Editing Thermal Sensor (section)

==Overview==
Thermal sensors work by detecting and tracking objects which give off thermal signature, such as [[engine]]s on enemy ships and missiles, or the population on colonies. A Thermal Sensor is a passive sensor, which means that it gives you situational awareness without giving away your position. However, its contacts cannot be used by the Fire Control for targeting - you need an [[active sensor]] contact for that. 

The range at which a contact can be detected is given by: 
 [[CSharp|C#]] range = SQRT(Passive Sensor Strength * Target Signature ) * 250,000 km
 [[VB6]] range = Passive Sensor Strength * Target Signature Strength * 1000 km 
 Passive Sensor Strength = Size * Thermal Sensitivity tech

Larger sensors are more useful in both versions of the game, but smaller sensors are much more powerful in C#, and larger ones are much more powerful in VB6. 
 
Like all electronic systems, thermal sensors are vulnerable to [[High-Powered Microwave]] attack.