Tag name:liftoff!

1971 ASA Summary

First published 28th November 2017 (Last Modified 21st December 2021)
Program Units Safety Factor
1. Orbital Satellite 0 96%
2. Interplanetary Satellite 0 91%
3. Lunar Probe 2 85%
B. Two Stage Rocket 1 94%
D. Mega Stage Rocket 5 98%
EVA Suits n/a 98%
c. Three Person Capsule 4 90%
h. Four Person Capsule/Module 5 92%
Photo Reconnaissance n/a 75%

Astronauts

Name Completed Flights
Professor Matthew "Matt" Matic 0
Croc Hogan 1
Dingo Dan 1
Bob Hoskins 1
Larry Hoskins 1
Mel Dawson 1
Tezza Baker 1
Kieran Creek 1
Smith Zomburg 1

One time only, a launch can be delayed to gain a 10% safety factor (for that launch) to the rocket used in the launch.

3 Launch Facilities at Woomera

First module failure will be ignored.

3 Launches planned for 1972


Last updated: December 21, 2021 at 19:38 pm

1971

First published 28th November 2017 (Last Modified 21st December 2021)
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Perfect Lunar Orbit from GOSsiP

Earthrise from close to the lunar surface

GOSsiP has made a major advance in the race to the moon by successfully completing a series of manned orbits around the moon and the astronauts returning safely to earth. The only moment of doubt for the mission came as the craft was to leave earth orbit to travel to the moon. There was an agonising pause after the command to fire the main capsule engine to take Maja Hansen, Curtis Adamson and Kristian Swenhaugen on their journey, However after only a couple of seconds delay, the engine fired perfectly and the craft was on its way. A minor course correction was required of the late burn but this proved to be a trivial operation. The rest of the journey proved to be very smooth and uneventful.

GOSsiP followed up this success with a successful lunar probe landing improving their photographic coverage of the lunar surface. With the completion of these missions and bearing in mind the lack of docking experience, GOSsiP are currently quoted with 17 to 2 odds to have a perfect manned lunar landing1.

SHADO's manned lunar orbital mission explodes

SHADO's brave astronauts sadly died when their three stage rocket exploded at a height of 92 miles. The liftoff itself seemed to be going smoothly until two minutes into the flight when the first stage was due to be jettisoned. It appears that the explosive bolts which would normally allow the first stage to be discarded instead ignited the second stage boosters while leaving the first stage still attached to the first stage. The disaster leaves SHADO with no astronauts on its roster and has odds quoted at over 8000 to 1 to have a perfect lunar landing mission (though if they could use a state of the art rocket this improves to a mere 2500 to 1!).

SARSA averts one disaster; suffers explosion on second mission

SARSA launched two missions this year. The first was planned to be a manned lunar orbit but had to be aborted when, already in earth orbit, it was discovered that the fuel for the main capsule engine had either leaked or not be loaded onboard in the first place. Some skilful use of the manoeuvring jets allowed the craft to leave earth orbit to return to the ground and following this the craft safely re-entered the earth's atmosphere. The lack of precise control over the reentry point meant that the craft splashed down off of the coast of Nigeria. However despite the rough splash down and a short delay while the navy negotiated access to the splash down site the crew was safely recovered.

The second SARSA mission was a manned orbital and docking mission to allow docking manoeuvres to be practised. However it seems that the quick introduction of a docking module into the mission plan resulted in some corners being cut in the preparation of the three stage rocket for the launch. As with the SHADO launch earlier in the month the lift off itself seemed to be going smoothly, but the three stage rocket rocket exploded at a height of just 51 miles. As a result of this catastrophic accident SARSA scrubbed their third launch and have odds of 1750 to 1 for a perfect lunar landing mission (though, as with SHADO, this dramatically improves if a state of the art rocket is used, which improves the odds to just 220 to 1).

ASA still without a successful Lunar Probe

ASA's latest probe joined its three earlier companions in failing to successfully land on the lunar surface. This one was, however, the closest yet. Close analysis of the data sent back by the probe revealed that if it had had just a couple of grams more fuel onboard it would have been able to reach the soft landing spot located on the outer edge of the area surveyed by the craft. As it was, the craft was unable to find a safe location and crashed on the edge of the Sea of Tranquillity.

ASA's other launch of the year was an attempt at a manned lunar orbit. In the event this craft failed to even achieve earth orbit, splashing down into the south Atlantic after the main engine of the four person capsule failed to ever fire. All the crew members were recovered safely however, leaving the odds of a perfect ASA lunar landing mission at thirteen to one.

