September 27, 2029Chaoticag has returned to earth. The Xplore One needs to be refueled.
He will remain on earth for one day before departing again for Pluto
October 23, 2029Bartholomay Research has developed an advanced version of the XploreR
BR Xplore - M1 class Exploration Ship 2,500 tons 229 Crew 529.5 BP TCS 50 TH 100 EM 0
2000 km/s Armour 1-16 Shields 0-0 Sensors 1/1/0/4 Damage Control Rating 1 PPV 0
Maint Life 2.81 Years MSP 132 AFR 50% IFR 0.7% 1YR 24 5YR 365 Max Repair 100 MSP
Bartholomay Research - NTET FORCE One - MIL SPEC (4) Power 25 Fuel Use 100% Signature 25 Armour 0 Exp 5%
Fuel Capacity 150,000 Litres Range 108.0 billion km (625 days at full power)
Geological Survey Sensors (4) 4 Survey Points Per Hour
This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
Designed for endurance and quick survey of distant bodies with a little sacrifice of speed (compared to the XploreR) the Xplore - Mod 1 is ideal for deep asteroid geological surveying.
Presentation of the design is initially met with negative response from governor Mcbroom. She is weary to invest time and resources into a new exploration ship when the existing one has proved to be of little use. Thad Bartholomay resents her word choice, but is forced to accept the ruling.
Novermber 3, 2029Chaoticag has reported deposits on Pluto of 630,738 tons and 89,557 tons of Neutronium and Boronide respectively. Charon is without.
Bartholomay instructs Chaoticag to bring the Xplore One to the inner asteroid belt and begin surveying for elements there.
At present Corbomite*, Tritanium, and Gallicite have only been found on earth.
*52 tons are on Deimos.
January 13, 2030The first ever Island Space Resort has been built and deployed. Capable of housing 50,000 guests, the Island is a unique travel destination for any tourist.
Island class Orbital Habitat 253,750 tons 50 Crew 592 BP TCS 5075 TH 0 EM 0
1 km/s Armour 1-357 Shields 0-0 Sensors 1/1/0/0 Damage Control Rating 1 PPV 0
MSP 1 Max Repair 5 MSP
Habitation Capacity 50,000
This design is classed as a Commercial Vessel for maintenance purposes
This design is classed as an Orbital Habitat for construction purposes
April 18, 2030Scotty Haan of Haan Industries has completed research into Cyrogentic Transport. A module can effectively move up to 50,000 people in a compact space long distances over extended periods of time with minimal upkeep.
June 25, 2030Finally, a new scientist has been trained at Earth University!
...
...
...
A missiles specialist.
Another one...
At least he is 10%.
August 4, 2030Commander Chaoticag has been sending asteroid geological survey reports back to earth on a constant basis. While many (most?) asteroids are without Trans-Newtonian elements, several have contained deposits, some in significant numbers. The three limited resources remain relatively limited, though. There are deposits, about one for each, but they are on separate asteroids. Many scientists and politicians on earth are eagerly hoping to find a perfect asteroid with more than one type of limited element present.
August 5, 2030Scientist Numbers Leno has just finished developing an asteroid mining module. His research unlocks the potential to mine elements from asteroids without 'putting boots on the ground'.
Governor Mcbroom has offered government support and subsidies towards any work related to bringing Leno's research to life.
August 22, 2030Chaoticag's skills are improving. He has been captaining the Xplore One for over two and a half years now. The Xplore One, in its current loadout, has 1.7 years on its maintenance clock. With full at 20%, Chaoticag has been instructed to bring the Xplore One back to Earth for overhaul. It will also give the commander and his crew some time home with their families.
August 25, 2030A new commercial classed shipyard is completed in close orbit. The Wessel Space Project shipyard is funded by a consortium of corporations and government grants. With the growing interest in space exploration and operations not slowing down, companies are investing fortunes into space related endeavors. While the Palomo Group has not earned anything from their huge investment in Palomo Shipworks, economists and analysts still rate their bonds as quality AAA. It is like everyone knows the commercial shipyards will payoff huge in time, just not when.
