Docking Ring

Docking rings are a entry and exit point of planetary space lift.

Description
Orbiting planetary docking rings provide smaller ships a controlled entry and exit to/from planet's atmosphere. Docking rings open up when the docking sequence is initiated. Their appearance is similar to atmospheric flight goggles. The right-side ring serves planet-bound traffic and the left-side ring serves traffic leaving the planet to space. Docking rings also have defensive turrets mounted on them to engage hostiles foolish enough to venture too close.

Mooring Fixture
Larger vessels such as Transports, Liners and Capital Ships are too big to fit through the docking rings so they need to use a mooring fixture located above the docking rings. From there the pilots or crew take a shuttle down to the planet's surface. Mooring fixtures have no defensive capabilities but instead rely on those of nearby docking rings and planetary security.