Red Sun Projects

Project - Senate Gardens. Imperial Encyclopedia Entry.

These shopping mall like complexes center on botanical gardens designed to provide ample places to sit, talk, drink beverages and eat food while being in an all year round lush garden environment. The gardens function is to simultaneously keep the population happy while encouraging talk so that the Senate can be better informed of the issues faced by the average citizen.  They are placed within distance of other main national infrastructure like the national banks, and even have outlets in the garden complexes. Affordable, clean hotels are encouraged in the area so that there will be more travel and exchange of ideas between the provinces. These hotels need not spend on as many amenities, since they are provided at low or no cost for free at the nearby Senate Garden.

Recent political theorists have found that a healthy "sphere" of political thought can provide information of value to the Senate. The Gardens also serve as an ongoing symbol of the Empire's dedication to civilized living and the condition of the average citizen.

(OOC: Game effect: to be determined by the GMs ... I imagine this will be mostly for RP purposes, but the Empire wants content citizens and genuinely wants to know whats on their minds.)

(OOC: Also note: As per spending, there are numerous facilities being built. This is not a specific IC media event, but astute observers of newly open Empire will easily note mention of the Golden Age Construction).

The Golden Age of Imperial Education - Salton University Press ... SUP!

Everyone from elementary students to law enforcement professionals are taking bold new courses to learn advanced scientific and technological techniques. Recent exchanges of knowledge under the Golden Age programs of out beloved Emperor have not only spurred industry and infrastructure ... but many projects on all campuses and even right in city centers at the new Senate Gardens.

Massive new research centers are buzzing with the excited banter of researchers young and old alike. Even the military facilities that are invariably under tight security are home to people scribbling on chalk boards or drawing plans on napkins as they relax in local taverns.

Some educators worry that changes to the national examination system will make university entrance difficult for many students but the Empire has provided more funding for education. The hope is that as many teachers take free courses, whether optional or mandatory, their pace will keep up with the wholesale upgrades occurring from coast to coast.

First Imperial Journal of Physics

News Wire Bulletin!

Researchers presented a seminal paper today demonstrating that, in theory, atoms can split to provide clean, safe and limitless power. Funding for further research was immediately approved though many details are secret. Public requests for information were returned with highly redacted documents with a military seal. Physicists advising this journal had already suggested this would be the case as it is known that naval reactors able to efficiently propel ships are a prime application of this technology.

The Sun Aerospace Travel Research Institute (SATRI)

With great fanfare for the distribution of an instantly popular educational series on airports of today and spaceports of tomorrow, Sarl Cagan has been made an official Imperial Consul.  Consul Cagan, the host of "Beyond: Air and Space" host Sarl Cagan,  formalized his office as SATRI and immediately began research on high altitude jet engines, aerospace payloads, and logistics - as, in the Consul's words "Anyone who has visited an airport knows the science of logistics needs work".

Though he offered himself to public service as an Imperial Consul and would have abandoned his personal fame, the Emperor - a big fan of "Beyond: Air and Space" immediately gave Cagan a larger staff so he could continue hosting his show. Senate scholars, even at the Tribune level, were instantly able to verify this was a popular move. The average Imperial citizen is moved by Cagan's often deep and wise speeches.

Catch the next episode of "Beyond", with Sarl Cagan, on RSBN (Red Sun Broadcast Network) sent out in real three-beam-colour! Remember, only RSBN brings your shows in real colour.

(OOC note on culture at this point in the Empire: Everyone in the Empire wants a colour TV ... at the moment, they are found only in wealthy or upper class homes and even good Black and White televisions are not common ... but when the Senate Gardens were built with free auditoriums for colour TV watching restaurants and taverns around the Empire felt the need to keep people coming in by installing the very expensive colour sets.  Citizens gather round in large groups for their favorite shows when they can. SATRI is the Empire's equivalent of NASA.)

The Golden Age is Atomic! - Imperial Physics Weekly

The Imperial Atomic Energy Institute, which has been little more than a large research group until recently, started plans for industrial uranium extraction. Society can harness the power of the atom for prosperity and exploration. Plans to build a diffusion plant are also being discussed and are a virtual certainty.

Soon, very soon, the Empire may be able to discard all of its other energy sources in favour of clean, safe atomic power!

Port Authorities and Highway Trucking associations receive minor Senate Chairs - Senate Gazette

For the first time, as industry booms, related shipping and trucking have received minor Senate chairs. The Empire is concerned with the efficiency and safety of the transport network. Since it moves both people and cargo there should be funding allocated and someone answerable at the highest levels. Though the departments have been more and more important they lacked some of the governance apparatus of more established portfolios. Certainly, the assignment of Senate positions is a key indicator that more attention is being paid to how anything moves around in the Empire.

