>>23762504

Foolz is crazy down now so I forget, where were we?

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These are the stats of the MK2
>Type: Probe, Mass 1, Reliability 9/4

The last launch was a partial success, the Rocket did not make orbit, but it did return information about the composition of the upper atmosphere. Unfortunately the atmosphere extends farther than expected, and it can said with all certainty now that a larger rocket will be required to make orbit.

You have also decided to make a press release regarding the launch. Will you Publish in the Academic Journals, Regular Newspapers, or over the Radio?

The academic journals will lend us credibility, but right now they are controlled by our strongest critics.
The Regular newspapers give the most even and unbiased coverage, but will lack any kind of serious punch.
Lastly the radio will allow us to reach the widest audience and leverage a new and powerful form of media, but may cause us to be dismissed as a novelty by high society.

All suggestions must be written using the royal we, suggestions unfitting a princess will be disregarded.

>>23762662
We have just successfully launched a sub-orbital rocket to the edge of space (or failed to launch an orbital rocket depending on how you want to look at things)

We are now planning a press release.

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>>23762689

Radio.

Seeing as how we're, you know, 16 and female respectable people aren't going to much care about anything we say anyways. I say we go full Jackie Onassis and make the people love us like crazy. Besides we'll need the mob on our side once the religious establishment decides it's witch burnin time.

>>23762689

We should probably allow the radio commentators to make their own speculations about the fireflash in the sky. When our editorial comes out in the regular newspapers a day or two later, we'll come across as the voice of reason.

>>23762689
Let us take to the radio so that we may captivate the hearts of the imaginative children.

>>23762798
We shall publish in the regular newspapers and in the academic journals.
With no real results to excite the populace, radio will not have any real impact.

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>>We should probably allow the radio commentators to make their own speculations about the fireflash in the sky.

Given the extremely superstitious and reactionary nature of some of our people is that wise? We already have a shady reputation. We need to get out ahead of this thing.

>>23763016
Exactly; we will then point out that it was our doing, in the interest of knowledge, and come across as the voice of wisdom. The delay between radio and print will allow rumors to spread just a bit so that people start paying attention on the next go. Of course this puts the pressure on for the next go to come out well, but in the absence of a competitor, it'll do to spur our workgroup to excellence.

>>23762689
We should personally present things as early as possible by radio. It will allow us to use our position and perceived glamour to popularize the program. The RRC is seen as generally ghoulish, so giving it a softer popular face would help matters.

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>>23763110
>>The Regular newspapers give the most even and unbiased coverage, but will lack any kind of serious punch.

We lack a power base right now, so until such a time as we can support ourselves we may have to pander to one side or the other. We're in a bad position gender/succession wise to rise in the aristocracy so the commoners make natural allies. Besides, the future belongs to them.

Sticking to radio.

>>23763221
>We're in a bad position gender/succession wise to rise in the aristocracy
Actually, no. We're the only heir, as far as we've been told. We simply need to prove our leadership skills are up to snuff in order to be able to get the throne.

>>23763254
We have that older brother in the navy, so as it stands he's got us trumped.

The decision is made to make a public announcement via radio.
There are two clear options over the radio, we could return to the palace and use the Royal Broadcasting room, or take a trip to Hafenstad and give our announcement via a popular music station.

>>23763254
No, our older brother is first in line. He is currently in charge of the Royal Navy however, and serving on the HMS Staberinde. If he died in battle we would have to take his place. We also have a younger bother.

>>23763309

It's not sensational enough to interrupt music. Those who listen to radio news are more likely to care anyway.

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>>If he died in battle we would have to take his place.
>>died in battle
>>died

That would be.... terrible. For now let's do the broadcast from the palace. We're still trying to maintain some semblance of decorum.

>>23763309
I believe we should use the Royal service. I don't think our subjects would like having their music interrupted by us trying to put forward a good face.
As much as I love NPR, it's the one thing I can't forgive them for.

>>23763309
We had ought to use the Royal Broadcasting room. It would be a touch more official. Perhaps follow up interviews can be granted to popular stations.

>>23763309
We shall return to the palace in order to use the Royal Broadcasting Room. Without a definitive success in achieving orbit, it's not worth the PR backlash of interrupting popular music.

>>23763309
We should head back, but wouldn't it be a shame to turn down the captain's suggestion? Something about a celebration for their beautiful new director? As important as the announcement is, we might want to consider getting in with the troops.