World diplomatic corps awaits Smaug Inc.'s joint mission plans

While Smaug Inc continues its rocket building plan by starting a three stage rocket programme, the world's diplomatic corps is still awaiting news of the joint mission plan that Smaug Inc. has organised. Apparently the delay is caused by a desire to see which of the other agencies is making steady progress and hence a need for the mission to be meticulously planned. Smaug Inc has currently 380 to 1 odds of a perfect lunar landing mission (which is improved to 140 to 1 if a state of the art rocket is used). A mission using the best available equipment from any agency (and led by GOSsiP) has odds of about eleven to two.

Accounting scandal reveals extra funds

After an audit of the financial status of the various space agencies during the last year and in particular double checking of the arithmetic, a significant set of errors has been discovered and has led to the agencies being granted an additional $20,000,000 each to their cash in hand to resolve the various issues2.

GOSsiP has contingency plans for rocket problems

GOSSiP's extensive work on its two stage rocket aided by liquid fuel strap on rocket motors (which always makes for a dramatic launch!) has allowed its scientists to conduct extensive experiments into the technology. One such experiment nearly ended in tragedy when the O-rings on the liquid fuel strap on rocket were seen to have a significant intolerance to the cold conditions at the Julianehåb launch site and sprayed fuel across the launch site. However it is expected that the resulting safety precautions put in pace to avoid a re-occurrence will mean that GOSsiP will also avoid such an incident marring the use of the rocket in the future3.

Worries hit SARSA launch

A review of the engineering designs at SARSA have identified a potential problem that puts the next launch from SARSA into doubt. The worries centre on the precise combination of stainless steel and concrete used in the No. 1 launch pad at the SARSA launch complex. If a mission is launched from this pad during 1972 the pad could break under the accumulated stress and strain of the various launches from the pad over tyhe past decade and a half of use. If the pad is not used the design flaws can be resolved in time for launches in 19734.

Smaug Inc. Reorganisation causes Ego problems

Following a reorganisation at Smaug Inc., the heads of existing two stage rocket program and the new three stage rocket have been having full and frank discussions regarding funding for the research programs. As a temporary compromise Smaug Inc.'s board have agreed that the two program will have equal R & D funding during 19725.

SHADO board decides that faking a moon landing will be cheaper

The board controlling the funding between SHADO and the other divisions of the organisation appear to have decided that it would be cheaper to produce a film documenting their moon landing (and using fake footage as required) rather than actually performing the moon landing. The board has removed $30,000,000 from SHADO's budget and diverted that to the Harlington-Straker Film Studios based 40 miles west of London.

ASA presented with $8,000,000 bill

ASA has been forced to settle an $8,000,000 bar bill presented to it by Harold's Bar in Woomera. The bill presented the accumulated bar tab by the entire Australian astronaut corps and despite the best attempts by ASA to repudiate the bill, the bar owner, Harold Cooper was able to prove that ASA had guaranteed that he would be paid when he set up the bar back in late fifties. Mr. Cooper denied that he may have discussed the arrangement with the late Steve Zodiac, one of his most famous patrons.

Launch Calendar

The provisional calendar for launches planned in 1972 (assuming none of the missions are rushed or scrubbed) is as follows:

5th Dec
SHADO
10th Dec
SARSA
12th Dec
SARSA
16th Dec
ASA
18th Dec
ASA
20th Dec
ASA
26th Dec
GOSsiP
28th Dec
GOSsiP
30th Dec
GOSsiP
31st Dec
GOSsiP6

Last updated: December 21, 2021 at 19:38 pm

Footnotes

  1. This assumes no additional research or practice missions and does not count mishaps which either do not stop the safe completion of the mission or are resolved by the crew.
  2. I discovered that the spreadsheet column I created last turn to compute the cash in hand was very wrong. As all players used the figure in good faith (and had no good way of validating the results) I concluded that I would fix the problem by granting each and every agency additional funds to ensure that their original orders did not result in them overspending. I have now corrected the spreadsheet error!
  3. The next rocket failure by GOSsiP will be negated.
  4. If the pad is used during 1972 there is a 50% chance that the mission will suffer a rocket explosion on the launch pad.
  5. Any R&D money spent on a rocket program by Smaug Inc. in 1972 must be matched by spending on a different rocket program (it doesn't have to be the two stage and three stage program, though Smaug Inc. would need to start either one stage or mega stage rocket program to spend R&D funds on those programs).
  6. A fourth launch facility will need to be purchased if this mission is not to be automatically scrubbed.

