>>25384760
I believe we were supposed to launch a mapper satellite as well.

>>25384760
How much will it cost to harden the island so it can survive storm season?

>>25384852
The map satellite was also a success. At least so far. You haven't gotten a chance to see the photos it's sent back yet, but the report says it will be finished mapping the earth on turn 14 if nothing goes wrong.
This map satellite is considered top secret and the cover story is that is is part of the regular communications network.

You are also told that the budget has been raised by 2 points to 44. You will gain two more points once the map is finished.


>>25384891
The manor and blockhouse are armored, but other buildings are not. Being a coral island, building re-enforced foundations is very expensive.

If the launch tower is disassembled before the storm hits, repairing it could be simplified. As for the workshop, an armored facility could be built, but the resulting structure would have less space, limiting the size of rockets that could be constructed within.

>>25385143
Would it be possible to both expand and then armor the facility? Possibly re-enforce the hanger as well.

>>25385143
How much will it cost to relocate a majority of the facilities to a larger island?

Barring that, could the Workshop be expanded underground?

>>25385143

We will need some sort of strongroom to do radio-reactive work in, at the very least.

We will also make it very clear that working on that project may entail locking the strongroom down with people in it in order to safeguard everyone else, as a worst case scenario, so we will only be taking volunteers. Who will, of course, get a handsome trefoil badge.

How dangerous do we know the stuff is when it's not actively blowing up?

>>25385198
That depends how much you are willing to spend. Precautions can be taken to speed up the repairs after the storm, but mitigating them completely without sacrificing productivity would be very expensive indeed.

As for relocating. Moving the launch site would be a bureaucratic nightmare after going through the trouble to found your own Duchy. You can however expand your locations. Stonefield is one such location. Other possible locations are renting from Western Acadamy, sharing facilities with the SSC, or building facilities on Orion's mother's island.

>>25385293
There is not much digging you can do before you hit water, but fortunately the blockhouse is dug into a hillside. There is plenty of room to build a radio-reactor, and the facility is totally secure.
Its the workshop which has the problem. It needs to be one large room big enough to accommodate large rockets, and thus has to be built lightly.

>>25385418

No real way around that.

>>25385375

We'll have to live with being in hurricane alley for now. (OOC: Come to think of it, why Cape Canaveral?)

>>25385375
When you say very expensive, what are we talking about here? Like 100RP expensive? More? Less?

Other things we need to do:
>Ask Mr. Radio if he wants to be Mr. TV
>See feasibility of putting a weather satellite in Geosync (extra funding for a new orbit + doing it with a camera = 3RP, + whatever we get for weather knowledge)
>Ask Westrin Academy/Navy/Nobility/Telegraph companies if they want satellite bandwidth
>See if any of the merchant back in Midland or in the Western Isles would like to see the wonders of Television
>See if the Westrin academy would like their very own Automatic Computational Device (MultiVac)

>>25385514

Wait - we can do images. Whether we can do 30 images per second is a tossup. Although we should definitely invite Mr. Radio and Bruscoloni for a preview of the technology and have them trying to woo us!

>>25385529
Perfect.

>>25385529

A problem is that the mapping system is a secret, for now. Who are we sending the first images to right now?

>>25385589
The Ministry Of Defense and Bureau of Intelligence, and your own collection. Although you could De-classafy any part of the program if you wanted. You could even sell video camera technology without telling them why it was invented.

>>25385514
It would depend on what you want rocket production capped at. If you never plan on building anything bigger than the Cherubim, you could spend 36 points to build a hardened structure. And upgrading a re-enforced concrete structure would involve completely demolishing the old one and starting over if you want something bigger.

At any rate, repairs won't be as expensive the second time around, even if you don't go off re-enforcing things.

>>25385696
Can we get to the moon on a Cherubim? Or do we need a larger rocket?

