NationStates Jolt Archive

*A Message from the Lex Stellas, office of the Lector Primus, Trifecta Imperatus, Kelvinisgrad*

-Lector Primus Ezekiel O'Rourke, with the consent of Imperatrix Cassandra Deins, has issued the following international Decree: all nations with orbital interests over Kelvinisgrad are hereby given 24 hours warning to remove said interests from Kelvini Space. these foreign interests will be pulled back to at least 75 miles beyond our shoreline. any foreign orbital object still within our space after 24 hours will be destroyed by anti-satellite missiles[**].that is all.

[OOC: * 24 hours realtime. ** we only have a few of 'em, and they're prototypes, but you don't know that, now do you?]

Message to: Lector Primus Ezekiel O'Rourke
Message fr: Division Nine Commandant Tanyi ralKeyra

While the Dominion of Tsaraine recognises your sovereign right to that section of the geosynchronous orbits which cover Kelvinisgrad's territory, we certainly hope you don't mean all orbital craft in all orbits over Kelvinisgrad; not only would such an edict be impossible to enforce, it would also likely get your space assets destroyed. There are some big fish up there, and I would advise a small one not to attempt to threaten them.

~Tanyi ralKeyra
Division Nine Commandant

Message To: Tanyi ralKeyra, Commandant of Division Nine, Dominion of Tsaraine
Message From: Office of the Lector Primus, Empire of Kelvinisgrad

we require that all orbits which cross Kelvinisgrad's geosynchronous borders be clear in 15 hours time. it is not our intent to incite hostility towards the empire. this demand is made in the interests of safety, it is not to be permanent. current plans indicate that we will re-allow foreign orbitals into our space in 39 hours time. these plans are, however, subject to change.

-Raster Smythe, Lector 3rd class
--Office of the Lector Primus

*the empire had been building up to this day for years. innumerable man-hours and countless billions of pistoolas had trickled into the project, bottlenecked by the crippled economy. but the Imperatrix had demanded it go forward, and nobody was fool enough to oppose her. 30 enormous rockets, scattered across the nation, were slowly lifted into launch positions by the giant gantries which would soon carry 90 brave kelvini citizens to an uncertain future.*

053010 KNST: the first rays of sun grace the easternmost rocketry ranges.
*the largest synchronized manned rocket launch in history was about to take place. the stellanauts, clad in bulky black and white space suits, their faces obscured by gold-mirrored visors, boarded transit vans at the ranges.*

055345 KNST: all personnel are in place at their stations.
*the stellanauts are secured inside the command modules of their rockets. the pinnacles of Kelvini technology, the cost each would astound even the richest men in the nation. their prohibitive cost was one of the reasons the project had taken so long to reach fruition. exhaustive testing and simulating of every part was another. failure was not to be tolerated.*

060215 KNST: the gantries finish fuelling the rockets.
*the rocketry ranges had been another stumbling block. the Imperatrix had insisted on keeping the whole thing hidden from prying eyes, and so the huge rocketry bases had been carefully concealed, as abandoned airports or derelict factories out in the wastes.*

061120 KNST: final checklist rundown.
*across the boards at each site, green lights indicated that everything was fit for a launch. centrifugal fuel systems aboard the rockets spun up on beautifully machined bearings, without the slightest hum or shudder.*

062030 KNST: countdown.
-All installations report affirmative for launch readiness Praetor.

*Luther Kessel nodded quietly. watching the launch, while interesting, was not what he was most interested in doing right now. at the moment he was entertaining a particularly pleasant vision of throttling that whiny git O'Rourke, the Lector, who had diverted so much of his carefully budgeted military funding. he could've done it, too. 6'4, 280lbs of muscle, he was a walking tank. O'Rourke, on the other hand, probably didn't exceed 150, nor was he more than 5'9" ... Luther smirked, 'It would be so easy' he thought.*

-Mister Kessel, I asked you a question.

*the Imperatrix's voice snapped him back to reality with all the force of a catapult*

-yes, Imperatrix?
-I asked you if you would give consent for the launch. don't make me ask again.