1970 Smaug Summary

First published 14th November 2017 (Last Modified 21st December 2021)
Program Units Safety Factor
1. Orbital Satellite 1 98%
2. Interplanetary Satellite 0 89%
3. Lunar Probe 1 86%
4. Docking Module 0 50%
B. Two Stage Rocket 2 98%
F. Kicker 1 95%
EVA Suits n/a 98%
b. Two person capsule 3 20%
c. Three person capsule 2 91%
d. Two person Lander 1 51%
Photo-reconnaissance n/a 95%

Astronauts

Name Completed Flights
Johnny King 1
Nehemiah Juarez 1
Patricia McNeely 0
Rosa Williams 0
Spencer Snyder 0
Terrence Graves 0

3 Launch Facilities at an undisclosed locations.

0 Launches planned for 1971


Last updated: December 21, 2021 at 19:38 pm
31 October 2017
Missed research on the Two Person Lunar Lander, corrected the rating for the two person capsule.

1970 SHADO Summary

First published 14th November 2017 (Last Modified 21st December 2021)
Program Units Safety Factor
1. Orbital Satellite 1 71%
2. Interplanetary Satellite 0 91%
3. Lunar Probe 0 85%
4. Docking Module 1 45%
A. One Stage Rocket 1 54%
B. Two Stage Rocket 0 95%
C. Three Stage Rocket 1 70%
F. Kicker 1 74%
EVA Suits n/a 98%
b. Two Person Capsule 0 86%
f. Three Person Minishuttle 1 48%
Photo Reconnaissance n/a 80%

Astronauts

Name Completed Flights
Walter Clark 1
Judith Harris 1

One time only, may plan a manned mission to take animal passengers instead of human, thus avoiding most of the risk of a catastrophic accident. Success counts as a subsequent mission for budget purposes.

Astronauts may be recruited for only $1,000,000 each for the rest of the game

2 Launch Facilities at Honolulu and Lenur Island.

1 Launch planned for 1971


Last updated: December 21, 2021 at 19:38 pm

1970 SARSA Summary

First published 14th November 2017 (Last Modified 21st December 2021)
Program Units Safety Factor
1. Orbital Satellite 0 96%
2. Interplanetary Satellite 0 92%1
3. Lunar Probe 0 86%2
A. One Stage Rocket 0 85%
C. Three Stage Rocket 1 98%
EVA Suits n/a 98%
d. Two Person Lunar Module 2 90%
f. Three Person Capsule 1 92%
Photo-Reconnaissance n/a 80%

Astronauts

Name Completed Flights
Wei Engel 1
Fiona Ngubane 0
Ryan Cilliers 0
Herman Hanekom 0
Yolandi Schutte 0
Victor Nzimande 0
Gugulethu Turner 0
Celeste Maseko 0
Jacques Swartz 0
Paul Mbatha 0

One time only, may plan a manned mission to take animal passengers instead of human, thus avoiding most of the risk of a catastrophic accident. Success counts as a subsequent mission for budget purposes.

3 Launch Facilities at undisclosed locations3.

3 Launches planned for 1971


Last updated: December 21, 2021 at 19:38 pm

Footnotes

  1. May be researched to 95%, absolute maximum of 98%
  2. May be researched to 90%, absolute maximum of 93%
  3. 1 damaged - cannot be used until repaired at a cost of $15,000,000

1970 GOSsiP Summary

First published 14th November 2017 (Last Modified 21st December 2021)
Program Units Safety Factor
2. Interplanetary Satellite 1 69%
3. Lunar Probe 0 83%
B. Two Stage Rocket 4 98%
D. Liquid Fuel Strap-Ons 4 92%
EVA Suits n/a 81%
c. Three Person Capsule 4 95%
g. Two Person Lunar Lander 1 84%

Astronauts

Name Completed Flights
Maja Hansen 2
Curtis Adamson 2
Kristian Swenhaugen 2
Torkild Bendixen 1
Thomas Ditlevsen 1
Malthe Jørgensen 1
Casper Ovesen 1
Jacob Abrahamsen 1
Malthe Bisgaard 1
Niels Svendsen 2
Ferdinand Winther 2
Ulrik Rohde 2

One time only, may plan a manned mission to take animal passengers instead of human, thus avoiding most of the risk of a catastrophic accident. Success counts as a subsequent mission for budget purposes.

3 Launch Facilities at Julianehåb.

2 Launches planned for 1971


Last updated: December 21, 2021 at 19:38 pm
28th November
Deleted footnote about Lunar Probe needing repairs - the $10,000,000 was paid.