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>>23763465

Celebrations are in order, but let's keep it muted. At this point it's unclear whether the public would understand the gesture.

As the rest of the RRC retires to the beer hall for celebrations, you and your entourage return to your motorcar for the ride back to the castle to give your announcement. Until now the only thing you've had to say publicly is a few short pre-recorded and pre-scripted holiday blessings. Nothing live and nothing that was your words alone.

Will you need any help giving your announcement? You can bring one person into the studio with you.

OR you could put it off until after the men celebrate, now that you are 16 you may even convince Mr Luxon to allow you to try a very small glass of ale.

>>23763611
Is there a Minister of the Interior or State, someone whose job it is to assist in writing speeches and arranging presentations?
We shall have them assist in crafting the announcement.

>>23763611
I fear for Mr. Luxon's well being if such a thing were to happen.
Anyway, this is a peculiar situation, let's call it a two-sided coin. If the coin falls one way, we stay and celebrate and thus make good with the men. However, this could mean rampant speculation coming out before we have a chance to address it.
If the coin lands on the reverse, we go and make our announcement and leave ourselves the possibility of returning, thus wasting plenty of gas (something our adversaries can use to decry us) and risking the men being a tad rowdy upon our return. Either way, the game is inconvenient.

>>23763611
We should lead a toast at the celebration, but don't stay too long. We don't want to inhibit their frivolity .

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>>23763611

Eh, we're already viewed as the head of the heresy-industrial complex by some people. Getting blitzed with soldiers probably isn't something that would help our image. Maybe one -small- drink. As for our assistant I suggest we bring our redoubtable cat to calm our nerves. Everything else will fall into place.

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The coin comes up Tails. Fortunately the Beer Hall is midway between the castle and the fort. As you enter you see the entire staff of the RRC from the Colonel and his Aide De camps, to the ground crew and computers, fitting into one large room. Such comeradery to see officers and enlisted, noblemen and commoners, men and women, all drinking together! The Colonel raises a glass and proposes a toast, do you have any words?

>>23763999
We shall toast, to the future, to putting an object made by Man into the Heavens, to exploring boldly new frontiers where no man has gone before.

>>23763999
"To unprecedented achievements past and to inconceivable achievements to come!"

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>>23763999

Speak of the unity of our great nation and the desire to turn the science of rocketry towards peace and discovery. Today we cast off the veils of suspicion and ignorance that have chained us to this earth and embrace a bright new dawn!

Gotta go to sleep. Op I love you mang but I have a job and you are slowest of slowpokes tonight. Maybe cut back on threads and pre-write some of the bigger scenes so you don't burn out.

>>23764111
You raise your glass into the air as the crowd cheers, then take a deep sip. Previously you had only had wine, this is a bit different.

Sir Perro seems to think you drinking is hilarious (although he dosn't let this distract him) Mr Luxon grudgingly allows it on account of your age and the occasion. Minerva dosn't seem to have an opinion one way or the other, but has a glass of her own, as does Amelia.

You get back into the Motorcar and ride the rest of the way to the castle. It's almost time for dinner, the perfect time for people to be listening to the radio.

The Minister listens to you as you ask him for advice, He gives you a few pointers, but is unable to give any specific advice as he is not familiar with the subject at hand.

>>23763830
>cat
You mean chinchilla?
>>23764291
We need someone who can help us figure out this speech. The last thing we need is to get on the air and bumble through it.

>>23764291
We will pronounce that: "Our kingdom is now taking bold new steps into a new frontier, that just as a generation ago Man was chained to the ground but that we now fly in the skies, we shall break the chains holding us down on the Earth and we shall ascend to the Heavens.
"Today's launch was but the first in our drive towards the stars, and a glorious new dawn of scientific discovery as we grasp our destiny among the firmament."

We'll save the details for last, and just be very brief with them, that we were able to send a rocket into the upper atmosphere over the ocean, and that we were able to maintain contact with it as it collected scientific data.
This is radio for the masses, we don't want to get technical.

We shall have the Minister read over the speech and make any adjustments or suggestions.

