>>23778247
Instead of launching rockets, why not research something more important?

Also, if the rocket was sub-orbital, and it failed to reach orbit, doesn't that mean it's working as intended?

What is "gates" uncapitalized in the name?

If you were to launch a new rocket, why not just take the data given and treat the MK3 in a way so that it can overcome whatever it was inhibited the MK2?

That's all from me.

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Currently the RRC has an inventory of 5 MK2 sub-orbital rockets, and is developing the MK3.

MK2,
>Type: Probe, Mass 1, Reliability 9/4
MK3,
>Type: First stage, Mass 1, Reliability 14/14

Having just set up our workshops to produce the MK3, the RRC has 3 our of 10 resource points remaining in it's monthly budget.
The rocket hangers have enough room for 6 rockets, five of which are full right now.
Building a MK2 or MK3 will cost one resource point. Improving the MK2 will cost one resource point per level of reliability.

You also have two luck points according to our horoscope.

>COPYLEFT www.robots-everywhere.com Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial Sharealike

>>23778388
We shall have construction begin on the MK3 Rocket. It has not been flown yet, and so there may be hidden design problems that will not appear until it has actually been constructed.
>spend 1 Resource Point on MK3 Construction

Then we shall convene a meeting with the Colonel, Professora Minerva, and the relevant staff to determine a region where we should place our new launch facility.

>>23778429
Work begins in the second hanger to build the MK3 and convert one of the MK2s into it's final stage.
>2 resources remain.

The colonel informs you that somewhere closer to the equator would be ideal. Perhaps the southern nations, or eastern islands.
The southerners have been independent since the war so some sort of political deal would have to be arranged. The islands on the other hand are only sparsely populated by savage tribes, but there remoteness would make logistics difficult. Either way, packing up and moving won't be easy.

>>23778572
However, remoteness would mean that even in the event of a catastrophic launch failure, there would be little chance of collateral damage.

We shall have Mr. Luxon retrieve a map. We wish to hear recommendations on locations, ordered first by how ideal they are for launch conditions. They will then be filtered based upon feasibility of acquisition. Then filtered upon projected logistical difficulty. Finally, by how well the facility can be defended, militarily.

>>23778684
Mr Luxon brings back an Atlas and spreads it upon the floor.

At the center of the map is midland. The kingdom to which you might eventually rule. You can see fort Adler is on the northern coast protecting the bay leading to the castle.
The Gates Dynasty was originally formed by Northern raiders who intermingled with the Midlanders and adopted there culture. When they rose to power they did so by sailing right into the bay and making there castle inside. Fort Alder is designed to prevent the northern kingdoms from doing this again. Launching rockets was not it's original priority, and the RRC is only stationed here for military reasons.

Far to the south of Midland is the great southern continent. The dark skinned tribesmen who live here have a rather queer system of government. Rather than bowing to a King or Queen, each city state elects it's own chieftain democratically. In the past they were colonies of Midland, but gained there independence after the great war against the northern kingdoms.
Much of the southern land is flat grasslands, which would make it easy to transport supplies by land and leave lots of room for error in rocket launches. But we would be outside of our sovereign soil and have to lease land from one of the City states.

cont...

>>23779062
Off to the East are a chain of islands. Populated only by a few scattered tribes and the occasional pirate.
They are very remote with almost no chance of a rocket landing on somebody's house, and there would be few neighbors, but getting supplies would be a heavy burden. We would probably need the Navy's help to set up a base there. Mr Luxon served there as a doctor during the war, and often tells us tales of his adventures fighting the Huns and even meeting cannibals!

There is also a chain of islands on the western coast of Midland. Officially part of our empire, but politically self governing. It would be easy to set up a base, and we would have access to local and imported supplies, but the terrain is much more rocky, making construction difficult, and it is much more heavily populated. Perro and Amelia are both from the western coast.

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>>23778572
>>23778684

We should also look into expanding our influence and connections at court. Our endeavors are becoming increasingly political, we would do well to start amassing the political capital we'll need to see this through. Very roughly here's where we stand now.