>>25385660
Okay then, let's keep the lid on TV until the world is mapped and then start selling it off.
for now let's go with:
>Ask Mr. Radio if he wants to expand his audience
>Ask Westrin Academy/Navy/Nobility/Telegraph companies if they want satellite bandwidth
>See if the Westrin academy would like their very own Automatic Computational Device (MultiVac)
>See feasibility of putting a weather satellite in Geosync (extra funding for a new orbit + doing it with a camera = 3RP, + whatever we get for weather knowledge)

>>25385796
>Can we get to the moon on a Cherubim
Do the calculations yourself; if you can't, then you shouldn't be discussing the budget.

But no, seriously, the Cheribum can only send an unmanned probe to the Moon, and only an impacter to the surface.

>>25385696
Would using Stonefield as a launch facility inflict penalties in putting things into orbit because of the non-optimal location?
What would Orion's mother want from Midland in exchange for building the Tannhauser Gate on her island? And her island is still in the Eastern Islands, so how much damage would the facility suffer per storm season?

>>25385796
Depends what kind of payload you want to take to the moon.
There are several possible lunar mission profiles that use the Cherubim, None of them involve landing people on the moon and taking them back. Although it might be possible to send a small manned capsule on a free return trajectory, it would involve two duration steps, 4 burns, and require a mass 2 engine and a capsule with a capacity of at least 3 for a 1 man mission.
An un-manned mission might be safer and suffer less constraints.

As for Geo-sync. You could put the same satellite you are putting into polar orbit into Geo-synch orbit.

>>25385872
Yes, it has a similar latitude to fort Adler. As for the east islanders, why don't you go ask them?

>>25386015
If we go with a diplomatic mission to the East Islanders, will we still get the Budget done for this turn?

>>25385992

We could build a larger machine in orbit over multiple launches, as well.

>>25386082

Can Orion play tour guide a little? :3

>>25386082
You can go anywhere you want, although you get the feeling that Mother wants you to stick around until the solstice.

>>25385840
Looking at the website the example lunar lander has a mass of 124. Yikes. We may have to assemble it in orbit to make it to the moon.

>>25386141
>you get the feeling that Mother wants you to stick around until the solstice.
This had better be important, Mother.

We shall send a letter to the East Islanders, with the assistance of the Foreign Ministry, inquiring as to the acquisition of space on their island by the RRC for the construction of a launch facility and workshop.

Also, when is construction of the Large Radio Array expected to be completed?

>>25386207
In theory it could be operational next turn. In practice, it's a part with mass 5 and 1/5 reliability. If you want to be able to get meaningful results from it, upgrade it.

If there is something interesting for you to see, i'll roll it in secret, if it passes, you see it, if it fails, you miss it, and if it booms, something breaks.

>>25386314
With the Westrin academy Co-op, we can get it to 10/15 and build it for around 50 RP, and get one at the Royal Astrological Society for free. Two for one deal!

>>25386397
Sadly no, the Academy's deal was if you gave them a grant to build their own radio-telescope which you would then have the right to use. They have little interest in funding a project in another country which they won't be able to use.

Same goes for the SSC's proposal.

Turn 10 Budget:
15RP Satellite Plan 1
17RP Mapper Satellite Geosynchronous Orbit with 2 Extra Fuel to allow for maneuvering burns
9RP Television Module 15/20
1RP Harker Improve Stamina 4/3/2/2/2
1RP Palmer Improve Engineering 3/2/2/0/0
1RP Cobham Improve Stamina 4/4/2/0/1


Putting the mapper into Geosynchronous Orbit should be a new milestone and should get us a bonus.

>>25386485
Would we not be able to keep the upgrades for future telescopes?

>>25386519
>17RP Mapper Satellite Geosynchronous Orbit with 2 Extra Fuel to allow for maneuvering burns
Actually I was mistaken, getting a geosynch orbit requires 3 burns, 1 orbital insertion, 1 transfer to geosynchronous, and 1 circularization burn.

You could use the Cherubim however. It will just cost more.


(Also, where are you getting 17? The 15 point satellite cost includes a full load of fuel already, there isn't room for two more)

>>25386661
>Also, where are you getting 17
Attaching 2 additional units of fuel to the outside of the Capsule, as you said could be done.

