CSM Space Stage begins testing / Nybble

The space vehicle stage of the Clone Space Missile has begun flight testing. The Nuclear Space Vehicle (NSV) was originally thought to only be a ground test rig but the HCS surprised watchers by releasing footage of the NSV on one of it's early test runs, traveling between 2 points in the Cloneworld system. It is thought the confusion was caused by the NSV Stage 2 which will have superluminal capability, it is this which will begin testing next year.

NSV is based on the Nybble USV, crudely it is the parts of the Nybble needed for movement and control crammed into a missile body with a warhead on top. NSV will have it's first launch atop a Gale-III launcher later this year. Meanwhile the latest Gale-III build, Build 21, was an ICBM test but it did also debut modified engines with a lower IR signature.

As for the space drone Nybble it has now been fitted with a new engine ready for the first superluminal test next month.