*her tone would've frozen a volcano. Luther suppressed a shudder*

-absolutely, Imperatrix.
-good. Mister O'Rourke, is everything ready?

*the spidery form of the lector popped up from one of the many command stations, each one manned by a well-trained technician, whose sole job was to relay instructions to and from centcom at Grand Peak Military Base.*

-Green across the board, Imperatrix. it seems that all foreign satellites have been withdrawn from our space, too.
-very good. commander, issue the order to commence countdown.

*the base commander thumbed the switch on his headset and relayed the Imperatrix's order. at the rocketry ranges, huge LED clocks would now be set to 600 seconds, and commence their count...*

062500 KNST: X minus 5 minutes. the gantries clear the launchpads.
*the huge mechanical arms that had supported the rockets pulled away, reeling in fuel and electrical lines as they withdrew. now only the rings of explosive bolts at the bases held the rockets in place.*

062800 KNST: X minus 2 minutes.
*a final check of control systems on the rockets double-confirms that everything is ready. centcom is almost totally silent, the tension thick as Dreadful Spindly Killer-Fish stew.*

062950 KNST: X minus 10 seconds.
*the rockets spin up their centrifugal pumps to operating speed.*

062956 KNST: X minus 4 seconds.
*ignitors commence an 8 second burn under the rockets, spewing sparks of white-hot magnesium across the exhaust nozzles of the rockets.*

062958 KNST: X minus 2 seconds.
*the fuel lines on all 30 rockets iris open, pouring highly volatile chemicals down long pipes to the nozzles.*

063000 KNST: X
*ignition. in an instant, the fuel caught and exploded, thousands of tons of thrust straining against the bolts, which fired in perfect sychrony a moment after ignition. the Kelvini Space Program was finally getting off the ground, both literally and figuratively. in the cargo sections of the rockets were all the parts for a Kelvini space station, another seemingly insane expense that the Imperatrix had forced through. it was the quiet belief of most of the ground crew that she was going to run the country into the ground in the name of progress.*

[OOC: yes, this is going up an hour early, I have an early class tomorrow]

If you so much as touch one of our satelites, you will find yourself missing your capital city. Our satelites regularly pass over your nation during their orbit, and there's not a damn thing you or I can do to alter their course. Besides, can one really own space? Isn't space the epitome of nothingness? You can not have a set area as "space above my nation", because such things are all relitive.

Message To: The Resi Corporation
Message From: Office of the Lector Primus, Empire of Kelvinisgrad

as was stated, the demand was made as a safety measure for our stellanauts. it is not, repeat NOT a permanent requirement. however, we find it highly doubtful that you lack the ability to alter the trajectories of your satellites. it is therefore fortunate for all involved that any satellites that MAY cross our orbital borders were not present during the launch.

Yes, you even touch my satellites, not to mention they are anti-missle, I will crush your nation...

http://www.nationstates.net/images/flags/uploads/isles_of_wohlstand.jpg
Comrade Anthony Moss
Founder and Leader of the Commonwealth of Wohlstand
"Gleichberechtigung, Frieden, Ünd Gesundheit"
Wohlstand Constitution (http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=977950#977950)

Message To: Comrade Anthony Moss, Commonwealth of the Isles of Wohlstand
Message From: Office of the Lector Primus, Empire of Kelvinisgrad

it is disturbing that such powerful nations as yourselves seem hell-bent on inciting a war. especially since you seem prepared to obliterate countless innocent people simply because their government requested a window in which it could safely conduct a series of manned scientific launches, without having to worry about it's rockets colliding with another nation's orbital assets. calm down, boys and girls, nobody is going to steal your toys.

