12th January 2040
The SMCC holds its second global conference, this time in New York. The 5-year moratorium on expansion beyond the asteroid belt agreed upon in Moscow in 2034 has expired, and the purpose of the conference is to decide how to proceed.
There are proponents, mainly amongst the Chinese and South American delegations, of extending the treaty, possibly for another 5 years. However, these suggestions are vocally opposed by the IRC, EAF and EU, all of which have dedicated notable resources towards preparing for the expiry of the treaty, and it becomes apparent that an extension is very unlikely.
While the IRC initially proposes a method for claims similar to that used for the asteroid belt, the idea is rejected by every other power on the basis of the size of the Consortiums civilian fleet, which is only slightly smaller than every other nations put together.
Eventually a system of submitting claims to the SMCC for consideration on a quarterly basis is proposed and adopted, with the Council responsible for fair distribution of colonisation rights. The outer system asteroids and comets will operate on the same system as the asteroid belt.
The NAU raises the issue about the SAC’s position with regards to claims in the outer system; as a new power, the SAC does not possess the geological survey data the other powers do about the area, and this would disadvantage them, given that only 9 non-asteroid bodies with TN elements have been discovered. The final proposed solution is to provide the SAC with geosurvey data after the first set of claims have been processed, with the condition that rights to no more than 1 body will be granted to each power in the first set. While the SAC leadership is not entirely pleased with this, it is the best terms they are able to get for now.
The closing date for claims for the first quarter is set as 1st March 2040, with rights granted by 1st April 2040.
15th January 2040
The NAU completes work on the first of several Earth-based missile bases. The base is built around the same missile system which is used on the Benson class Frigates, making it compact and easy to build. The NAU is also in the process of building several prefabricated packages of the base, for shipping to Mars and the outer system.
There are currently no regulations on the development and emplacement of TN weapons platforms, although the topic is becoming more pressing as the powers turn their eyes towards militarising space.
Missile Base (Small) class Planetary Missile Base 2,500 tons 128 Crew 332.2 BP TCS 50 TH 0 EM 0
Armour 5-16 Sensors 1/54 Damage Control Rating 0 PPV 36
Magazine 144
Size 4 Missile Launcher (25% Reduction) (36) Missile Size 4 Rate of Fire 12000
SPG-3 Missile FC (3) Range 25.7m km Resolution 80
RGM-1C Sparrow (36) Speed: 22,500 km/s End: 18.9m Range: 25.5m km WH: 4 Size: 4 TH: 90 / 54 / 27
SPS-2 Active Search (1) GPS 4320 Range 24.1m km Resolution 80
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 Planetary Defence Centre and can be pre-fabricated in 1 sections
29th January 2040
The IRC announces that it is offering its Kara class Auxiliary Transport for export. This was a move by the IRC leadership to generate revenue by using some of the commercial shipyards which are currently inactive. The ships are to be sold at twice their construction cost, in both minerals and money. Orders are placed by the SAC, the EU and the PRC for one unit each.
1st March 2040
All the powers have submitted their claims to bodies in the outer system; each power provided a list with up to 3 bodies in order of preference; the list below summarises them, though does not include 3rd choices where the 2nd was uncontested. Important information on each body is also provided;
Jupiter (Sorium 727,000 Acc: 0.5)
Io (Colony Cost x6.73) – EAF (#2)
Duranium 721,642 Acc: 0.6
Europa (Colony Cost x6.73)
Duranium 463,299 Acc: 0.4
Neutronium 183,245 Acc: 0.7
Callisto (Colony Cost x6.73) - PRC (#2), EU (#2)
Duranium 393,754 Acc: 0.7
Tritanium 152,237 Acc: 0.2
Mercassium 572,874 Acc: 0.4
Sorium 52,736 Acc: 0.3
Saturn
Mimas (Colony Cost N/A)
Gallicite 16,775 Acc: 1
Titan (Colony Cost x8.09) – EAF (#1), EU (#1), PRC (#1), NAU (#1), IRC (#1)
Duranium 10,504,240 Acc: 0.5
Neutronium 6,110,784 Acc: 0.3
Tritanium 80,231 Acc: 0.1
Boronide 859,329 Acc: 0.5
Vendarite 766,500 Acc: 0.2
Uridium 5,490,821 Acc: 0.3
Gallicite 448,230 Acc: 0.5
Uranus
Ariel (Colony Cost N/A) – IRC (#2)
Duranium 326,309 Acc: 0.9
Boronide 144,434 Acc: 0.9
Corundium 158,085 Acc: 0.8
Titania (Colony Cost x9.82) – PRC (#3)
Duranium 221,152 Acc: 0.4
Neutronium 86,836 Acc: 0.2
Vendarite 163,345 Acc: 0.4
Neptune (Sorium 665,000 Acc: 0.7)
Triton (Colony Cost x10.37) – NAU (#2)
Duranium 2,641,321 Acc: 0.7
Corbomite 41,128 Acc: 0.7
Corundium 250,240 Acc: 0.6
Pluto (Colony Cost N/A) – EU(#3)
Duranium 263,740 Acc: 0.5
Mercassium 52,725 Acc: 0.4
Vendarite 36,194 Acc: 0.6
Uridium 73,742 Acc: 0.2
At present the only presence in the outer system is an IRC civilian mining outpost on Ariel.
