I question, were we supposed to fight in the desert this turn...
while also getting some particularly devastating orbital bombardment
Stop bombarding us!
Project New DAWN- Defensive Assembly World Network(Wonder of Mereth, OR Mereth Space Infrastructure)
New DAWN is a massive undertaking, to most on-Merethian minds. Though the truth is it's been bandied about in one form or another for quite some time. It is best described as Built In Parts.
First, is ORION. Made up of a Five story Building containing the Core of New DAWN, ORION, the Ocean Radar Interstellar Observatory Network is capable of processing an absolutely stunning amount of calculations per second, able to calculate vectors, trajectories, flight paths, as well as having ORACLE's Predictive abilities tuned precisely to Space Calculations. It's capable of using the data it gathers to determine likely movements of the enemy, and calculate firing and interception solutions. Beyond that, it also holds the basic systems to run DAWN and the IRIS Satellites it will eventually control, and be able to add and aid other space assets in the future, as well as Magmagel Power for running during the time it will be unconnected to the Solaris System which will be added.
It is the definitive answer to space defense, but the ease of building DAWN is due to the Project's modularity. ORION is simply one part of the greater whole, if the most important.
The rest of the central module is the Thruster Adjustment System attached to ORION, the ICE-cooled Ceramics, and the GOFAST-M Rocket for lifting it all to Orbit from the Earth. This Rocket will detach once it's done it's job, and the Adjustable Thrusters will let ORION stay in Orbit for the time it needs to be built off of. Beyond which, beneath the ceramics there are ports ready to receive the superstructures.
This is effectively the Basis of New DAWN, which will serve as the center of this Infrastructure piece.
From here, we bring up pieces of metal to laser weld. The Basic layout is layers, with the metal being placed to form floors, and supports and walls added, along with Nanoseal Concrete to seal in the living layers, with Zephyr and BREATH.. From here on, we bring in HOPE to make these areas livable, and continue outward expansion until we have a number of floors open to space. These serve as the various Docks to receive Spacecraft. As well, we add thrusters above and below that will be able to keep the Spacestation up, and Electromagnets for holding docking Spacecraft in place. Last we add the Armor, mostly Ceramics atop Combat Plating to protect the living areas.
At this point, DAWN looks like a layered Cake, with empty space for the Docks, and the Center filled with the Living Areas and FIGS. A Solaris System has been added atop towers at the top of it, and the BOW is in the center of all this, with thrusters at the bottom of the DAWN keeping it aloft. We've also added in the computing components and Transceivers, and at the bottom lies Radio Antennae for communicating with earth. And at the top is plenty of empty space to add other Docking areas for any large spacecraft in the future, and mount missile silos.
From here atop DAWN, we can build stuff in space. We've got Elevators installed for moving between different levels and bringing up parts. Which leads to the last two projects.
The First, is IRIS, an Interstellar Radar Interdiction Satellite. These IRISes are made up of basic thrusters, Ceramics, ICE, Magmagel, Radar and Ladar, Radio communication, and computing akin to the various drones we've made. They are a communication network, and each contain a single Claw Turret for defense atop them, along with a Solaris System on Panels stretching out on two arms to catch the sun. These can be adjusted by their computer to catch the most possible sunlight at any orbital location. They also have cameras for recording, mostly the earth's weather below. Their most important task is delivering information to DAWN and ORION though, as they are numerous enough to easily spot everything.
Some IRISes actually have a full Satellite Disk instead of a CLAW. These are mostly to be dragged to the Moon's orbit to expand influence there, and send data back to DAWN. the fact they can also see anything coming to the moon and oversee the land of the Moon is a bonus. They're mixed in with the CLAW equipped IRISes, and usually act as commanders of the Network for their ability to recieve and transmit more information than the others.
Overall, an IRIS is about the size of a tank, and can be resupplied by Starknights, or dragged in for repairs.
The Second is The Launch Rails. Laser welded to the Top Deck and some parts of the top edge layer of the Lower Decks, these Launch Rails have an electromagnetic clasp to firmly hold a modified Shrike Missile. Due to the lack of gravity, placing them is fairly simple.
The modified Shrike(name pending) is a mass of Tungsten and Ceramic, making use of a Liquid Engine using GOFAST and holding both the Birdbrain and Transceiver, as well as a Ladar for targeting. Once programmed through ORION, they have their target, and are launched into the opposite orbit of their target. From there, they fly forth, and once close enough, aim true to strike with the full fury of it relative velocity compared to the target.