-Raster Smythe, Lector 3rd class
--Office of the Lector Primus

Message To: The Resi Corporation
Message From: Office of the Lector Primus, Empire of Kelvinisgrad

as was stated, the demand was made as a safety measure for our stellanauts. it is not, repeat NOT a permanent requirement. however, we find it highly doubtful that you lack the ability to alter the trajectories of your satellites. it is therefore fortunate for all involved that any satellites that MAY cross our orbital borders were not present during the launch.{E-Mail}
{From: CEO Jai Resi (ceojresi@resicorp.com)}
{To: Lector Primus (lectorp@kelvinisgrad.kv.gov)}
{Subject: Satelites}
{Body:
Traditionally arranging to avoid foreign debris in space is the responsibility of the nation launching the rocket/satelite/whatever, not the owner of the debris. Also, we do have the technology to force our satelites to change trajectory, but we don't install it due to cost and size. I mean, putting a bulky air tank inside an already massive satelite is just something only an amiture would do.

I repeat, you do not own space. You can own land, or planets, or colonies in space, but you simply can't own space itself.}
{End E-Mail}

that's as may be, but given the number of space-capable nations, and the sheer amount of orbital assets which may be crossing out orbital borders (that is to say, a column of space of the size and shape of our nation, used for purposes of defining a launch area ONLY), is difficult for us to even consider calculating. we held off our launch for weeks waiting for an anticipated "low-density day", and then announced that we would need our launch window clear on that day. we're not exactly born rocketeers over here, so you'll forgive us, I hope, for not being able to fly all 30 rockets through a launch window the size of an office block. and since the rockets are now in or approaching orbit anyway, the point is moot. good day.

-Raster Smythe, Lector 3rd class
--Office of the Lector Primus

http://webpost.net/do/doctordevice/space001.JPG
the Kelvini Orbital Research Installation

-plans are now in place for the expansion of the KORI facility. this message is to advise all nations of impending rocket launches from the Empire. while we recognize that a large number of orbital bodies are locked into orbits crossing our skies, self-propelled spacecraft are advised to exercise caution within kelvini orbital borders in the coming days.

-Sublector Johannes
--Office of the Lector Primus

A low-orbit civilian communications satelite passes within meters of a rocket taking it's payload to a much higher geosynchronous orbit over Kelvinisgrad...there is no collision.

http://www.webpost.net/do/doctordevice/space002.JPG
the Kelvini Orbital Research Installation

following another extensive round of rocket launches from Kelvinisgrad, we are pleased to announce that our expansion program is well under way. the above image shows the installation as it will be once construction is complete on this phase. noteable new features are a vastly expanded solar collector grid, and a large centrifugal habitation module. the consolidation of the living quarters into this module has allowed us to further expand the zero-G research modules in the origin sector of the station. current construction predictions indicate that work will be complete within the year

-Sublector Johannes
--Office of the Lector Primus

figure that's how it'll look at the end of the week, RT

Update on Kelvini Space Program

The KNCSAS Magnetics Lab announced yesterday that a craft is now being constructed at the KORI to test the viability of purely magnetic drive systems in hard vacuum. the following artist's rendering of the completed vessel is attached below.

http://www.webpost.net/do/doctordevice/vsailercomposite.jpg

the main body is filled with power generation equipment, and hardened computer systems to maintain and measure the capabilities of this new "Virtual Solar Sail" technology. the ship will be named the "Kshegah" or "North Star", and is expected to be completed within 2 years. her primary drive system is comprised of the three long forward-swept booms, each housing the most powerful magnetic field generator Kelvini technology can produce. sophisticated tuning algorithms on board the ship's computers will adjust the shape and intensity of each field to achieve maximum thrust from the solar wind.

-Sublector Eismann
--Office of the Lector Primus

*it had been an anxious 2 years for the Kelvini space program. the North Star project had been troubled by deign errors and unforseen problems almost from the get-go. the original reactor system wouldn't function in zero gravity, the first magnetic coil to be brought up wasn't properly sealed, and cracked when it hit hard vacuum. after countless setbacks, they'd still completed the project on scehdule.*

-KORI Guidance Control to North Star, what's your status

*Maxwell Burns, the pilot on the North Star's test run, was a top fighter pilot and experienced stellarnaut. he let the checklist drift beside him as he reached up and thumbed the response toggle.*

-North Star to KORI Guidance Control, just running down the preflight checklist. everything cool up there, Aaron?

