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Per Aspera (Space Agency Plan Quest)

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Ash19256 said:
Once we have confidence and experience with our single seat orbital operations, we can push for a larger twin-seat capsule - which would likely just be an enlarged version of our Mercury-alike, instead of something as radically different as Gemini was.

I have no strong knowledge or opinions for the Bothering Councilors options.
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I think that depends on how good the Mercury-alike, since part of the reason Gemini was so different was both needed upgrades and the inclusion of the astronaut core.
 
[X] [HUMAN] Go with a single-person spacecraft

The one-seater arguments have definitely swayed me, we have a lot of difficult and very valuable projects to get up to soon with probes and the all-important weather satellite.

I just think that we'd be better served by a smaller, less research and resource intensive, test to learn how putting people in space works and get the goal complete.
 
[X] [HUMAN] Go with a single-person spacecraft.
[X] [BOTHER] Divert resources to rebuilding Industry in Sub-Saharan Africa
 
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    • Scheduled vote count started by Shadows on Mar 2, 2024 at 2:22 PM, finished with 41 posts and 24 votes.
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    April 1st, 1955//Q2 1955
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    • [X] [HUMAN] Go with a single-person spacecraft.
    [X] [BOTHER] Divert resources to rebuilding Electrification in Sub-Saharan Africa.

    Penelope found herself musing over her coffee on the first of April. A great deal of progress had been made in the last quarter, and she was, once again, authorizing the quarterly project list today. Her desk was strewn with papers: lab reports informing her of experimental results, a reply from the Councillor she'd been pestering saying that he would happily begin further electrification projects in Sub-Saharan Africa (which was, on further thought, a very large place - perhaps the planning region ought to have been split into Central Africa and Southern Africa…), engineering proposals, a letter from Dr. Turing, a letter from her father…

    And, well, a catalog of wedding dresses provided by a friend back home who specialized in making such things. I will need two, after all.

    A knock at her door caused her to look up. "Come in!" she invited cheerily. The door opened to reveal Korolev, bearing his own coffee cup (which she knew was spiked with rum - she would have expected vodka, and he did, of course, partake in that) and a curious metal part. "Good morning Sergei. Have a seat, if you like."

    Korolev nodded and took the chair opposite her, sinking into the cushion with a sigh, placing the part on the table. "I bring good news this morning." he said, gesturing at the part.

    "Oh? What's that?"

    "It is inconel, part of what is known as a 'turbopump'. It pumps fuel from the tank to the engine, as the name implies. This metal is very heat tolerant, which makes it ideal for engines. It came on this morning's mail flight, from North America." he said, and gave her a wry smile. "That bastard Glushko is dancing in Long Beach, I'm sure of it. He will probably be asking for funding to make new engines soon, using this."

    Penelope chuckled. "You two still don't get along, do you?"

    "No, we do not. I will.. concede that he is good at what he does - though do not ever tell him I said so - but he also got me thrown in the gulag during the Third Great War, and that is not something easily forgiven." Korolev stated matter-of-factly.

    Penelope shook her head and smiled slightly. "Understandable, I think. Did he send you that?" she asked, gesturing at the part. He nodded.

    "Da. To gloat, I am sure. He did, however, also send the instructions on how to make more, as is protocol. So, I too will be looking into new engine designs." he said, the faintest hint of a smirk on his lips.

    "Good. I wish the both of you the best of luck." Penelope said, and gestured at her papers. "I'm going to need some myself. Every quarter I do this, and every quarter I'm astonished at just how much I have to process in the space of a week."

    "Reasons why I am glad you are the Director and not I." he responded with a chuckle, and stood. "I will leave you to your papers, then." He glanced down, and caught sight of the catalog. "Getting married?"

    Penelope nodded. "I am. Soon, hopefully."

    "Let me know when and where. I would like to be present, my friend."

    "So you know… I am getting married to another woman." Penelope warned.

    Korolev shrugged. "So?" he asked, and walked out with a wave before Penelope could respond, leaving her there, blinking in faint surprise.

    Resources:
    490R (+475R/turn + 5R/turn from Connections - 35R/turn from payroll/dice purchases = +445/turn net)
    100 Political Support
    1 R-2 Gale
    1 R-4 Dawn
    1 Curiosity-class Satellite

    Objectives of the World Communal Council
    Complete Post-War Reconstruction (40000/200000)
    Defeat Partisan Forces

    Department of Agriculture (5%)
    -Forestry Commission
    -Aquaculture and Fishing Commission
    Department of Transportation (9%)
    -Sea Travel Commission
    -Road and Rail Commission
    -Air Travel Commission
    Department of Industrial Coordination (5%)
    -Occupational Health and Safety Administration
    Department of Energy (8.2%)
    Department of Reconstruction and Disaster Relief (28.0%)
    Department of Health and Welfare (24.5%)
    Department of Education (17.2%)

    Discretionary Funding (2.6%)
    Council Standards Commission (Negligible)

    Interplanetary Exploration Cooperative (1.0%)
    Antarctic Exploration Cooperative (0.1%)
    (Others)

    State of the World
    (Updated at the end of every Quarter)

    Mediterranean/Saharan Africa
    Education: 7
    Electrification: 7
    Industry: 7
    Infrastructure: 7
    Security: 2
    Partisan Activity: 3

