My first month was quite successful
Due to time constraints we didn't manage to develop AI good enough to make Oculus drones cooperate nicely and act like one big AI, but still they can transmit radio and\or optic signals to the Hiram space station. It's computers should be able to analyze the whole picture and inform friendly ships about pirate activity
We developed a nice if a bit expensive set of sensors. Surely we'll use it for future designs, too
I am proud of hull designed, it should be the first 95% plastic drone, ever. And it's made from the most inexpensive and widely available plastics I could find. The only disadvantage that I was forced to cover them with thin ceramic reflective coating to protect it against melting on the sun.
Installing micro fusion reactors is almost impossible, so we used the most logical option for power generation: solar panels
We failed to develop propulsion system that would fit nicely and don't cost more than rest of the drone, so it was decided to have none
The best thing is that Marten liked the design and promised that 100 oculus drones will be made next month
Our second project have seen some nice progress, too. This girl is really a genius and with my assistance she made state of the art planer for Valhalla project and nice 2000m3 hull is basically finished. It's complex to make (0.5 IC) but very durable
To my disappointment I failed to design a fusion generator with desired characteristics. Those corvette-sized fusion reactors are tricky to design especially when you need to save cargo space and account aerodynamic shape. I may try again or think about another energy sources
Engine progress is going slowly, while I know that laser powered jet engine will work, it's quite complex technology for a such backwater planet. Also, Tara said that one should be an idiot to not use conventional jet engines on planet that is rich in oil and oil products and declined to assist me in the main engine design.
We didn't touched auxiliary engines design at all, as this is too early to do that. But both rocket boosters and ion engines should be trivial to design later
Max proposed to make the ship automated, to save space needed for pilot and life support
From other news, I learned that we'll get an election this month and most likely government that I'll get a new set of ministers to work for.