NationStates Jolt Archive

Foundation to Increase Space Productivity (FISP)
now partners with
The United Republic of Anagonia


Goal:
The Foundation to Increase Space Productivity was founded with the goal of turning the space controlled by Earth’s gravitational pull into a profitable venture.

Mission Statement:
Over the next two decades FISP hopes to establish a number of programs that will bring zero-gravity production centers into low-earth orbit and establish an efficient space shuttle program to carry the goods. FISP will rely on donations and investments from member nations to operate.

General Information:
Member nations will have the opportunity to participate in the many proactive programs that FISP will be establishing. Projects started by FISP are usually high profit ventures with vary amounts of risk that member nations will be able to invest in. By being a part of FISP you will not only earn substantial amounts of money to supplement your nation’s budget, but you will help insure that in future years your nation will be the forefront of space industry.

Membership:
Membership in FISP requires a donation of 5 billion dollars. These membership donations (we try to stay away from the word ‘fees’ because we are here to benefit the space industry, not make money) are used to pay for the design of new projects and offset the initial investment cost member nations must make in programs, while preserving the projects high yield. Corporations and storefronts are also welcome to make donations to sponsor FISP, who will, as a gift for the donation, offer to put up an add for them on their main site or one of their project sites.
Remember: only member nations may invest in the high yield investment projects set up by FISP.

Projects:
New projects will be designed and implemented as frequently as possible. Please check here frequently to invest in new projects as each one will only be able to accommodate a limited number of investors, and it’s first come first serve. FISP encourages all members to suggest projects they want to see come to fruition. All projects will be scheduled to decommission, at the latest, two decades from now when FISP is scheduled to close. If any member/members wish to continue a project past the decommission date, they may take over the maintenance and operation of that project, as well as collection of profits, independent from FISP.

Investing:
To invest in a new project, members must follow a link to the project site and offer their investment. At this time there are no limits to the amount you can invest. Profits from the project will be distributed between the investors according to the amount invested. The more you invest the more of the proceeds you have claim to. Exact gross earnings for each project will be announced once it is underway, though rest assured FISP will do its best to estimate it accurately.

Donations:
Feel free to donate funds at anytime, FISP needs all the money it can get to turn our outer space into the new economic frontier.

FISP Funds: $257,200,000,000

>>>The Buy & Sell Corporation (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?p=12844762#post12844762) is one of the sponsors that help FISP to extend our understanding of, and ability to use, space. FISP thanks you.<<<

FISP Projects

Currently open:
-Orbital Dirigible Project (ODP)

Closed:
[none]

To be decommissioned in the coming week:
[none]

Decommissioned:
[none]

Members/Sponsors

Members:
-*Commonalitarianism*
-Deserted Territories
-Avisron (AVSA)
-Aurum Domus
-Vontanas
-Pan-Arab Barronia
-Anagonia
-Kirav
-Undershi

Sponsors:
-Deserted Territories Land Reclamation Services (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=496093)
-Buy & Sell Corporation (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?p=12844762#post12844762)

Deserted Territories will join. $5 billion wired.

DTR will donate $10 billion to sponsor FISP. No ad neccesary.

[Official Message]

From: The Avisronian Space Agency [AVSA]

The Liberal Federation has recently taken measures to assert itself as a front runner in astronomical engineering. Due to the complete restructuring of our society, we have a much higher number of engineers than most other nations. Further, we recently launched our own program to salvage hundreds of millions of tons of valuable materials from Earths orbit that was placed there from the various spaceborne conflicts that have taken place over the years.

As it stands, the LFA is now wiring the required funds to you in order to join this organization.

[END]

FISP has recieved he donation and welcomes you.

Thank you for supporting the future.

The Ministry of Government Waste is wiring $60 billion to your project. It seems like a good project, so we will send you money.

Regards,

Johnny Ohyes, Minister of Government Waste

OOC: This comes from my government waste budget tracked by the NS Tracker. The more ridiculous the project, or the more experimental the project the better.

FISP welcomes you.
Do you mean to say that you want this money directly invested into a project?