    Sub-Saharan Africa
    Education: 7
    Electrification: 6
    Industry: 6
    Infrastructure: 6
    Security: 4
    Partisan Activity: 4

    Eastern Asia
    Education: 10
    Electrification: 9
    Industry: 10
    Infrastructure: 10
    Security: 6
    Partisan Activity: 6

    Western Asia
    Education: 9
    Electrification: 11
    Industry: 11
    Infrastructure: 11
    Security: 7
    Partisan Activity: 6

    Australia and New Zealand
    Education: 6
    Electrification: 7
    Industry: 7
    Infrastructure: 7
    Security: 4
    Partisan Activity: 3

    Europe
    Education: 10
    Electrification: 10
    Industry: 9
    Infrastructure: 11
    Security: 6
    Partisan Activity: 5

    North America
    Education: 8
    Electrification: 9
    Industry: 8
    Infrastructure: 9
    Security: 9
    Partisan Activity: 3

    South America
    Education: 8
    Electrification: 8
    Industry: 8
    Infrastructure: 8
    Security: 4
    Partisan Activity: 3

    Pacific Islands
    Education: 6
    Electrification: 6
    Industry: 5 (LIMIT REACHED)
    Infrastructure: 6
    Security: 1
    Partisan Activity: 0

    1 Launch Stand (0-5 tonne) (+1 Operations dice)
    1 Heavy Sounding Rocket Launch Pad (5-30 tonne) (+1 Operations dice)
    1 Assembly Complex (+1 Build Capacity)
    1 Engineer's Hall (+2 Engineering Dice)
    1 University Affiliate (+2 Science Dice)
    1 Materials Lab (+5 bonus to projects tagged [MATSCI])
    1 Chemical Plant (+5 bonus to projects tagged [CHEM])
    1 Electronics Cooperative (+5 bonus to projects tagged [AVIONICS])
    2 Construction Union Halls (+2 Facilities die)
    1 Publications Office (+1 to all science and engineering fields; coinflip each year to get an additional +1)
    1 Hardened Tracking and Observation (T&O) Complex (+3 to Operations)
    1 Engine Test Stand (+2 to PROP projects)
    1 Isotope Separation and Nuclear Science Facility (Enables Nuclear Technology tree) (fully unlocks 1954Q1)
    1 Computational Research Facility (+3 to all rolls)
    1 Model 1952 'Stormchaser' Mobile Rocket Launch System (+1 Operations dice)
    Advanced Concepts Office (unlocks experimental new programs from time to time)
    1 Wind Tunnel (+3 to AERO)
    1 Flight Complex (+2 Operations dice, enables the construction and launch of air- and spaceplanes.)
    Dnipro Aerospace Metallurgy Centre (+9 MATSCI, +1 Education in Europe)
    Sao Paolo Aerodynamics Centre (+10 AERO, +1 Education in South America)
    Long Beach Propulsion Research Complex (+7 PROP, +1 Education in North America)
    Mombasa Computer Science Institute (+10 COMP, +1 Education in Sub-Saharan Africa)
    Equatorial Tracking System (Provides communications and guidance across the equator)

    Scientific Advances
    Improved Instrumentation - Gain +1d2 bonus to a random field every 2 launches. Gain +1 to AVIONICS immediately.) (Made obsolete by First Satellite)
    Regenerative Cooling - Starts down the path to more powerful and advanced rocket engines.
    Second Stages - Can now build 2-Stage Rockets.
    Combustion Instability Research - Turns the initial success roll for a rocket from a >60 to >50.
    Engine Cycles - Enables Early Orbital engines.
    Mobile Launch Operations - Can launch Sounding Rockets without the need for a launch pad.
    Improved Stringer Alloys - New (expensive) alloys improve the performance of structural tanks. (+5 to R cost of Heavy Sounding Rockets and above)
    Copper-Chrome combustion chamber alloys - New combustion chamber alloys with higher heat transfer efficiency allow for hotter (and thus more efficient) chamber temperatures, leading to the ability to produce more powerful engines. (Future rocket designs will be higher performing.)
    Aluminum-Lithium monolithic tanks - New tank alloys enable lighter, higher performing tankage to be produced for new rocket designs. (Future designs that use Al-Li tankage will be more performant, but more expensive in R terms.)
    First Satellite - With the launch of the Curiosity I, the IEC and the world have entered a new era of spaceflight, and the horizons of science and engineering broaden ever further. (+10PS, Improved Instrumentation bonus deactivated. Gain +1d2 bonus to a random non-CREW field per two satellite launches.)
    Van Allen Belts - An area of charged particles from the Sun, trapped by Earth's magnetic field. These belts have caused several minor hiccups with the Curiosity I satellite, and given the transmitted radiation readings, care must be taken if the IEC intends to launch humans through them. Staying for any significant length of time would be... ill advised.
    Inconel turbine parts - Enables higher-performance rocket engines to be constructed.
    Hastelloy-N reactor parts - Enables higher-performance nuclear reactors and nuclear engines to be constructed.
    Rudimentary Heat Shielding - An ablative heat shield made of a pourable elastomer laid over a resin-impregnated hemp honeycomb, rimmed with a carbon cloth that together made an effective protection against the heat of Low Earth Orbit re-entries. (Enables return of film, sample, and crewed capsules/craft)

