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[10ebbor10]

So if low-thrust engines like the VASIMR engines can only use 100kg of fuel per year (but could presumably do this for every year of the journey), what are the mechanics of doing so for a long journey?

Depends on what kind of long Journey you want to do. You can do interplanetary ones, but not taking of and such. For the mechanics I think the ship can depart as soon as it has gathered 50% of the thrust it needs. (By using a gravity sling to store the momentum and such).

[RulerOfNothing]

Seeing as low-thrust engines can't actually launch things into space from Earth's surface, where does that leave kingfisher1112 and Kashyyk's designs that have VASIMR engines?

[10ebbor10]

Seeing as low-thrust engines can't actually launch things into space from Earth's surface, where does that leave kingfisher1112 and Kashyyk's designs that have VASIMR engines?

Technically they can launch, but they are going to be extremely inefficient till they are decently upgraded.

[Toaster]

Unless they're the second stage of a two-stage system.

Or he has a orbital shipyard constructing them.

[Nirur Torir]

((I decided to call the Explorer II shuttles (1) (2) and (3). Toaster has (1), while (2) is docked at the station and is the only one with a docking system.))

CHASE

Liang Chou had smoothly taken over command of CHASE. His first goals involved independence: Both for the space station from as many expensive supply launches as possible, and from DWARF's launch vehicles. They were adequate, but CHASE needed a specialized launch vehicle. A safer method of upgrading or repairing the station would also be helpful; he didn't like risking the taikonauts on spacewalks multiple times per year.

Research:
Lab 1st floor (Propulsion Expert): XL Safe Thruster fuel efficiency. ($2000)
Lab 2nd floor: Cargo Clamp's ability to not lose cargo.
Lab 3rd floor (Shaiming Hu): Tripod RC repair drones. Each leg is about half a meter long. Two of the legs have electromagnets for staying on the station and locomotion. One electromagnet leg should be specialized on keeping it attached to the station, even if the drone is trying to catch vehicles or supplies. One electromagnet leg should be able to grasp and help with repairs while not walking. The third should be easily replaceable by a taikonaut while in the station for whatever tool best suits the job. The drones should have camera, and only need to have a few dozen meters of radio range.
If my station's not magnetic, just use claws or something. If the drones just aren't possible at this time, upgrade my 10m fuel tank capacity instead.
Lab 4th floor (Specialized for space stations) (Yi shing): Water recycling system's effect on supplies

Design & Production
Refit Explorer Mk II shuttle (3) with a docking bay after its second mission of this turn. ($300)

Construction
None.

Missions:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Crew 1: Tiruin and Taikonaut 7
Crew 2: Taikonauts 6 and 8.
Crew 3: Taikonauts 6, 7, and 8

My launch 1, Crew 3, Explorer II (2) without docking system, delivery in Mao Kongjianzhan's vicinity. Max payload: 1185kg
Large station hull piece with two docking systems: 1180kg ($2000)
Supplies: 5kg

My launch 2, Crew 3, Explorer II (3) without docking system, resupply mission to Mao Kongjianzhan's vicinity. Max payload: 1185kg.
Supplies: 1185kg

[NOTE: The above payloads have a higher priority than Toaster's. If one fails, please repeat it as one of Toaster's missions.]

Toaster launch 1, Explorer II (1) without docking system, delivery in Mao Kongjianzhan's vicinity. Max payload: 1185kg
Space Lab, first half: 800kg (Make Toaster pay for it.)
3 solar cells: 300kg ($750 + $150 S&H = $900)
Supplies: 85kg

Toaster launch 2, Explorer II (1) without docking system, delivery in Mao Kongjianzhan's vicinity. Max payload: 1185kg
Space Lab, second half: 800kg (Make Toaster pay for it.)
3 solar cells: 300kg ($750 + $150 S&H = $900)
Supplies: 85kg

My launch 3, Crew 2, Explorer II (2) with docking system, crew swapping and station upgrade mission to Mao Kongjianzhan. Max payload: 672kg
Launch is to take place three months into the turn.
Supplies: 100kg
1 solar cell: 100kg ($250)
[Set of three suit tanks only if the old ones aboard the station cannot be refilled on the station and are empty]
Old station personnel will undock as crew 2 adds the research station, bring in supplies, and replaces them. The space suits [and tanks if still there] will remain on the station. Install the solar cell only if the research lab is otherwise ready for use
Explorer II (3) will return to Earth with Tiruin, Leader, and Scotonaut Whatever.

