#Unity spacecraft

[rodspurethoughts]

Virgin Galactic Set to Launch its First Commercial Rocket Plane Spaceflight

🚀 Exciting News! Virgin Galactic gears up for first commercial rocket plane spaceflight, revolutionizing space tourism. Stay tuned! 🌌 #VirginGalactic #SpaceTourism

Image: Virgin Galactic Exciting news for space enthusiasts and adventurers alike! Virgin Galactic, the innovative space tourism company founded by Sir Richard Branson, has announced its highly anticipated first commercial rocket plane spaceflight. This milestone event marks a significant step towards the realization of commercial space travel. With Galactic 01 ready for launch, let’s delve into…

[torchship-rpg]

Dev Diary 15 - Mechanics Reworks

Hello cosmonauts! It’s been a minute.

So we finally finished Chariots of Steel and were all eager to turn development time over to Torchship when I got covid. I was too sick to do anything for a week, and then have spent the time since exhausted, coughing, and headache-y. I’m still coughing. What a cool sickness to have!

Because of that, I really haven’t made the progress I was hoping to, but I do have some things to talk about from the current draft of the game. So here goes…

Unity Rewrite

One of the problems revealed by last year’s Metatopia playtest was that players didn’t really have a good idea of how important Unity was supposed to be, because it was a simple uncapped resource. Like any such resource, either they ignored it, or it activated the player’s hoarding instincts and they stockpiled it and dedicated themselves to whatever roleplay triggers would get more without ever spending it. 

Uh, oops, should have seen that coming.

So one of the biggest changes in the current drafts is that Unity has gone from being a pool of resources to being a bar you try to keep topped up, like so:

So long as you stay in the green ‘United’ range of 10-12, you have a free 1d6 reroll on all your dice pools. While not a hugely powerful buff, it’s a passive benefit that helps no matter what you’re doing, so you always want it if you can. There’s no benefit or drawback to being at Functional, but Tense and Fracturing hit you with escalating penalties.

This tells players when they need to be looking to form or act on relationships for the Unity benefits. Your Unity falling (through complications on rolls, stress in combat, or relationship complications) acts as an invitation to groups to get more involved, to declare relationships with each other and the various sides of a debate, and possibly act irrationally on them. 

This incentive structure also heightens the political metaphor of the relationship system and the way it will affect your interaction with groups. When things are fraying in your in-group, the fastest way to rebuild cohesion is to find an out-group, to stop being impartial and take sides. As circumstances change, you might find yourself dealing with the sunk-cost fallacy of having backed a horse you no longer believe in, faced with the reality of risking your group’s Unity to make the right choice, and the potential danger of swinging too far the other way as you try to rebuild cohesion.

Damage Rework - Conditions

Another massive change in the Alpha is a totally reworked system for damage, creating a single universal framework for everything from personal injury to wear and tear on tools to massive impact on spacecraft.

When something is damaged, that damage gets converted by the GM into Conditions. A Condition consists of a narrative description and a severity between 1-6; the severity determines the degree of penalty taken when the narrative of the condition becomes relevant (with 6 Damage indicating something has been destroyed outright and can’t be used). Damage is converted to Severity 1-1, so if you take more than 6 damage, multiple Conditions will arise.

This system can be used for anything, and focuses on creating problems that you have to work around and solve (you know the thing this kind of sci-fi is all about). If you get shot in the arm, having to figure out how to do things one-handed to avoid the penalty becomes an interesting problem you have to navigate around. If you drop your scanner down an elevator shaft by accident, you have to navigate your adventure with 1 Disadvantage on your sensor checks because of a cracked lens. And when 24 points of Thermal damage hits your spaceship from a laser hit, those become Conditions on your various modules and subsystems, realistically knocking out parts of your spacecraft so your engineer player gets to fix them and your medic gets to attend to crew.

This system also allows the GM to metre out the nature of damage to match the needs of the narrative much more easily. This allows weapons to be realistically dangerous without simply killing player characters all the time, because damage can be freely split between conditions; six damage from a handheld railgun doesn’t have to one-shot you, it can be interestingly split into a number of conditions describing the path of the shot. 

