Firefly makes his escape.
29.6.16
19.6.16
First Proxima Centauri enters service
M302 Mira, the first Proxima Centauri 042A rebuilt from a Starsystem, has entered service following extended new type proving trials. All 8 Starsystems and the Isometric-Prototype will be rebuilt and upgraded to the new type which is fully capable with worm drive, Z7 and TPM-2. Indeed a NS source says converting a Starsystem gives "90% of a Corkscrew for 60% of the price" and the programme is seen as a lower-cost way to boost the size of the Medium Combat Ship fleet.
The main disadvantage of the Proxima Centauri over a Corkscrew 051A is in operational flexibility and the ability to work with small craft and UCVs because of the small size of the legacy docking bay. The Proxima Centauris will likely be allocated patrol circuits where this lack of capacity will be less of an issue, such as along the Remedian/Utrek border.
The main disadvantage of the Proxima Centauri over a Corkscrew 051A is in operational flexibility and the ability to work with small craft and UCVs because of the small size of the legacy docking bay. The Proxima Centauris will likely be allocated patrol circuits where this lack of capacity will be less of an issue, such as along the Remedian/Utrek border.
17.6.16
15.6.16
Dr Forbidden discusses NS worm drive developments
The Director of Technology Dr Forbidden has been discussing the NS' version of worm drive at a conference at NS Research. He said that most of the first-line combat fleet had now been "wormed" and that by the end of the year the strategic attack force and a growing proportion of the second-line would also be. He predicted that by the end of next year all of the first and second line and a core number of strategic transports would have worm drive.
Work was now ongoing for a successor to the Electron W1A which is an NS built version of the first generation Dino worm drive. Dr Forbidden said that development was on 2 tracks, in the short term the priority was to perfect the W1A and an optimised version currently known as W1X was in testing. This has improved power management and field optimisation and could increase speeds by up to 500ec. Dr Forbidden said that he hoped field testing would begin by the end of the year.
In the longer term NS is working on their own implementation of worm drive technology which could go beyond even the Dinos' efforts. Currently known as Quark W5X, this new generation drive could potentially double speeds currently allowed by the Electron family. However the Quark is not expected before the 2120s.
The heavier duty W1AA is another development of the Electron family and is being fitted to selected Provider and Extender transports. Dr Forbidden said that the W1AA would be further developed too though in areas of efficiency and optimisation rather than flat out speed.
Work was now ongoing for a successor to the Electron W1A which is an NS built version of the first generation Dino worm drive. Dr Forbidden said that development was on 2 tracks, in the short term the priority was to perfect the W1A and an optimised version currently known as W1X was in testing. This has improved power management and field optimisation and could increase speeds by up to 500ec. Dr Forbidden said that he hoped field testing would begin by the end of the year.
In the longer term NS is working on their own implementation of worm drive technology which could go beyond even the Dinos' efforts. Currently known as Quark W5X, this new generation drive could potentially double speeds currently allowed by the Electron family. However the Quark is not expected before the 2120s.
The heavier duty W1AA is another development of the Electron family and is being fitted to selected Provider and Extender transports. Dr Forbidden said that the W1AA would be further developed too though in areas of efficiency and optimisation rather than flat out speed.
12.6.16
Free Eritran States consider joining UNP
The Free Eritran States are understood to have discussed closer integration and maybe even applying to join the United Nations of Planets. Molab is thought to be the keenest to join the UNP and are the economic and military backbone of the FES. Some of the weaker members of the FES are less keen, fearing being sidelined in the UNP.
Its not known if the UNP would welcome the FES joining. There is a sizeable gap between the UNP and FES with even worm drive equipped ships taking over a week to travel from the nearest UNP planet Malau to the core of the FES, and the average transport over 3 weeks.
Its not known if the UNP would welcome the FES joining. There is a sizeable gap between the UNP and FES with even worm drive equipped ships taking over a week to travel from the nearest UNP planet Malau to the core of the FES, and the average transport over 3 weeks.
10.6.16
Dinos open first DSBT Link
The Dinos have opened the first Deep Sub-space Burrowing Teleport (DSBT) Link between Jeloka and Dino-Land. The technology allows for instantaneous teleportation over a distance of up to 4.3 light years. Further distance teleportations are possible using a relay though as Jeloka and Dino-Land are 4.1 light years apart no relays are needed.
The DSBT Link will be used for materials transportation as the technology is not man-rated yet, though dozens of safe teleports of volunteers have been made, there have been some less lucky ones too. The Dinos plan for a network of DSBT Links across the Dino Republic and then the rest of the DTA.
The DSBT Link will be used for materials transportation as the technology is not man-rated yet, though dozens of safe teleports of volunteers have been made, there have been some less lucky ones too. The Dinos plan for a network of DSBT Links across the Dino Republic and then the rest of the DTA.
9.6.16
NS raise alert status after Tarbot moves
NS has raised it's alert status to AMBER, the first status change for months, following reports of activity along the Tarbotian border "near" the Rim Worlds. A 40 strong fleet of Tarbotian warships was monitored leaving their space near Fantan and then heading towards the Rim Worlds (though it would have taken them over a month to get there).
After a few days the fleet changed course and then took part in combat practice. It is thought this was a message to NS that Tarbot believes NS was involved in recent incidents on Fantan. NS has denied any involvement.
After a few days the fleet changed course and then took part in combat practice. It is thought this was a message to NS that Tarbot believes NS was involved in recent incidents on Fantan. NS has denied any involvement.
8.6.16
4.6.16
Fleet News 04/06/16
There are 2 new ships this month. S129 Wave is the latest Warrior 016A bomber to enter service. H145 Keel is the latest Kinetic 035C FCS.
Freedom 041B MCS M122 Furious and M126 Fury have both been fitted with worm drive.
Freedom 041B MCS M122 Furious and M126 Fury have both been fitted with worm drive.
3.6.16
NS deny involvement in "incident" on Fantan
New Sparta has denied involvement in an "incident" on the Tarbotian border world of Fantan. Details of the incident have been suppressed which has led some to speculate there was some kind of rebellion or terrorism incident on the planet. There are no separatist movements on the planet which has added a layer of mystery to the "incident" which is said to have led to dozens of Tarbotian deaths.
The governor of Fantan was also executed by military order direct from Dr Slow, though this happens frequently enough to not be too newsworthy.
The governor of Fantan was also executed by military order direct from Dr Slow, though this happens frequently enough to not be too newsworthy.
2.6.16
NS to look at ship naming policy
New Sparta is to look again at how it names its spaceships following criticism that some names chosen are a bit... well odd. Recent policy has been for the same first letter to be used for a class hence all Warrior 016A ship names begin with a W and all Mulberry 036As with an M for example. An unnamed member of the NS fleet staff said that there have been so many new ships being added to the fleet over the last few years that it has been difficult to come up with names.
"Hence we choose a first letter and then go through the dictionary!" the source said, though its unknown if she was joking or not.
"Hence we choose a first letter and then go through the dictionary!" the source said, though its unknown if she was joking or not.
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