    Scientific/Engineering Specific Field Bonuses
    AERO - +19
    AVIONICS - +10
    CHEM - +11
    CREW - +3
    COMP - +13
    MATSCI - +17
    PHYS - +9
    PROP - +14

    IEC Leadership:

    Director of the IEC:
    Penelope Carter [The Director] - [+10 to Politics rolls, +2 Politics die, +5R/turn in funding from Connections, reroll 1 failed politics roll per turn]

    Assistant Director of the IEC:
    Sergei Korolev [The Engineer] - [+5 to Science and Engineering rolls (unless researching [HGOL][FUEL] projects, then it becomes a -15), +1 Science dice, +1 Engineering Dice. Request: Build and launch a 2nd Generation Orbital Rocket within 5 years. Demonstrate crewed orbital spaceflight within 5 years.]

    Chief Scientist of the IEC:

    Assistant Director of the Spacefarer Assembly    :

    Passive Effects

    Rocket Reels - Adds a coinflip for 2 gained political support per quarter; gain an additional flip for every successful orbital rocket launch. [UPGRADED]

    Nuclear Power Authorization - The World Council has been successfully convinced to support the IEC conducting peaceful, power-generating nuclear experiments. (Current WC approval status: Given, Apprehensive; Current public approval status: Apprehensive)

    Promises Made (Expires Q1 1956 unless otherwise stated):
    Conduct Materials Research (Phase 5) (Int(C), Int(M-L), FWW) (small additional progress requirement added in order to represent finding materials good for civilian use)
    Build the Beijing Institute for Chemical Research (Int(C))
    Build the New Delhi Institute for Physics (CPAL, Int(C))
    Launch a Venus probe before 1960Q1. (+2 to Dnipro Aerospace Metallurgy Centre's bonus on completion) (Int(M-L)
    Launch a probe to Mars by 1960Q1 (+2 to Long Beach Propulsion Research Complex's bonus on completion) (Int(D))
    Conduct Nuclear Power Plant Design Studies (FWW) (Does not expire as long as the dice is locked)
    Build 2 points of Industry or Electrification in the Pacific or Africa (FWW)
    Build the Big Ear (CPAL)
    Transfer APCP formula to the UWF for use in military rockets. (UWF) (Autocomplete)
    Hire a spacefarer from South America (UWF)
    Conduct Design Studies (Alternative Launch Systems) (SDL)

    Operations (5 dice, +3 bonus) (1 type of Rocket may be built at a time)

    Rockets

    [ ] Construct an R-1 Beden - Standard Sounding rocket launches are now something of an old hat. Still perfectly useful, of course, and they're not actually that old, but the two stage rockets have stolen some of their thunder. (15R per dice, 3/35, costs 1 Build Capacity until complete)
    -[ ] And launch it (free action for Sounding Rockets) (gains Scientific Data, launch experience, results to show the people funding you)

    [ ] Construct an R-2 Gale - The IEC's engineers and scientists have come up with a moderately reliable stage separation system for multi-stage rockets. The Gale has seen active use for two years, now, and is turning into quite the reliable workhorse. (20R per dice, 19/45, costs 1 Build Capacity until complete)
    -[ ] And launch it (free action for Sounding Rockets) (gains Scientific Data, launch experience, results to show the people funding you)

    [ ] Construct an R-3 Snow - The Heavy Sounding Rocket, now known as the Snow, is ready for construction. It's a sizeable rocket, but thankfully you have a sizeable pad to launch it from. Unfortunately, it won't ever fit on a Stormchaser. (25R per dice, 7/80, costs 1 Build Capacity until complete)
    -[ ] And launch it (free action for Sounding Rockets) (gains Scientific Data, launch experience, results to show the people funding you)

    [] Construct an R-4 Dawn - The first Orbital-class rocket, the Dawn is capable of lifting 200 kilograms to low Earth orbit. It may be able to do more, in time, but for now that would suffice. It can only launch on the Heavy Sounding Pad or heavier, as yet unbuilt ones. (35R per dice, 17/120, costs 1 build capacity til complete) (2 Payload Mass capacity)
    -[ ] And launch it (1 Operations dice; specify payload)
    –[ ] Sounding payload (inert payload for testing)

    [ ] Construct a Prototype Spaceplane -

    Payloads

    [ ] Construct a Payload
    –[ ] Curiosity-class Satellite (20R) (1.5 Payload Mass)

    Programs (0 slots available)

    [ ] Activate Weather Observation Satellites (1 slot required)

    [ ] Activate Sounding Rocket Programs (1 slot required) (removes Sounding Rockets from build queue)

    Facilities (8 dice, +10 bonus)

    (A maximum of 3 dice may be used on any project - representing 3 shifts of work.)