*manning guidance control was Aaron Yevgeney, a close friend of Maxwell's, and also an experienced stellarnaut.*

-looks good on this end, Max.
-Roger that.

*Max ran his palm over his head, noting that he was about due to shave again. drawing himself back to the task at hand, he finished checking the primary and secondary guidance systems, primed the computers, then radioed Guidance Control again.*

-North Star to KORI Guidance Control, all systems show green, standing by to spool-up the reactor
-KORI Guidance Control to North Star, you are cleared to 55% output on the reactor.
-Confirmed, control. reactor spooling... we have output at 15%...30%... 45%... stabilizing at 55%, no problems indicated. hatches are sealed, awaiting final clearance for launch.
-Standby, North Star. umbillicals retracting. disengaging Airlock... you are clear and free to navigate, North Star. maintain 55% output and conventional propulsion until you clear 2000 meters.
-Confirmed Guidance Control

*Max deftly shifted his control sticks, firing small maeuvering thrusters to ensure that his craft had plenty of clearance from the station. behind him, the reactor thrummed and the computers silently waited, having very little to do until the magnetic drives came online. Max fired the chemical rockets for a moment, pushing the North Star out into open space.*

-Passing 500 meters... 1000...... 2000 meters, decelerating.

*the trials called for the North Star to operate using only the magnetic drives, if possible. a moment of doubt swept across max's mind, as they always did whenever somebody was about to do what had never been done before. he reached up to the ceiling control panel, and flicked a switch*

-initializing Magnetic Drive, standby. field expanding, arrays are stable and uniform. tuning... we have acceleration, Guidance Control. the drives are working. designing for Lunar orbit.

*there was a short cheer over the radio as the entire guidance staff shouted their hoorays. Aaron motioned for silence, which was slow in coming.*

-Roger that, North Star. maintain contact.
-confirmed.

*several people had gone to the windows to watch the North Star depart. her glimmering hull seemed to swim crazily, as did the starlight around it, a side effect of the intense fields "makes me dizzy just looking at it", remarked one of the station crew. the North Star was moving slowly, but definitely moving, and clearly accelerating.*

-North Star to KORI Guidance Control, current acceleration projects an orbit-to-orbit time of 18 hours. do your measurements agree?
-KORI Guidance Control to North Star, standby... confirmed, we indicate approximately 18 hours at current accelertion
-Understood, Control.

*slowly, majestically the ship turned towards the moon. one of the guidance crew would later be quoted as saying "it was like a brilliant star lighting the way to our future", but most of the Kelvini People agreed that it was an incredibly cheesy line.*

-North Star to KORI Guidance Control, approaching lunar orbital insertion. estimate 6 minutes to stable orbital trajectory.
-roger that, North Star, what's the status on your systems?
-all systems stable, KORI. green across the board...standby, crossing the terminator now. will re-establish contact once we're clear to the daylight side again. North Star out.

*there was a soft wash of static before the radio in the guidance control center was switched off. there would be several hours of waiting now as the North Star coasted around the moon.*

*on board the North Star, Maxwell spun slowly in the zero gravity of the ship. not having much of a view out the main port, and not having anything to do while the ship circled the night side of the moon, he decided to sleep. the computer would sound an alarm if anything happened that it could not deal with itself.*

Sigh!

Once again, someone with no understanding of orbital mechanics seeks to re-write the laws of physics.

Please read this:

http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=68977&highlight=

Also, any nation going to space may access complete data on everything in cislunar space via Evil Overlord Enterprises Molnya satellite array for the nominal cost of 1 EOE Cr per request. The Molnya array is stationed in geosynchronous orbit at six equidistant points around the planet. Data from Molnya will not reveal the type of satellite or who owns it, but will give precise location and orbit of every object in Earth orbit and most objects in cislunar space- including debris.

For the record, His Omniferocity recognizes no sovereignity above the Earth's atmosphere with the exception of actual spacecraft, satellites, and stations. In other words, no one owns space, although anything put into space is considered soveriegn territory.