Thad Bartholomay has once again requested permission to build the Xplore Mod 1 from Governor Mcbroom. Citing Chaoticag's success finding elements on nearby asteroids, Bartholomay hopes to explore the outer belt sooner and faster by building a new ship. Mcbroom said no.
October 7, 2030In a stunning press release, the Palomo Group has revealed that they have designed and are ready to begin building a commercial space ship. Classed the Palomo Group Atlas, the vessel is designed to operate as a heavy duty cargo vessel. Capable of carrying an entire mine, or ideally auto-mine, in its cargo hold, the Atlas potentially opens the way to practically exploit off-earth TN element deposits.
Haan Industries, the firm behind research on asteroid mining modules, was expected to be the first to make a breakthrough with a practical design for TN element mining, but in this surprise announcement it is apparent that the Palomo Group has beaten them.
Governor Mcbroom quickly authorized and committed support for the Atlas project. The first customer: The government.
PG - Atlas class Cargo Ship 50,000 tons 601 Crew 634 BP TCS 1000 TH 1125 EM 0
1125 km/s Armour 1-120 Shields 0-0 Sensors 1/1/0/0 Damage Control Rating 1 PPV 0
MSP 8 Max Repair 16 MSP
Cargo 25000 Cargo Handling Multiplier 45
Bartholomay Research - NTET FORCE One - CClass (18) Power 62.5 Fuel Use 10% Signature 62.5 Armour 0 Exp 1%
Fuel Capacity 100,000 Litres Range 36.0 billion km (370 days at full power)
This design is classed as a Commercial Vessel for maintenance purposes
While slower than Bartholomay Research's XploreR by half, the Atlas can load its cargo in a quick 5.5 hours thanks to Maria Pelland's cargo handling technology.
When asked for comment, Thad Bartholomay said only, "At least they used BR engines."
January 7, 2031Numbers Leno is turning out to be quite a talented man!
He is currently working on a ship to ship tractor beam project sponsored by Haan Industries.
January 22, 2031The Xplore One has completed its overhaul. Commander Chaoticag remains captain of the ship. He will return to the depths of space to continue surveying asteroids for trans-newtonian element deposits.
June 17, 2031Famed scientist Maria Pelland, founder of Pelland Research has fallen ill.
July 31, 2031The first Atlas has finished construction. Shortly before its completion, Governor Mcbroom designated a fifth of earth's industrial base to begin converting mines to automated mines. Once the first automated mine is completed, the Atlas will be tasked with carrying it to the asteroid designated Asteroid #14, located in the inner belt. 14 has highly accessible deposits of Boronide, Corundium, Uridium, Vendarite, and Mercassium.
July 17, 2031Commander Chaoticag, while on mission near Asteroid #80, is promoted to the rank of Captain.
January 21, 2032Earth has been relatively quite the past several months. Industrial output and research progress has only increased, but no major 'breakthroughs' occurred. That is a scary thought for Governor Mcbroom, for it is now an election year. She needs excitement to bolster her support. Numbers Leno just developed the new Liberator Advanced RailGun, an impressive weapon system but not something to make the population of earth go 'oooooh!'. In fact, the attention put towards a weapon may detract from Mcbroom's image- the people might be disappointed she has not been influencing research to further develop space exploration. The problem is, with a growing presence in space (sure, two ships is not much, but that number will likely grow quickly; a second Atlas is 67.8% complete) there is a need for a military presence to ensure peace and control.