>>25386661

Let's do that! (Also getting 15 here)

It should be far out enough to start getting good pictures of the moon?

>>25386661
so 21 RP

12 RP Cherubim + 3RP Pathfinder + 3 RP MiniVAC + 1RP Photovoltaic Power Cells + 1RP Radiolight Beacon + 1RP Hawtrey Thrusters = 21 RP

>>25386745

2nd

>>25386715
That's where fuel goes normally. But you need to fit all of that into the Archangel, which is already full.

This is what a satelite looks like.

Pathfinder: Mass 1, payload 2
Fuel: Mass 2
Engine: Mass 1
Archangel: Mass 6

Total mass of 12 for the whole thing. Add 3 points for the MiniVac and it's 15. This is a platform that can go into polar orbit, or go into an equatorial orbit and de-orbit safely. It would need 1 more point of fuel to make it into Geosynchronous orbit, but the First stage is already maxed out.

>>25386812
>Fuel: Mass 2
Why is the Fuel at Mass 2? Does it burn 2 units of fuel in order to do the Orbital Insertion?

>>25386745
You forgot the 3 units of fuel, so it's 24.

Also, consider making a larger capsule or intermediate sized rocket. that's a lot of empty space.

>>25386844
1 for the insertion and another for the plane change. These are polar orbiting satellites, when the constellation is complete there will always be at least one above the horizon at any point of the world at any given time.

>>25386884
>You forgot the 3 units of fuel, so it's 24
Oh what, we have to pay for fuel less than 10 units now?

>>25386924
The satellites also have had the cost of fuel in their costs. I'll admit I haven't been terribly consistent on it, but it would make sense as this is an advanced alchemical preparation.

>>25386985
30RP Satellite Plan 1 x2 finish network!
11RP Television Module 167/20
1RP Harker Improve Stamina 4/3/2/2/2
1RP Palmer Improve Engineering 3/2/2/0/0
1RP Cobham Improve Stamina 4/4/2/0/1

>>25387193
sorry television should be 16/20

Also, forgot to mention:

>Pander satellite communications to literally everyone.

Then Turn 11 budget
3 RP television 19/20
24 RP Geosync weather satellite
17 RP (out of 45) Reinforce machine shop (Unless we decide to relocate)

>>25386985
So Fuel for geosynchronous orbit and beyond will cost RP?

>>25387193
>>25387251
Except those figures for the Television Module are wrong.
Improvements are limited to a max of 5/5 points of Failure/Boom per turn.

Turn 10 should be:
30RP Satellite Plan 1 x2
9RP Television Module 15/20
1RP Harker Improve Stamina 4/3/2/2/2
1RP Palmer Improve Engineering 3/2/2/0/0
3RP MultiVAC 6/10

>>25387419
Sorry, I forgot about that.

I can support this plan.

>>25387253
All fuel costs RP. The only things that don't cost RP are pilots. Everything else costs as much as it weighs, except for a few things that cost slightly more.

>>25387419
>30RP Satellite Plan 1 x2
>9RP Television Module 15/20
>1RP Harker Improve Stamina 4/3/2/2/2
>1RP Palmer Improve Engineering 3/2/2/0/0
>3RP MultiVAC 6/10

Confirming budget, updating wiki. You wire the Budget back to Tannhauser, Harker asks why you are torturing him like this in the reply.
The Society asks why you have not put any funds into the radio-telescope.

>>25387567
"We're a bit strapped for funds on a number of projects. The radio telescope is up on the list however. We plan on designing as the typhoon season overtakes the island and launches no longer are possible. Before then, we have a number of projects that require our launch facility, and a short time in order to complete them."

>>25387567
We shall respond to Sir Harker that we have very specific goals which must be met, and that the approaching Typhoon Season means that we must meet them without delay.

We shall respond to the Society that the completion of our global communication network took precedence for this Turn, and that starting next Turn funds will be released for improving the Large Radio Array.

