo variant
• Garden-Ringo -- Gray Guard Ringo designation
• ConTon Ringos -- Corporate Ringo fleet
• Ringo-Ball -- Ringo control device
• Ringo-Triebwerk -- Ringo drive system
• Ringo-Staffel -- Ringo squadron tactical formation
• Space II -- Hyperspace dimension (Ringos typically require parent vessels for transit)
• Kaiser Force -- Alternative drive technology
• STORTIS -- Pirate vessel with dedicated Ringohangar
• JAMES COOK -- Terranaut vessel carrying named Ringo JAMES COOK Eins
• REGENT -- Valdec's flagship carrying multiple named Ringos
• Pankraz Paklew -- Manag of the Ringo corporations