>>23764631
Very well.
We shall address the kingdom, and deliver our speech, as per >>23764412

The music from the Royal Philarmonic stops and the announcer addresses the listeners. "Good evening men and women of Midland. Tonight her royal highness Princess Lydia Tannhäuser Von Cygnus gates the third shall make a very important announcement,"

He then hands the Microphone to you and bows his head. You finish your words without any trouble and when you are done, the music comes back. Unlike giving a speech in public, there is no way to judge how the audience has received your words. It's quite humbling.

Now that your speech is over, you may retire for the night, having finished your first day as Director of the Royal Rocket corps. You will have a lot of work to do in the coming days.

What will you do now?

>A successful orbital launch will require a larger rocket with at least two stages.
>The RRC currently shares it's headquarters with the RAF, it's facilities are limited and launching from such a high latitude is sub-optimal.
>You will have to wait till the next morning to see how the public reacts to your announcement.

>>23764907
We must find a way to get the RRC more funding, and to secure a better launch facility.

For the moment, we shall talk with Professora Minerva, and ask if she knows any of the jet engine scientists among the Air Force that may be able to assist us with improved rocket engine designs.

>>23764974
On the other hand, we have a working rocket. Can they be strapped together? It's not efficient, but we need a result and this would save on immediate R&D.

>>23764974
The Professora tells you that although the first jet engines were developed for the MK1, jets and rocket engines have since Diverged.
She hasn't had much contact with the RRC while she was your Tutor. She does remember something about plans for a larger MK3 rocket, and wonders aloud what became of it. It would have had a much longer range and carry a warhead twice as big, and might even be able to get into orbit, alas it was never built because the MK2 was good enough at the time.

>>23765050

We should ask the Professora how many MK2s are in inventory. It is a tested design, so at least until we have something to show to ask for more money, we should make the most use of it.

>>23765050
Then we shall see where the plans for this MK3 Rocket have gone.
Does the Professora recall who was involved in the project?

The professora begins to sketch a diagram of the MK3 from memory.

>Type: First stage, Mass 1, Reliability 19/14.

It's almost the same size as the MK2 but it's got 5 engines instead of just one, and the outer four are designed to be discarded shortly after liftoff. It's got plenty of range, but is probably a lot less reliable.
Further development could improve it however. Most of the original staff should still be there.

>>23765073
There are 5 more MK2s. Our facilities can hold 6 mass units worth of rocket, each no larger than 3 mass units.

>>23765186

Obvious question: Can they be strapped together, two then one?

Can this be tested with smaller rockets (even fireworks) and if so do we get to watch?

>>23765186
Then we should make it a priority to re-assemble the project team and further develop the MK3.

Does the Professora believe she can do that?

>>23765241
Strapped together? The Professora considers it for a few moments with a puzzled expression on her face. She then goes back to the paper and makes a new drawing, She draws a MK3, but instead of the warhead she leaves that cut off, and draws a modified MK2 on top of it. Making a three stage rocket.

>MK2 probe, mass 1, reliability 9/4
>MK3 launch vehicle, mass 1, reliability 19/13

The professora is not sure if igniting a rocket in mid air is workable, but it's worth trying. It should definitely be possible to start working on a prototype.

>>23765311
We should first further develop the MK3 in order to improve reliability; then we can build this MK4 Prototype.

>>23765359
>>23765311
As it's late, I believe we shoudl retire for the night, and continue this in the morning.

For those unfamiliar with Space Core's system, each part has a failure and a boom number. When it's time to activate the stage, we roll 1d20 and compaire it to the number, if it's higher than the fail rating, the rocket works perfectly. If it's lower than the fail rating, the rocket fizzles, if it's lower than the Boom rating, bad things happen.
You can spend luck points for re-rolls, (You have two right now) and if the mission is manned, the astronaut can spend a point of stamina to modify the roll by there piloting (for fail results) or engineering (for boom results) skill.

>http://emlia.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php?n=WhatGoesUp.Gameplay
>COPYLEFT www.robots-everywhere.com Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial Sharealike

You eventually fall asleep with dreams of space. The next morning, do you ride off to the Fort and slip inside without fanfaire, or do you take time to eat brunch first?

One important thing is to make sure that the Royal Astrologers do not try to muscle in and claim credit for any of this if it looks like it might start working - in order to assuage their fears, perhaps we should decree that they will be allowed to inspect the program, but with their hands behind their back both figuratively and literally.

>>23765455

Proper nutrition is important and prevents us from pouncing on our next meal gracelessly. Om nom nom.