9th March 2040
The NAU launches a third Benson class Frigate, the Russell, built to the original Mk1 specifications. A fourth ship is being built to the Mk2 spec, and a fifth ship is laid down, also to the original spec. These three ships will be refitted once their shipyard is retooled to the Mk2 specification.
1st April 2040
The SMCC finalises its decision, and grants exploitation rights to the outer system as follows;
NAU – Triton
EAF – Io
EU – Titan
IRC – Ariel
PRC – Callisto
In addition, the SMCC provides geological data for the major outer system bodies to the SAC. The second quarter deadline is agreed as 1st June, with decisions made by 1st July.
13th May 2040
The EAF launches 3 more Shimakaze class Corvettes. These will form the 2nd Corvette Group, which departs for training manoeuvres in the inner system.
1st June 2040
The second round of claims is submitted to the SMCC. This time each power submitted two preferences, with the SAC’s choice to take preference over the others. These are detailed below;
Jupiter (Sorium 727,000 Acc: 0.5)
Europa (Colony Cost x6.73) – EAF (#2), NAU (#2), PRC (#2)
Duranium 463,299 Acc: 0.4
Neutronium 183,245 Acc: 0.7
Saturn
Mimas (Colony Cost N/A) – EAF (#3),NAU (#3), SAC (#3), EU (#3), PRC (#3), IRC (#3)
Gallicite 16,775 Acc: 1
Uranus
Titania (Colony Cost x9.82) – EU (#2), IRC (#2)
Duranium 221,152 Acc: 0.4
Neutronium 86,836 Acc: 0.2
Vendarite 163,345 Acc: 0.4
Pluto (Colony Cost N/A) – SAC (#1)
Duranium 263,740 Acc: 0.5
Mercassium 52,725 Acc: 0.4
Vendarite 36,194 Acc: 0.6
Uridium 73,742 Acc: 0.2
8th June 2040
A team of Chinese agents is gunned down during a confrontation in the Philippines. In the aftermath the team is identified as the one behind the series of technology and intelligence leaks that has plagued the EAF for the last 4 years, led by Lu Bao Wei.
24th June 2040
The PRC launches the Type 041B class Frigate Nantong, built to an updated design including Nuclear Pulse engines. A third ship is under construction. The shipyard begins work on refitting Changde with the new engines.