Other than that, they also have ICE Cooling and capacitors for their defense against heat, and electricity. Very simple, making use of orbital mechanics to destroy targets. Beyond that, ORION can give adjustment orders via IRISes nearby, and maintain connection with those missiles until impact.
One advantage of this set-up is that these missiles, should we have superiority in the orbital theater, can be turned to the Earth through ORACLE predictions. Or an ANGEL that has decided to close it's wings to us.
That is effectively the final report on Project New DAWN's building and capabilities. It is an Infrastructure-class Space station with a Sat Design for deployment, and a missile system making use of ORION's aim.
Basic 2-D Image of Completed DAWN. (Not including areas for storage/walls in Docks)
Repeat on all sides for 3-D image. Orion not Shown in 3-D Image due to being the Core of the Station. Final Image may differ.
Revision: DIANA- Dome Installation Assessing Native Areas
Effectively making use of DAWN, a DIANA node is a full HOPE structure, ready to be towed via starknights, and dropped on the moon. It comes with everything needed for a lunar home pre-built, and a Satellite Dish that can be set up outside.
These effectively allow us to set up long term points easily, and also come in Support Structures for storing items inside.
DIANA nodes come with everything in the HOPE package. As well, DUC has gotten to work on a glass-like plastic to allow actually dome towns to be set up. It's made of of dehydrated ICE derivitives, along with silicate and carbon. When struck, the panels crack and freeze over, greatly slowing any air loss, and sometimes outright stopping it. Along with a metal frame for the panels to be place in, Nanoseal Concrete and these Dusk Panels can make life very nice on the moon. Schedule your trip today~
This is effectively making use of DAWN to make HOPE Capsules, and then just drag them to the moon. Would definitely boost Region Rating, and the rate at which we can capture areas thanks to working with IRIS.
Granted, they could be made just by using ANGEL, as these are not military at all.
Just reposting DIANA, and DAWN. We really really need to take orbital advantage, cause it seems that it is going to be what kills us. A Infrastructure-class space dock/command facility is just the thing. That and this Space Dock means more ICE can be spent without worrying about having to reenter atmosphere.
Which is, admittedly, something I have said before.Might classify as a Wonder. The point is to create something that will act as a base for space operations.
Revision idea
Revision, The Scrap HeapThe Scrap Heap, despite it's name, is a massive cargo freighter. In space. It's made on DAWN's top decks, has multiple support structures to keep itself together, which in turn comes to a HOPE area for directing the ship and controlling the many SERFs and mechanically controlled loading equipment. As well as actually controlling the ships thrusters.
In practice, it has a front deck with DUSK Panels, engineered by DUC to freeze over when cracked, stopping a gas leak from occurring and giving a view of space. Behind this deck lies the control areas for the rest of the ship, with holograms and computers. This in turn leads to the exits and bedrooms. The Scrap Heap has a lot of room, and is quite comfy for long voyages.
The rest of it is mostly cargo space. Bunch of rooms, some elevators, and the outside of the ship being plated in ceramic atop steel. The jet engines are powered by GOFAST-M, meanwhile, taking up the entire back of the space cruiser. And on the sides are located a very good number of cargo-bay doors for any Spaceknights that need to dock with their goods.
The Scrap Heap was designed to do one thing. Carry a lot of cargo between DAWN and the Moon. Do so in comfort for the crew. And just generally be a big thing with a lot of cargo space that can get off the moon and land there. It doesn't actually have any weapons. It was built entirely for Space Transport of cargo, be that raw materials or gear and supplies for the moon.
Needless to say, it does have one defense. That is having room to carry Firestorm pilots and resupply their Firestorms which they
can carry. Along with a very good LIDAR detection system. They are also capable of converting some of the cargo space into a HOPE-space pretty quickly for greater personnel transport when on DAWN.
Oh, and they were made to spec. That is, they are meant to cost around 6+ ORE to build and maintain, along with Magmatite and oil costs. Given they aren't built to deal with reentry, this is pretty significant investment. The more cargo space it can have, the more it can carry from DAWN to the moon and back. Which Starknights can then bring to Earth.
Rather obviously, the name is based on the Makeshift.