One of Earth's LaGrange points is occupied by the free spaceport Heinlein. EOE also has an Orbital Manufacturing Facility (Mikoyan) in geosynchronous orbit over the central Pacific. In addition to these stations, EOE has several hundred observation, communications, and meteorolgical satellites in Low- and Near-Earth orbit (mostly in Polar Orbits), along with a large but classified array of defensive satellites in classified orbits.

Darth Norm
Chief Scientist for Evil Overlord Enterprises

read it. what was I supposed to come away with? I never claimed I was trying to be totally 100% physics-perfect in my RPing. the very concept of a virtual solar sail would probably get a hearty laugh out of anybody with any knowledge of astrophysics. I'm sorry that my orbital maneuvers are not based on NASA's projections for proper insertion into stable lunar orbit, but quite frankly I don't care. I'm more concerned with having fun than being accurate to the laws of physics.

and as for the demand for getting satellites out of our projected launch zones, that's just the way the Kelvini People are. very much a "we're going to do this, and if you're in our way that's your fault. and we'll make SURE that you know it's your fault, until we feel you've learned your lesson" mindset.

read it. what was I supposed to come away with?

What you were supposed to come away with is the fact that ordering all satellites out of your skies is:

A) Stupid

B) Arrogant and stupid

C) A very good way to display your total ignorance of basic facts.

I don't insist that everyone have several years of training in physics and astrophysics, but I do maintain that anyone willing to roleplay in space at least have a vague idea what the hell they're talking about.

I followed up that post with a list of my country's space assets and informed all and sundry that an orbital monitoring system available for every nation's use was already in place- completely obviating the need for another ignorant "get all satellites out of the skies over my country" post.

If you are roleplaying with modern or near-modern technology, you need to learn what the rules governing that technology are. If you put a space station in orbit, you'll need to supply it with fuel, air, and other supplies on a regular basis. Personnel will need to be rotated in and out of the station every few months or so, or they'll lose so much muscle and bone tissue that they'll be virtual cripples back on Earth.

With modern technology, the only effective means of getting into orbit is the reaction engine (rockets). It costs on the close order of $1000.00 (US) to lift one pound of cargo into orbit. This is one reason that all real world spacecraft and stations are as lightweight as humanly possible. If your country is willing to make the effort, feel free to do so. many countries do (including mine).

Another problem with building large objects in space is ... space. Launch vehicles are fairly small, and have very little space inside them for cargo- and the available space drops by an order of magnitude if the launch vehicle is manned. The US space shuttles can carry decent-sized cargo payloads, but at the cost of being unable to reach above Near-Earth orbit.

My point is this: be realistic. Extensive knowledge of physics is not required to do this, just a modest level of awareness of the real conditions. You seemed to ignore everyone who tried to tell you that ordering all satellites out of your skies was stupid, so I posted detailed information proving that they were right.

If you want your country to get involved in another major international dispute, that's your business. Bear in mind that you're only just getting started in the High Frontier, and those of us who have been here for awhile have a serious edge in numbers and ability.

<to: Kelvinisgrad
From: Christian Morte Venzetti

I am sorry to say, but I cant not move my 17 satleites from orbit in such short notice. I am not sure if you realize that moving the orbit of a satleite takes months of calculations. If 2 satleites were to collide in space, and then get pulled to earth, it could be very bad.
I have a right to orbit my satleites when and where I want them. They will not move. If a satleite is shot down, Then you will pay for the satleite in money or lives.

Christian Morte Venzetti
-Leader of The Rogue Nation of B4kst4br>

From: Sublector Johannes, Office of the Lector Primus, Empire of Kelvinisgrad
To: Christian Morte Venzetti, The Rogue Nation of B4kst4br

Dear Sir/Madam/Thing:

you will notice, I hope, that the message from Raster Smythe was, in fact, a TEMPORARY request, and is no longer in any way expected to be complied with. Mister Smythe has since been removed from the Lectorate for misrepresenting the Lex Stellas in these matters. further action has been taken, but I am not at liberty to elaborate. Suffice to say, he was in no way qualified to hold the post he was appointed to. an investigation concerning allegations of nepotism on the part of his father, Lector 1st Class Arsen Smythe, Assistant to the Lector Primus, is underway. now if you would be so kind as to stop belaboring the point in question, the Empire has a space program to run.

