The First Wave of Exploration
Civilian miners are already working on Mercury; an actual colony starts construction in November. The next three years see a buildup of infrastructure and mines on resource-rich Mercury and the Moon, while the Endeavor-class survey ships chart the asteroid belt.
In January 2105, construction begins on a Mars colony. The Alliance forsees the possibility of unrest on one of Earth's colonies, so plans for a troop transport capable of transporting an entire battalion are drafted:
TT-1 class Troop Transport 8,774 tons 69 Crew 243.1 BP TCS 175 TH 125 EM 0
712 km/s Armour 1-37 Shields 0-0 HTK 26 Sensors 0/0/0/0 DCR 1 PPV 0
MSP 17 Max Repair 20 MSP
Troop Capacity 5,000 tons Cargo Shuttle Multiplier 1
Lieutenant Commander Control Rating 1 BRG
Intended Deployment Time: 3 months
Commercial Nuclear Thermal Engine EP62.5 (2) Power 125.0 Fuel Use 11.18% Signature 62.5 Explosion 5%
Fuel Capacity 100,000 Litres Range 18.3 billion km (298 days at full power)
This design is classed as a Commercial Vessel for maintenance purposes
Three such ships are commissioned in March 2106.
In September 2108, the Alliance completes the full conversion of its industry to Trans-Newtonian technology. The second industrial revolution is in full swing. TN tech enables the restoration of large swathes of Earth's surface devastated by war, and holds the promise of terraforming other planets and moons.
By January 2110, Earth's population has recovered to 4.5 billion. 21 million people now live on the moon, 11.6 million on Mercury; 9 million on Mars, and about 200,000 total on Jupiter's moons Callisto, Europa, Io, and Ganymede combined.
8 February 2112
Physicist Kylie Closson's team publishes their research on wormholes. Although theorized for many years, the exotic matter properties of Trans-Newtonian materials may offer the means to create or manipulate wormholes, by which means faster-than-light travel may be possible. Their study generates little interest or excitement at first, but will soon be recognized as perhaps the important discovery in human history.
In early March 2113, the first survey vessels equipped with nuclear thermal rocket engines are launched, enabling the exploration of the outer solar system. Six geosurvey ships are built, as are six gravsurvey ships. These ships are equipped with sophisticated equipment capable of charting the complicated interactions of the sun and planets' gravitational fields, with the hope of experimentally confirming Closson's theory.
GEV-100 class Geological Survey Vessel 500 tons 13 Crew 127.3 BP TCS 10 TH 8 EM 0
801 km/s Armour 1-5 Shields 0-0 HTK 2 Sensors 1/1/0/1 DCR 0 PPV 0
Maint Life 8.47 Years MSP 119 AFR 8% IFR 0.1% 1YR 3 5YR 44 Max Repair 100 MSP
Lieutenant Commander Control Rating 1
Intended Deployment Time: 24 months Morale Check Required
HE Improved Nuclear Pulse Engine EP8.00 (1) Power 8 Fuel Use 30.94% Signature 8 Explosion 5%
Fuel Capacity 40,000 Litres Range 46.6 billion km (673 days at full power)
EM Sensor EM0.2-1.0 (1) Sensitivity 1 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 7.9m km
Thermal Sensor TH0.2-1.0 (1) Sensitivity 1 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 7.9m km
Geological Survey Sensors (1) 1 Survey Points Per Hour
This design is classed as a Fighter for production, combat and planetary interaction
The search lasts months, before a probable wormhole, or "jump point", is found beyond Neptune's orbit. A second distant point is found in June of the next year.