Feel free to invest it however you see proper. We are looking for interesting results. We have been allotted money to generate goodwill in other nations so they will smile upon us.

Regards,

Johnny Ohyes, Minister of Government Waste

Your donation is most generous, FISP would like to grant you an honorary membership.

We will not forget this.

The Aurum Domus Space Agency would like to donate 10 billion USD to the foundation in the hope that it will make them more money through successful projects.

The Free Empire of New Vantania would like to become members, and in addition the Buy & Sell Corporation will invest five hundred million Universal Standard Dollars for the creation of low orbit factories.

FISP welcomes Aurum Drums and Vontanas.
It also acknoledges Buy & Sell Corporation as a sponsor. As a gift, FISP would like to give them an ad on FISP's main site. Could the Buy & Sell Corporation provide us with a link?

OOC: Assuming this is MT...

http://img524.imageshack.us/img524/9287/officeofthechancelloresul0.png

We are always pleased to see such ventures between international organisations, and we wish to donate a minimum $150 billion, with a view to donating up to one-fifth of our waste budget ($600 billion), dependant on how we feel that the research progresses. Note that we expect little return in monetary value; more to the point, Barronia lacks a full-fledged space program even to this date, and thus feels that any international endeavors would be worthwhile.

Yours most sincerely,

http://img384.imageshack.us/img384/4189/chancelloresssigne2.png

Chancelloress Santina Verona-Barron
Pan-Arab Barronia

FISP thanks you for the donation and welcomes you.

We hope that you and others will see the first two of our projects in the coming NS week (today) and that you will approve of them and profit from investing in them.

With such generous donations coming in, surely the costs of these will be substancially offset.

The Ministry of Government Waste wishes to institute a couple of programs. In 2005, the Airship to Orbit program didn't do to well. We would like to donate $40 billion dollars to create an orbital blimp. We are suggesting a rigid hulled blimp with rocket engines. The outer shell should be made of carbon fiber, ideally in a delta shape. We are not sure that this can be done, but we would like to try. Initially so this program is not a total waste, we would like you to build some near space high altitude airships with rockoon capabilities, the ability to launch small rockets and eventually small satellites into low earth orbit. I know this sounds like a tremendous boondoggle, but we must try it. In addition we would like the high altitude airships to be usable as communications and monitoring stations.

Regards,

Johnny Ohyes, Minister of Government Waste

The Ministry of Government Waste wishes to institute a couple of programs. In 2005, the Airship to Orbit program didn't do to well. We would like to donate $40 billion dollars to create an orbital blimp. We are suggesting a rigid hulled blimp with rocket engines. The outer shell should be made of carbon fiber, ideally in a delta shape. We are not sure that this can be done, but we would like to try. Initially so this program is not a total waste, we would like you to build some near space high altitude airships with rockoon capabilities, the ability to launch small rockets and eventually small satellites into low earth orbit. I know this sounds like a tremendous boondoggle, but we must try it. In addition we would like the high altitude airships to be usable as communications and monitoring stations.

Regards,

Johnny Ohyes, Minister of Government Waste

This is indeed an interesting proposal. Barronia still uses airships in both civilian and military roles (currently researching an airship carrier - launching fighters from 35,000 ft gives a little bit of an advantage). If this proposal is accepted, we will donate scientists and $10 billion worth of funds directly to the project.

As a gesture of goodwill and a first step in furthering our interest in the blimp program, we are revealing our "Stealth Blimp" http://www.space.com/images/h_stealth_blimp_03.jpg . This should help in the furtherment of the future airship program. Strategos Ralk has been so kind as to reveal this special program. We also have been following the Nova Russkya plan for what they call a rocketstat, which uses a rigid metal hull, a dirigible, and hydrogen oxygen rockets to exit to near space. This is promising. http://www.cruiser.ru/eng/releases.php

Regards,

Johnny Ohyes, Minister of Government Waste

The Free Empire invests five billion USDs into the orbital air ship idea, as the majority of our air force is air ships. As a sign of good will, we are releasing the details to our airship aircraft carrier.