-Sublector Johannes
--Empire of Kelvinisgrad

I am INFINITELY aware of the stupidity of that demand, thankyouverymuch. I am also aware that you can't just move satellites like that. however, I know a great deal more than some of my characters do. now listen to Sublector Johannes and let it go already.

I am INFINITELY aware of the stupidity of that demand, thankyouverymuch. I am also aware that you can't just move satellites like that. however, I know a great deal more than some of my characters do. now listen to Sublector Johannes and let it go already.

That's acceptable. It would probably have saved everyone a great deal of trouble (and typing!) if you had made some sort of OOC announcement to that effect in the original post.

Of course, we could also have asked, in lieu of assuming you were like all the other people making silly announcements like that.

I am INFINITELY aware of the stupidity of that demand, thankyouverymuch. I am also aware that you can't just move satellites like that. however, I know a great deal more than some of my characters do. now listen to Sublector Johannes and let it go already.

That's acceptable. It would probably have saved everyone a great deal of trouble (and typing!) if you had made some sort of OOC announcement to that effect in the original post.

Of course, we could also have asked, in lieu of assuming you were like all the other people making silly announcements like that.

in retrospect I probably should've made such an announcement. but rather than edit, I pointed out that it was a temporary measure in the next message... guess it got overlooked by a lot of people... ah well, such is politics. [/OOC]

rather than edit, I pointed out that it was a temporary measure in the next message... guess it got overlooked by a lot of people... ah well, such is politics.

Me included.

LOL

-North Star to KORI Guidance Control, clear of the night side of the moon. sails are once again providing thrust. plotting return-trip to station, all systems remain nominal.
-roger that, North Star. how's she handling?
-like a pregnant hippopotamus with narcolepsy, honestly.
-that's an interesting way to put it, Max.
-the truth is stranger than fiction... wait... abnormal feedback in the number two sail. standby.

*max had almost been hoping that something would go wrong, some chance to validate his being here in place of a trained monkey. he called up the main computer interface for the number two sail, working quickly to bleed the extra power into the reactors. whatever was causing it, it was persistent. the power levels kept risinghe began shunting the power into the other sails as well, filling the ship with a low hum.*

-North Star to KORI Guidance Control. I dunno what's causing the spike, but it's not stopping. I'm shunting the excess into the reactor AND the otehr two sails, and I'm just keeping up. the computer is chewing on a diagnostic at the moment.
-... -ar, pl- *static* -ur last mess- *feedback*, rep- *fizzle*

*Max cursed and readjusted the radio, trying to account for the increased output in the magnetic fields.*

-North Star to KORI Guidance Control. I say again, cause of energy spike unknown, rerouting power as stopgap measure, computer working on solution. may be forced to shutdown the sails temporarily.

*the voice that came back was distorted, but intelligible*

-roger that, North Star. keep us informed.

*the computer reported, some minutes later, that there was no mechanical or electronic flaw with the sail, which meant there had to be some outside influence. probably a solar flare max thought as he flicked the radio on again.*

-North Star to KORI Guidance Control. systems report no fault. will be peeling back sails to 5% and spooling reactor down to 25%.
-confirmed, North Star. good luck Max.
-Aaron, I have luck in abundance. but when I get back, you're buying me a drink.
-we'll see about that, Max. KORI out

*the humming died away as Max decreased the sail output to the minimum required to maintain field integrity. he was glad that he didn't have to jettison the sail pylons altogether, which was an emergency possibility, as the North Star had conventional engines as a backup system. as the ship fell silent, Max leaned back and spun a pencil in the air overhead.*

-that was a bit of an adventure, wasn't it.