Space City and Cliffside! - Salton University Press - SUP!

The Empire has renamed a town and its called Space City. Ground was broken today on a nearby complex related to SATRI, details to follow in later articles. The City, however, has its own branches of the 1st and 2nd State Technical Universities. Space City gives us clues about the complex, which will probably launch many rockets and host related scientific experiments. There are many mysterious high security buildings at the center, which also includes its own dedicated shipping port on the lower elevation of the coastal site. The launch complex is situated on the gentle hill and low cliffs of the site with room for many future annexes. The locals are calling it "Cliffside" since those who know aren't at liberty to give us the proper name before its unveiling.

Everything in Space city runs on its own money - to buy anything you need to have town script, which all the reporters and visitors were able to exchange on the way into town at the checkpoint. Far from the images of a prison town that first entered this reporters mind, Space city and the University campuses there are nicer than where I live! The coast, cliffs, and security cordons aren't even visible as "security barriers", no doubt that is why this charming old town has been chosen. It feels like any other rural-upscale part of the Empire. They are being very careful to preserve the olden-charm of the place, but there are the most modern enhancements going in. Color TVs everywhere! Even their own TV studio with local access shows ... amazing!

A colleague of mine also picked up on something very interesting. The guide maps and public amenities around town have all sorts of languages on them. This is a town built to host visitors from abroad, and lots of them too - form the looks of the shiny new tenement towers going up.

SUP! will keep you up on all the latest University News.

International Space?  Journal of Applied Imperial Aerospace

We've all seen pictures of Space City, but here are some more interesting shots - cleared by the board of Imperial censors so don't worry.  Compare the pictures on the left inset with the right, and you will see that our new space center definitely has Kahlawian touches. It makes sense since we've had good relations but this is proof that we are adopting a flexible set of equipment standards.  This is the third major space faring technology base that is now at least nominally compatible with our new aerospace standardization.  

That probably explains the expanded facility too, since there are other parts of the grounds not open to us.  It would explain the port, which is large enough to handle the biggest ships  and appears to have received a rocket shaped Kahlawian delivery via cargo ship just last week.  Fascinating times and good bottom lines are ahead for our industry and for the Empire. As some political science pundits are pointing out, maybe space exploration is about global Diplomacy. This would make the Emperor even shrewder than he is known to be, as peace is the key for Imperial economic prosperity.

Atomic Power - Coming Soon! - Multiple Media Sources

The Imperial science directorate finally approved research requests for nuclear power systems. There was a concern over safety, since the power of the Atom is vast. However, after a protected look at the research on what the scientists are calling "controlled fission" they have come up with a good set of safety measures.

Clean, limitless power is coming to you soon! Thank you Atomic Power!

SATRI is doing exciting science! - Citizen Scientist Monthly

We have toured new projects in computers, a sort of symbolic information machine that can "think" in a way that is not like Kerbs but still capable of giving machines logic. We have seen coming advances in solar panels that more than double efficiency and power. Our reporters even got to try on some mock-up "flight suits" that can help the body with the rigors of high G forces and thin air high in the atmosphere.

These advances have all sorts of spin offs and this issue looks at how these relate to medicine, business, and more ...

University Computing Exchange --- HIGH SECURITY, SECRET WITH SOME DISCLOSURE ---

Held at one of the shining new Space City university complex, this exclusive invite only conference has been jointly arranged by computer scientists and educators. It is a cooperation between the Red Sun Empire and the honorable Kingdom of Gladia to exchange knowledge on a wide variety of topics including efficiency, logistics, filing systems, gadgets, calculators and computers and next generation power systems beyond what the Gladians currently have. This is set to benefit the economy of the Empire through reciprocal Gladian investment of 20 Mk directly into the Imperial Economy via controlled Foreign Direct Investment.

We acknowledge the transfer of Blueprints and we have sent the funds.
Hopefully we can work together to a brighter future.

Gladian Royal University Director
Jack Proawser

Blessings of the Red Sun,

We see this day as groundbreaking both in diplomacy and technical exchange with the fine Kabundakan Federation. We have always respected the Federation but have felt that relations were muted. It is our hope that with the exchange of knoweldge we also forge bonds of common understanding.

The details of the technical exchange will be handled in closed session unless there is objection from the honoured Federation delegates. Also, please partake of the best foods and refreshments our people can provide, as the Empire prides itself on being a good host.

(See OOC tracker for closed session details, level of public disclosure as per Crichton - technology transfer is ASAP in all cases).