TK-1 class Tanker 9,127 tons 62 Crew 244.4 BP TCS 183 TH 250 EM 0
1369 km/s Armour 1-38 Shields 0-0 HTK 24 Sensors 5/5/0/0 DCR 1 PPV 0
MSP 16 Max Repair 31.25 MSP
Lieutenant Commander Control Rating 1 BRG
Intended Deployment Time: 3 months
Commercial Improved Nuclear Pulse Engine EP125.0 (2) Power 250 Fuel Use 7.83% Signature 125 Explosion 5%
Fuel Capacity 5,250,000 Litres Range 1,322.4 billion km (11180 days at full power)
Refuelling Capability: 50,000 litres per hour Complete Refuel 105 hours
Active Search Sensor AS17-R90 (1) GPS 900 Range 17.9m km Resolution 90
Active Search Sensor AS3-R1 (1) GPS 10 Range 4m km MCR 359k km Resolution 1
EM Sensor EM1.0-5.0 (1) Sensitivity 5 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 17.7m km
Thermal Sensor TH1.0-5.0 (1) Sensitivity 5 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 17.7m km
This design is classed as a Commercial Vessel for maintenance purposes
The first tankers capable of ship-to-ship refueling are launched in July 2114, in order to push the range of human exploration even further outward.
JS-100 class Jump Scout 500 tons 13 Crew 46.2 BP TCS 10 TH 16 EM 0
1601 km/s JR 1-50 Armour 1-5 Shields 0-0 HTK 5 Sensors 5/5/0/0 DCR 0 PPV 0
Maint Life 8.36 Years MSP 14 AFR 8% IFR 0.1% 1YR 0 5YR 5 Max Repair 10 MSP
Commander Control Rating 1
Intended Deployment Time: 3 months Morale Check Required
J500(1-50) Military Jump Drive Max Ship Size 500 tons Distance 50k km Squadron Size 1
HE Improved Nuclear Pulse Engine EP8.00 (2) Power 16 Fuel Use 30.94% Signature 8 Explosion 5%
Fuel Capacity 47,000 Litres Range 54.7 billion km (395 days at full power)
Thermal Sensor TH1.0-5.0 (1) Sensitivity 5 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 17.7m km
EM Sensor EM1.0-5.0 (1) Sensitivity 5 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 17.7m km
This design is classed as a Fighter for production, combat and planetary interaction
An experimental "jump ship" is rushed into production, being launched on 29 August 2114. Under command of CDR Tosya Shubin, the scout makes for the first charted jump point. On 9 October 2114, the first experimental FTL jump is made successfully, instantly transporting Shubin's scout in a distant red dwarf star system. By referencing known pulsars, the ship fixes her position as the Lalande 21185 system, an M-type star in the Ursa Major constellation, about 8 light-years from Earth. They linger in the system for about an hour, taking observations of the three orbiting exoplanets, and then return back through the jump point to report their success. Lalande 21185 has a pair of Venus-like planets, one over twice Earth's diameter, the other the size of Mars, and a third, desert planet with a thin CO2 atmosphere that is nearly Mars' twin - a possible site for colonization.
The second jump point is explored in December 2114, and the system beyond is identified as Luhman 16 - a binary brown dwarf system, and third-closest to the sun at about 6.5 light years. Luhman 16-B has two planets, a frigid Mars-sized world with a trace nitrogen/methane atmosphere, and a gas giant about the size of Neptune.
TG TG-1 001 (TG-1 class Tug) 32,847 tons 328 Crew 1,106.4 BP TCS 657 TH 3,000 EM 0
4566 km/s Armour 1-91 Shields 0-0 HTK 111 Sensors 5/5/0/0 DCR 1 PPV 0
MSP 21 Max Repair 100 MSP
Tractor Beam
Lieutenant Commander Control Rating 1 BRG
Intended Deployment Time: 3 months
Commercial Improved Nuclear Pulse Engine EP200.0 (15) Power 3000 Fuel Use 6.19% Signature 200 Explosion 5%
Fuel Capacity 1,000,000 Litres Range 88.6 billion km (224 days at full power)
Active Search Sensor AS3-R1 (1) GPS 10 Range 4m km MCR 359k km Resolution 1
Active Search Sensor AS17-R90 (1) GPS 900 Range 17.9m km Resolution 90
EM Sensor EM1.0-5.0 (1) Sensitivity 5 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 17.7m km
Thermal Sensor TH1.0-5.0 (1) Sensitivity 5 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 17.7m km
This design is classed as a Commercial Vessel for maintenance purposes
Exploring and exploiting space will require significant logistical infrastructure to be created from scratch. Three tugs are launched in September 2115 to help build that infrastructure.