*he idly wondered which direction the pencil would be facing when it stopped.*

Update on the Kelvini Space Program

the Lex Stellas informs us that plans are underway for further expansion of the KORI space station. an artist's conception of the latest additions is attached below.

http://www.webpost.net/do/doctordevice/space004.jpg

noteable is the addition of a massive docking structure, and the long-promised manufacturing node. standardized universal docking clamps are also slated as an addition. it is the hope of the Lex Stellas to eventually be able to construct large-scale vessels in the dock. once again, Kelvinisgrad takes another mighty step into the future, comrades.

-Sublector Johannes
--Office of the Lector Primus, Empire of Kelvinisgard

Update on the Kelvini SPace Program

-four science crew and one research module aboard the Kelvini space station have gone missing, and are presumed lost. the module constructed in the new manufacturing node, was built to act as a testing chamber for research into quantum tunnelling effects. it was during such an experiment, the goal being a quantum-tunneling drive system, that the module was lost. it is believed that this test, while sobering, has proved the viability of quantum tunneling as a propulsion method. said Lector Orville Rickenbacker, who was observing the test from the nearest airlock "it was just like somebody flicked a light switch. one second it [the module] was there, and the next it wasn't. it's just as the calculations predicted the system would work."

the disasterous test, however, was not supposed to be a drive test. it is believed that teh test engine, undergoing evaluation inside the module, was not properly isolated from the surrounding module, and that it's tunnelling effect was transmitted through it's mounting to the module itself, thereby taking the entire thing with it. speculation suggests that, had the module not been detached from the station at the time, the entire structure would've been lost.

memorial services for Lectors Phillip James, Samantha Gamjy, Isaac Von Luftstein, and Michael Thorin are scheduled to take place tomorrow in Imperial Square, where a monument is to be dedicated in their honor.


-In a surprising turn of events, the Imperatrix has announced that the Planetary Colonization Vessel, called the Harbinger, is already under construction. thus far, only a small portion of the ship is complete, as it is far too large to be handled by the KORI orbital dock.

http://www.webpost.net/do/doctordevice/space005.jpg
[i]Visible here is the outer shell of the Harbinger's spine in dock at the KORI

http://www.webpost.net/do/doctordevice/colony-sscompare.JPG
a size comparison between the Harbinger and the KORI

a high-orbit dock is planned, though no word has been given on it's estimated completion date.

Update on the Kelvini Space Program

-the High Orbit Assembly Yard, designed specifically to house the Harbinger Colony ship during it's long construction and loading, is now officially Complete. crews are being flown out to man the installation even now. we have recieved the following image from the Yard, taken by the pilot of the first crew shuttle, who swung wide to get a picture of the new installation with the earth in the background. faintly visible, also, is the KORI, flying low over the southern hemisphere.

http://www.webpost.net/do/doctordevice/dock001.jpg
The High Orbit Assembly Yard

Update on the Kelvini Space Program/ Harbinger Project

-at 10:21 AM this morning, Kelvini Standard Time, the artificial Intelligence Core for the Harbinger was brought online. a 3rd generation advanced optronic sentience named Loki, he was created with a knowledge of the Harbinger more intimate than any of it's designers. at the moment he is connected to a simulation of the massive ship, undergoing evaluations. once the craft itself is complete, his processes will be suspended during the transit from the research center to the High-Orbit Assembly Yard. if all goes as planned, Loki will feel only a slight flicker in his memory.

-the Designs for a SSTO hypersonic spaceplane have been finalized. a fleet of these craft is expected to be complete by the time the Harbinger is ready to recieve Cryogenics modules. the SSTOs will fly thousands of missions to deliver all 5 million cold-stored volunteers to the ship for their journey. further updates to follow.

Update on the Kelvini Space Program/ Harbinger Project

-The Colonist Loadout for the Harbinger has been published. names have been temporarily withheld. the loadout is as follows.

-2,720,619 Elvish Citizens
-2,279,381 Human Citizens
-10 Active Crew (6 elves, 4 humans)
-90 Defense Crew (30 per Escort Corvette)
-1 ES Control Core: "Loki"

all colonists are volunteers, and all crew members will undergo extensive microgravity training in preparation for their tour. Further information to follow.