Apolyton Space Station

[Whaleboy]

Would the NAA like to collaborate with Marijuania on this project? We project that a small flotilla of 5 will serve the needs of the Apolyon spacefaring community in a satisfactory, although it may be preferable in the long term for all to have one.

We will begin construction of additional power and escape modules for the station. We are currently developing a new class of shuttle which will be able to aid the space station project.

We have two sensor modules for the station, for astrophysical work. The consist of powerful sensors for the entire EM band, as well as a power radar for interacting with incoming vessels, at a range of 0.2 AU. These are being launched today on a Marrakesh-class rocket, and will rendez-vous with the station shortley.

[Urban Ranger]

Oh good. The more the merrier

Today we'll be launching a core module, which consists of power supply in the form of a small fusion reactor, plus waste recycling facilities.

[Whaleboy]

Has the Apolyton Space Programme considered the possibility of placing weapons installations on the station. These could be for defensive purposes, should a hostile nation decide to engage this most high-profile of targets, or offensive, using the tactical advantage that very high altitude provides?

We have some experience with space-borne weapons systems, as we are integrating them with our new class of shuttles. These consist of guns, cannons and rockets of course.

[Urban Ranger]

We could use some defensive measures for sure.

[Whaleboy]

Marijuania will launch the weaponry modules immediately. These will also have a "canopy" armour system, for the station to engage in times of emergency. Also good for meteoroids.

The modules have rocket launchers, and 30mm/40mm rotary cannon turrets. The rocket launchers will be able to launch guided torpedoes (rockets) with 100Kg of TNT as standard, though can fire other ordinance.

They are being launched on the MSS Marley, the flagship of our group of Marley-class shuttles. It will rendez vous with the station shortly.

[Jack_www]

Jackson will begin construction on the other modules for the spacestation. We are constructing a science lab and crew quaters for the spacestation.

[Whaleboy]

We are investigating the possibility of a small auxilliary/escape spacecraft attached to the station. We are going to modify a Hastings-class high altitude fighter for this, as much of the pressurisation, high speed and atmospheric heating design work has already been done.

Such a craft will be useful for cargo/crew transfers between the station and Earth, as well as transfers between other vessels who cannot easily change orbits to rendez vous with the station. It also suppliments the escape capability of the station, allowing for higher crews on the station, thus greater productivity. It would also offer a resue capability to crews stranded on vessels that cannot re-enter Earth safely (such a feature could have saved the crew of the Columbia). It would also provide possible defense capablities, as a moving gun platform separate to the station.

[Urban Ranger]

The NAA is pleased to announced that the fusion reactor on board of the space station is operational. This small, 20GW generator, together with the solar panels, will provide ample power for the space station.

[Urban Ranger]

The Space Station is fully operational, with the first 5-member Nooslandian crew moving in for a 3-mouth stay.

[Whaleboy]

We can offer another 4 modules including crew quarters and a science lab, to increase the output of the now-operational station.

They are being launched on our second Marley-class shuttle, and will rendez-vous shortley. Our shuttle crew and the station crew will need to cooperate on this one

[Urban Ranger]

Scientists are pretty apathetic to politics most of the time.

[Whaleboy]

No I mean they will need to coordinate closely, hence my transfer of precise technical information and timing.

[Urban Ranger]

The crew will also test a remote control maintenance robot for doing work on the outside of the space station.