The Aeris Missions

The First Aeris Mission

AERIS MISSION ON WAY HOME
After being stranded on Aeris for several months longer than planned, the crew of the Aeris mission is finnally on it's way back to Scandia. In a daring space walk, Dr. Khazar Ihto and Dr. Shouzu Li were able to replace the damaged reactor from the Aeris-1 and replace it with a unit brought by a resupply ship. With the repairs complete, the crew is now on it's way home, with even more complete data on Aeris than anticipated. Source with the Mazrim Space Center have been reported as saying that several in the Space Community are pleased by the disasater, saying it was a chance for Andrea to demonstrate it's space exploration prowess, as well as collect extra data.

Although the Aeris-1 was designed to be resuable, it will likely be
dissassembled for study. It is also likely that the reactor and drive systems will be redesigned. The lifesupport systems, based on Montedorian and CRV designs reportedly exceeded expectations, even given the extra strain of an extended stay on the surface.

Breaking News: More on Aeris-1 Malfunction
October 16, 1512(Mazrim Space Center, Colma Island) -

With the latest report from Mission Control here at the Mazrim Space Center,things look grim for the Aeris-1 mission. Detailed inspections have revealed that a micrometiorite passed through the reactor room of the ship, penetrated the reactor sheilding, and sprayed molten debris inside the main reactor. Luckily, emergency shutdown procedures kicked in, but not before radiation from the reactor damaged computers and electronics in the aft section of the ship.
The crew and conrol sections, which are extra sheilded, were not effected. The main reactor has been completely disconnected, and software is being reinstalled on computers. However, the reactor cannot be reactived, due to the damage it has sustained.

Experts are working on ways to repair the damage and rescue the crew. The crew still have several months of supplies on the surface, and it is likely that a second automated supply ship will be sent to aid them.

Breaking News: Aeris-1 Malfunction
October 15, 1512 (Mazrim Space Center, Colma Island) - The SDC has announce that the main drive system on the Aeris-1 orbiter, in orbit around Aeris, has failed to respond to routine systems checks. "As of 4:23 A.M. we have ceased to recieve any data from the primary core or engines 2, 3, 4. Engine 1 has sent back data irratically." announce Mission Controller Hansen Wu. Software glitches or micrometeorite damage are the most likely causes of the malfunction. Exterior cameras are being moved to the effected areas to see if there is any external damage, while plans are being made to shtu down and restart the effected systems.

NATION REJOICES
The past few days have been one of national celebration as Andreans became the first nation to reach Aeris, the fifth planet. Parades were held in many cities, and school children spent most of the day working on projects related to space travel and Aeris. The most lavish celebration was thrown by the Ascendant,topping the extravegant parties he has thrown in the past.

COVERAGE BREAKS RECORDS
Over 97% of all Andreans are estimated to have watched the landing live, and the continuous brocasting of the mission on several channels are continuing to break viewership records. Advertising spots during the landing when for as much as am3 million for a thirty second commercial. A made-for-TV movie about the build up to the launch reportedly made the NTN Network over Am70 million.

ASTRONAUTS DOING FINE
The six person exploration team on Aeris have settled into thier new home comfortably and begun research. Dr. Hiro Ikari said, "We're glad to be in real gravity again, even if it's only 2/5 of what we're used to. Eating all your food out of a tube loses it's novelty after the first day."

Special Report from Andrea
Mazrim Space Center, Colma Island

At 06:47 (Andrea Time Zone), September 5th 1512, the Aeris-1 space
craft arrived in Aeris orbit. The ground control and ship crew were
both ecstatic as the orbit was achieved without problems. Several
system checks were completed in the ensuing hours, and contact was
established with the base camp set up by the previous unmanned supply
ship.

At 14:12 the landing module, the "Sparrow" detached from the transit
vehicle and began its descent. 17 minutes later, the call was
recieved, "The Sparrow has landed." Cheers filled the control room,
and champagene was brought out. The most dangerous part of the
mission had passed without a hitch.