-FRIENDS-
Royal Family: Our own. There is no internal division here, yet, but we probably can't expect an outstanding amount of support either. We are being tested after all.
Royal Rocketry Corp: Our fiefdom. Their fate is bound up with ours, so if we do right by them their support should be unflagging.

-COMPETITORS-
Air Force: The air force is in direct competition with us for funding and would more than likely subsume our organization if they were able.
Alchemists: Traditionalists who see our science as witchcraft and our goals blasphemous. Will likely become an escalating threat if not managed.

-UNSURE-
Public: Doesn't particulary like us due to our association with weapons of mass destruction.
Navy: Seems to be within our brother's sphere of power, but is neither competing nor aiding us.

>>23779141
One correction, it is the Royal Astrological Society that opposes us, not the Alchemists. Professora Menerva is an alchemist, and the first one to become royal tutor in over a hundred years.

In general the people trust astrologers more than alchemists. An astrologer is a wise man who tells you when the plant crops and divines the will of the gods through the movement of there stars.
An alecmist is a witch who's probably going to die in a horrible explosion tampering with things better left untampered with.

>>23779141
One correction, it is the Royal Astrological Society that opposes us, not the Alchemists. Professora Minerva is an alchemist, and the first one to become royal tutor in over a hundred years.

In general the people trust astrologers more than alchemists. An astrologer is a wise man who tells you when the plant crops and divines the will of the gods through the movement of there stars.
An alchemist is a witch who's probably going to die in a horrible explosion tampering with things better left untampered with.

>>23779141

A floating platform might not be a bad idea; the Navy and Air Force probably already have some rivalry, and we can profit from it. And it beats conquering an island... although that last part depends entirely on what attitude our culture has about conquest.

The western islands might be a good position.
We shall request Perro and Amelia to provide their opinions on setting up a launch facility there; will the local people be against the construction of a military facility there?

>>23779311
The chief drawback to a launch at sea is that the size of the launch vehicle would be limited by the size of the ship. And it would be even more cramped than the Fort we are in now.

>>23779316
The Western islands suffer the drawbacks of being crowded and hilly. Not a lot of good places to build things that aren't already taken.
But you have been there and it is very beautiful. Perro tells you it is governed by noble merchant houses, some of which may be willing to invest in our endeavors.

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>>23779062
>>23779412

So our choices are:

1. Accept mediocrity in the north.
2. Pay out the nose and indebt ourselves to our brother to use the eastern islands.
3. Dance with the devil that is Bizarro-Carthage in the south, giving god knows what concessions.
4. Entrust military secrets to a bunch of unvetted capitalists with an unwholesome interest in rockets.

Pick your poison gentlemen! I say we at least explore the south since its the least compromising in the long run without sacrificing results. At least worth exploring.

>>23779517

We should look into bringing civilization and progress to the savages in the east! With any luck, in the following centuries our descendents will obsess over their culture. Also, if they are suitably awed by giant heaven-piercing rockets, they may accept our rule eventually.

>>23779517
I suppose all of those are accurate, and using the Southern Continent does appear to be the least bad choice.

OP, what do we know about how the South got their independence? Was it earned (independence in exchange for fighting for us in the war), strained but willing to continue working together (India and Britain), or amicable (Canada and Australia being independent yet still members of the Commonwealth)?
Should we expect resistance, or just a "meh" attitude from the Southerners?

>>23779517
I shall break character to give more detailed information that I would not be able to convey easily with an in universe voice.

The southerners are a cross between Africa, Hellenistic Greek city states, and MERICA. Culturally diverse, post colonial, and democratic.

The westerners are based on eastern and southern Europe, with a political structure similar to the Italian Renaissance. Lots of culture, lots of corruption, lots of art and science.