The Buy & Sell Corporation will give you this advertisment for your website.

FISP officials like this idea and are allocating funds out of the budget, as well as using the funds you have donated to create this project.

As a gesture of goodwill, the Commonalitarianism will donate 8 modules of inflatable space station sections with solar power arrays to be taken up on the first successful launch of the space blimp.

Regards,

Van Van Werner, Ministry of Aerospace


OOC: These would be similar to Bigelow Aerospace modules.
http://www.raumfahrer.net/news/images/bigelow.jpg

General Resources Conglomerate

Would like to remind the world about our initiative to provide, cheap, proven, and effective space transport for the world, in the form of selling Soyuz and Progress. Visit our storefront to purchase. (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=525224)

Spacecraft

Unmanned Cargo Transports

Progress Expendable Freighter: 30 million USD (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progress_spacecraft)

Crew Transports

Soyuz-TM: 50 million USD (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soyuz-TM)
Soyuz-TMA: 55 million USD (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soyuz-TMA)

Orbital Carrier Rockets

Soyuz-U Launch Vehicle: 200 million USD (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soyuz-U)
Soyuz-FG Launch Vehicle: 250 million USD (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soyuz_FG)

[END]

We appreciate the offer of Soyuz modules, however, we are investing a large amount initially to realize the cheap delivery costs of ATOs, possibly as low as $1 per kilometer per ton allowing massive affordable delivery of materials to and from space. This would represent a leapfrog in space delivery systems which many people do not think is possible.

The initial investment would make vacuum manufacturing possible on a large scale for many more expensive materials like computer chips, electronics, crystals, advanced materials, gems, pharmaceuticals, and other materials requiring clean environments and low gravity.

Combined with inflatable space craft modules, this could open space up to commercial enterprise on a large scale.

Regards,

Van Van Werner, Minister of Space

General Resources Conglomerate

Large nations like yourself may find yourself more interested in Space Elevators, while they have a high initial investment provide cheap and efficient space starside lift capability, albeit slow. Solar panels placed starside, large reflector dishes when the station is on night cycle, and nuclear reactors on the ground provide lift at an affordable and economic rate.

Inflatable transport is not as optimistically cheap as you postulate. The balloons have to massive to lift significant amounts of weight, maintainence would be astronomical in cost. As for inflatable modules, they suffer when they are pierced by anything larger than a grain of dust. The modules have to be kept constantly inflated, while also keeping the interior constantly replenished with air, resulting in two air systems. They also face the danger during ascent stage of balloon assisted rockets, of jet streams, clear air turbulence, and wake induced turbulence which can produce immeasurable strain on the balloon's rigid members causing a catastrophic failure. We lost a modified unmanned Kirov to this, despite reinforcement of the fabric and new lighter internal members that were designed to bend.

However, there are drawbacks. Space elevators are for non-time dependent materials, such as components for a space station, or communications satellites in no hurry. Inflatable transport, is far faster, happening in a day versus weeks. Heavy airships can take hours for them to ascend, not counting hook up times and delays due to wind conditions altering the course. However, it is still too long for immediate action, which is where rockets exist to fill the gap. Ultimately it is how fast you want it up.

Space travel, specifically the construction of large stations is extremely difficult even with the massive investments that your nations can provide. We find that this type of Top-Down Planning, a throwback to Communist thinking produces thousands of proposals, dozens of designs, and several prototypes, with political factors, irrelevant economic factors and personal factors that ultimately doom the project to either massive subsidization despite massive shortcomings (US Space Shuttle), or abject failure (X-20 Dyna-Soar).

It is up, not to government funded or controlled institutions but the free market to search for the right solution and develop it.

While we have begun exploratory experiments, including with decommissioned Kirov class Rigid Airships, we lack funding to complete an appropriate booster rocket and its lifting body.

We are trying to secure funding from private organizations but it has been a trickle. A bit of booster funding, a philanthropic grant would move us from prototyping to full scale testing of our current inflatable lifting body.