LENO Liberator - 10cm ARG
Damage Per Shot (4): 1 Rate of Fire: 5 seconds Range Modifier: 3
Max Range 30,000 km Railgun Size: 3 HS Railgun HTK: 1
Power Requirement: 3 Power Recharge per 5 Secs: 3
Cost: 15 Crew: 30
Materials Required: 3x Duranium 3x Boronide 9x Neutronium
So while Mcbroom does her best to not draw too much attention to Leno's recent railgun design, she puts focus on his
next project, a sorium harvester. Saturn has over two million tons of sorium just waiting to be collected. Mcbroom hopes that development of a sorium harvesting ship will reinvigorate the people's faith in her ability to lead earth into deep space.
April 21, 2032A Palomo Group spokesman stirred a small crowd of reporters into an excited frenzy during an announcement that the second Atlas cargo ship had finished construction. Financial analysts expect Palomo Group stock to remain strong considering the income and licensing being generated from the government ship construction contracts. Finally, Palomo Shipworks is really starting to bring in money. Most analysts don't expect the project to actually turn a profit for a few years, but it is well on its way.
In other news, Governor Mcbroom revealed a brand new naval shipyard to the public. Named Unity Two, the shipyard is purpose built for a new, small patrol-type craft being developed by Haan Industries. Mcbroom says the vessel will not be ready for construction for several months, though. So in the meantime Unity Two will begin expanding by adding a second slipway.
June 26, 2032New opponents to Governor Mcbroom are starting to make waves in early polls.
Winford Hewlin, a patient young A4 administrator is popular for his 'focus on technology' approach to expansion. He hopes to see earth stop spending resources on experimental new ships and designs while developing new advanced technologies to optimize progress. He is well qualified and skilled in many fields.
Elsie Perego is another A4 administrator with excellent skills and connections. With a major interest in shipbuilding, she hopes to see earth utilize all of its shipyards and start
really taking advantage of the opportunities of space. One of her strongest points is that she would immediately OK the Bartholomay Research Xplore mod 1 for production and use.
Gregoria Lush, a previous contender for the highest elected office is in the running this time around, but her support base is much smaller than four years ago.
August 22, 2032God Dammit. The absolute last thing I need is another biology expert. And only 10% at that. This is getting ridiculous. I NEED power and propulsion, Logistics, construction... not biology. Heck, I'd take a FIFTH missile specialist over a biology specialist... But nooo... Ugh.
August 27, 2032As if getting a crappy scientist was bad enough...
Famed researcher Maria Pelland has died. She was an important asset for mankind and will be sorely missed. Governor Mcbroom attended her memorial personally, expressing sympathy for the Pelland family. Pelland Research, the company responsible for cargo handling improvement technology and the DirecPoint missile guidance systems among other work, will continue to operate as an independent firm under the leadership of the former Vice President of Operations.
Prominent business analysts see Maria's passing as an, excuse the pun, deathblow to Pelland Research, though. Without her genius mind behind their work, the company will likely only manage to survive off of licensing fees from previous developments. And if rumors are correct, Haan Industries is hard at work developing a new missile targeting system to fulfill Governor Mcbroom's call for a small, fast military patrol vessel. Many analysts call for short sales of Pelland Research stock in the immediate future, but also warnt hat another firm, such as Haan Industries or Bartholomay Research, may acquire Pelland which could stabilize or even boost the company's value.
October 6, 2032...oops.
Captain Chaoticag seems to have run the Xplore One out of fuel.
He was on his way back to earth from the outer asteroid belt but did not make it. His decision to return at 30% fuel apparently was not conservative enough. Lessons learned.
The Atlas 002, captained by Lieutenant Commander Julia Kett is being dispatched to give Captain Chaoticag some gas.
October 21, 2032After ten days stranded in space, Xplore One was met by Atlas 002 and provided with a full tank of gas. The first ever deep space fuel transfer, Lieutenant Commander Julia Kett is awarded the Deep Space Operation medal.
Captain Chaoticag finds himself awarded the Lost In Space Badge.
Governor Mcbroom has grounded all future space flights until a comprehensive study on fuel usage and range endurance can be completed.