    [ ] Expand the Assembly Complex - A proposal to expand the Assembly Complex to allow for more rockets to be constructed simultaneously has hit your desk. This will significantly up your launch cadence, you are told, and allow for multiple rocket programs to be run in parallel, as well as future proofing you somewhat against the upcoming orbital rockets. (20R per die, 182/350, +1 Build Capacity, +1 Program Slot (runs repeatables in the background))

    [ ] Expand the Launch Complex - You have two launch pads (one of which has gone entirely unused, so far) but, soon enough, you expect to need additional pads to account for the maintenance and upgrades the existing ones will certainly need. Getting a head start on that need may be a good idea. (20R per die, 0/350, gain two 500t launch pads)

    [ ] Build a Scientific Complex - While there are a significant number of people within the IEC who want to keep the Cooperative's footprint confined to Mogadishu - at least for now - there is definitely an argument to be made for building dedicated facilities in other locations to build up buy-in from the rest of the world by providing them something tangible in return. One of those ideas is for a dedicated Scientific Complex, dedicated to a particular discipline, much like the Soviet closed cities - just not closed. This has the potential to greatly increase your scientific output and your political sway at the same time. (25R per die, opens up new research possibilities, +1d5+5 bonus in the associated field, +1 Education for the region)
    -[] Beijing Institute for Chemical Research (CHEM) (187/450)
    -[] Sydney Microelectronics Research Centre (AVIONICS) (0/450)
    -[] New Delhi Institute for Physics (PHYS) (178/450)

    [ ] Build a Mission Control Center - As the IEC's operations continue to expands, it finds itself in need of additional control space dedicated to both new and ongoing missions. That control space will need significant computing capability, as well as dedicated communications links - both of which are power-hungry. The benefits, however, could be worth it. (25R per die, 0/250) (+3 to Operations) (+1 Program slot (runs repeatables in the background))

    [ ] Tracking and Communication Station Construction (Phase 2) - The second stage of Tracking Stations rolls out tracking stations across the northern latitudes to better serve potential polar-orbiting satellite as best as possible where land exists. (30R per die, 94/250, adds equatorial tracking for rocket launches)

    [ ] Spacefarer Training Facilities - Should the IEC wish to fly humans into space, it will need a place to train them for their missions, and ready their bodies for the rigors of flying on a rocket. (15R per dice, 113/300) (+2 CREW) (will have projects to expand it later for new capabilities, enables crew to be trained for basic LEO flight)

    [ ] Construction and Reconstruction Support - The IEC has a fairly sizeable and very skilled Facilities department that, if desired, could be of help in rebuilding the world's ruins and advancing the state of humankind besides. This can be done with or without a promise owed to someone, and will always be a good way of improving your relationships with the people you serve. (0/250) (can be done multiple times in parallel)
    -[ ] Specify Region
    --[ ] Electrification (25R per dice)
    --[ ] Industry (30R per dice)
    --[ ] Infrastructure (20R per dice)

    Engineering (5 dice, +6 Bonus to All, +3 from Research Support (1956Q1)) (3/5 Locked)

    [1 LOCKED] Observation Satellites - Now that we can put things in space, we should branch out what we're doing with them. The chief request of your weather scientists (and those elsewhere) is the ability to observe storms forming in real time, and while weather radar has been greatly helpful, it doesn't reach everywhere it needs to and would be far more uneconomical besides. By sticking a television camera and an antenna on a satellite, perhaps you could do something about this. (2/4 turns, 1 locked dice, 15R per turn)

    [1 LOCKED] Human-rated Rocketry - Satellites would certainly be useful for many things that you didn't want to spend precious human time on, nor deal with the constraints involved in getting them back. But, should the need arise, it would be a good idea to develop a way to get a human into space, then orbit, and back, alive. (2/8 turns, 1 locked dice, 20R per turn)

    [ ] Prototype Spaceplane - Your spaceplane enthusiasts returned to your office with another proposal, building off the back of the design studies they had undertaken through the winter of 1954. Their desire was to create a crewed 'space' plane that would be towed behind or carried underneath a carrier aircraft, be released, and activate a rocket engine that would take it up over the Karman line. It would have a multitude of sensors, of course, and would also need air supplies and likely a heated flight suit to keep the pilot alive and able to work. (0/300, 15R per dice)

    [ ] Conduct Design Studies (Alternative Launch Systems) [AERO, PHYS] - Still more of your engineers were talking about investigating different ways of potentially getting to space. Jules Verne stuff. Big guns and space towers and the like. You didn't think them likely to work, but having the knowledge wouldn't hurt. (5R per die, 216/300, ???)

    [ ] Design/Redesign an Orbital Rocket - Now that our first orbital rocket has flown to space and delivered payloads, we can begin to look at what may be improved about it. We can also, if we wish, begin thinking about other, new designs. (15R) (4 turns to Design) (2 turns to Redesign) (Triggers subvote)
    -[ ] Design
    -[ ] Redesign (Rocket name here)

    [ ] Balloon Tanks [MATSCI] - A curious phenomenon has been observed with the use of stainless steel for tankage. If made very thin, it is flimsy - but if the material is then appropriately pressurized, it regains significant structural strength, saving greatly on weight at the cost of being much more expensive to manufacture. This could be ideal for some applications that the IEC has in mind where cost is not an issue while performance is, but needs further testing beforehand. (15R per dice, 142/200, unlocks balloon tankage for use in later rockets)