>>25387567
List of things to develop and associated costs:
mass 6 capsule: 18 to create and 60 to bring to 10/15 (assuming tech transfer) : total of 78
Radio telescope: 15 to create and 95 to bring to 10/15 (no applicable tech transfer) : total of 65
Space Shuttle (Larger meteor space plane) for various masses:
>Mass 6: 18 to create and 60 to bring to 10/15 (assuming tech transfer) : total of 78
>mass 9: 27 to create and 90 to bring to 10/15 (assuming tech transfer) : total of 117
>mass 12: 36 to create and 120 to bring to 10/15 (assuming tech transfer) : total of 156

Lunar probe:
>Mass 3 capsule, four burns, no return.
>Probe load-out: television, radio reactive power cells, MiniVAC, Hawtrey thrusters
>Cherubim with 8 fuel (4 burns at 2 fuel per burn)
29 RP total
In theory we can do this before typhoon season. Shows it's possible, get's prestige bonus.


Now we just have to decide where we want to go.

>>25387664
>>25387668
The society accepts this, but you get the feeling they are kind of annoyed.

While you wait for the launches, Is there anything you would like to do now that you are back home in midland.
>Talk to Mr radio
>Talk to the Telegraph company about satellite communications.
>Talk to the Westren Academy about MultiVAC
>Something else?

>>25387909
Talk to the Telegraph Company about radio satellite communications. By the end of this turn, our global communications network will be complete.

>>25387909
Telegraph company and Mr. Radio. We can talk to the academy when we've more fully developed MultiVAC.

>>25387968
>>25387977
Shall you invite them to the castle, or go visit them? And what shall you wear?

>Frilly dress (no bonus or penalty)
>Trendy dress (Currently equipped, expires soon)
>Military uniform (Militaristic and professional)
>Business dress (Bourgeois and professional)
>Fancy dress (Impressive and opulent)

>>25388200
We'll invite them to the castle, because we have a lot to do.
And we'll keep the Trendy Dress; it's a good bonus and since it'll expire soon, might as well use it while we can.

>>25388245
Seconded.

Turn 11:
24RP Cheribum 14/17
20RP Large Radio Array 3/7

Turn 12:
24RP Cheribum Mapper Geosynchronous Orbit
20RP Large Radio Array 5/9

Turn 13:
24RP Lunar Mapper (Cheribum 12RP, Pathfinder 3RP, MiniVAC 3RP, Television 1RP, Photovoltaic 1RP, Hawtrey Thrusters 1RP, Fuel 3RP (Orbital Insertion, Injection Burn, Lunar Capture))
20RP Large Radio Array 7/11

Turn 14
40RP Large Radio Array 11/15
3RP MultiVAC 6/11
1RP training

Turn 15
44RP Storm Preparations

Turn 16
20RP Large Radio Array 13/17
24RP Spaceplane 'Comet' Mass 8 Reusable

You invite a representative from the Toyal Telegraph Company to tea, and discuss business. He wants to know what exactly your satellites and automatic computers can do for him that his wired networks don't already do.


>>25388477
Please don't get too far ahead of yourself.

>>25388571
"You would gain uninterrupted coverage to any point on the globe. Even to ships out on the sea. Even to the Western isles. You could send telegraphs to any area, there would be no additional cost of laying cables to new areas. You could massively expand your customer base."

>>25388571
We shall explain how they can provide communications to ships at sea and connect new areas to the network faster, getting revenue faster until cables could be laid down to those areas.

>>25388666
>>25388713
Honestly, though, satellite communications are slower and worse than regular cable lines. The downsides outweigh the benefits most of the time. In all honesty, this is a niche application that probably won't make them much money.

>>25388758
But superior for rural and international communications. It's difficult to lay a cable to every town in the countryside, but easy to give each one a satellite dish.

>>25388758
In fact, that is exactly what the representative tells you. While he's sure sailors and their wives will be pleased, most of his customers live in midland. And he makes most of his money charging for telegraphs using his existing infrastructure.

>>25388823
"We'll be the ones maintaining this system. We just want to know if you want to be a part of it or not. We can help you expand your costumer base beyond Midland. But if you don't think you can use this service, that's your decision."

