Eredron Reveals Mars Expedition
OOC: Background/History of my space program here (http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=93172&highlight=)
Eredron News & Information Network
As the Eredronian Lunar Colony reached a twenty year milestone, Consul Hawkins revealed during his remarks an ongoing, classified program to reach Mars by 2030 - five years away.
The Mars Expedition, as he named it, was initiated in secret almost twenty years ago; progress was classified for fear of Galdanian espionage and sabotage. The Consul said that, using the technology and expertise developed and perfected on the moon's surface, the ESEA had been working on plans for a Mars colony, as well as the technology necessary to travel to the planet.
Refusing to comment an any FTL technology, Hawkins hinted at a nuclear-powered space vehicle that would be able to transport men and material quickly to Mars.
Hawkins said that several space probes and landers had been sent to establish first contact with any nations already colonizing the planet.
OOC: I am not dealing with future-tech space nations, but those playing in a more modern timeline.
Eredron News & Information Network
Despite growing security concerns, the ESEA and Ministry of Internal Affairs agreed to continue with the scheduled launch tomorrow morning. After lengthy discussion at the capital, security measures were agreed upon to ensure the safety of the area.
For the past five months, the area has been under heavy guard as the Eredron Space and Exploration Agency prepared for the first manned space launch to Mars. Although no official statement has been given regarding the precautions, an estimated four thousand active troops are in place in the Danfalls area, with a significant aerial presence.
No specifics have been released on the nuclear-powered space vehicle, officially designated M-1, or the space mission itself, although ESEA Director Tom Bookman gave a brief overview at a press conference earlier today.
"I can say to you that we[ESEA] have successfully tested and developed a nuclear thermal rocket engine that will be used to propel men and material to Mars, traveling at speeds sufficient to reach Mars in less than 3 months time."
Bookman refused several times from offering further detail on the rocket design. He did, however, state that a centrifugal force would be created to form an artificial gravity in the space shuttle, preventing the astronauts (all unnamed) aboard from suffering muscle atrophy or bone loss.
Unlike past mission launches, the public will not be permitted to view the launch, and the identities of the astronauts aboard are unknown - including to their family members - and will not be released until the mission's completion. One hundred square miles of airspace surrounding the launch has been restricted from 2AM-11AM tomorrow morning.
Consul Hawkins is expected to speak following the rocket launch tomorrow.
OOC: Welcome to Mars. Some useful information:
http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/page=display_region/region=the%20planet%20mars
http://s4.invisionfree.com/The_Planet_Mars/index.php
www.pacifier.com/~cziller/
Mars is a mix of modern and future tech nations - many dating from early 2003 or 2002. All who wish to live in peace and cooperation are welcome.
OOC: Thanks for the links.
Live, Televised Press Conference
Executive Manor
Consul Hawkins, dressed conservatively as was his norm, strode across the platform as the Anthem of the Republic began. The audience, mostly reporters and correspondants, stood up when he had appeared, and remained so until he had reached the podium bearing the Mark of Eredro. Cameras flashed as the Consul prepared to speak.
"Good morning," the Consul said, his voice hoarse. "At exactly nine o'clock this morning, Eredron Standard Time, five brave men and women from the ESEA successfully embarked on their journey to Mars. Three launches occurred, simultaneously, at the ESEA facilities...south of Danfalls." Hushed exclamations of surprise broke out, but Hawkins quickly silenced the audience.
"This represents a significant step for Eredron, and one made with complete confidence; the success of our efforts is certain."
In usual fashion, Hawkins' speech was short and abruptly ended. He turned from the podium and walked across the stage, disappearing behind the draped curtains on either side, while an ESEA deputy director began taking questions.
News Flash
Six AM Eredron Standard Time, elements of Mars Expedition touched down on Mars STOP Astronauts to arrive tomorrow STOP Time of stay not released STOP Coverage to follow STOP
END
Eredron News and Information Network
Hoping to unify a divided populace, acting head of state Senator Hill announced in a public senate meeting plans to jumpstart Eredron's space program which experienced a lull during rising tensions in the Middle East and southeast Asia. Despite having landed on Mars nearly two months ago, relatively little progress has followed up this accomplishment.
Praising the ESEA for it's achievements, Senator Hill delivered a brief summar of Eredron's efforts both on the moon, and Mars.
"Ahead of schedule and under budget, the dedicated members of the space agency[ESEA] have created a self-sustaining facility on the lunar surface...capable of housing, for a period of ten months, one hundred people. They have done this even as the first Eredronians stepped onto the surface of the Red Planet.
This nation owes the space agency not only our profuse congratulations, but our full support. Therefore, I propose an additional fifty billion Marks for the continued development of our lunar base, continued improvement and production of nuclear-powered spacecraft, as well as advancing plans for a large-scale Mars and lunar colonization effort. I have been assured by the most preimminent members of the scientific community that space can be opened up to the general public by 2020(5 years from now), and I will do everything in my power to make this possible. It is my intention to establish a permanent colony on the moon before the end of this decade, to open up the final frontier to all the people of Eredron.
To this end, I will likewise propose a grant of twelve billion dollars, to be issued to over two hundred universities and institutions for higher education in Eredron, for the purposes of fostering continued interests in science and space, to ensure Eredron becomes and remains a prominent explorer and colonizer of the stars."