Zeronia
21-02-2004, 10:21
Today at the national launch pad in Effen, Zeronia, the first two Zeronians left the safety of Earth and entered space. The landmark achievement was forecast by the Premier in his speech four years ago, when he made a promise to put a Zeronian into space before Zeronia’s fiftieth anniversary of the 1954 revolt.
The project, in fact, took twelve years to achieve, and was in the planning stages even before the space program was born. The rocket used in the launch was a scaled-up modification of an ICBM that never made it past the testing phase. The capsule is a variant of the Sextris-class satellite, with the proper life support systems, of course. After the launch, dispensable rocket components fell in various locations across the Grey Sea. One large ring fell onto one of the Pyrolox Islands – luckily, adjacent to a rural settlement.
http://www.angelfire.com/alt/zeronia/zeronaut_1.jpg
Zeronaut Dale Zengerfil during a spacewalk.
Former Air Brigade lieutenants Dale Zengerfil and Alyssa Zaggs were chosen out of a possible seven candidates. Two years ago, seven were chosen (out of an original 236!) to train for the first space mission. The final two were picked only eight months ago. Both zeronauts know the risks involved. This is the nation’s first space mission, and they know that in the merciless cold of space, anything can happen. Both have gone through vigorous training, up to the very day of the launch. Regardless, they view the launch as an enlightening experience, but with great responsibility.
“I was thrilled when they told me I was going to be one of the first zeronauts to make it into space! My parents put up a huge Zeronian flag beside the house. It is the greatest honour to be chosen as the harbinger of technological advancement in Zeronia,” explained Zaggs.
The initial launch was a success. The crew of two stabilized the orbit of the capsule and immediately completed two spacewalks to check out the external components. The zeronauts will orbit Earth three times before making a landing in the Grey Sea.
There will surely be a huge national reception for our outer space heroes. :)
The project, in fact, took twelve years to achieve, and was in the planning stages even before the space program was born. The rocket used in the launch was a scaled-up modification of an ICBM that never made it past the testing phase. The capsule is a variant of the Sextris-class satellite, with the proper life support systems, of course. After the launch, dispensable rocket components fell in various locations across the Grey Sea. One large ring fell onto one of the Pyrolox Islands – luckily, adjacent to a rural settlement.
http://www.angelfire.com/alt/zeronia/zeronaut_1.jpg
Zeronaut Dale Zengerfil during a spacewalk.
Former Air Brigade lieutenants Dale Zengerfil and Alyssa Zaggs were chosen out of a possible seven candidates. Two years ago, seven were chosen (out of an original 236!) to train for the first space mission. The final two were picked only eight months ago. Both zeronauts know the risks involved. This is the nation’s first space mission, and they know that in the merciless cold of space, anything can happen. Both have gone through vigorous training, up to the very day of the launch. Regardless, they view the launch as an enlightening experience, but with great responsibility.
“I was thrilled when they told me I was going to be one of the first zeronauts to make it into space! My parents put up a huge Zeronian flag beside the house. It is the greatest honour to be chosen as the harbinger of technological advancement in Zeronia,” explained Zaggs.
The initial launch was a success. The crew of two stabilized the orbit of the capsule and immediately completed two spacewalks to check out the external components. The zeronauts will orbit Earth three times before making a landing in the Grey Sea.
There will surely be a huge national reception for our outer space heroes. :)