[END]

FISP has written up a plan to run by the investors:

Orbital Dirigible Project
(ODP)

Goal:
The Orbital Dirigible Project aims to design, create, and launch 3 Orbital Dirigibles within one year. The dirigibles will carry out a variety of tasks, mainly commercial but military development is in the planning stage. These dirigibles will carry communication arrays (including satellite phone, satellite television, and other satellite uplink capabilities) as well as high-definition cameras. The dirigibles will also be fitted to carry satellites into Earths orbit, and run maintenance and refueling missions on previously launched satellites.

Description:
Each dirigible will be in a delta shape with carbon fiber skin stretched over a rigid metal hull. Propulsion will be supplied by 2 rear-mounted 1500lbf kerosene rocket engines. In the crook of the delta will sit a protected cargo bay, instead of open space, and the two “wings” extending to either side will hold the gas bags. The nose, and a small space down the middle towards the cargo bay, will form the crew area.

Dimensions/Specifications:
600ft (at longest) x 400ft (at widest)
2 rear-mounted 1500lbf kerosene rocket engines
8 million cubic feet of hydrogen lifting gas
Maximum lift (after subtracting airframe and components): 250 tons


FISP asks the investors how much will be charged for shipments and communications use, as it needs this information to estimate profit margins for the investors.
FISP engineers will take any recommendations made by investors into consideration and field any questions.

While we have begun exploratory experiments, including with decommissioned Kirov class Rigid Airships, we lack funding to complete an appropriate booster rocket and its lifting body.

We are trying to secure funding from private organizations but it has been a trickle. A bit of booster funding, a philanthropic grant would move us from prototyping to full scale testing of our current inflatable lifting body.

And here is where FISP comes in, it was formed to provide the necessary funds to build such products. In our first week of operation we have aquired $240.5 billion dollars in funds without asking for more than an initial donation of 5 billion, in which case we would only have 20 billion.

And when nations that are serious about increasing space's potential, we can ask for donations and aquire huge sums that are neccessary to start these programs.

We have managed to run a test with an inflatable rubber module coated with a vectran shell for over a year with very limited damge. Because something is inflatable does not mean you cannot make the outer shell extremely durable. There have been many micrometeorites hits, but no punctures.

The price differential between 10,000 per kilogram and $300 per kilogram as an initial cost is tremendous. Even if there is an initial miscalculation by a factor of 10, we are still far cheaper than traditional launch services and would be within the realm of commercial applications.

A space elevator requires carbon nanotubes and steel which are raised hundreds of miles in the air. If the elevator falls, there is a potential for catastrophic damage. It also provides a prime military and terrorist target in the case of war and would easily be destroyed.

The initial payoff would be communications platforms, worldwide hybrid aerostat transportation, near earth observation platforms-- including a small blimp radar network, an airship launch platform for small satellites, and advances in materials technology.

Our first step in building the building the balloon will be to build a sample carbon fiber shell used in the production of external fuel tanks. This will be a tensegrity structure composed of interlocking triangles forming a delta shaped blimp.
http://www.wpafb.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123042479

OOC: Both Bigelow Aerospace test modules are still functioning, one after a year in space, and the other recently launched. It really depends on what you make the outer structure out of-- Bigelow Aerospace is using something called Vectran which is twice as strong as Kevlar.

OOC: My main fear is that this results in the Corporate Alliance getting ways to rapidly bring stuff up to space and begin using it.

Also the Zenit rocket from the Ukraine can deliver payloads to LEO at only ~$1200 USD per pound. I suspect the more mass production carried out and the more we learn about rockets, we can drop prices of larger delivery vehicles dramatically.

Official Response from the Republic of Anagonia

Dear Space Interested Peoples,

The United Republic of Anagonia will donate 3.2 Billion to your cause, considering we have much to waste and already have other interests outgoing with our own Space Ventures. If interested, we'd like to invite you on our own ventures.

Thank You,
Caster Oblivion
Chief of Foreign Affairs and Activities

OOC:

What tech grade are you? Care to telegram so we can discuss business interests and possible technological treaties?

