Catastrophe averted

Smaug Inc.'s second launch on the 31^st December was an attempt at a manned sub-orbital mission carrying astronauts Anna Rivetti, Ben Mezera and Caroline Freberg. With a good launch and a near perfect re-entry of their three person capsule, hopes were high that their recovery in the South Atlantic would also be a success. In the event however, it appears that the explosive bolts for the capsule's flotation devices were too powerful and while the floatation collar did expand, the large hole carved into the capsule meant that the astronauts had just a few seconds to escape the capsule before it disappeared beneath the waves¹.

Islanders collect souvenirs

Inhabitants and tourists on Tahiti have been collecting souvenirs of the failed Lunar Probe launched by GOSsiP on the 1^st of December. The launch of this mission was good, with the only fireworks being from the post launch barbecue out on the nearby glacier, however it appears that the probe had not been filled with any propellant for its manoeuvring thrusters as the probe did not perform any of the commanded propulsion burns once freed from its rocket. The Probe did not complete an orbit of the earth and re-entered the atmosphere over South Pacific Ocean.².

Smaug Inc successfully launches second orbital satellite

Smaug Inc has continued its successful orbital satellite program with another successful launch on the 15^th of December. This, the third satellite to orbit the earth and the second one from Smaug Inc., caused a few nervous moments when the satellite's manoeuvring thrusters did not fire until very near the end of the timing window, but the satellite did safely make orbit.

ASA goes big

ASA appears to have concluded that its large budget can easily afford big ticket items and the agency has started a four person capsule that will also be capable of landing on (and launching from) the lunar surface, which promises to avoid the need for any dangerous docking operations. Reportedly ASA's science teams led by Professor Matt are delighted at the opportunities that this new program presents.

Observing events, a disgruntled Steve Zodiac has not only been confined to base but has limited access to the Mess facilities and is apparently not allowed beyond the coffee dispenser. A glowering Dr Venus has pointedly made the remark that she is not the said coffee dispenser. At least someone is as happy as Larry/q> Zodiac is reported to have said, referring to a constantly beaming Professor Matt. Meanwhile it emerged that investors in Harold's Bar, adjacent to the site, are worried about a sudden dip in bar receipts and business to business sales of the Amber Nectar to the Space City Mess.

SARSA plans world's biggest firework

Sources from within the South African Space Agency are suggesting that despite tough competition, the agency is planning a spectacular launch for next year with what the source described as the world's biggest firework. While the source was not prepared to discuss details (he was nervously watching the clock during the discussions), it was acknowledged that the agency has completed research on its three stage rocket program.

Outrage at animal testing

There was outrage this year as both SARSA and SHADO announced that they are both considering using either dogs or monkeys as alternatives to unmanned flights. While animal rights organisations are organising protests and lobbying for the practise to be outlawed, both SARSA and SHADO point out that this could allow them to test equipment in a real environment without risking human life³

Smaug Inc. first to develop EVA Suits

A critical part of any lunar landing is the actual walk upon the lunar surface. As there is no atmosphere, Smaug Inc. has started the first EVA Suit program to allow its astronauts to safely leave their spacecraft and conduct independent exploration. The new suits have already attained a safety rating of 63%.

More bugs found

Continued insistence on the use of mosquito nets at the Australian facilities building the new four person capsule/module looks like leading to another potential problem being averted. Workers at the facility insisted on the nets as an additional measure when a colony of funnel-web spiders was discovered in the mock-up designs for the new capsule. Observers refused to speculate on the coincidence of the discover and the recent visit by Colonel Steve Zodiac to the facility⁴.

Sabotage threat at Smaug Inc.

An anonymous tip-off at Smaug Inc. has caused consternation by suggesting that Smaug Inc.'s three person capsule has a potential fatal flaw. The details of the problem have not been revealed, but the suggestion is that the capsule is much more dangerous than official figures are suggesting. However to discover precise details of the problem look to be quite expensive at an estimated $30,000,000. Officials refused to comment on suggestions that South African agents had been spotted at the capsule's construction facilities. After all, how did they know where they are.., one official is quoted as saying.⁵.

Dr. Von Graun moves onto GOSsiP

Dr. Von Graun's world tour has continued with a move from South Africa to Greenland after he discovered that the South African climate was no better than Hawaii's! SARSA has denied that this will have any affect on its research program claiming that they got everything they could from the good doctor. GOSsiP has welcomed the move claiming it will reinvigorate their research program⁶.

Statistics page added

To help keep track of the overall progress of man's quest to land on the moon (and return safely!), the journal has added a new statistics page⁷.

Launch Calendar

The provisional calendar for launches planned in 1962 (assuming none of the missions are rushed or scrubbed) is as follows:

10^th Dec

SARSA

15^th Dec

SHADO

20^th Dec

Smaug Inc.