The Northerners are Mongolian Nazi Vikings. They believe they are the master race and every hundred years they come down to burn rape and pillage midland. The last time they tried this, they got Nuked. If they were to develop there own Nuclear (Sorry Radio-reactive) weapons and rocket program, that would be bad.

The eastern islands are mostly unpopulated except for a few scattered tribes. There culture is loosely Polynesian. There are also pirates from the other four cultures, and the Royal Navy operating here.

Alright, enough of that, back In character.

>>23779685
You remember reading that both the northern kingdom and Midland have a history of colonialism in the south. While the Northerners enslaved the populace, we just manipulated things so the tribes we could control ended up in charge. During the war we granted them independence to weaken the northerner's control. Some of the tribes have always been friendly with us, others don't care and just appreciate being able to decide there own business again. Others don't bother distinguishing us from the northerners, or even worse, think things were better under northern rule.

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A map for your convenience.

>>23779779
We shall request that a political overlay be placed upon the atlas, indicating which of the southern city-states is both friendly with us, and that is in an ideal location for the construction of a launch facility.

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>>23779779

It's a tough choice....

North: Not really an option. We need results yesterday or this project is toast. Let's agree to cross this one off.

South: Best launch site, most political wrangling. We can play off the city states' fear of the Northerners and one another but will have to expect diplomatic blowback and some concessions. Their governments will probably be least likely to dishonor their contracts due to accountable leaders and a history of cooperation but the hardest to please.

West: Would give us a lot more independence and flexibility to do as we please, but at the cost of corruption and more than likely exorbitant bribes. Bad launch site anyhow. The most "no strings attached" choice politically.

East: Locals could be easily dealt with and worst case scenario we go Bikini Atoll on one of their islands and nobody cares much. The big downsize is the logistical burden and piracy means we -need- the navy to help us, and that means we need big bro. Weakens us within the upper classes but provides an otherwise excellent position.

I suggest we send emissaries to the various factions and broach the issue with them. See who bites, what they want, and what they're willing to give. Try to keep details on the down low is possible,

>>23779982

(That's a shiny map. What do you use to generate it?)

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>>23780082
Hexographer.

And here is the political Overlay as requested. Red icons are hostile. Black icons are friendly. Fort Adler is in blue.

>>23780075
As you begin writing letters to your bother, The chieftains of the southern tribes, and the Lords of the western isles. A clerk enters the Colonel's office holding today's paper. In the excitement you had forgotten to check it.

It reads. "EXCLUSIVE! Princess Lydia Tannhauser to begin conquest of the stars!"

>>23780148

Fort Adler's position makes excellent sense for an air and missile base, but we need to either move south or build a much bigger rocket in order to achieve our result. Probably both.

Large rockets will need moved by ship regardless, and will warrant an armed escort lest anyone else get the technology.

We should use our unique schmoozing talent to entice a bit of support from the Navy, this will also play upon the interforce rivalry that exists between them and the Royal Air Force... This can be done while the rocket is built, fortunately!

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>>23780148
>>All that red.

Are those... are those submarines? So East is definitely a no go without big bro. We'd need to ally with him or risk catastrophic failure. Even the western sea looks pretty dodgy, which makes me even less certain about them.

Cheers on another good thread but I need to go because you are literally killing me with sleep deprivation. I'll leave the rest to you guys and catch up in the morning. Looking forward to the future.

>>23780217
Actually, an overland route from Midland to one of the friendly Southern City-States bordering the desert seems to be viable.

Are there any rail lines that go there?

>>23780216

We shouldn't be a publicity hound yet, but it would be good to prepare a few snippets if we are asked. We should at least appear competent to nonspecialists. Things like, "Our rocket has managed to visit the very same aether that surrounds other stars and planets, and we intend to stay there for much longer on our next attempt", "We are using the movement of the world for a leg up, which is why we'll have to work in the south", "the burden of proof is on the Astrologers if they choose to say that divine laws are different up there and down here; a stupid tyrant rules by whim, a clever tyrant rules by overabundance of laws, a just king finds a balance"

>>23780281
Please note that these are the locations of U-boat sightings. This map makes it look like there are a lot more than are. The Royal Navy has gotten quite good at sub-hunting. And the war is over now.