FISP welcomes you.

(OOC: MT, early PMT. And yes, telegram me anything you think we would be interessed in.)

The initial carbon fiber shell would be used to build a rigid dirigible airship for regular airship functions. As part of this test, we will try and design it so it can land on any 400 meter x 400 meter square area with flat surfaces. Because hydrogen is buoyant, we will also try and see if we can land a much smaller version on water a 10 meter variant.

FISP has written up a plan to run by the investors:

Orbital Dirigible Project
(ODP)

Goal:
The Orbital Dirigible Project aims to design, create, and launch 3 Orbital Dirigibles within one year. The dirigibles will carry out a variety of tasks, mainly commercial but military development is in the planning stage. These dirigibles will carry communication arrays (including satellite phone, satellite television, and other satellite uplink capabilities) as well as high-definition cameras. The dirigibles will also be fitted to carry satellites into Earths orbit, and run maintenance and refueling missions on previously launched satellites.

Description:
Each dirigible will be in a delta shape with carbon fiber skin stretched over a rigid metal hull. Propulsion will be supplied by 2 rear-mounted 1500lbf kerosene rocket engines. In the crook of the delta will sit a protected cargo bay, instead of open space, and the two “wings” extending to either side will hold the gas bags. The nose, and a small space down the middle towards the cargo bay, will form the crew area.

Dimensions/Specifications:
600ft (at longest) x 400ft (at widest)
2 rear-mounted 1500lbf kerosene rocket engines
8 million cubic feet of hydrogen lifting gas
Maximum lift (after subtracting airframe and components): 250 tons


FISP asks the investors how much will be charged for shipments and communications use, as it needs this information to estimate profit margins for the investors.
FISP engineers will take any recommendations made by investors into consideration and field any questions.

FISP is still awaiting a response from investors.

FISP is proud to announce that it and The United Republic of Anagonia have partnered to further increase spaces potential.
Under the direction of our new partner, FISP will be expanding into the areas of space exploration and should technology prove itself, colonization.
Check in frequently to hear about our new project to produce a long-range space exploration vehicle.

http://www.nationstates.net/images/flags/uploads/kirav.jpg

Kiravian Empire

Permissum Astrum Subleuco

Imperial Secriat of Science

Space Technology Office

The Kiravian Empire will donate the necessary amount, and wishes to join this Foundation.

We have much to offer. we are one of the most scientifically advanced nations in the world, with advanced knowledge of astronomy, materials science, particle physics, exocartography, and chemistry. We operate our own space station currently, and are very eager to assist with sapce colonization.

Because hydrogen is buoyant, we will also try and see if we can land a much smaller version on water a 10 meter variant.

Is that a wise idea? Surely helium in at least the test stages is a better alternative, considering the rather volatile nature of both hydrogen and NSEarth...

You are correct, helium seems to be a better choice.

http://www.nationstates.net/images/flags/uploads/kirav.jpg

Kiravian Empire

Permissum Astrum Subleuco

Imperial Secriat of Science

Space Technology Office

The Kiravian Empire will donate the necessary amount, and wishes to join this Foundation.

We have much to offer. we are one of the most scientifically advanced nations in the world, with advanced knowledge of astronomy, materials science, particle physics, exocartography, and chemistry. We operate our own space station currently, and are very eager to assist with sapce colonization.

FISP welcomes you eagerly, members with such experience will be a great help.

Thank you. How may we be of assistance?

You can help us build the second stage of testing, the 250 ton cargo section which will allow us to carry cargo to high altitudes and land it nearly anywhere in the world where there is a 600x 600 meter pad.

I would think the third stage would be testing the instrumentation.

The fourth might be putting a rocket into a blimp and testing the use of rocket to move a blimp.

So far the helium filled carbon fiber shell has floated fairly high into the air and landed for short duration flights.

Regards,

Van Van Werner, Minister of Space

Our engineers and industrial technicians will begin the undertaking immediately at the Imperial Aerospace Development Centre, in the city of Blackmist.