Ships from the Future - Sun Fleet Watch Today

The Imperial Fleet just comissioned the first new warships in decades, outfitted with so many advances the mind boggles.  Since opening up to the world technology has lept ahead by figurative miles and these ships reflect that - not only are they modern in ways from computers to advanced corrosion resistant materials unheard of by previous generations but they also have atomic propulsion.  They are designed with expanded crew quarters and provisions fo r the continuus operation enabled by nuclear power.  Maintenance routines have been revolutionized with concepts  from the space program such as modular "system cores" that can be lifted in and out at wet-dock or by sea crane - again to support a continuous and efficient deployment.  Advanced firefighting using pumped seawater with anti-corrosion addatives, colour teleivsions for all mess rooms and two cinema lounges to keep morale high with minimal leave, even the cleaning supplies have been chosen to be in part sea water so very small amounts of powder from stores and so many other details have been incorported into these incredible vessels. Despite the tropical heat, the room we were in was comfortable due to new sea-water-air-chillers that use very little energy to manage the HVAC. Co-heating from the atomic piles will prvovide the heat for HVAC and cooking too.

They are also designed for the wealth of upgrades that could result from more technological progress. These ships will stay modern well into the future ... in fact they seem to have come from the future into naval now.

To add to the very interesting ships of the program it has also been announced there are more designs in store. The next few years will be a design competition where engineering firms from across the Empire will push the limits of naval architecture. There is a screening process in place to ensure that none of the precious reactors end up in sub-standard vessels. All of the ships produced will be marvelous even if they meet only the minimum specs, however the winning designs will be truly exceptional.  The design competition concept mirrors what is happening on the chalkboards and drafting tables of space-sceince offices through the Empire.  The new security focus of the Empire is also evident with revolutionary means of monitoring and controlling the access to sections and key portions of the ship and the port / port machinery when it does need to stop over.  Stow aways and infiltrators beware ... no crawlable air ducts like before!

It leads this publications staff to ponder if the navy is somehow preparing for operations both in sea and space. Some of the sea ship desgins on the table are rumored to even have their own hydroponic greenhouses to provide sailors with healthy fresh food that supplements rations - talk of bunk rooms that are equiped to double as med-bays with roll-in equipment carts and even air tight quaranteen seals ... could all this be preparation for life in small quarters "out there".  Many pundits point out that these measures are also very good at proofing the ships from unconventional warfare (NBC) and some measures specifically show this thinking. Only time and further issues of this journal will tell.

Support of Narcona in Quest for Peaceful Space Science

We of the Red Sun Empire support the Narconan people in their quest for peaceful advanacement and exploration of space. It is a noble path, blessings of the Red Sun upon all who travel it.

In closed session we have conducted transfer of files and sample components and in exchange the Narconans have contributed 12 Mk to our treasuries.

Blessings of the Red Sun on Narcona

Space! The Next Frontier! - Citizen Science Monthly

It has been officially announced that a design board for Imperial Space Ships has been comissioned by the Emperor. Senate research councils have determined that much of the technology is in the near term for a space ship program. To be clear, the ISS designation is for nuclear powered space vessels that have crew capacity or can dock with crewed vessels and stations.

See inside this issue for design concepts from artists around the Empire!

We have received the files. Thank you, we were wrong about the things we said before.

Fellow Kerb, Blessings of the Red Sun,

In the long history of the Empire we too have been wrong about so many things. The scripture tells us though, that if you admit mistakes and work to improve the world all should be forgiven.

Come, your representatives are invited to relax at our delux villas. Enjoy the wonderfu climate, food, libraries and fun of the Empire!

First SATRI Launch! Project DAWN ARROW

Excerpt from an interview with Tribune Ryuka Lintor, senior SATRI executive and Senate adviser:

After extensively studying the Nayazh rocket purchased at the very formation of SATRI we have finally launched her. Deciding the mission was a difficult thing, we wanted to do a something that destructively de-orbited the upper stage but there is plenty of orbital data for the unit already.

The Empire of Kahlawia has already graciously shared the data on its past achievements and did offer the use of its launch facility. However, we saw the opportunity to break in out new pad with some very reliable and well understood launch hardware. The integration was flawless, absolutely perfect.

The mission itself was essentially a deep-space sub-orbital hop. Even though we understand the basics thanks to Kahlawia achievements we saw this as another chance for novel data. The arc was very high and the intercept narrow, never crossing anyone's territory or coastal waters in order to avoid political friction. We were very careful, in fact the booster upper stage did so well we had to throttle off the engines.  Then, we had such a long time in space the electronics ran out of power. Still we got great active telemetry up till then, and razor sharp radar data for the flight.