>>25388820
If Midland has already laid undersea cable to the Western Isles, then it's pretty unlikely to be of much use.

>>25388823
"Have you considered expanding your market to the Eastern Isles?"

Are there even any areas in Midland and the Western Isles that aren't connected already by telegraph?
This is something we should have checked first, since the only landmasses on this planet are the Western Isles, Midland, Nordheim, Suthland, and the Eastern Isles.

The eastern Isles are mostly tribes like Orion's. I doubt they would have much use for telegraphs.

>>25388963
"I don't fancy those savages having much use for wireless communications" The Representative says curtly.

There are no undersea cables yet, but each island has it's own network, and wireless telegraphs or seaplane messengers are used for inter island communications. In the south the Great Southern Railway Company provides Telegraph services.

None of these companies are very used to have anything remotely resembling competition, and all charge premium prices for wireless communications.

>>25389156
Perfect, we're giving him the ability to tap new markets. Maybe mention that if he doesn't want to use our communication network, someone else might.

>>25389225
As if that would work.
How is he going to be able to compete with the entrenched infrastructure? He'd either have to build his own cables, or people would have to buy expensive receivers for what is essentially just a telegraph, since telephone technology doesn't seem to yet be very prevalent.

You're just going to make us look bad.

>>25389288
Just, you know. Give him the illusion that there might be competition.

File: 1371014516891.png-(229 KB, 840x574, ISS and ATV4 pass - 6-11-(...).png)

229 KB PNG

Allright, I'm going to take a quick break. And if you live in the Pacific Northwest United states, I suggest you do too.

The ISS and the Albert Einstein ATV will be flying overhead shortly.

>>25389156
"While we understand that your company is primarily in the business of telegraphs, have you considered expanding into the radio market? There are markets that have not yet been tapped, that this communication network would make available."

We have no killer app for this technology. It's a bust as it is currently.

>>25389326
You're depending on him being stupid enough to be fooled by that? I don't think it likely.

>>25389349
>Implying you can see anything past the clouds tonight.

Maybe if you are east of the cascades or south of Portland.

>>25389349
I saw it, there were only a few clouds where I was looking. I did not however see the ATV, just the ISS.

>>25389517
"I am deeply sorry your highness, But I don't think there is much our organizations can do for each other. Your satellites are indeed fascinating, but we cannot afford to be expanding into other markets in this economy."

>>25389798
"Very well. Know that, if you reconsider, the door of the RRC is open."

Now, can we meet with Mr. Radio, or is that all for this turn? What about the letter to the Queen of the East Islanders? Perhaps she would be interested in a radio receiver, so that she could listen in on the outside world.

>>25389859
Just Mr Radio for Now. I'm sure he would love to be the most popular DJ in the world, not just in one city.

>>25390051
>not just in one city.
He's the most popular in a hemisphere.
He's got Midland and parts of Suthland. The Western Isles are controlled by Berlusconi. And the Huns aren't a very conducive market, and the market in the Eastern Isles is pretty much nonexistent because they don't have much in the way of trade.

>>25389859
Undaunted, you decide to make arrangements to meet with the renowned Mr Radio of Radio Hafenstad. However before you can do anything, disaster strikes.

You receive word that a parliamentary committee is placing Colonel Smith under investigation for misusing military funds. The committee is particularly concerned with the Cherubim project, which it claims is behind schedule, over budget, and has no particular use.

He is ordered to return to Midland at once to attend the hearing. This effectively shuts down the rocket corps for as long as they can filibuster this hearing...

>>25390135
MOTHERFUCKER!

>>25390135
Are we able to find out who is on the committee?
The RRC is a military branch, but we were not given direct orders to develop weapons by the King or by General Clay, correct?

What political screws can we apply to ministers in order to get this dropped?

>>25390135
Let's talk to everyone we know with political sway. Mother, the Royal Astrological Society, our brother, and then if that doesn't work...

We go to Clay. This is his trump card. I don't think he would do this for a simple vendetta. He wants something. We give him what he wants now and then we bide our time to eventually crush him.