>>23765469
Nah, we should try to slip in early so we can get work done without people getting in the way. Having the entire fort salute us was fun the first time, but we can't do this every day.

We can always get tea at the fort.

>>23765389
>Return

Oh god the current Mk3 is bad.

Can we have a breakfast with our esteemed parents, see what they think about the radio announcement?

>>23765584
All new rocket parts start at 19/14, the MK2 is only as good as it is because the RRC has been working on it this whole time. Once we get to the fort we can start improving the MK3 to become more workable.

>>23765547

On second thought we agree with ourselves there. Onwards!

Perro drives you and Minerva straight to the Fort. You get waved into the gate without attracting too much attention and sneak into the RRC headquarters. This surprises the staff who are already there, you arrived even before the Colonel.

Taking an inventory you have 10 RnD points and enough room on the production floor to build a single MK2 or MK3 booster, once complete a MK2 could be attached to make a complete MK3.

Finishing the Mk3 plans will cost 3 points, and building it will cost one more.
Improving the reliability and safety of the MK2 or MK3 will cost one point per level each, you can improve each thing by up to 5 levels each turn.

>>23765707

We must science! Well, not us personally, that's not where our talents lie. But still... What does the staff think about putting the big rocket on top of an even bigger rocket?

>>23765723
A lot could go wrong, but it's doable. They are mostly worried about how accurate the MK2's guidance will handle being launched from the top of a two part rocket, but if you just want to get into orbit that should be easy enough. Another issue is getting the stages to separate and ignite properly, but that could be solved with some careful engineering.

Spending those 5 points would help a lot. Right now it's 19/14 but we could buy it down to 14/14, 19/9, or somewhere in between like 15/12.

I cried tears made of tears when I found out that the first two threads hadn't been archived.

>>23765824
Boo hoo, go to foolz.

>>23765799
Probably best to not tell this to the engineers, but just making a political point would mean much - if we can send something that goes up without coming down, all it has to do is be observable from the surface. Bonus points if it goes beep and double bonus if it does some actual science, but just proving the point would mean respect and funding.

So let's focus on launching a small shiny thing!

Our vote is to increase the chance of it not fizzling, rather than worrying about a catatrophic failure, so 14/14.

>>23765847

Well we did want a new location anyways, so sure

>>23765824
They are on Foolz, but I will be using sup/tg/ from now on because Foolz is unreliable.

Part 1 http://archive.foolz.us/tg/thread/23711989
Part 2 http://archive.foolz.us/tg/thread/23726294

>>23765901
>>23765838
Oh right. Oops

We need more resources to spend on R&D. how may we acquire more?

>>23765961
This is your working budget, it will refresh Every month or so, and the total budget will go up if we can impress people.

>>23765847
This is true. So, what sort of data did we get from the sensor on the last rocket?

>>23765979
We see...

We are of the opinion that first we must focus on a design that we know works (sort of) - the MK2. We can start by trying to flesh out the designs and theories behind the MK3, but leave the actual construction for later.

>>23765979

While the scientists and engineers do what they do best, we should champion the cause in other ways!

Have we been on an aeroplane yet?

Do we know any poets that might want to sing of the heavens in a different way?

Should we perhaps start a rumor that the Huns have decided to beat us to orbit?

>>23766011

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmqlbzGzcQ0 WE MUST INVADE THE SUN.

And a media blitz! Once our engineering plans for the month are complete, we must think up new and exciting ways to bring attention (and funding) to the RRC.

Whom controls the funding? If it is strictly nobles, then we must find a way to appeal to them. A fancy charity dinner, where we can schmooze with influential people and let them know why the RRC is important. Perhaps getting a celebrity involved would bring attention to us as well?

>>23765979
Is there anything we can do to impress people with the MK2?

If there is, then:
>>23766001
has the right idea.

Otherwise we really do need to rush a usable MK3 out.

Also, we need to get a better launch center soon.

>>23766001
>>23766011
Unfortunately we learned that the earth's atmosphere goes farther than we though, and that the MK2 just dosn't haven enough endurance to get into orbit by itself.

If we added more fuel we'd be too heavy, and there isn't much more we can remove. The engineers agree that finishing the Mk3 would be a better idea. If we put the Mk2 on top of it, it's guidance system wouldn't be as effective, but it should be enough to top off the orbit.