The way down was the real light show - literally - it was coming in at an incredible speed. This is why we called the mission "Dawn Arrow" because the optical and radio-plasma interaction data was brilliant. The burn up provided so much information we really hope we captured it all, as the destroyers tasked for observation only had a handful of trained scientists on board each.

Some of the telescopic photos are spectacular, you could even see the final flash in the night sky if you had sharp eyes. Some of the sailors did and it was right on target, the right color, everything. Better than going as predicted however, is the hypersonic burn-up will yield data for computer modeling of similar events.

OOC Proof and can be taken as a combination of data types / artists conceptions IC:  https://imgur.com/a/JHqAG#24

Space! Our Next Frontier! - Citizen Science Monthly

The first ISS Design Concept Competition (DCC) has just warped up and does it ever make this issue exciting! The DCC was for our first launcher family, the Rayspear. For our foreign readers the Rayspear is a legendary weapon used by the Sun Lord to temporarily or permanently blind enemy armies and other gods. It was the weapon that drove the Kortugans from our land and some say still left the "blackland" at the peninsula border, though this is really due to high levels of flammable naptha deposits in the ground - still its a good story!

Like the Rayspear of legend, our new launcher family is capable of both power and mercy. It is a general purpose launcher with many possible variants. All of the variants involve different configurations of science, communication, military or operations gear - each variant is slightly different. Now you might be asking: Why is there all this equipment on a launcher and not in payload? Well, the upper stage which will make it into orbit is a fully functioning configurable satellite. The satellite isn't only special because of a family of hardware variants ...

The real magic of the upper stage "Sat", as the rocket jocks call them, is a fully functioning modern computer. Modern computers are shrinking in size and weight, plus they can be "programmed". A program or code is a set of instructions for what the machine needs to do when something happens. Yes, this system is flexible and powerful because we can give the machine instructions and it follows them, even in flight or orbit ... anywhere it can hear the radio waves we send it. It even talks back and sends us all manner of information from pictures to telemetry about how healthy it is.


The Payloads can be anything, but to give you an idea they are considering Kerb-orbiters to send our explorers into space. Often the payload will be a companion satellite, which doesn't need its own computer because it can talk to the one in the upper-stage-sat (they are thinking about calling that a USS). These are exciting times ... this issue will explain all about what Sats can do for the average Citizen and for our Empire.

See inside this issue for DCC concepts from artists around the Empire!

As expected, we have returned the 25 MK invested in S.E.A.D.D. before ASDI fundations.

Blessings of the Red Sun upon you,

Many thanks, these funds will do much to aid our computer science programs. We always treasure the visit of friends, please come to Dawn City on a festival season. It will be an experience of true revelry.

Salutations,
Imperator Kinta Solon

Want to send an e-tel?  - Citizen Computing Quarterly

Tired of not being able to find one of the new electronic telegram machines?  The reason you can't is because the land-lines are expensive for companies to rent.  There are some radio services out there too, and they are OK but they can't support many users. Just like Fax machines, E-tel sends a form of semi-analog (in signal terms) data which is translated to and from binary data. Just like Fax machines, the bills for long distance connection can get big. Imagine the trouble a service provider has!

E-tels are the communication medium of the future, so why not put the stations in space?  It turns out that is a great idea. The Sun-Speaker satellites are shortly set to launch. They will provide citizens with regular E-tel data bursts by allowing companies to set up their base stations in all sorts of places.  

Take a look inside this issue for some of the E-tel terminals ... even portables! For the fashion conscious, there are even models that fit in your hand bag!

Crimson Lancer Announced! Imperial Aerospace Times

Today development started on the first domestic launcher of the Empire. Though foreign designs are sufficient for many applications and the Rayspear DSS is ongoing there was a quiet, mostly military, effort underway for Crimson Lancer. SATRI is still coordinating the project and despite many technical details being absolutely top secret has confirmed this is a conventional rocket, not a type of spaceplane such as the Rayspear will be.

The payload, not yet under formal development but at a more open design concept competition (DCC) stage is the Aatala orbiter. This single kerb vessel will be the first Imperial Space Ship class.

First Imperial Science Academy

Confirming much speculation in the press the Empire is almost ready to launch its first Kerb rated orbiter. We are waiting on the final designs for next generation communication equipment including an Internet data node. This project is also the last barrier to developing first generation modular space station technology in cooperation with ASDI partners. Both of these ongoing design efforts will prepare us for a part in the upcoming IKSS.

Further statements will be issued to the press

Imperator Noriko Dawnai