SV Armstrong (Armstrong class Science Vessel) 3,000 tons 89 Crew 459.6 BP TCS 60 TH 120 EM 0
2000 km/s JR 3-50 Armour 1-18 Shields 0-0 HTK 23 Sensors 5/5/1/1 DCR 1 PPV 0
Maint Life 5.34 Years MSP 495 AFR 72% IFR 1.0% 1YR 29 5YR 436 Max Repair 100 MSP
Captain Control Rating 2 BRG SCI
Intended Deployment Time: 24 months Morale Check Required
J3000(3-50) Military Jump Drive Max Ship Size 3000 tons Distance 50k km Squadron Size 3
HE Improved Nuclear Pulse Engine EP120.00 (1) Power 120 Fuel Use 26.96% Signature 120 Explosion 7%
Fuel Capacity 174,000 Litres Range 38.7 billion km (224 days at full power)
Active Search Sensor AS3-R1 (1) GPS 10 Range 4m km MCR 359k km Resolution 1
Thermal Sensor TH1.0-5.0 (1) Sensitivity 5 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 17.7m km
EM Sensor EM1.0-5.0 (1) Sensitivity 5 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 17.7m km
Gravitational Survey Sensors (1) 1 Survey Points Per Hour
Geological Survey Sensors (1) 1 Survey Points Per Hour
This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
Likewise, further exploration requires a long-endurance, jump drive-equipped vessel capable of independent exploration. Six such ships are launched in November 2115: Armstrong, Gagarin, Glenn, Shephard, Leonov, Tereshkova. A second batch of ships is laid down immediately afterward: Carpenter, Cooper, Grissom, Komarov, Schirra, Titov.
In January 2116, Tereshkova explores a jump point in the Luhman 16 system, reaching the system of Groombridge 34. This binary pair of Red Dwarfs has the largest system of planets yet discovered, with dozens of moons, asteroids, and four potential terraforming sites. Groombridge 34-A II in particular, is an Earth-sized world with a thin atmosphere with trace oxygen content, the first hint at an alien biosphere.
TFB TFB 001 (TFB class Terraforming Base) 252,661 tons 1,018 Crew 5,371.8 BP TCS 5,053 TH 0 EM 0
1 km/s No Armour Shields 0-0 HTK 135 Sensors 5/5/0/0 DCR 1 PPV 0
MSP 13 Max Repair 500 MSP
Lieutenant Commander Control Rating 1 BRG
Intended Deployment Time: 3 months
Terraformer: 10 modules producing 0.004 atm per annum
Active Search Sensor AS17-R90 (1) GPS 900 Range 17.9m km Resolution 90
Active Search Sensor AS3-R1 (1) GPS 10 Range 4m km MCR 359k km Resolution 1
EM Sensor EM1.0-5.0 (1) Sensitivity 5 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 17.7m km
Thermal Sensor TH1.0-5.0 (1) Sensitivity 5 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 17.7m km
This design is classed as a Commercial Vessel for maintenance purposes
This design is classed as a Space Station for construction purposes
That month, the first orbital terraforming platform is finished and terraforming of the moon begins. The alliance plans to place on or more such platforms in orbit of every human colony, although the actual act of terraforming will take many years.
JSS JSS 001 (JSS class Jump Stabilisation Station) 50,776 tons 118 Crew 1,102.1 BP TCS 1,016 TH 0 EM 0
1 km/s No Armour Shields 0-0 HTK 14 Sensors 5/5/0/0 DCR 1 PPV 0
MSP 13 Max Repair 1000 MSP
Commander Control Rating 1 BRG
Intended Deployment Time: 3 months
Jump Point Stabilisation: 180 days
Active Search Sensor AS21-R90 (1) GPS 1080 Range 21.5m km Resolution 90
Active Search Sensor AS3-R1 (1) GPS 10 Range 4m km MCR 359k km Resolution 1
Thermal Sensor TH1.0-5.0 (1) Sensitivity 5 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 17.7m km
EM Sensor EM1.0-5.0 (1) Sensitivity 5 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 17.7m km
This design is classed as a Commercial Vessel for maintenance purposes
This design is classed as a Space Station for construction purposes
In order to expand into new star systems, jump points have to be stabilized, enabling any ship equipped with a TN field generator to transit them. Three stabilization stations are to be built, designed to be towed to the jump point and taking about a year to stabilize both sides. The first station is commissioned in April, and sets to work stabilizing the Sol-Lalande 21185 jump point.