>>25390264
Clay did ask you to make Radio-reaction bombs for him. You chose not too because you wanted a more peaceful Rocket Corps.

It seems like he's trying to get back at you the only way he can.

>>25390316
Is there any way to have him removed?
Or to have his supporters and his people on the committee hurt?

>>25390316
He asked us to make those bombs, and he also refused to protect the RRC from the inevitable social and political backlash that happened the last time.
I want Clay dead by the end of this.

>>25390387
>>25390374
It's simple, we kill the bat..I mean clay...

Although seriously guys, immediately devolving to violence, blackmail and murder. How very un-princess like!

>>25390611
He is a threat to us, the RRC, and to the Kingdom. He must be eliminated.

>>25390611
We're not doing this as the Princess of Midland.
We're doing this as the Director of X-COM.
And Clay needs to be removed.

>>25390679
>>25390727
...dude, can we at least keep murder as plan B not plan A. Let's try not murder first. I hear it works well.

>>25390765
It's also what got us into this situation.

>>25390316
You still haven't answered who is on the committee, what our Mother has to say about it, and if our Father has an opinion on if he wishes to see the RRC develop weapons again.

>>25390835
Mother smiles and jokingly suggests having him assassinated. She seems to insinuate that you might know some people who could do that, You can't be sure if she's joking or not. When she stops laughing she tells you to look for people outside of the military who can still help you. Having your military chain of command tied up in parliament is a grave loss, but it might be possible to maintain partial operations if you leverage other assets.

Father simply tells you that parliament is something that all rulers must deal with in their own way. He tells you that the current shape of the RRC is the shape you chose, and that as it's director, it is your duty to protect it.


What you know about Clay right now. He's been gaining influence as the situation in the west worsens. Now that you are back home, you have more access to the news, and it seems that the army is actively suppressing riots on some of the islands. There are even tanks in the streets!

Right now his supporters are pretty much in charge of parliament. It will take longer to gain information about the most important ones. Consider looking for possible contacts you already have.

>>25391032
Astrological Society, Nobility, the Navy (our brother)...

That's all I can think of.

>>25391080
"Try again Lydia, although your brother loves you dearly, the Navy is under Clay's control as well. Surely you can think of more possible allies than that?"

>>25391032
Send a message to Dame Minerva; in Colonel Smith's absence she is to assume full control over the RRC, reporting directly to us. Sir Harker has already left the military, so he will be her assistant until further notice.

Contact Lady Ethelstan and Lord Bartly.

>>25391119
Lets see whose asses have we saved or actually managed to befriend that would prove useful in this situation. Ill be honest i really cant think of that many. Most of the people we've had contact with either work directly for us or are foreigners and therefore dont matter one little bit.
This one is tough.

>>25391119
Lady Ethelstan, who was so interested in civilian applications. Lord Bartly, who's very devout.
And then there was the noble we spoke with during the party that was interested in radio-telescopes.

It is now time for me to retire for the night. And as much as I HATE to leave you with a cliffhanger. I will be traveling on Thursday and thus unable to run normally. I apologize in advance.

Space Princess quest will continue on Saturday.

>>25391032
Given the poor situation in the West and Clay's commanding influence; maybe we should just give him what he wants.

A single, more powerful radio-reactive bomb. He just has the tell the public that the Army developed and tested it independent of us.

>>25390135
That's weird, we were commanding RRC and approving budget, but Colonel Smith is investigated, why?

>>25391200
>Contact Lady Ethelstan and Lord Bartly
Yes, Lady Ethelstan was not fully supportive of us, but once she find out that it is only Lydia who stands between Clay and an escalated arms race, she will be much more willing.

>>25391954
>Given the poor situation in the West and Clay's commanding influence; maybe we should just give him what he wants.
It's the easy way out, but it could be not the best choice for wellbeing of Midland and stability in the world, which we care about. Also, we are higher in station than Clay and to let him manipulate us like this is bad for our political reputation. While father is silent on that matter, he is watching us and will not be impressed if we were to be bullied easily like that. Saying that, full on feud with Clay is not a responsible thing to do either, but he should know his place.