Type 041B Changde class Frigate 3,700 tons 350 Crew 423.5 BP TCS 74 TH 126 EM 540
1702 km/s Armour 2-21 Shields 18-600 Sensors 1/1/0/0 Damage Control Rating 2 PPV 25
Maint Life 5.48 Years MSP 143 AFR 54% IFR 0.8% 1YR 8 5YR 120 Max Repair 60 MSP
Magazine 64
Chengdu MP42/9-100 Engine (3) Power 42 Fuel Use 99% Signature 42 Armour 0 Exp 7%
Fuel Capacity 100,000 Litres Range 49.1 billion km (334 days at full power)
Beta R600/30 Shields (6) Total Fuel Cost 180 Litres per day
AOTK 10cm/C2 IR Laser (3) Range 30,000km TS: 1702 km/s Power 3-2 RM 1 ROF 10 3 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Type 13-15A Beam FC (1) Max Range: 30,000 km TS: 1250 km/s 67 33 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
CNNC R30E5 PB Reactor (2) Total Power Output 6 Armour 0 Exp 5%
Size 8 Missile Launcher (25% Reduction) (8) Missile Size 8 Rate of Fire 48000
Type 25-90A Missile FC (1) Range 35.6m km Resolution 90
YS-01B Pi Li (8) Speed: 20,000 km/s End: 32.8m Range: 39.4m km WH: 9 Size: 8 TH: 66 / 40 / 20
Type 10-1A Active Search (1) GPS 10 Range 500k km Resolution 1
Type 60-150A Active Search (1) GPS 9000 Range 36.7m km Resolution 150
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
1st July 2040
The second round of claims are processed, and the SMCC grants exploitation rights to the outer system as follows;
SAC – Pluto
NAU – Mimas
EAF – None
EU – None
IRC – Titania
PRC – Europa
10th July 2040
The IRC completes work on its first 3 Kara class Auxiliary Transports intended for export. These are sold to the EU, as the Stallion, the SAC as the Hercules, and the PRC as the Yingde.
4th August 2040
The PRC launches a third Type 041B class Frigate. A fourth is laid down. The first three will form 1st Frigate Group when Changde completes its refit.
25th August 2040
The PRCs AT Yingde completes movement of two Mobile Infantry battalions to Mars. After analysis, the PRC leadership concludes that none of their existing forces are suitable for operations on Callisto, and research into all-environment Marine troops is prioritised.
30th August 2040
Changde completes refit. The 1st Frigate Group departs for exercises near the Asteroid Belt.
13th October 2040
The EAF launches the Dokdo, the first ship of a new class of Troop Transports. With light armour, the Dokdo is designed mainly as a transport, but could act as an assault ship if needed.
Dokdo class Troop Transport 10,000 tons 156 Crew 335.8 BP TCS 200 TH 315 EM 0
1575 km/s Armour 2-41 Shields 0-0 Sensors 1/1/0/0 Damage Control Rating 2 PPV 0
MSP 42 Max Repair 40 MSP
Troop Capacity: 2 Battalions Cargo Handling Multiplier 10
Kawasaki NP/C-1000-9/100 Engine (3) Power 105 Fuel Use 9.9% Signature 105 Armour 0 Exp 1%
Fuel Capacity 100,000 Litres Range 181.8 billion km (1336 days at full power)
Mitsubishi R60/S10A Active Search (1) GPS 600 Range 4.6m km Resolution 60
This design is classed as a Commercial Vessel for maintenance purposes
17th October 2040
The Earths supply of Tritanium is exhausted. There are several million tons of the mineral on Mars and Venus, though neither planets deposits are easily accessible. Callisto and Titan also have sizeable deposits, though these are even harder to mine.
25th October 2040
The EU launches its second Encounter class Frigate. A third is laid down, and Encounter and Express form the 1st Frigate Squadron and begin exercises.
2nd November 2040
The EAF completes the redeployment of a pair of Garrison Battalions to both Luna and Io.
20th December 2040
The NAU launches its fourth Benson class Frigate, the Sims. It is assigned to the 1st Frigate Squadron.
20th January 2041
The EAF completes development on its first production model anti-missile missile, the MSD-02B Tanto. The missile has as estimated intercept rate of 20% against most current missile designs. The EAF is planning to emplace this missile on both planetary missile defence bases, as well as a new class of warship under development.
MSD-02B Tanto
Missile Size: 1 MSP (0.05 HS) Warhead: 1 Armour: 0 Manoeuvre Rating: 23
Speed: 19400 km/s Endurance: 1 minutes Range: 1.1m km
Cost Per Missile: 0.8979
Chance to Hit: 1k km/s 446.2% 3k km/s 138% 5k km/s 89.2% 10k km/s 44.6%
22nd February 2041
The NAUs 1st Frigate Squadron returns to Earth, and Benson and Russell begin refits to the Mk2 standard.
3rd March 2041
The PRC launches its first indigenous troop transport, the Type 521A Wusheng. Designed as a light assault transport, the Wusheng can unload its two battalions in only 8 hours, compared to over a day for the EAFs equivalent.