23^th Dec

Smaug Inc.⁸

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

24^th July 2017

Corrected year of the provisional launch calendar

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First people in Space

Australia first to safely visit Earth Orbit

On the 15^th of December ASA launched the first manned mission into space. With a three person crew consisting of Colonel Steve Zodiac, Captain Ken Ross and Dr. Venus, this first mission was a manned orbital with several orbits included in the flight plan. In a press release ASA said ASA has now reached the position where it feels confident to launch a mission for an Australian three person crew to orbit the Earth and return. Questions from reporters asking why Professor Matt Matic was not going along for the ride, ASA responded that they felt Prof Matic had a greater contribution to make from ground control and that the decision had absolutely nothing to do with mitigating against earlier sexual discrimination charges. When asked why a simpler sub-orbital mission was not on the cards as this would also meet the Australian Government's instruction. Steve Zodiac replied Hey, we've got the cojones to get ahead in this game and we're gonna do it!!

Despite fears for the mission safety after the decision to skip the previously considered important steps of an orbital satellite and a manned sub-orbital¹, the initially high safety ratings of both the two-stage rocket and the three person capsule meant this mission went without a hitch (and, in fact, the re-entry stage of the mission, considered to be one of the most dangerous parts of the mission, achieved almost total perfection, with even the expected communications blackout lasting only a couple of seconds).

The Australian government is reported to be extremely proud and has voted an initial increase of $60,000,000 to ASA's budget².

Not a disaster, but...

GOSsiP attempted a Lunar Probe/Mars Fly-by on the 15^th of October. The rushed launch of two months was required to meet the only possible launch window for this mission attempt and the difficulties were compounded by the lack of experience in GOSsiP in successful satellite missions³. Unsurprisingly the mission was cancelled after automated mission abort occurred at T-3 seconds. Initial investigations of the countdown abort revealed that the problems that led to the explosion of the two stage rocket in 1958 have not yet been completely solved and experts now rate the two stage rocket as having only a 29% chance of a completely successful launch⁴. As a result of the countdown abort, that particular rocket itself cannot be reused, but the satellite it was carrying was safely recovered from the launch site and can be reused.

First Orbital Satellite from Smaug Inc.

Continuing the run of non-explosive launches this year was Smaug Inc. on the 20^th of December. Their successful mission means that finally a second orbital satellite has been added to that of SARSA in 1958, thus becoming the second agency to successfully launch an orbital satellite⁵.

Setback to Smaug Inc.'s three person capsule

The discovery that some parts of Smaug Inc.'s three person capsule have been constructed from aluminium has caused consternation amongst engineers in the program. The discovery of the use of the metal, which has a relatively low melting point (although lightweight) has reduced the safety factor of the program by 10% until replacement materials can be researched.

Colonel Zodiac's flu

Official reports that ASA's Colonel Steve Zodiac has succumbed to a dose of influenza following his trip into space are causing a considerable number of conspiracy theories to arise. Various alternative theories have been suggested, including that the Colonel has been infected by some new kind of space virus or that his previous bronze physique has been changed by the trip such that he has been called The Thing by his fellow crew members. However many observers suspect that he has been visiting the Amber Nectar Brewery experience, which has twenty times the number of visitors to nearby Space City's educational tours⁶.

Scandinavian Governments to refocus on social program

GOSsiP officials are reported to examining carefully several statements by Denmark, Sweden and Norway that, due to a worry that the space budget is being wasted on pretty fireworks, GOSsiP's budget is to be halved so that $39,000,000 can redirected into social programs in the region. Suggestions that firework manufacturers in Copenhagen have been funding a lobbying campaign are being pooh-poohed by GOSsiP officials who point out that the competition is much more dangerous.

Accident at Johannesburg Satellite Factory

A recent quality check at JoSat, the company producing the satellites for SARSA, revealed that it's clean room wasn't as clean as the team expected. The finding of an aardvark within the perimeter led to the discovery of a termite mound within the facility itself. Official report that the damage by the termites to some of the internal wiring has actually helped the program to discover new ways of routing the electronic messages which will mean that it is expected that future problems in the satellite can be fixed while the satellite is in flight⁷.

Dr. Von Graun defects from SHADO to SARSA

The noted space scientist has found Hawaii to be too hot; too volcanic and too susceptible to tsunamis and has decided to move to safer climes in South Africa. This is expected to impact SHADO's research program while a replacement is hired, while SARSA has quickly hired the professor⁸.

Amber Nectar not a coolant

The rumours originating in Australia that the Amber Nectar would be used as a coolant were quickly scotched by Professor Matic of ASA who rightly pointed out that, as alcohol was a component of the Amber Nectar, it wouldn't be brilliant to try using it as coolant.

Major Recruitment Program at Smaug Inc.

Rumours that the Smaug Inc. launch facility is based in the South Pacific may explain the sudden surge in recruits to the new Smaug Inc. Astronaut program. A total of six astronauts have been inducted into the program, enough to provide multiple crews for the three person capsule program.

Launch Calendar

The provisional calendar for launches planned in 1961 (assuming none of the missions are rushed or scrubbed) is as follows:

1^st Dec

Launch by GOSsiP

15^th Dec

Launch by Smaug Inc.

31^st Dec

Launch by Smaug Inc.⁹

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

Added planned launch by GOSsiP

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