>>23780334
Why yes there is! The Great southern railway is nearly completed, when finished it will run from Hafenstad to Suthhaus, with stops at all the major cities between!

>>23780355
More like, "The Astrologers do fulfill a very much needed role, in determining appropriate days for planting and divining the will of Heaven.
"But we are alchemists and scientists, concerned with material world and what Man can do with his own hands. Let the Astrologers see to Men's souls; we shall see to what wonders we can grasp with our arms."

>>23780355
It seems the press has taken your words and twisted them to be more exciting. As a member of the royal family you are protected from slander and Libel, but there is no law preventing them from exaggerating what you say.
This article is highly sensationalist. It's really exciting but you can just hear the Royal Astrologers laughing. The Professora just turns her head away and hides her face in her palm after glancing at the paper. She's mentioned too, as a commoner they can say whatever they want about her. Fortunately they don't call her a witch, but they do make it seem like she invented the rocket herself, and all but implies that it's somehow radio-reaction powered.

>>23780374
>Great Southern Railway nearly completed
Then we should more closely consider the Southern City-States.

It seems you have a lot of writing to do while your men finish the MK3. To whom do you write to first.

To Your brother serving in the east.
To the Chieftains of the southern republics.
To the Lords of the western isles.
Or to the Newspapers correcting there scandalously extravagant story.

>>23780611
>To the Chieftains of the southern republics.
Then we shall write to our brother, and then to the newspapers requesting that they reign in their enthusiasm.

>>23780611

We shouldn't get into a fight with the press - they are better at it than we are. Writing to the chieftains may be good -- if we can spin this domestically as a way to increase our nation's influence all the better.

You begin writing to the chieftans of the southern kingdoms. Explaining the desirability of an equatorial latitude in rocket launches.

What can you offer them in exchange for the land and permission to launch rockets over there heads?

>>23780752

What do we know of their religion? At least part of their populace might appreciate their prayers etched into the rocket's body.

In the more concrete sense, we have little to offer; obviously we will need to estabilish a weather office there. If they have no ability to forecast the weather and we do, that in itself would be valuable.

>>23780812
They aren't primitives, there form of government might be a bit strange, and they might worship different gods, but aside from rocketry and Radio-Reactive power, there major cities have a similar level of industrial development.

>>23780920
We shall speak with our parents, and with the Minister of Finance, as well as the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and see if perhaps some economic deals may be offered.
Enticing trade agreements, attractive technology and knowledge transfer programs, eased work permits and immigration.

>>23781114
Return home to speak with parents and ministers?

>>23781186
Is it possible to speak with them over a phone?

Promising anything to the Southern Nations would be an act of foreign affairs, and I don't think we have the authority to promise anything beyond telling them that they will host one of the greatest endeavors of human history in reaching for space.

>>23781218
And one cannot just promise things; one must learn what the other party desires. It is only through knowing and understanding the needs and wants of the other party that true negotiation can begin.

>>23781218

Second this.

It may be best to try to launch from where we are, just so we have something to show... setting up elsewhere can happen in the meantime of course, but the next launch realistically will be from here.

>>23781218
Yes in fact, there is a hotline straight to the Palace located in General Adler's office for strategic use. It's probably in all actuality the only way you can talk to the king without going in person.

>>23781269
>>23781248
Let's hold off on the letters to the Southern Chiefs, and speaking with our Father and the Ministers, until we actually have business back at the castle.

We can perhaps request more support and funds, and be in a better negotiating position with the Southern Chiefs, when we have a better track record than just a single rocket launch.

>>23781248
The MK3 will be finished long before we have a new base established. It would be a pity to hold off launching.

>>23781339

Then let us double down on that. We grasp the basic science but are not a professional, so where can our talents be best used?