    [ ] Lifting Body - Work with the Wind Tunnel and on the Spaceplane studies had revealed a new configuration for air- and spacecraft fuselage design - the concept of the lifting body, where the wing area was minimized to reduce drag at high speeds, with the body itself providing the lifting force used. While not terribly useful for aircraft, it was potentially very useful for spacecraft design. (10R per die, 30/150)

    [ ] Strap-on Boosters - By utilizing additional, solid-or-liquid-fueled boosters attached to the side of a given rocket, we may be able to significantly increase its payload without needing an entirely-new rocket. (10R per dice, 0/250) (Enables the use of boosters to increase payload capacity at the cost of Progress and Resources (flat))

    [ ] Multi-Stage Designs - Through the use of additional stages, we can give rockets the capability to throw payloads further out into space - potentially even interplanetary distances. (15R per turn) (2 turns) (Enables the use of third stages and up for sending payloads to geostationary orbit and beyond at the cost of Payload Mass)

    [ ] Impactor Designs - One of the proposed methods of probing our neighboring planets and Moon is by, quite literally, hitting them with a sizeable weight going at incredible speed and seeing what we can learn from the resulting dust plume (in the case of the Moon) or following the instrumentation's readings as they transmit on their way to impact. Or both. (10R per turn, 1 engineering dice locked, 3 turns)

    [1 LOCKED] Nuclear Power Plant Design Studies - Now that initial work had been completed verifying that, at the lab scale, nuclear energy could be used to generate power, now it was time to actually forward that knowledge into a practical, useful form. It would not be cheap, but, hopefully, it would be worth it. (1/8 turns, 1 locked dice, 25R per turn) (Unlocks 1st Generation Terrestrial Fission Power Plants for the world, leads to Radioisotope Thermal Generators, 2nd Generation Terrestrial Fission Plants, 1st Generation Space-rated Fission Plants)

    [ ] Nuclear Engine for Rocket Vehicle Applications Studies - A side-effect of the nuclear power studies lead to several of your researchers realizing that the heat a reactor produced could be harnessed for things other than turning a turbine. By passing propellant over a reactor's core housing you would cool the core and heat the propellant alike - and the propellant would be very hot indeed, making it an attractive candidate for being flung out the back of the spacecraft at extremely high speeds. (20R per die, 0/500, -30PS on completion UNLESS given WC authorization) (Unlocks 1st Generation Nuclear Thermal Propulsion for spacecraft)

    (Projects that require locked dice can be unlocked at any time, but progress will not be made without a dice locked in.)

    Science (5 dice, +6 Bonus to All, +3 from Research Support (1956Q1)) (1/5 Locked)

    [ ] Exploratory Propellant Research (Phase 2) [CHEM] - A group of chemists attached to the IEC came to you with a proposal to conduct an exhaustive campaign characterizing just about as many propellants as they could come up with. While expensive, and dangerous, and potentially deadly, the knowledge gained could also be invaluable for nailing down mixtures and ratios of fuels that could help the IEC achieve its objectives. (15R per dice, 3/200, unlocks fuel mixtures and further fuel development)

    [ ] Conduct Materials Research (Phase 4) [MATSCI] - Better alloys and manufacturing techniques would lead to higher-performing engines and lighter rockets, you were told. A fair deal of research had already been done into the subject, giving you a much-improved set of materials with which to build your rockets and engines out of, but there was much more that could be done. (20R per die, 231/350, provides access to new manufacturing techniques) [Modified by promise til Phase 5 complete]

    [ ] Conduct Supersonic Jet Research (Phase 3) [AERO] - Basic testing has been completed, and interesting phenomena observed when experimenting with the engines that have been built. More can be done, of course. (15R per die, requires a completed Hangar Complex and Runway to finish, can be started without, 147/640)

    [ ] All-Sky Survey (Phase 1) [PHYS] - The Science Committee at the WCC put forward the proposal to perform an All-Sky Survey, mapping the entire night sky with telescopes across the world. The first such survey, the Carte du Ciel, had never actually finished, despite starting nearly three quarters of a century ago. With advancements in photography and optics, the science teams predict that they will be able to perform the task… in roughly a decade. First, though, you needed to wrangle observatories… (10R per die, 0/300) (+5 PS, ???)

    [ ] Big Ear [PHYS] - The scientists working for the IEC have latched on to the opening the new broadcast regulations have given them, and are clamoring for funding to construct a radio telescope in a remote part of Africa. It might need a bit of infrastructure run out to it, and probably a security force of some sort to dissuade partisans, but it looked doable. Personally, you thought it was also a good excuse to help electrify somewhere that needed it. (20R per die; At least 1 dice must be Facilities, 209/300) (+1 Electrification and Infrastructure in Sub-Saharan Africa, +2 to PHYS)

    [ ] Atomic-powered Ground Launch Concept Studies - The idea of in-space nuclear propulsion, brought down to Earth. This program would study the possibilities for using nuclear power to get from the surface to space, both directly and indirectly. (10R per die, 0/300, -5PS on start, and an additional -10 on completion)

    [ ] Photovoltaic Investigations - Batteries are all well and good for powering spacecraft, but are also heavy and do not generate power on their own - once they're discharged, they're done. Your scientists suggest that by utilizing the photovoltaic effect, it might be possible to power spacecraft with it. (1/4 turns, 1 Science dice locked; 20R per turn)