Type 521A Wusheng class Troop Transport 10,600 tons 196 Crew 379 BP TCS 212 TH 315 EM 0
1485 km/s Armour 2-42 Shields 0-0 Sensors 1/1/0/0 Damage Control Rating 2 PPV 0
MSP 45 Max Repair 40 MSP
Troop Capacity: 2 Battalions Cargo Handling Multiplier 30
Chengdu CP105/9-100 Engine (3) Power 105 Fuel Use 9.9% Signature 105 Armour 0 Exp 1%
Fuel Capacity 100,000 Litres Range 171.4 billion km (1336 days at full power)
Type 10-90A Active Search (1) GPS 900 Range 4.7m km Resolution 90
This design is classed as a Commercial Vessel for maintenance purposes
21st March 2041
The NAU launches its 5th Benson class Frigate. Along with a sixth currently under construction, it will form the basis for the 2nd Frigate Squadron.
26th April 2041
The EU launches a massive Venture class Asteroid Miner. Designed to act as a mobile mining platform for the asteroid belt, the Venture is the largest ship built by any nation so far. It departs for the asteroid belt.
Venture class Asteroid Miner 43,100 tons 2239 Crew 1679.8 BP TCS 862 TH 500 EM 0
580 km/s Armour 1-109 Shields 0-0 Sensors 1/1/0/0 Damage Control Rating 1 PPV 0
MSP 24 Max Repair 60 MSP
Cargo 10000 Cargo Handling Multiplier 5
Asteroid Miner: 20 module(s) producing 240 tons per mineral per annum
Rolls-Royce NPC-20 Engine (5) Power 100 Fuel Use 10% Signature 100 Armour 0 Exp 1%
Fuel Capacity 150,000 Litres Range 62.6 billion km (1250 days at full power)
BAE Systems R100/500 Active Search (1) GPS 1000 Range 5.0m km Resolution 100
This design is classed as a Commercial Vessel for maintenance purposes
15th May 2041
The EAF’s 1st Corvette Group returns to Earth for overhaul following a long period of exercises. Each of the corvette groups is currently composed of 3 Shimakaze class CTs, although the EAF is considering expanding the size of the groups in light of the increasing numbers of foreign ships under construction.
10th June 2041
The NAU’s 1st Frigate Squadron completes refits, but will remain at Earth for now until the remaining ships can be overhauled.
3rd July 2041
The Earth’s supply of Mercassium is depleted. This is not seen as particularly critical, as most powers have significant stockpiles of the element, with Mercury, Venus and Callisto each having significant deposits.
26th July 2041
The PRC launches its fourth Type 041 class Frigate, the Jinhua. This is the last Frigate to be built to the 041B design, future ones will be built to an improved 042A specification. Jinhua joins the 1st Frigate Group.
22nd September 2041
The EAF launches a second Dokdo class Troop Transport, the Marado.
9th October 2041
The EU’s 1st Frigate Squadron returns to Earth for overhaul and refit. A recent analysis of the Encounter class Frigate concluded that the ships maintenance stores were inadequate, so the design will undergo modification which will replace 20,000 litres of fuel capacity with more engineering spaces.
Encounter MkIB class Frigate 3,900 tons 244 Crew 447 BP TCS 78 TH 120 EM 0
1538 km/s Armour 3-22 Shields 0-0 Sensors 1/1/0/0 Damage Control Rating 1 PPV 34.08
Maint Life 2.51 Years MSP 107 AFR 81% IFR 1.1% 1YR 24 5YR 355 Max Repair 90 MSP
Magazine 72
Rolls-Royce NPM-20 Engine (3) Power 40 Fuel Use 100% Signature 40 Armour 0 Exp 5%
Fuel Capacity 80,000 Litres Range 36.9 billion km (277 days at full power)
Twin Rheinmetall GK385/10 Gauss Cannon Turret (1x6) Range 10,000km TS: 8000 km/s Power 0-0 RM 1 ROF 5 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
BAE Systems R10/S80 Beam FC (1) Max Range: 20,000 km TS: 8000 km/s 50 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Size 6 Missile Launcher (25% Reduction) (12) Missile Size 6 Rate of Fire 36000
BAE Systems R75/2181 Missile FC (2) Range 21.8m km Resolution 75
MR/R-01A Sabre (12) Speed: 21,000 km/s End: 21.1m Range: 26.6m km WH: 6 Size: 6 TH: 91 / 54 / 27
BAE Systems R1/120 Active Search (1) GPS 20 Range 1.2m km Resolution 1
BAE Systems R75/2078 Active Search (1) GPS 3000 Range 20.8m km Resolution 75
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
15th October 2041
China launches its first Frigate built to the new Type 042A design, the Shaoxing. Designed to be lighter and better protected than the Type 041 designs, the design also incorporates a new, faster cycling laser battery. The fire control, sensors and shields are due to undergo an upgrade in the next two years under the proposed Type 042B program. It is unlikely the Type 041 designs will be updated with the new shields, as it is considered too expensive and time consuming to effect the entire refit. Shaoxing will form the basis for the new 2nd Frigate Group.