Perhaps that tea party wouldn't be a bad idea. This sort of thing needs political capital behind it and spending some of it by getting to know the local nobility may be useful. At the very least we should see if any of the sky knights have an early interest in riding these things...

>>23781365
Perhaps we could even throw a party to observe the launch of the MK3, it would be a risk, but we would probably draw up more interest that way.

Joy, it's back! Please excuse my tardiness.

>>23781396
We greatly support this. While the idea of space exploration is still fresh in peoples' minds, it would be great to get interest (and funds) from the high-born folk. And an extravagant party during a rocket launch would be a splendid way to do so.

>>23781365
>>23781396
>>23781441
How shall we promote this party? And whom shall we invite? Your brother should be in port at the end of the month.

>>23781441

That is extremely risky... however, the payoff is significant.

A princess surely only has to reach for her diary to decide who to invite? It would be good to talk to nobility our age or slightly older mostly. Perhaps the Crimson Count would accept an invitation as the guest of honor?

Perhaps we should spend our remaining points improving the MK3.

If my calculations are correct, we have a very high risk of the MK3 catastrophically failing, possibly causing injuries, death, or damage to the surrounding area.

>>23781465
Firstly, could you elaborate on where our funding comes from? In these coming months, I suspect that we will need far more resources to complete our goal.

>>23781465
Alternately, it may be wise to refine the MK3 some more before unveiling it to the public. A rocket this powerful has never been tested, it would be highly unfortunate if it exploded during a tea party.

>MK3 boom rate is still 14 out of 20.

>>23781520
>>23781526
And besides, our dear brother will not be able to attend until the end of the month. That should be enough time to finish our improvements on the MK3.

And having him, as the head of the navy, present would lend us credibility and powerful connections to the military.

>>23781543

We second this.

>>23781526

As much as nobody would forget the party, it'd be for the wrong reason. We're not goblins.

>>23781526
We shall spend the remaining 2 R&D Points on reducing the MK3's Boom Rate.

And really, people, you want to hold a tea party promoting the RRC with a rocket that has a 70% failure chance and a 70% critical explosion chance?

>>23781574
We have a good feeling about this.

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>>23781574

>>23781574

It's worse than that. IF the first stage succeeds, there's still the second that can fail.

>>23781574
>>23781589
No no, I'm just kidding.

I think, in all fairness, that it would be best to wait until... next month, let's say? That would give us time to lower the chance of a catastrophic failure, and of course we still need time to prepare all the necessary arrangements for the party.

However, we should still keep people's minds on the space program. Possibly through personal correspondences with powerful and influential members of the scientific community, military, and the nobility? We could give these people tours of the facility. This should get a stir going.

>>23781623
Right. The MK2, which is our 'reliable' rocket, still has a 45% failure rate.

>>23781543
Brother will arrive in two turns. Currently the RRCs funding is allocated by Parliament. In theroy our funding is proportional to our staff and duties. However in practice all the other branches receive additional funding from the nobility.

>>23781681
We see...

Might I propose a new plan? We have five MK2 rockets just lying around collecting dust. We could shoot one of those off for this party, and in the mean time we could continue improvements on the MK3.

And it's not as though it would just be a frivolous waste. There's still a lot of data we need to collect, and this rocket could help.

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It is supremely important that we conduct ourselves as a leader. We cannot afford to be seen as a little girl playing with toy soldiers.

We should begin wearing a standard RRC officer's dress uniform. We should dine publicly with the men and women of the RRC. And we should make an effort to talk with people at every level of this organization to let them know that we care, and are listening to their ideas and needs.

>>23781799
That could work, you could also spend your last two points on improving it. You can work on the MK3 when the budget refreshes next week.

Technically you can only improve each part by a maximum of five levels each turn.

Whom shall you invite? Your parents? The press? Members of the Astrological society? Sir Harker? General Adler? Random Nobility? Foreign dignitaries?

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>>23781887

Getting even one photograph would be an amazing achievement. Might we talk to any intelligence officer in the RAF about small single-shot cameras? If we mount a few, with luck one will be recoverable.