    [ ] Very Long Range Communications - In order to properly communicate with probes we send out into the solar system to explore our neighboring worlds, we will need to begin studying ways to communicate more efficiently at these incredible distances. (5R per turn, 1 Science dice locked, 3 turns)

    [ ] Weather Observation Satellites [PROGRAM] - By using specially-built observation satellites, the IEC can provide real- or near-real-time observation of weather phenomena across the globe. This has obvious benefits for forecasting and emergency alerting, and would be a valuable way of cementing the IEC as a permanent fixture of the Council. (25R to activate, takes up a Program slot) (Requires Observation Satellites)

    [ ] Closed-Input Life Support Systems - We know from high-altitude flights during the Third Great War that systems can be designed to provide breathable air and a temperature-controlled environment for high-flying pilots. By taking that knowledge and acknowledging the lack of oxygen in space from which to replenish breathable air supplies, we can design a system capable of keeping a human alive for at least a short time (days) in space with no external inputs. (10R per dice, 0/200)

    (Projects that require locked dice can be unlocked at any time, but progress will not be made without a dice locked in.)

    Politics & Management (4 dice, +10 bonus, reroll 1 failure per turn)

    Political

    [ ] Bothering Councilors - The year's budget is set, but next year's is very much not. You can influence investment priorities if you want to apply enough political pressure to the right people to convince them to fund, say, better roads out of Mogadishu… elementary and secondary schools in Africa… that kind of thing. (-10 PS, roll a quality dice to give options for influencing infrastructure funding, triggers subvote)

    [ ] Propagandize for Nuclear Power - As the IEC has gained more and more knowledge on the subject of nuclear power, it's become apparent that if you want to put this knowledge to good use for humanity, you'll need to start working against the (justified) stigma nuclear as a whole has in order to realize its full potential. (-2PS per die) (155/???)

    [ ] Propagandize for Space - Now that you've gotten your first orbital class rocket (and soon your first satellite), now is the best time to start touting the benefits of space exploration and access to space to the public. You'll need to find ways of engaging everyone in the idea, and there was no better time to start than now. (5R per die) (138/???)

    Outreach

    [ ] Rocket Boxes (Phase 5) - The fourth phase of Rocket Box deployment has completed across South America and the Pacific Islands. Next up is Europe; it needs the program probably the least of all the regions under the World Council, but it would be unadvised to not extend it anyway. New factories will be built for the motors and parts in Europe, which should ease logistics in the area. (5R per die, 0/250. Gives Rocket Boxes to every middle-school, high-school and university or equivalent in Europe. Encourages future scientists and engineers - some of whom will even come work with the IEC.)

    [ ] Creative Sponsorships - A junior physicist has made the suggestion that by sponsoring the work of fiction authors (particularly science fiction), interest in space, science, and the IEC could be generated outside the bounds of colleges and classrooms. This sparked another suggestion from one of the Outreach department's people - broaden the sponsorship from simply authors to filmmakers and more traditional artists as well. This would help reach even more people than before, they thought. (10R per die, 141/400) (-5R per turn when done, provides additional variable passive PS income and can result in shuffled costs and requests at World Council meetings.)

    Personnel

    [ ] Engineering Job Fair - (93/150, 5R per dice, -5R per turn on completion. Gain +1 Engineering dice)

    [ ] Laboratory Talent Scouting - (0/150, 5R per dice, -5R per turn on completion. Gain +1 Science dice)

    [ ] There is Power in a Union - The PAO says you should expand your physical footprint so more people can interact with the IEC. Preparations and initial expansions have already been made, but your facilities unions need more able bodies to do more with. (0/150, 5R per dice, -5R per turn and -5 PS on completion. Gain +1 Facilities dice.)

    [ ] The Right Stuff - With work underway on several programs that would require the services of skilled and courageous pilots, you would soon need to begin finding them so they could be integrated into the IEC - and someday, they would become your first astronauts. (91/300, 5R per dice, gain astronaut candidates)
     
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    • Okay, workshopping:

    [] Plan: Insert Plan Name (that Etran finds not-boring) Here
    -[] Construct an R-4 Dawn (35R per dice, 17/120, costs 1 build capacity til complete) (2 Payload Mass capacity) (1 die)
    --[] And launch it (1 Operations dice; specify payload)
    --[] Curiosity-class Satellite (20R per die) (1 die)
    -[] Launch the stockpiled R-4 (1 Operations dice; specify payload)
    --[] Curiosity-class Satellite (stockpiled)

    -[] Build a Scientific Complex (25R per die)
    --[] Beijing Institute for Chemical Research (CHEM) (187/450) (3 dice)
    --[] New Delhi Institute for Physics (PHYS) (178/450) (3 dice)
    -[] Big Ear [PHYS] (20R per die; At least 1 dice must be Facilities, 209/300) (1 Facilities die)
    -[] Spacefarer Training Facilities (15R per dice, 113/300) (1 die)

    -[] Conduct Design Studies (Alternative Launch Systems) [AERO, PHYS] (5R per die, 216/300, ???) (1 die)
    -[] Balloon Tanks [MATSCI] (15R per dice, 142/200) (1 die)

    -[] Conduct Materials Research (Phase 4) [MATSCI] (20R per die, 231/350) (3 dice)
    -[] Big Ear [PHYS] (20R per die; At least 1 dice must be Facilities, 209/300) (1 Science die)
    -[] Photovoltaic Investigations (1/4 turns, 1 Science dice locked; 20R per turn)

    -[] The Right Stuff (91/300, 5R per dice) (3 dice)
    -[] Engineering Job Fair (93/150, 5R per dice) (1 die)
     
    Last edited:
    Hope the Korolev-Glushko rivalry does not cause problems down the line. [ ] Closed-Input Life Support Systems seems like something important to start, so we can learn the requirement of such life support and integrate it into our capsule designs.
     