FAC FAC-100 001 (FAC-100 class Fast Attack Craft) 1,000 tons 16 Crew 122.8 BP TCS 20 TH 105 EM 0
5251 km/s Armour 1-8 Shields 0-0 HTK 6 Sensors 0/0/0/0 DCR 0 PPV 9
Maint Life 4.68 Years MSP 38 AFR 16% IFR 0.2% 1YR 3 5YR 43 Max Repair 52.5 MSP
Magazine 60
Lieutenant Commander Control Rating 1
Intended Deployment Time: 6 days Morale Check Required
FAC Improved Nuclear Pulse Engine EP105.00 (1) Power 105 Fuel Use 366.12% Signature 105 Explosion 17%
Fuel Capacity 100,000 Litres Range 4.9 billion km (10 days at full power)
Size 6.00 Box Launcher Mk 2 (10) Missile Size: 6 Hangar Reload 122 minutes MF Reload 20 hours
Missile Fire Control FC23-R90 (1) Range 23.5m km Resolution 90
Size 6 ASM Mk 2 (10) Speed: 21,600 km/s End: 14.6m Range: 18.9m km WH: 4 Size: 6 TH: 86/51/25
Active Search Sensor AS21-R90 (1) GPS 1080 Range 21.5m km Resolution 90
Missile to hit chances are vs targets moving at 3000 km/s, 5000 km/s and 10,000 km/s
This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
With faster-than-light travel a reality, Alliance member states agree that a need exists to prepare for the possibility that intelligent, space-faring alien life exists, and that military confrontation may be possible. Even without that, the need exists for an armed space force capable of keeping the spacelanes clear of piracy and insurrection. The first armed spacecraft in the ASF's inventory are a dozen missile-armed fast-attack craft, with a total of four squadrons of 12 authorized. The first squadron enters service in December 2116.
In March 2117, the first stable jump point link to another system, Lalande 21185, is completed. Alliance Freighters immediately are ordered to set up tracking stations and infrastructure on Lalande 21185 III for colonization. The cold desert planet is very similar to Mars, with a diameter of 6,800 km, 0.33g gravity, polar ice caps with about 14% surface water coverage, and a surface temperature of -47.8 degrees C. The CO2/Nitrogen atmosphere is thicker than Mars', with a pressure of 0.1 atm. The planet is tidally-locked and tectonically dead, however, with the surface dominated by wind-swept desert.
With the similarity to the Martian environment, the Alliance chooses the name Nerio for the planet, after the war goddess and Mars' consort in mythology. The first colonists arrive in July 2117.
The second colonization target is Luhman 16-B I. The planet has a diameter of 7,400 km, a trace nitrogen/methane atmosphere, gravity of 0.23g, no tectonics or magnetic field, a surface temperature of -198 degrees C, and orbits extremely close to its parent brown dwarf, at 15.1m km. This dark, frozen, inhospitable planet is named Acheron. Colonists arrive in January 2118.
The Alliance recognizes the need for long-endurance, high-capability armed spacecraft as mankind spreads throughout the stars.