>>23781886

thanks for the wallpaper!

>>23781954
The colonel tells you that recovering the film would require a capsule capable of withstanding re-entry, and that setting up an unmanned camera rig would be highly complicated.

You would need a capsule with either a human piloting it, or an automatic control system, and a camera module. It would also need boosters to de-orbit the craft if film were to be recovered.

>>23781886
The Royal seemstress begins fabricating one in your size immediately.

>>23781887
>Whom shall you invite? Your parents? The press? Members of the Astrological society? Sir Harker? General Adler? Random Nobility? Foreign dignitaries?
Yes.

But we would suggest devoting the majority of our efforts towards 1.) nobility who might potentially be interested / curious about our plans, 2.) foreign dignitaries, primarily from the south.

We would suggest only inviting a key few members of the press whom we know to be reliable and ethical. And only a few members of the Astrological Society whom we know to be open-minded and curious about our rendezvous.

>>23782167
You finish writing your invitations and receive your dress. Will you spend the last two points improving the MK, or will you end your turn now?

>>23782197
Yes definitely. This thing needs all the help it can get. Let's lower the fail rating if at all possible.

>>23782197
>>23782218
Indeed, let us use the points and proceed.

This is going swimmingly.

>>23782218
You lower the Fail rating down to 7 and the turn ends.

Current Budget 10points
Current Inventory,
5 MK2s
>Type: Probe, Mass 1, Reliability 7/4
1 MK3
>Type: First stage, Mass 1, Reliability 14/14
No space remaining. The party will happen at the end of the next turn.
You have two luck points.

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>>23782262
>No space remaining.

... but I wanted into space ;_;

>>23782262
I beleive that we were trying to lower the fail ratings of the MK3 with the last two points? or am I mistaken?

Sorry, another question:

What would count as a fail for an MK2?

>>23782324

There is only so mch improvement that can be made each time.

>>23782324
You can only lower the fail ratings by up to 5 levels for each part each turn.

However it's a new turn now, and you have to points to spend, I'm going to assume you want to perfect the MK3, but you will have 5 extra points left over to work on the MK2 or start planning up other parts. Remember you don't have to build them yet.

>>23782344
>>23782354
Oh right, our mistake. How embarrassing.

>>23782354
>I'm going to assume you want to perfect the MK3
What would the improved MK3 look like? As far as stats go.

>...or start planning up other parts. Remember you don't have to build them yet
Hmm. So the design and building of parts require points separately?

Photographs really would be fantastic... how many points would you guesstimate an operational camera system taking to create?

>>23782390
You can spend 5 points on a part per turn, and divide them between it's fail and boom ratings. Fail always has to be equal to or greater than boom.

A camera module would be one point, but it would need a capsule, a booster to de-orbit, and some sort of means of controlling it, either a human pilot, or an automated control system.

>>23782420
>>23782390

Yes, we should hold off on that. It would be about as impressive as an orbital flight if the photo(s) were published far and wide, but just doing the supposedly impossible will have to do :)

So how will you spend the points?

>>23782436
We concur.

We're going to need to keep coming up with new and interesting ways to keep people interested in space exploration. So taking those photographs later should help.

Our personal opinion on long term plans:
>Step 1: Hold this party
>Step 2: Publish some high-altitude photographs
>Step 3: Launch the MK3
>Step 4: Successfully get a satellite into orbit
>Step 5: Send an animal into space and return them safely
>Step 6: Send a human into space and return him safely
>Step 7: Land a man on the moon

>>23782511

By "man" you mean "princess with chinchilla", we hope?

We should work on the Mk2 a bit more, since we can. It can become our to-go small launcher later on, and besides, there are obvious military applications.

>>23782474
Oh right.

We suggest lowering the MK2 fail by one point. And... do points roll over into the next month if we don't use them?

What is the master list of everything we will need to create in order to get operational satellite?