>>23766060

Once a satellite is launched, we should set up a tournment for seeing which brave knight will be the first to space...

... Actually, we can do that right now - orbital flight is not necessary to take some awesome pictures.

Find someone brave/foolhardy enough to take pictures? Rig a camera to a timer? Another suborbital launch is comparatively easy and it'll give people something to see!

>>23766061
Hmm, maybe she's right. Having something new and exciting is important, even if it's not fully workable yet.

We change our opinion in >>23766060, to be that we should focus on rushing out a prototype of the MK3

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>>23766061

See >>23766100 (whee, dubs!)

One comparatively easy thing we can do is bring back pictures.

It is decided to go down to the archives to dig up the blueprints for the MK3, it's pretty dusty down here, but they are right where the Professora left them before leaving the corps to become your tutor. Nobody had touched them since.

>Spending 3 points to invent MK3, 7 points remaining.

The Colonel arrives just in time to see you sitting in the center of his office having tea and going over the blueprints with the staff. By incorporating features from the MK2, you are able to improve upon the original design and even adapt it to be the first two stages of a 3 part rocket.

>Spending 5 points to raise the MK3's reliability to 14/14, 3 points remaining.

>>23766202

Not much more we can do - let's let the mathmancers work their magic. Now, how to get people onboard with this sort of adventure?

Start opening selections for the first knight into space? (Sending a commoner would be unthinkable. Sending someone who lost their legs valorously in the war however would save weight...)

Using one of the existing rockets to take pictures?

>>23766202
What are we allowed to spend those points on?

Rolled 43

>>23766202
With a 2 stage rocket, do we need to roll dice for each stage when it comes to launch time?

Are there any useable MK2s remaining? if not, we should rush one out with our remaining points. The RRC should still be fresh in people's minds. Hopefully this will keep people talking about space exploration.

Also, what were the results of our radio broadcast?

>>23766276

If there's four at least one should use to take picture with. We should find an intrepid explorer and interview them about the ruggedest camera that can be had.

>>23766239
>Sending a commoner would be unthinkable.

Does even the astrologers persist in such notions? But if whoever turns out to be the most suited isn't a knight then I guess it might be a good publicity stunt to either knight him at the launch pad, or once he's back again. Tapping a sword to his headstone if need be.

The war cripple thing might be a very good idea if we can phrase it right. It should allow us to get both a nationalistic touch on it, to make us appear as a friend of the poor and humbled, especially those who have sacrificed for our nation. It could also help paint over the connections to nuclear weaponry a bit too, showing that rocketry isn't anathema to more traditional methods of warfare.

>>23766276
I think we had half a dozen or so MK2s around

Surely it must be simpler to rig up an automatic or remote-controlled system for the camera than to fit an entire person and life support into the rocket?

Sorry for not posting sooner, I have been getting 502s all over the place.

The colonel explains that sending a man into orbit would have it's own set of difficulties.

Firstly, it's not known how weightlessness will effect the human body. It might disrupt the flow of one's vital Humors. He would also need a supply of fresh air to breathe, and a special suit to protect him from the void. Otherwise he might Freeze to death, or explode, or both! They still aren't quite sure.

Then there would be the problem of getting him back to earth, If he was in orbit, He'd need another booster to de-orbit, and landing would require a heat shield and a parachute. Otherwise he'd burn up on re-entry, or crash.

Sending all this into space, along with photographic equipment, would require a rocket even larger than the MK3, at least four times as big he estimates. At any rate it would be too big to launch from here.

An unmanned rocket with a camera would also be tricky, The film capsule would have to make it back down to earth somehow, and taking pictures is more complicated than just attaching the shutter to a timer. Stabilizing the camera and making sure it was pointing the right way would require some really sophisticated instruments.

And now I should probably sleep. I will return tomorrow night.

>>23766390

Maybe focus on launching something small and bright. Can it be a flashing light? Can it be a radio beacon? Anything that makes it obvious that it is manmade.

>>23766060
These sound like interesting suggestions. Furthermore, could we possibly talk to the upper echelons of the military and ask them what other nations are up to in regards to rocketry.

Nothing will get us funding faster than a national security threat infused with nationalism.

Rolled 7

>>23766419
An excellent point. I would never encourage unnecessary military action. But then again it is true that nothing gets people motivated faster than competition.

Can we learn something about our neighboring countries?