Nominations close in a few hours for the NS Presidency, it seems unlikely anyone will now stand against Sea Urchin who therefore will be elected as president by the Central Committee next month barring any disasters. Sea Urchin gave a speech at DDS City where he outlined his plans for NS commercial activities.
Raising money from commercial activities such as arms sales has become very important for NS with a target of raising 10 billion zarks a year in this way set a few years ago (NS will fall well short this year after a disappointing sales campaign). Sea Urchin said that a spin-off company called NS Investments will be created if he becomes President.
NS Investments will bring together the NS Exports Agency and other commercial off-shoots under one umbrella. There will be increased tie-ups with third parties though Sea Urchin ruled out a rumoured purchase of Consolidated Spacecraft by NS. Instead NS would increase its partnership with the spaceship maker.
Consolidated Spacecraft build the basis of the Friendship/Olympus/Defender family for NS under their Avery-Dunlop subsidery as the Star Rider. Sea Urchin said that a next generation Star Rider would be developed using NS improvements and an e-Core based engine. NS taking royalties from each sale. Sea Urchin said such partnerships would feature more in future.