We should plan ahead and start designing those.

>>23782534
They do not.

MK2 improved
>Type: Probe, Mass 1, Reliability 6/4

9 points remaining.

>>23782562

You just need to send up a probe or a waylight (beacon) if all it has to do is be seen. That weighs 1.

http://emlia.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php?n=WhatGoesUp.Gameplay

We should probably consider expanding from simple photography as soon as possible. While photos will be of immense use to sell the project to the people at large, we should keep in mind that we're sending objects to places no instrument has ever gone before. If we could add magnetic and electrical field meters, radiation detectors, thermometers and pressure sensors (assuming we can make these detect anything but noise from the rocket's motion), then we could provide hard measurements for the scientific community. This means we branch out from the "mostly for PR" to actually showing that this is good for hard research too. Popular and respectable.

Sorry this is proceeding slowly. But space travel is a big deal! A lot of things need to be considered.

>>23782563
We'll upgrade the MK3 as far as we can, but could you tell us what those stats would look like?

>>23782562
A simple satellite consists of just of a MK2 stacked on top of a MK3. The MK3 pushes the MK2 into orbit, and the MK2 stays there, broadcasting beeps until it's batteries die, then it stays there until it's orbit decays months or years later (You aren't sure, it might even stay up forever)

Doing anything more complicated will require either a manned capsule or an automatic control system.

New rocket parts cost 1 resource point per mass unit.
A man is 1 mass unit, and one extra mass unit per turn worth of fresh air
An automatic control unit also costs one mass unit. But it is less reliable and cannot preform complex tasks.
A camera unit is one mass unit, but requires a man or machine to control it, and a capsule to return it to earth
A waylight beacon to assist navigation costs one mass unit.
If the satellite is to return to earth, it needs a capsule. A capsule masses as much as everything inside plus one.
Making burns in space requires boosters, a Booster weighs as much as everything it is pushing, and can be used twice.
The first two burns to get into orbit are made by a first stage, which weighs as much as the entire rest of the spacecraft, capsule, boosters, and all.

>>23782658
We concur.

But this is all linked to a particular problem. Do we have a way to transmit this information back to us? I'm unsure if we have a transmitter that can send radio waves back to earth from such a distance.

Is a Mk2 that could reliably carry significant payload into orbit actually viable? Would it have any real advantage over anything? IMO it's probably best to polish up the Mk3 and then press on to further models.

>>23782684

I don't think we can transmit pictures, but we already can transmit telemetry, so yes.

Is the ducal rank sufficient to allow the use of a royal we? I thought only the reigning monarch was to use it

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>>23782708

apparently being president is sufficient

Possible things to create with our remaining points:

- Automatic Control Unit. Will probably come in handy in the days before manned spaceflight is considered safe enough.
- A new MK3 rocket. We'll need another one eventually. I assume they're single use.

>>23782663
Improving Mk3
>Type: First stage, Mass 1, Reliability 14/9

Inventing Photography module
>Type: Mapper, Mass 1, Reliability 19/14

3 points remaining, The colonel reminds us that a capsule and control unit are necessary to use the camera.

For a sub-orbital missile like the MK2, what would count as a fail and what would count as a boom?

>>23782767
A fail means it misses it's target altitude. A boom means it either explodes on the launchpad or crash-lands somewhere bad.

>>23782676
Why do we need the Mk2 on top if the Mk3 makes it into orbit? Once we're up in orbit all we need is the waylight beacon itself.

IMO we should focus on getting the beacon into stable orbit ASAP, since achieving that means the astrologers will loose a good deal of face. After that we go for photography ASAP (automatic or manned, whatever is the easiest), with extra scientific instrumentation on the flight after that. Finally, since a manned flight should be harder than an automated one, we get someone up there and back again. Waiting a while with the manned flight also allows us to test the return capsule a few times before it gets the chance to kill anyone. Bad PR that.