After donning their EVA Suits, the crew made preparations to exit the
Sparrow and enter their new home, Velkor Base. The mission commander,
Major Mordekai Lysander became the first human to set foot on another
planet. His words on this historic occasion will be remembered for
ever. "With this step, the dream of generations is fulfilled."

The six person crew is:
Major Mordekai Lysander, Commander
Age: 36
Profession: Astronaut, former Air Force Pilot. Has commanded numerous
manned missions orbiting Scandia for the SDC and SSS.

Dr. Hiro Ikari
Age: 43
Profession: Astrogeologist, will be responsible for geologic research
on Aeris.

Dr. Shouzu Li
Age: 27
Profession: Computer Systems and Robotics. Designed many of the
components of the unmanned aspect of the mission, will maintain the
automated systems.

Dr. Jessica Monroe
Age: 36
Profession: Astrobiologist. Will be responsible for the search for
native life on Aeirs

Dr. Wildflower Running Wolf
Age: 38
Profession: Genetic Enginerer, Molecular Biologist. Will be
responsible for Scandia forming experiments.

Dr. Khazar Ihto
Age: 47
Profession: Materials Scientist / Engineer. Will conduct experiments
on in site construction and materials manufacture to investigate
using native materials for future bases.

Background
The Flagship mission of the Space development Consortium is the first manned mission to another planet, Aeris. The fifth planet has always held a special place in the hearts of Andreans, featuring prominently in our legends and mythologies. It was due to the petitions of Ascendant Madog, in fact, that Aeris has been internationally recognized as the name of the fifth planet.

Ascendant Mazrim has been even more interested in Aeris than his father. Not satisfied with the robotic missions sent to Aeris in the 1480 and 90s, the Ascendant made a manned mission to Aeris one of the primary goals of the SDC when he established it. To that end, the SDC has engaged in international space efforts to acquire the needed expertise in manned spacefight, environmental systems, and planetary landings.

The mission will be composed of two parts. The first part, the supply mission, will be sent first to set up the base for the Astronauts who will arrive six months later. The supply ship, the SS. Aeris 2, was launched on two NR-5 nuclear rockets from the Windmark launch facility, and assembled in orbit by astronauts stationed at Mazrim Station.

It uses three small solid-core nuclear rockets to propel it to Aeris. Once in orbit, it will deploy it's cargo via parachute, to a predetermined location. The supplies will automatically set themselves up to await the arrival of the astronauts. The nuclear power plant of the ship will form the core power plant of the base, allowing the astronauts to have a ready supply of energy when they arrive. The components left in orbit will serve to provide communication with Scandia, and to survey the planet and study its weather.

The manned crew transport, the SS Aeris-1, will be powered by four new high powered gas core nuclear rockets. These engines will provide the highest sustained thrust yet achieved in a space craft, providing a constant .05g for the crew. The constant thrust will allow a direct voyage to Aeris in under two months, rather than the more traditional approach involving gravitational assists and launch windows used by the cargo ship. The GCNR will use hydrogen as it's main propellant, superheated and expelled by the rocket. The hydrogen will be created in flight from water that doubles as radiation shielding for the crew. The production of oxygen will be a useful byproduct of the reaction, as will a great deal of electricity.

The ship itself will carry a crew of six, as well as all of the supplies they will need for their five month round trip in space. The cargo lander will contain all the supplies needed for their two months on the planet. The ship will also be equipped with several small rockets, probes, and satellites.

Once reaching the planet, the crew will descend in a lander, leaving the Aeris-1 in orbit for the return trip. The crew will spend the two months on Aeris surface conducting experiments searching for signs of life, as well as further understanding the planet's weather and and geology. They will also establish the basis for a more permanent outpost on the planet. Most excitingly, they will perform experiments on scandiaforming, or the process of turning a barren planet into one more like Scandia. This may be a century long process, but it the first step in one day establishing an Ascendancy of Aeris.

The Aeris-1 will return to Scandia and orbit the planet near Mazrim Station. The ship is designed to be reusable, but will undergo many inspections and studies to further our knowledge of interplanetary travel. It is hopped that the success of the Aeris-1 will spur the construction of several more ships and many more missions!