Liftoff! Research and Development worksheet

Liftoff! Research and Development Worksheet

Program Initial Cost Unit Cost Unit Weight Max Payload Initial Safety Factor R&D Cost per Die Max R&D Max Safety Factor Notes
1 - Orbital Satellite 6 1 300 40% 1 95% 98% 2 - 50%, 3 - 60%
2 - Interplanetary Satellite 24 4 600 40% 3 90% 95% 1 - 45%. 3 - 50%
3 - Lunar Probe 30 6 1200 40% 4 85% 88% 1 - 45%, 2 - 50%
4 - Docking Module 18 2 300 45% n/a n/a 100% A Docking Module required for all dockings except to a two person Lunar Lander. Once launched it can be reused for up to six months.
A - One Stage Rocket 24 3 500 10% 2 85% 98% B, C, D, G - 35%
B - Two Stage Rocket 60 12 1500 10% 4 90% 98% A, D - 25%, C, G - 40%, (A, D)&(C, G) - 65%
C - Three Stage Rocket 84 18 3200 5% 6 95% 98% A, D - 15%, B, G - 35%, (A, D)&(B, G) - 60%
D - Liquid Fuel Strap-Ons 12 3 +1000 10% 2 85% 98% A, B, C, G - 30%
F - Kicker 12 3 300 10% 1 95% 98% A, B, C. D, G - 25%
Required to lift a two person capsule out of earth orbit
G - "Mega" Stage Rocket 150 30 4800 5% 7 95% 98% A, D - 10%, B, C - 25%, (A, D)&(B, C) - 35%
EVA Suits 18 30% 1 98% 98% Once this program is purchased, all crew members will be assumed to wearing an EVA suit.
a - One Person Capsule 18 2 500 10% 1 80% 93% b, c, h - 40%
Cannot travel beyond earth orbit.
b - Two Person Capsule 24 6 700 10% 2 85% 98% a - 20%, c, h - 40%
Kicker required to lift out of earth orbit.
c - Three Person Capsule 36 12 1300 10% 5 90% 98% a - 20%, b - 30%, a&(b, h) - 40%
d - Two Person Lunar Lander 30 8 1500 10% 2 90% 98% e - 30%, h -40%
e - One Person Lunar Lander 42 8 700 10% 4 90% 98% d -30%, h - 40%
f - Three Person Minishuttle 60 30 1000 5% 7 95% 98% Can be reused if its return to earth is not catastrophic and $2m is paid to refurbish the minishuttle.
h - Four Person Capsule/Lander 60 30 4300 5% 7 90% 98% a -10%, b - 15%, c -25%, (a,b,c)&(d,e) - 35%
Unlike the other Capsules and the minishuttle this vehicle can land on (and lift off from) the lunar surface.

The numbers and letters in the notes column refer to safety factor starting levels if similar programs have already reached 75%.

Note that when you start a new research program you get a free example of the program.

When the safety factor of a program changes, the new safety factor applies to all examples of that program from the relevant agency1.

An astronaut program must be started at a cost of $18,000,000 before astronauts can be included on a mission (the $18,000,000 includes one astronaut). Additional astronauts can be trained at a cost $2,000,000 each.

Additional Launch Facilities can be purchased at a cost of $30,000,000. Only one launch per year can be made from each facility (unless superseded by events).


Last updated: December 21, 2021 at 19:38 pm
Updated 16th May to add astronaut program and additional launch facilities.

Footnotes

  1. Except in the case of sabotaged equipment traded to other agencies, where I will track the safety factor of that unit as required. Reductions of safety factor will apply to such traded units