>>23782684
Have the instruments record their data somehow, and then drop a capsule back to Earth. The rad sensors are the easiest, as they're just photographic film in various wrappings.

>>23782781

I agree on the beacon.

"Dropping" a capsule is not an option if you are in orbit: it has to have a retro rocket in order to get OUT of orbit. That's kinda the point of orbits, that once you're there you don't need to keep using fuel to stay there.

The MK2 has it's own sensors and radio transmitters for returning the information back to earth. It also serves as a simple guidance system for the MK3.

Putting a waylight beacon into orbit would be more prestigious, but would not bring back as much scientific data.

>>23782839

We should aim for prestige - a scientific payload is easy to add later. On the other hand, if we have a beacon up there that anyone in the world can see just by looking up at it, our detractors will be effectively neutralized for a good while: it's hard to argue with that sort of evidence.

NOTE: Consider sending finely stuffed roast crow to the Astrological Society from an anonymous source.

A waylight also needs it's own control unit. And the MK2 will also be visible from earth, at very least anybody with a radio will be able to hear it's transmissions.

>>23782871

All these point to "launch early, launch light". Keep it simple and just get a soccer ball up there,and that's enough of a splash.

>>23782881
That's the point of putting the Mk2 on top of the Mk3. It's the smallest possible payload that can get into orbit, and broadcast it's presence. The atmospheric sensors are an added bonus that will make larger future missions easier.

What will you spend the last 3 points on?

Nitey nite. I trust your judgement.

>>23782904
Getting the MK2 in the best shape we can, it should be reliable. Then that's it!

>>23782937

Improving MK2
>Type: Probe, Mass 1, Reliability 5/4
No points remaining. Shall we send off another test launch, or end turn?

>>23782839
>Putting a waylight beacon into orbit would be more prestigious

The beacon takes priority. And should be simple enough, it's just a radio emitter that goes "beep" at regular intervals.

>>23782871
>A waylight also needs it's own control unit.
Why? Once injected into orbit it shouldn't be going anywhere else on its own (kind of the point of a orbit) and the signal generator for the radio is probably something like a battery, a relay, two capacitors, and a pair of resistors.

>>23782956

I'd end the turn - we are on a high note. Let's save the rockets for when we need them.

Then again the MK2 won't be very useful once we have everythig else, so...

Hmm.

Sadly, we all but promised (or were made to sound like it)) that the next launch would be orbital. As a royal, our word is worth iron.

>>23782968
The Colonel explains that the control unit is needed to get into orbit in the first place. It's more complicated than just going straight up. You need to ascend, do a gravity turn, cutoff the engines, and then burn to circularize at the Apogee. The MK2 can fly itself and serve as a guidance unit for the MK3, but a larger rocket will need it's own guidance unit.

>>23782980
If this turn is finished, I think I should be getting to bed. There won't be a game tomorow because I have work, but the quest thread will return on Thursday.

>>23783002
Ah, so the Mk3 is simply a booster, not an improved complete package.

We need to diversify the unit designations I think.

>>23783002
Sorry for coming back so late, but it looks like the MK3 is not going to be enough for sending up much of anything, or am I wrong?

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>>23783099

You're not wrong. However they can be doubled up if need be.

>>23783017

I very much agree. Plus, we should come up with nicer names, to capture the imagination!

Right now we have a probe, a second stage, and a first stage.

We can also use two second stages as a first stage, if we absolutely want to launch now -- however that's a bit of a dead end after that.

I would name the probe after one of our country's medals, not the highest decoration, but something given for exemplary service rather than heroism.

The Mk2 rocket is derived from a weapon of war however ghastly, and we should respect that, and keep its military name.

The Mk3 is the first of a family of dedicated lower stages, so I propose we name it Up Goer One. It's simple and catchy.

Proposed "Launch now" stack:

Probe - wt.1
Mk2 rocket - wt. 1
2x MK2 rocket - wt. 2

This will be enough to hit orbit, assuming everything works.

>>23783175

(The pic uses the old weight rules, disregard)