Feb 2110
Procyon AS-5 - preliminary mineral survey
Although only a small slice of the planet is observed (1/120 progress), it quickly becomes clear that the planet has quite a variety of minerals present on the surface. In addition to iron and copper small amounts of minerals compounds with Titanium, Silver, Nickel, Tin, Zinc, Germanium, Cobalt, Cadmium, Gold, and Aluminum as major components are found. Although these outcroppings are spread over the scanned surface, their presence even in small amounts is a hopeful sign of mineral wealth.
Procyon AS-4
This green-blue ice-gas giant has a strong magnetic field and is much more massive then originally thought. Five more small moons under 5km in length are found and evidence indicates most or all of the moons were likely captured recently from wandering comets and planetoids. Although staying and researching the moons of this world would give a wealth of scientific information, focus is put on studying the two large moons with comparable Earth gravity. It is clear they are both likely planets pulled into the gravitational area of this world. The ice giant has an almost circular orbit with only 0.007 eccentricity so movement of moons around the planet has a much stronger effect on variants on heat then time of year. The orbit is 787 days long, currently nearing it's aphelion.
Procyon AS-4b
While this planet has superficial similarities to Mars, it is quite different when looked at closely. The atmosphere is much thicker then originally estimated thanks to extensive vulcanism likely provided by tidal forces from the gas giant. The atmosphere's primary constituents are nitrogen, carbon dioxide, methane and argon. Sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide and particulate dust make up detectable trace elements of the atmosphere. Temperature ranges are slightly higher then estimates from around 0 C to -45 C on average.
The global storm observed previously is still occurring, with four separate storm systems across the planet. A hurricane appears to be occurring around the 'southern' pole which receives the most sunlight, the hurricane has occurred continuously for almost a month. The most calm area is the extremely cold 'northern' pole which never receives daylight due the planet's high inclination.
Over half the planet is covered in ice, with subsurface seas clearly evident thanks to significant volcanic activity on the planet. Four active volcanoes are detected under the ice with another three on the ice free areas. As far as can be seen the surface is the result of significant volcanic, tectonic and glacial activity leaving the surface to be extremely unstable and filled with canyons and cliffs similar to what is found on Earth, but covering most of the planet. The glacial covered areas are no better, shaped into wild forms by the extreme weather conditions.
The planet has a grey surface with oxygen and silicon as primary constituents, otherwise it appears mineral poor. Iron and magnesium are minor contributors with estimates that other elements may be rarer. The planet has no resident magnetic field although it is well within the magnetosphere of it's parent so receives little solar radiation.
Procyon AS-4c
This larger moon has a thin atmosphere composed of argon, carbon dioxide and methane. Hydrogen, helium, sulfur compounds and neon make up minor contributors under .01%. There are rather strong winds with a global weather system contrasting the icy and rocky areas of the surface, however storms appear localized and short lived, containing primarily ice crystals and dust. Temperatures can range as high as 19 C, however most of the time they are well below freezing. The ice contains high concentrations of fluorine, chlorine and bromine compounds, as should the underground oceans which almost certainly exist.
Cryovolcanoes similar to those found on Enceladus exist around the planet's equator, although no surface volcanoes are seen on the rocky areas. Less then 20% of the surface is visible rock, although these areas are black and red colored thanks to the high carbon and iron content of the planet. Other elements are likely rare as well, at least close to the surface, as the minerals seen are almost uniformly iron oxides, carbon and silicon oxides in various forms.
The glacial surface is relatively flat and the rocky areas have crater impacts visible, indicating a much slower turnover of the surface. Otherwise the surface is about as varied as Earth, with canyons and mountains, flat plains and hilly areas. Most have been well worn down evenly by erosion.
One unusual feature is that the moon has higher then expected radiation at it's surface, the interaction of the magnetic field of the moon and planet may be allowing extra solar radiation in that would otherwise be deflected.
Event
As the ship passes the planet's magnetosheath it hits an unpredicted area of high energy particles. Thanks to an attempt to slow down in order to stay in the system longer for observation, the main thruster takes the brunt of the radiation, it shuts down completely until passing much closer to the planet. While part of the crew looks over data on the planet, repair teams check over the damage and find that large parts of the delicate magnetic coils have been damaged. The system might be enough to land near Procyon AS-4, but will require extensive repairs to be useful on an interplanetary scale.
The motion of Procyon AS-4c combined another solar flair are blamed for the unexpected accident.
The majority of the crew are severely divided with those who are providing leadership, they blame them for the accident and wasting time with exploration when there are several perfectly good places that could have been landed on. Insistence that choosing an ideal place is worth the time fall on deaf ears and despite the flurry of activity the mood of the crew is clearly falling. They still maintain professional attitudes most of the time even while heated arguments break out on down time.
Choose one or more (where they make sense):
A. Land on a moon in the Procyon AS-4 planetary system
B. Land on another planet (repairs strongly suggested)
C. Survey another planet or moon (repairs strongly suggested) (morale roll at -10)
D. Make temporary repairs to the Magnetoplasmadynamic Thruster (-.3 basic and advanced parts, maintenance roll)
E. Make extensive repairs to the Magnetoplasmadynamic Thruster (-.6 basic and advanced parts, maintenance roll at +10)
F. Other suggestions (probes and other things)
Edit: Hidden rolls, woooo, also I have been making minor grammar and writing changes as I read back over this, but nothing mechanical. If anything is unclear just ask.
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Topic: Outpost: Outcast [Heart of Sky] (Read 37891 times)