The original design for the Airship To Orbit called for an electrical ion engine, to that end we introduce the HiPEP, High Power Electric Propulsion ion engine. Using advanced thrusters, we believe we can turn the journey to orbit with these engines to four hours instead of three days as envisioned by the originators. Three of these engines each weighing 1000 lbs. in a triangular pattern would allow both very fast high altitude flight and access to space.

OOC: I thought it would be fun to design a flying triangle. Here is the link describing the HIPEP. http://www.spacedaily.com/news/nuclearspace-03q.html . I am trying to figure out how to make it non-nuclear, a nuclear blimp is kind of scary, but it addresses the orignal issue of ion engines not being able to lift the blimp into space. Supposedly the ion engines used by the JP Aerospace blimp needed to have about three times as much thrust. It would be an alternative to kerosene rockets... maybe.

OOC: Regarding the Nuclear Blimp - it's not such an unknown, it's not like a powerplant reactor or anything, not even as big as a ship's - it'd be tiny by comparism, as it'd only have to take care of engines and internal power, rather than moving 10,000 tonnes of metal, it's moving a bag of lighter-than-air gas.

10,000 tonnes of metal

Speaking of metal, I'm thinking of aluminum alloy for the frame, and metallic foam(it exists, used in planes) for internal purposes. Any other ideas?

Speaking of metal, I'm thinking of aluminum alloy for the frame, and metallic foam(it exists, used in planes) for internal purposes. Any other ideas?

There is of course Aerogel. Less dense than air in their latest version. Pointless at that density, but it could be used somewhere, I should think. Packing around the bouyancy bags maybe?

We could partially compartmentalize the inside of the balloon into honeycomb cells for the gas, this way if they ballon is pierced it won't just deflate and can be repaired in space.

We could partially compartmentalize the inside of the balloon into honeycomb cells for the gas, this way if they ballon is pierced it won't just deflate and can be repaired in space.

You'd want a pretty sturdy structure then. After all, when it leaves the atmosphere, the difference in pressure could tear the inside out unless that structure can hold.

Aluminum alloy is strong, and more importantly light.

There is of course Aerogel. Less dense than air in their latest version. Pointless at that density, but it could be used somewhere, I should think. Packing around the bouyancy bags maybe?

They've improved SÆgel? Cool.

It would be good to use around the gasbags, after all, micrometeoroids could cause heavy damage if the dirigible is to be exposed to space for extended periods.

Aluminum alloy is strong, and more importantly light.

Percisely.

We could partially compartmentalize the inside of the balloon into honeycomb cells for the gas, this way if they ballon is pierced it won't just deflate and can be repaired in space.

Compartmentalization would be wise, but as PAB said, you'd need a very strong structure.

The outer carbon fiber shell is going to be quite strong and heat resistant, stronger than steel, so it would take major damage to get through.

There is also the problem of cold in space. We'd have to stop the gas from freezing. Vectran might be a good material to use.

I think an aluminum alloy frame would be both light and strong and not too expensive.

There is also the problem of cold in space. We'd have to stop the gas from freezing. Vectran might be a good material to use.

Unless space can reach -169 centigrade, that helium isn't going to freeze (to make a point, for those that don't know, -169 centigrade is 4 degrees above the absolute zero, where molecular movement ceases. As no machine is 100% efficient, we can't get it artificially).

So, I take it we're definately going with aluminum alloy for the framwork then.

What are potential risks as of the present design?

The Empire of Undershi would like to join in the international efforts towards the development of space. As such, we will donate five billion USD to the Foundation to Increase Space Productivity.

We feel space exploration is of increased importance in this modern era - as is witnessed by our decision to deploy the Undershi Space Station in orbit, as well as in our extensive satelite program.

As such, we are eager to ensure our access to any discoveries made. As a goodwill gesture, fellow members of the Foundation will be allowed access to the Undershi Space Station.

The problems described for the ATO Airship To Orbit originally listed were.

1) There isn't enough thrust in ion engines. (Improved Engines)

2) At high altitudes the 2004 test blimp popped because it was made of the wrong materials. (Better shell and containment)

3) The original ATO used solar power and fuel cells which were very heavy.
Nuclear ion propulsion.