1970 ASA Summary

First published 14th November 2017 (Last Modified 21st December 2021)
Program Units Safety Factor
1. Orbital Satellite 0 96%
2. Interplanetary Satellite 0 91%
3. Lunar Probe 2 85%
B. Two Stage Rocket 2 94%
D. Mega Stage Rocket 3 98%
EVA Suits n/a 98%
c. Three Person Capsule 2 72%
h. Four Person Capsule/Module 4 90%
Photo Reconnaissance n/a 70%

Astronauts

Name Completed Flights
Professor Matthew "Matt" Matic 0
Croc Hogan 1
Dingo Dan 1
Bob Hoskins 1
Larry Hoskins 1
Mel Dawson 0
Tezza Baker 0
Kieran Creek 0
Smith Zomburg 0

One time only, a launch can be delayed to gain a 10% safety factor (for that launch) to the rocket used in the launch.

3 Launch Facilities at Woomera

First module failure will be ignored.

3 Launches planned for 1971


Last updated: December 21, 2021 at 19:38 pm

1970

First published 14th November 2017 (Last Modified 21st December 2021)

Near Perfect Lunar Pass from GOSsiP

Image of the Earth from near the Lunar Surface

GOSsiP's third mission was a near perfect manned lunar pass gaining a brilliant shot of the earth just as the craft passed by the moon on the furthest extent of its orbital manoeuvres. The success means that GOSsiP joins ASA with successful lunar passes1 (no one has, as yet, completed a full orbit of the moon, the last proving mission before an actual lunar landing). GOSsiP's two earlier missions in 1970 suffered problems. The first mission launched was an attempt at a manned orbital and spacewalk. However the spacewalk was cancelled after the space suit developed leaks while Maja Hansen, the astronaut, was de-pressurising the airlock ready for the actual space walk.

The remaining mission from GOSsiP, a manned orbital had the mission experiments cancelled after the crew of Torkild Bendixen, Thomas Ditlevsen and Malthe Jørgensen reported problems with the waste elimination facilities in their craft. The crew were unable to clear a blockage in the system and even helpful advice from ground control was unable to solve the problem. After several hurried consultations the rest of the mission was scrubbed (unlike the craft itself) and the mission plan quickly changed to Get the crew home as quickly (and safely) as possible. Despite the speed with the plans were drawn up the craft returned to ground safely2.

Tropical cyclone Eugenie damages SARSA launch facility.

SARSA's recently built launch facility has been seriously damaged as a result of the passage of Tropical cyclone Eugenie3 over the facility. The repairs will cost an estimated $15,000,000 and until made the facility cannot be used for any launches. SARSA's two other launch facilities are unaffected by the shutdown.

SHADO's Lunar Fireworks

SHADO has successfully lit up the lunar sky when its latest lunar probe exploded on the Lunar surface. The Probe had been performing brillantly up to that point - it had even found a safe place to land and had landed. However when the internal electrics signalled for the landing rocket to shut down it instead exploded according to the conclusion of a report into the loss of the lander based on observations from many observatories that had been studying the landing site with Earth based telescopes.

On a happier note, SHADO's mission from 1968 has now returned lots of useful data from Venus.

Big announcement due from Smaug Inc.

Persistent Rumours suggest that Smaug Inc. is on the verge of announcing a major agreement with one of the other space agencies. The suggestion is that a joint mission is to be launched in 1972 at the direction of Smaug Inc.'s board of directors but with a subsidy (and perhaps crew and equipment) from another agency4.

SHADO seen with EVA Suits that look Australian

Suspicions of another spy scandal in Woomera has been intensified with the suspiciously Australian looking spacesuits now being sported by SHADO's astronauts. Since ASA's suits are state of the art, SHADO's EVA suits are now rated at the same 98% safety factor.

Smaug Inc.'s scrubs more missions following loss

Smaug Inc. has scrubbed two of its three missions after the loss of one of the capsules launched on its first mission. The first mission launched a docking module together with a pair of two person capsules. The first capsule, crewed by Hannah Kelley and Ian Carpenter attempted a docking with docking module, but was unable to complete the manoeuvre after failing to get the craft aligned. This was, however, better than the second capsule, crewed by Johnny King and Nehemiah Juarez, which failed to even get a signal from the docking module - suggesting that the batteries on the docking module had failed. Both capsules then attempted a de-orbit burn ready to return to earth. However it appears that Kelley and Carpenter had used too much of their fuel reserves on the attempted docking and their craft was unable to achieve a safe re-entry profile and their craft burnt up in the upper atmosphere. The other two person capsule returned safely back to Earth, but with the safety factor of the two-person capsule re-rated to 20%, the other launches from Smaug Inc were scrubbed.