Type 042A Shaoxing class Frigate 3,600 tons 326 Crew 452 BP TCS 72 TH 126 EM 720
1750 km/s Armour 2-20 Shields 24-600 Sensors 1/1/0/0 Damage Control Rating 2 PPV 22
Maint Life 5.74 Years MSP 157 AFR 51% IFR 0.7% 1YR 8 5YR 121 Max Repair 60 MSP
Magazine 64
Chengdu MP42/9-100 Engine (3) Power 42 Fuel Use 99% Signature 42 Armour 0 Exp 7%
Fuel Capacity 100,000 Litres Range 50.5 billion km (334 days at full power)
Beta R600/30 Shields (8) Total Fuel Cost 240 Litres per day
AOTK 10cm/C3 VL Laser (2) Range 30,000km TS: 2000 km/s Power 3-3 RM 2 ROF 5 3 3 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Type 13-15A Beam FC (1) Max Range: 30,000 km TS: 1250 km/s 67 33 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
CNNC R30E5 PB Reactor (2) Total Power Output 6 Armour 0 Exp 5%
Size 8 Missile Launcher (25% Reduction) (8) Missile Size 8 Rate of Fire 48000
Type 25-90A Missile FC (1) Range 35.6m km Resolution 90
YS-01B Pi Li (8) Speed: 20,000 km/s End: 32.8m Range: 39.4m km WH: 9 Size: 8 TH: 66 / 40 / 20
Type 10-1A Active Search (1) GPS 10 Range 500k km Resolution 1
Type 60-150A Active Search (1) GPS 9000 Range 36.7m km Resolution 150
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
24th October 2041
The EU launches its third Encounter class Frigate, the Eclipse. It joins the 1st Frigate Squadron, and will undergo refit along with the other ships. Modifications are expected to take a little over 2 weeks for each ship.
20th December 2041
The NAU completes development of two next generation missiles; the fourth variant of Sparrow, along with a new ER Sparrow variant intended for planetary bases and the new class of Destroyers under construction.
RGM-1D Sparrow
Missile Size: 4 MSP (0.2 HS) Warhead: 4 Armour: 0 Manoeuvre Rating: 14
Speed: 24500 km/s Endurance: 17 minutes Range: 25.5m km
Cost Per Missile: 2.7361
Chance to Hit: 1k km/s 343% 3k km/s 112% 5k km/s 68.6% 10k km/s 34.3%
RGM-2D Sparrow ER
Missile Size: 4 MSP (0.2 HS) Warhead: 4 Armour: 0 Manoeuvre Rating: 11
Speed: 24500 km/s Endurance: 27 minutes Range: 39.5m km
Cost Per Missile: 2.6613
Chance to Hit: 1k km/s 269.5% 3k km/s 88% 5k km/s 53.9% 10k km/s 26.9%
29th December 2041
The NAU launches a new superheavy cargo ship design. The T-2F and T-2C designs become the largest ships in service, at over 50% larger than the EU’s Venture class Miners.
T-2F Cargo Ship class Cargo Ship 68,550 tons 615 Crew 956 BP TCS 1371 TH 900 EM 0
875 km/s Armour 1-149 Shields 0-0 Sensors 1/1/0/0 Damage Control Rating 1 PPV 0
MSP 9 Max Repair 31 MSP
Cargo 50000 Cargo Handling Multiplier 60
Westinghouse R100010/75M Engine (12) Power 100 Fuel Use 10% Signature 75 Armour 0 Exp 1%
Fuel Capacity 500,000 Litres Range 131.3 billion km (1736 days at full power)
SPN-1 Active Search (1) GPS 800 Range 4.5m km Resolution 80
This design is classed as a Commercial Vessel for maintenance purposes