4) The original airship was thought to be too heavy to make it to orbit. Carbon fiber aeroshell, (Aluminum alloy truss frame.)

5) There would be continous micrometeorite strikes. (Hard shell, compartmentalization)

6) At the top of the atmosphere, Helium is lighter than air. In space we would need very low pressure. (We may need to vent or store some of the helium.)

7) There is the problem of identifying and avoiding space debris.

8) Elemental oxygen may be a problem-- I really don't know what this means.

9) The original ATO was a two stage affair, one for the first stage blimp, then a "dark sky station", then an orbital airship.

10) There is the problem of drag and surface area. We may need to modify the delta shape slightly to minimize drag and surface effects.

6) At the top of the atmosphere, Helium is lighter than air. In space we would need very low pressure. (We may need to vent or store some of the helium.)

I'd personally prefer storing some of it under high pressure in tanks, to venting, in case the stored helium is needed, for example, if something goes wrong during descent.

Also, what is this designed to carry exactly? That could help a lot when determinign weight and structural integrity.

FISP welcomes Undershi.

I agree Kirav. My first idea would be to pump helium in and out of pressurized tanks.

For storage of helium we could use a carbon fiber resin composite tank which would be very light and strong.

It is not specific about the cargo, but anything which could be brought to LEO some immediate things might be satellites, telescopes, computerized automated manufacturing modules for computer chips, space probes, crystals, gems, specialized metallic alloys, and pharmaceuticals. These are low weight high priced items which would be improved by vacuum manufacturing. Inflatable habitat modules like Bigelow Aerospace. You might need to boost some of the things to higher orbit, but if you have high tonnage, you could conceivably bring up loads for really big projects like Solar Power Satellites, Space Hotels, Deep Space Ships-- it would be cheaper to launch a mars or asteroid project from space than on the ground, and asteroid mining.

Sounds good.

I would like to start by first testing the blimp in near space by making several runs to create a "dark sky station", a permanent near space station habitat, that would be composed of five interlocking dirigible sections in a star shape, with a central habitat module. We could do various atmospheric experiments, weather experiments, high altitude communications experiments, even have a small telescope. We would be the first to build a near earth station.

http://www.hobbyspace.com/AAdmin/Images/RLV/JPAerospace/Animation/DarkSkyStation.jpg

Have any of you seen this? Some very big nations have announced that they're banning other nations using space-based weaponry etc., and some other restrictions on everyone else's space programs. I think some of you might find this interesting...

http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=537652&highlight=undershi

Greetings,

The Government of Vandaheim has reached a point where we are ready to set our vision upwards towards outer space, and authorized a payment of $5 Billion USD for inclusion in FISP. We are interested in establishing a Joint Orbital Laboratory for conducting experiments in space.

Thank you,

Dr. Robert Forrest

Director
Vandaheim Aerospace and Space Administration (VASA)

Assuming you can control the high ground is a pretty large assumption. Our actions came before their announcements, and claiming ownership of space for commercial use is not part of this treaty. Currently our primary actions have been civilian and business oriented in nature. For them to target civilian and business programs in space would be considered an act of economic imperialism counter to common recognized democratic actions and we would probably hold the moral edge in gaining military support.

We are currently in the second stage of an ongoing program previously announced before their treaty came into effect.

We will commence the second stage of the orbital launch. Having already launched two smaller orbital test vehicles, "The Walrus and the Carpenter" our unofficial designation for the orbital blimp will continue liftoff.

We are taking the following commercial material from our laboratories to test in space, we would like to solicit materials from other members: Some suggested materials might be microelectronics, pharmaceuticals, crystals, and specialty alloys.

1) Two automated manufacturing modules for zero gravity (CVD) chemical vapor deposition, artificial diamond wafers, and artificial diamond semiconductor chips. One automated manufacturing module for (CVD) artificial diamondoid write read optical storage devices.

