NationStates Jolt Archive

(OOC: This will be a thread for all news relating to Ferrussia's up and coming space program - don't worry, I'm staying modern tech. Post here if you like, but if it's just a statement of "Oh, hey, that's neat" or it's IC equivilent, please don't.)

KIEV, FERRUSSIA (UFP) - Top government and military officials announced in a press conference today that the military and government will be designing and launching an extensive line of communication and intelligence satellites. Immediately following, they announced the formation of a new government-funded, subsidiary company, called the Ferrussian Aeronautics and Space Development Administration (FASDA).

A major goal of the project, noted a senior government official, is to create an economic system to send satellites and other orbital systems into orbit. While this will likely be in the form of a rocket, it was noted that a “shuttle” of some kind will be needed to maintain and service the satellites.

FASDA, while not being a section of any branch of the government, will be fully integrated into and controlled by the government. It will have a large starting budget, as well as a massive facility funded entirely by the government. The initial goals of FASDA are to create economical systems to launch and service satellites in space, but manned moon flights may be in the upcoming years.

Officials and production staff, as well as a large contingent of engineers and researchers have been assembled, and though FASDA has no official headquarters as of yet, research on the project is expected to begin immediately. If a “shuttle” project of some kind is considered, the most economical and effective path will be chosen, and top experts have already ruled out using the incredibly inefficient “Space Shuttle” design. Some work is beginning on this area, but most is concentrated on a low-cost rocket system for satellites, as well as the satellites themselves.

Despite a large amount of interest in this possibility, FASDA project officials were skeptical on a quick advancement into space. The project has hardly begun, and FASDA officials expect it will be at least 10-15 years before the first manned flights to another celestial body will even be considered. In addition, FASDA sees little to no economic potential in such a project.

Construction is beginning on the FASDA headquarters near Sevastopol, and a launch complex is being planned.

>>/[END STORY - UNITED FERRUSSIAN PRESS FEED 192.168.0.***]


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SEVASTOPOL, FERRUSSIA (UFP) - Nearing two months into construction, the FASDA complex near Sevastopol is not complete, but usable. Many of the researchers and astrophysicists hired earlier have been moved in to the completed office building, but the extensive research facilities are not expected to be finished for nearly a year.

In the meantime, FASDA will be officially included on the budget for next year, and initial stipulations on funding are already in the billions. Government officials noted that they expect to have prototypes for the requested satellite-launching rockets at the end of next year.

While those working on the project are optimistic, the continued lack of sufficient research facilities has progress at a slow crawl. Meanwhile, the satellite group has worked out the basic concept of most satellite designs, and is moving on to experimentation.

No further comment has been made on manned flights, but while it has not been confirmed or denied, it is likely to become an integral part of FASDA's purpose in the coming years.

As to joint ventures with other countries, officials said it was "unlikely" in the near future.

FASDA is quite easily the fastest-growing government program in existence, but failure to meet production deadlines could spell doom for the fledgeling program.

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KIEV, FERRUSSIA (UFP) - The budget, recently announced, allotted over 4.5 billion dollars to FASDA developments over the next year. While the rapid expansion of the program is promising, the cost is clearly showing.

Several attempts to decrease the budget were voted down after debate concerning the vital importance of intelligence satellites to Ferrussia's defense and diplomatic efforts. Considering the size of NSEarth, a significant number of satellites will be required in a very short time to establish even a small information gathering network.

The addition of communications and other satellites brougth forth sure notice of the need for a quick, effective way to lauch satellites - government and commercial - into orbit.

The rocket program for delivery of satellites into orbit has been dubbed "Star I", and the name will likely be carried over into the first rocket.

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SEVASTOPOL, FERRUSSIA (UFP) - FASDA officials recently announced from the near-complete FASDA research complex that they will be pursuing an additional program for space-based chemical lasers. The system would be used for defense against Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs).

While research on the STAR I is entering the prototype phase, the laser project will be done on the side, and likely not be ready for many years.

"It's still just conceptual," noted an anonymous FASDA official. Plans to cooperate with allies on the project have been noted, but not confirmed.

FASDA officials also noted the many hurdles to the project - not the least of which being the immense size of chemical lasers and their need for regular refueling. The project is only conceptual, and the STAR I project is still taking precedence.

"We hope to have [STAR I] ready for construction by the end of this year," commented another official.

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