Flu epidemic hits Australia

This year's strain of Influenza appears to have mutated sufficiently to defeat the Australian vaccination program. Croc Hogan, Dingo Dan, Bob Hoskins and Larry Hoskins have all succumbed to the virus and will unable to take part in missions during 19715.

Top Danish test pilots join GOSsiP

Notwithstanding the massive astronaut recruitment program launched by all of the space agencies (apart from SHADO) this year, three top Danish test pilots, Niels Svendsen, Ferdinand Winther and Ulrik Rohde have joined GOSsiP on a free transfer from the Danish Air Force. It is expected that their experience will carry over into their astronaut making them better than their civilian counterparts when trouble strikes. A total of nineteen astronauts have been recruited across the agencies this year.

Launch Calendar

The provisional calendar for launches planned in 1971 (assuming none of the missions are rushed or scrubbed) is as follows:

5th Dec
SHADO
12th Dec
SARSA
14th Dec
SARSA
16th Dec
SARSA
20th Dec
ASA
22th Dec
ASA
24th Dec
ASA
29th Dec
GOSsiP
31st Dec
GOSsiP

Last updated: December 21, 2021 at 19:38 pm
15th November
Added footnote 1 on SARSA's monkey manned lunar pass.
27th November
Corrected typo

Footnotes

  1. Note that while SARSA has not performed a manned lunar pass with actual people onboard, it has completed one with monkeys on board. As such the third nation bonus for a manned lunar pass is still available, but SARSA does not need to perform a manned lunar pass to avoid the 3% penalty for not performing this mission.
  2. The mission counts as a failure for budget purposes, but not a catastrophic one and the crew gain a mission flight to add to their résumé.
  3. An actual storm name that affected South Africa - admittedly in 1972!
  4. Smaug Inc.'s next mission planned must be a joint mission with another agency. Smaug Inc determines the other agency, the mission type and the equipment used (including crew, if any). The costs and rewards will be split equally between Smaug Inc and the chosen agency. Should the chosen mission be a successful lunar landing, this will count as a joint win. I will not permit sabotage of equipment on this mission and will adjust cash in hand appropriately if the equipment used has already been purchased.
  5. Any missions on which they are due to fly will be automatically scrubbed.

1969 Smaug Summary

First published 31st October 2017 (Last Modified 21st December 2021)
Program Units Safety Factor
1. Orbital Satellite 1 97%
2. Interplanetary Satellite 0 89%
3. Lunar Probe 1 86%
4. Docking Module 0 45%
B. Two Stage Rocket 3 97%
F. Kicker 1 95%
EVA Suits n/a 98%
b. Two person capsule 1 61%
c. Three person capsule 2 77%1
d. Two person Lander 1 51%
Photo-reconnaissance n/a 95%

Astronauts

Name Completed Flights
Hannah Kelley 0
Ian Carpenter 0
Johnny King 0
Nehemiah Juarez 0
Patricia McNeely 0

3 Launch Facilities at an undisclosed locations.

3 Launches planned for 1970


Last updated: December 21, 2021 at 19:38 pm
31 October 2017
Missed research on the Two Person Lunar Lander, corrected the rating for the two person capsule.

Footnotes

  1. May be researched up to 91%

1969 SHADO Summary

First published 31st October 2017 (Last Modified 21st December 2021)
Program Units Safety Factor
1. Orbital Satellite 1 71%
2. Interplanetary Satellite 0 91%
3. Lunar Probe 1 85%
4. Docking Module 1 45%
A. One Stage Rocket 1 54%
B. Two Stage Rocket 0 95%
C. Three Stage Rocket 1 69%
F. Kicker 1 74%
EVA Suits n/a 45%
b. Two Person Capsule 0 86%
f. Three Person Minishuttle 1 20%

Astronauts

Name Completed Flights
Walter Clark 1
Judith Harris 1

One time only, may plan a manned mission to take animal passengers instead of human, thus avoiding most of the risk of a catastrophic accident. Success counts as a subsequent mission for budget purposes.

Astronauts may be recruited for only $1,000,000 each for the rest of the game

2 Launch Facilities at Honolulu and Lenur Island.

1 Launch planned for 1970


Last updated: December 21, 2021 at 19:38 pm