Announcement from the United Republic
United Republic Aerospace Agency

Attention FISP,

The URAA, or United Republic Aerospace Agency, has therefore been given permission to lend three of its ten Launch Pad's for your specific usage and research. Union Aerospace Complex will be open to you, which includes a launch pad fitted for Shuttles and Rockets, and a very LARGE Construction and Research center fitting for constructing whatever launch vehicle or research probe you desire. Also included in these complex lendings is Independence Space Port, used specifically for URAA Shuttle Launches and includes a vast Endeavour Complex (Endeavour Complex is a Research and Experimentation Facility), and Liberty Star Control.

Liberty Star Control is the most notable among the complex lendings. This facility not only includes the Endeavour Complex, but also a Construction Complex and a Research Facility. The Star Control Monitering Facility is also included for your use, so you may track and moniter your projects and experiments.

Sadly we cannot allow you in the Military Facility in all three Space Ports, unless specifically requested and reviewed. Do not be afraid of the launches that take place in those parts of the Complex, they are shuttles, nothing else. If they look bigger than a shuttle, your seeing things. We'll discuss this later when and if you arrive.

Also, with great respect for your Endeavour, we will be lending another 3.2 Billion USD's to facilitate your needs for your space adventuring alliance, which we are glad to be one with. If you shall have need for anything else, don't be afraid to ask.

Sincerely,
Chief General Oscar Vladinchi
Chief Commander of the Republic Military

Today the first orbital airship was launched at 16:00 hours near the equator. It will contain a payload of automated scientific experiments and automated manufacturing facilities. These will unloaded and maintained on a regular pickup schedule.

A picture of a manufacturing module getting ready to be loaded.
http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/1995/spacestationlab.gif

A Nova Russa variant of the Orbital Airship.

http://www.cruiser.ru/eng/popup.php?imgpath=13/010-b.jpg

As a next step in the introduction of inflatable space technology, the Commonalitarianism would like to bring out one of its inflatable space habits to donate to the Foundation To Improve Space Productivity. We will be launching this very soon.

http://img.timeinc.net/popsci/images/2006/07/rocketplane_ss_2.jpg

From the Prezident of the Republic of Lietuviai, and the ministries of space & aeronodics, finance, interior, and social security and labor.

The Republic of Lietuviai Formally lends its lands to you and donates $5 mln. to your cause.

The donations will be from certain branches of our goverment, and also from taxes from the people.

We sincerely hope for the best for the space programs your a attempting, and also would like to receive some of the benefits of the program, both financially and technologically. As well as the job opportunities your facilities on our land would create.

Attention FISP

We would like to purpose that the FISP members be interested in getting a space station in the works that has all FISP member-states and major coporate contributers participation in building and constructing it. Corporations wouldn't have to worry about launch facilities, as we would provide them. The same would go for the nations who have lesser space-venturing abilities than Anagonia.

We would like to submit that our technology and endeavouring spirit has already constructed the first part of this process. It resembles much of the Skylab designs and contributes to our scientific endeavours for peace and prosperity. Another module, resembling the Soyuz design, would mate to this module and contribute to our military knowledge and defensive purposes. This module would, of course, be open to all FISP participants.

This is just an idea, we will be launching it with or without participation as we do need a third space station for our own purposes. It was thought that an international gesture would complete the need for the third Anagonian Space Station, allowing it to be one of the many International Space Stations that allow member-states of many conglamerates and alliances to benefit through sciendific and medical knowledge.

We will continue our contributions of 3.2 Billion USD's to the FISP. We do so hope our hard-earned money will be made use of.

Sincerely,
Chief General Oscar Vladinchi
Chief Commander of the Republic Military

OOC:

I know I'm out a lot, just IRL Work. However this space station endeavour would be beneficial to nation relations. Think it over.

The Empire of Undershi has recently had its previous space station destroyed by NPE forces, and so sees the merit in such an investment. However, Undershi itself is now being invaded, and as such no resources can be spared. Perhaps, should Undershi prove victorious, it might be possible for Undershi to join in this venture.

Until then, Undershi must unfortunatly decline your most generous offer.