Astrological / Planetary Classification System
Classification Overview
The planetary classification system is a field shorthand used by Federation science teams to summarize a world's habitability, survey risk, biosphere complexity, strategic value, and environmental volatility. Numeric class alone does not define a planet completely; it is paired with descriptors such as wanderer, quarantined, inhabited, cryogenic, industrial, or ruin world when a planet requires special handling.
Field Usage
Science teams use the classification line to decide what kind of first-response package is required: orbital-only probes, sealed survey suits, biological containment, diplomatic clearance, cold-weather equipment, industrial hazard gear, or military escort. A Class XIV forest world and a Class XIV postwar colony may require entirely different landing protocols, which is why every dossier also carries threat index, field access, and mission relevance data.
Operational Modifiers
Common modifiers include Quarantined, Restricted, Frontier, Ruin World, Gas Giant, Cryogenic, Industrial, Capital, Extradimensional, and Post-Infestation. These modifiers override routine survey assumptions and should be treated as command-level warnings rather than decorative labels.
Survey Caution
Classification records are living documents. Worlds affected by Phazon exposure, meteor impacts, autonomous military systems, dimensional instability, terraformation, or hostile occupation may change class after new field evidence is received.