Galatea class Missile Destroyer 3,998 tons 82 Crew 489.7 BP TCS 80 TH 324 EM 0
4052 km/s Armour 3-22 Shields 0-0 HTK 23 Sensors 6/6/0/0 DCR 2 PPV 21
Maint Life 3.40 Years MSP 293 AFR 64% IFR 0.9% 1YR 39 5YR 579 Max Repair 162 MSP
Magazine 120
Captain Control Rating 2 BRG AUX
Intended Deployment Time: 9 months Morale Check Required
Improved Nuclear Pulse Engine EP324.00 (1) Power 324 Fuel Use 67.20% Signature 324 Explosion 12%
Fuel Capacity 450,000 Litres Range 30.1 billion km (86 days at full power)
10cm Railgun V10/C3 (1x4) Range 10,000km TS: 4,052 km/s Power 3-3 Accuracy Modifier 100% RM 10,000 km ROF 5
Beam Fire Control R64-TS4000 (1) Max Range: 64,000 km TS: 4,000 km/s 84 69 53 38 22 6 0 0 0 0
Gas-Cooled Fast Reactor R3-PB10 (1) Total Power Output 3 Exp 7%
Size 6.00 Box Launcher Mk 2 (20) Missile Size: 6 Hangar Reload 122 minutes MF Reload 20 hours
Missile Fire Control FC23-R90 (1) Range 23.5m km Resolution 90
Size 6 ASM Mk 3 (20) Speed: 22,733 km/s End: 16.7m Range: 22.8m km WH: 4 Size: 6 TH: 98/59/29
Active Search Sensor AS30-R90 (1) GPS 2160 Range 30.3m km Resolution 90
Active Search Sensor AS5-R1 (1) GPS 18 Range 5.9m km MCR 527.7k km Resolution 1
EM Sensor EM1.0-6.0 (1) Sensitivity 6 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 19.4m km
Thermal Sensor TH1.0-6.0 (1) Sensitivity 6 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 19.4m km
Missile to hit chances are vs targets moving at 3000 km/s, 5000 km/s and 10,000 km/s
This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
Pandora class Destroyer 4,000 tons 129 Crew 515.1 BP TCS 80 TH 324 EM 0
4050 km/s Armour 3-22 Shields 0-0 HTK 32 Sensors 6/6/0/0 DCR 2 PPV 15
Maint Life 5.03 Years MSP 620 AFR 64% IFR 0.9% 1YR 41 5YR 613 Max Repair 162 MSP
Captain Control Rating 2 BRG AUX
Intended Deployment Time: 9 months Morale Check Required
Improved Nuclear Pulse Engine EP324.00 (1) Power 324 Fuel Use 67.20% Signature 324 Explosion 12%
Fuel Capacity 450,000 Litres Range 30.1 billion km (86 days at full power)
18.750cm C3 Near Ultraviolet Laser (1) Range 128,000km TS: 4,050 km/s Power 9-3 RM 30,000 km ROF 15
10cm Railgun V10/C3 (3x4) Range 10,000km TS: 4,050 km/s Power 3-3 Accuracy Modifier 100% RM 10,000 km ROF 5
Beam Fire Control R128-TS4000 (1) Max Range: 128,000 km TS: 4,000 km/s 92 84 77 69 61 53 45 38 30 22
Gas-Cooled Fast Reactor R6-PB10 (2) Total Power Output 12.6 Exp 7%
Active Search Sensor AS30-R90 (1) GPS 2160 Range 30.3m km Resolution 90
Active Search Sensor AS5-R1 (1) GPS 18 Range 5.9m km MCR 527.7k km Resolution 1
EM Sensor EM1.0-6.0 (1) Sensitivity 6 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 19.4m km
Thermal Sensor TH1.0-6.0 (1) Sensitivity 6 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 19.4m km
This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
The first Pandora-class destroyers and Galatea-class missile destroyers are laid down in orbit in late November 2118, and enter service in late 2119. Three Galatea-class destroyers are part of the initial order (Galatea, Adrastea, Amalthea) and five Pandora-class (Pandora, Desdemona, Callisto, Caliban, Ariel). The Pandora-class is intended as a general-purpose patrol ship with high speed, decent endurance, and devent firepower with a single spinal laser and three quick-firing railguns that can serve as point defense. The Galatea-class keeps a single railgun and trades the rest of the armament for twenty missile launchers, giving the planned fleet a degree of stand-off capability.