[If launch 3 fails, repeat the attempt.]

My launch 4, Crew 1, Explorer II (3) with docking system, crew swapping and resupply mission to Mao Kongjianzhan. Max payload: 672kg.
Launch will be 9 months into the turn.
Supplies: 600kg
Crew 2 on Explorer II (2) will get the supplies inside before returning to Earth.

[If launch 4 fails, promise $500/each in hazard pay for crew 2, as well as medical treatment.]

[If Explorer II (2) or (3) need repairs, spend up to 7500 on them and continue the launch schedule. If repairs would be too money or time intensive, or a shuttle is destroyed, bring the station-bound shuttle down with the station crew ~2 weeks or so before the next launch is scheduled.]

Total payload:
Large station hull piece with two docking systems
Space lab
7 solar cells
1870kg of supplies
[Set of three suit tanks if needed]


Station:

Expected supply usage:
750kg from three crew first quarter
1500kg from two crew second, third, and fourth quarters.
894kg stored + 2060kg to be delivered.
704kg expected to be stored.

Taikonauts:
Tiruin and Taikonauts 6, 7, and 8 will not be training to improve their skills between station stays.
If Taikonauts die in the line of duty, give $1000 to their families.

Other:
Aerospace department investment (year 2 of 5) ($1000)
Use PR on the first crew swapping mission.
Press conference when the ex-leader returns. $2000

Total expenses: $(8300 + 4050[missions] + supplies)

[Toaster]

I approve of the payments and launches I'm listed as making.

[adwarf]

What I'm going to make will be complex, also i was wondering if I could use it to manufacture weapons for Britain without my own blueprints?

[10ebbor10]

What I'm going to make will be complex, also i was wondering if I could use it to manufacture weapons for Britain without my own blueprints?

If you want to profit it, it is going to  need commercializing. If you want to make weapons, you need to research them. Britain has their own weapon factories.
Also this game is called The Space race and not the Arms race.

[adwarf]

I'm just going to use the factory to produce advanced weapons for my ships, excess I'll sell to Britain to make some money for the Space Program

[Nirur Torir]

How does it further your goals to spend all your money on a weapons factory right now, when you don't have any tech to use it, and doing so cost too much for you to fully use your lab time next turn?
It's not a good idea to leave your third research slot unused. If you really would rather use the money elsewhere for some reason, sell the lab time.
If improving a design costs as much as starting a new one, then your turn would use more money than you have. (I'm not sure how much improving a design costs.)

[10ebbor10]

How does it further your goals to spend all your money on a weapons factory right now, when you don't have any tech to use it, and doing so cost too much for you to fully use your lab time next turn?
It's not a good idea to leave your third research slot unused. If you really would rather use the money elsewhere for some reason, sell the lab time.
If improving a design costs as much as starting a new one, then your turn would use more money than you have. (I'm not sure how much improving a design costs.)

Improving a design costs as much as designing a new ship. It also can't solve structural problems. ( Ie the fact that it's way to heavy to reach even low orbit).

[SoHowAreYou]

What would happen if I sent out a scientist or Eagle to give a science lecture at the local elementary school?

[10ebbor10]

What would happen if I sent out a scientist or Eagle to give a science lecture at the local elementary school?

I roll a PR check. A roll determines the result. A really bad roll would be you falling down the stairs and being unable to do something next turn. (Since you don't have any prestige to lose) a good roll results in a minor Prestige bonus ( 1-2 max).

[SoHowAreYou]

Ok then on second thought have eagle go teach tell all the little school children about the world of tomorrow.

[10ebbor10]

Ok then on second thought have eagle go teach tell all the little school children about the world of tomorrow.

Centralising your turn in one post. (Preferably with some bolded text) makes it way easier for me to run turns.