    Zimmerwald1915 said:
    Ultimately depends on how much control Carter has over Long Beach. Korolev has easier access to her, and the presence of mind to at least not act like a homophobic jerk (thus staying on her good side).
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    He's an ass in many ways to many people, but he does like Penelope. And, yes, he keeps whatever personal feelings he has on the matter to himself. (Haven't found anything one way or the other, so I'm going with 'does not honestly give a shit as long as you're good at your job', which she is.)
     
    [] Plan: Rational Assessment, Reasonable Solutions
    Resources: 475/490
    Political Support 100/100
    Operations (5/5 dice, +3 bonus, -90R)
    -[] Construct an R-4 Dawn (17/120) (2 dice, -70R)
    --[] And launch it (1 die)
    --[] Curiosity-class Satellite (1 die, -20R)
    -[] Launch the stockpiled R-4 (1 die)
    --[] Curiosity-class Satellite (stockpiled)

    Facilities (8/8 dice, +10 bonus, -185R)
    -[] Build a Scientific Complex
    --[] Beijing Institute for Chemical Research (CHEM) (187/450) (3 dice, -75R)
    --[] New Delhi Institute for Physics (PHYS) (178/450) (3 dice, -75R)
    -[] Big Ear [PHYS] (209/300) (1 die, -20R)
    -[] Spacefarer Training Facilities (113/300) (1 die, -15R)

    Engineering (5/5 dice, +9 bonus, -80R)
    -[] Observation Satellites (2/4 turns) (1 die, -15R)
    -[] Human-rated Rocketry (2/8 turns) (1 die, -20R)
    -[] Nuclear Power Plant Design Studies (1/8 turns) (1 die, -25R)
    -[] Conduct Design Studies (Alternative Launch Systems) [AERO, PHYS] (216/300) (1 die, -5R)
    -[] Balloon Tanks [MATSCI] (142/200) (1 die, -15R)

    Science (5/5 dice, +9 bonus, -100R)
    -[] Conduct Materials Research (Phase 4) [MATSCI] (231/350) (4 dice, -80R)
    -[] Big Ear [PHYS] (209/300) (1 die, -20R)

    Politics (4/4 dice, +10 bonus, -20R)
    -[] The Right Stuff (91/300) (3 dice, -15R)
    -[] Engineering Job Fair (93/150) (1 die, -5R)

    @C_Z's plan (all credit to him) with a few additions (another rocket die and another CMR4 die). All dice engaged, 15R surplus. Bing, bang, boom.
     
    Shadows said:
    "So you know… I am getting married to another woman." Penelope warned.

    Korolev shrugged. "So?" he asked, and walked out with a wave before Penelope could respond, leaving her there, blinking in faint surprise.
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    So, now that this matter is being brought up, should we worry and stockpile PS to not get Penelope forcibly replaced?
     
    10ebbor10 said:
    So, now that this matter is being brought up, should we worry and stockpile PS to not get Penelope forcibly replaced?
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...

    They literally just legalized that in New England, I doubt it's an issue. Besides at least one of the major parties has "gay rights" as a major part of the platform and the papers noted that the Revolution decriminalized homosexuality the world over. Plus, Dr. Turing is very gay, not really hiding it, and everyone gets along with him.

    We'll be fine. If someone tries to pull something on that basis we've got enough PS as it is to make a few calls.
     
    [] Plan: Let the Sunshine In:
    Resources: 440/490
    Political Support 100/100
    Operations (3/5 dice, +3 bonus, -55R)
    -[ ] Construct an R-4 Dawn (17/120) (1 dice, -35R)
    --[ ] Curiosity-class Satellite (1 die, -20R)
    -[ ] Launch the stockpiled R-4 (1 die)
    --[ ] Curiosity-class Satellite (stockpiled)

    Facilities (8/8 dice, +10 bonus, -185R)
    -[ ] Build a Scientific Complex
    --[ ] Beijing Institute for Chemical Research (CHEM) (187/450) (3 dice, -75R)
    --[ ] New Delhi Institute for Physics (PHYS) (178/450) (3 dice, -75R)
    -[ ] Big Ear [PHYS] (209/300) (1 die, -20R)
    -[ ] Spacefarer Training Facilities (113/300) (1 die, -15R)

    Engineering (5/5 dice, +9 bonus, -90R)
    -[ ] Observation Satellites (2/4 turns) (1 die, -15R)
    -[ ] Human-rated Rocketry (2/8 turns) (1 die, -20R)
    -[ ] Nuclear Power Plant Design Studies (1/8 turns) (1 die, -25R)
    -[ ] Multi-Stage Designs (0/2 Turns) (1 die, -15R)
    -[ ] Balloon Tanks [MATSCI] (142/200) (1 die, -15R)

    Science (5/5 dice, +9 bonus, -100R)
    -[ ] Conduct Materials Research (Phase 4) [MATSCI] (231/350) (3 dice, -60R)
    -[ ] Big Ear [PHYS] (209/300) (1 die, -20R)
    -[ ] Photovoltaic Investigations (1/4 turns, 1 die locked, -20R)

    Politics (4/4 dice, +10 bonus, -10R -4PS)
    -[ ] Propagandize for Nuclear Power (155/???) (2 dice, -4PS)
    -[ ] The Right Stuff (91/300) (1 die, -5R)
    -[ ] Engineering Job Fair (93/150) (1 die, -5R)

    I grab propaganda to start doing multistage rockets with the saved cash, and cut back on Matsci research to do Photovoltaics.
     
    Vehrec said:
    [] Plan: Let the Sunshine In:
    Resources: 440/490
    Political Support 100/100
    Operations (3/5 dice, +3 bonus, -55R)
    -[ ] Construct an R-4 Dawn (17/120) (1 dice, -35R)
    --[ ] Curiosity-class Satellite (1 die, -20R)
    -[ ] Launch the stockpiled R-4 (1 die)
    --[ ] Curiosity-class Satellite (stockpiled)

    Facilities (8/8 dice, +10 bonus, -185R)
    -[ ] Build a Scientific Complex
    --[ ] Beijing Institute for Chemical Research (CHEM) (187/450) (3 dice, -75R)
    --[ ] New Delhi Institute for Physics (PHYS) (178/450) (3 dice, -75R)
    -[ ] Big Ear [PHYS] (209/300) (1 die, -20R)
    -[ ] Spacefarer Training Facilities (113/300) (1 die, -15R)

    Engineering (5/5 dice, +9 bonus, -90R)
    -[ ] Observation Satellites (2/4 turns) (1 die, -15R)
    -[ ] Human-rated Rocketry (2/8 turns) (1 die, -20R)
    -[ ] Nuclear Power Plant Design Studies (1/8 turns) (1 die, -25R)
    -[ ] Multi-Stage Designs (0/2 Turns) (1 die, -15R)
    -[ ] Balloon Tanks [MATSCI] (142/200) (1 die, -15R)

    Science (5/5 dice, +9 bonus, -100R)
    -[ ] Conduct Materials Research (Phase 4) [MATSCI] (231/350) (3 dice, -60R)
    -[ ] Big Ear [PHYS] (209/300) (1 die, -20R)
    -[ ] Photovoltaic Investigations (1/4 turns, 1 die locked, -20R)

    Politics (4/4 dice, +10 bonus, -10R -4PS)
    -[ ] Propagandize for Nuclear Power (155/???) (2 dice, -4PS)
    -[ ] The Right Stuff (91/300) (1 die, -5R)
    -[ ] Engineering Job Fair (93/150) (1 die, -5R)

    I grab propaganda to start doing multistage rockets with the saved cash, and cut back on Matsci research to do Photovoltaics.
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...

    Uhhhhhh…. Dude we really need to get MatSci done because that's one of our big promises this year. The spacefarer thing too, we made promises there.
     
    [X] Plan: Rational Assessment, Reasonable Solutions
    Resources: 475/490
    Political Support 100/100
    Operations (5/5 dice, +3 bonus, -90R)
    -[X] Construct an R-4 Dawn (17/120) (2 dice, -70R)
    --[X] And launch it (1 die)
    --[X] Curiosity-class Satellite (1 die, -20R)
    -[X] Launch the stockpiled R-4 (1 die)
    --[X] Curiosity-class Satellite (stockpiled)

    Facilities (8/8 dice, +10 bonus, -185R)
    -[X] Build a Scientific Complex
    --[X] Beijing Institute for Chemical Research (CHEM) (187/450) (3 dice, -75R)
    --[X] New Delhi Institute for Physics (PHYS) (178/450) (3 dice, -75R)
    -[X] Big Ear [PHYS] (209/300) (1 die, -20R)
    -[X] Spacefarer Training Facilities (113/300) (1 die, -15R)

    Engineering (5/5 dice, +9 bonus, -80R)
    -[X] Observation Satellites (2/4 turns) (1 die, -15R)
    -[X] Human-rated Rocketry (2/8 turns) (1 die, -20R)
    -[X] Nuclear Power Plant Design Studies (1/8 turns) (1 die, -25R)
    -[X] Conduct Design Studies (Alternative Launch Systems) [AERO, PHYS] (216/300) (1 die, -5R)
    -[X] Balloon Tanks [MATSCI] (142/200) (1 die, -15R)

    Science (5/5 dice, +9 bonus, -100R)
    -[X] Conduct Materials Research (Phase 4) [MATSCI] (231/350) (4 dice, -80R)
    -[X] Big Ear [PHYS] (209/300) (1 die, -20R)

    Politics (4/4 dice, +10 bonus, -20R)
    -[X] The Right Stuff (91/300) (3 dice, -15R)
    -[X] Engineering Job Fair (93/150) (1 die, -5R)
     
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