It also heavily simplifies a number of the game’s Hazards; you can make an ‘oxygen deprivation’ condition or a ‘barotrauma’ condition or a ‘heat stroke’ condition just as easily as anything else, and Resistances can be applied to that damage the same way. It elegantly compresses a number of systems from earlier drafts into a single, solutions-first mechanic.

Modes of Play & Vignettes

One big change in the new Draft is how the game uses alternating modes of play. We’ve ended up settling on four, two ‘main’ modes and two modes which are like exaggerated versions. You constantly build up Strain through Activity and Alert, every time you roll dice or get hurt, and you remove that Strain by going into Reflection and spending Supply.

The way we’ve decided to do this so that Reflection & Resupply can be tracked and even applied retroactively is Vignettes. Vignettes are scenes you play during Reflection to give a break from the action, creating the character moments that make us invested in the weird sci-fi shit by giving us a glimpse into the world. However, because each one is a discrete mechanical package with simple outcomes, you can also go ‘hey wait, I think that scene we just played was a Vignette!’ and it’ll still work.

The entire party plays the same Vignettes together and shares the benefits, with you playing more Vignettes the longer your characters are waiting (non-linearly; an hour gets you 1 Vignette, but a day only gets you 3). This timescale compression helps to get across the vast scale of space; there will be times when combat begins, both sides launch missiles at each other, and then you realise that it’ll be an hour before impact and you’re able to play a tense Vignette while you wait!

There are currently 9 Vignettes:

Three are Meetings: Conferences where you adjust your Investigation Checklists, Briefings where you make plans for dice bonuses, and Debates where you decide what to do in a controversial situation.

Three are Downtime: Relaxing to generate Unity and remove Strain, Lower Decks to introduce new crew NPCs you can call on for help, and Tourism to hang out with the locals, get language XP, and fill society checklists in a fun montage.

Three are Labour: Training to get XP, Treatment to recover Harm, and Project Work to create new Tools.

Resupply, which happens almost exclusively between episodes, will unlock three new Vignettes dedicated to your resources, spacecraft, and what’s happening back home.

That’s all for now. Hopefully we’ll have more detail for you next diary, which hopefully won’t take nearly as long. Provided there are no more tanks or awful diseases in my near future…

[palavenmoons]

Question to Varik, another pilot:

What do you like the most in Cilea?

Also, if you could fly any aircraft or spacecraft model/type in history, what would it be?

As to the craft or spacecraft... I'd have to mention Unity again. Loosing her was a catastrophe for him. He'll forever mourn his firstborn ship. Outside of going back to the past, Salarian RnD experimental stuff, or, salarian ships in general were always a thing of beautiful technology craft for him.

[ichodyssey]

The Cosmic Odyssey

An AI-Generated Fiction

Made by my AI companion and Me

In the distant future, humanity had spread its reach across the cosmos, colonizing distant planets and pushing the boundaries of exploration. Among the intrepid explorers was a young and audacious adventurer named Maya. Her insatiable curiosity led her to embark on a voyage to a remote, uncharted planet, where she would stumble upon a discovery that would irrevocably alter the course of history.

During a routine survey mission, Maya's spacecraft malfunctioned, forcing her to make an emergency landing on a desolate planet. As she explored her surroundings, she came across the remnants of an ancient civilization. To her astonishment, she discovered that the civilization was not extinct but thriving in the shadows, shielded from the prying eyes of the cosmos.

The inhabitants of this hidden civilization possessed ancient, enigmatic technology that held the potential to either elevate humanity to unprecedented heights or plunge it into chaos. As Maya delved deeper into the society, she grappled with moral dilemmas that tested the very core of her beliefs. The allure of the ancient technology was undeniable, but its potential for misuse loomed ominously over her conscience.

Maya soon realized that the leaders of the hidden civilization were divided on how to handle their ancient technology. Some advocated for sharing it with humanity to foster progress and unity, while others feared that such knowledge could be exploited and lead to conflict. As Maya sought to understand their perspectives, she found herself entangled in a web of conflicting interests, each vying for control of the ancient power.

The more Maya learned, the more she understood the weight of her discoveries. The ancient technology held immense power, and its impact on the fate of both civilizations hung in the balance. As she navigated the intricate dynamics within the society, she found herself at the precipice of a revelation that could shape the destiny of worlds.

Maya's journey was fraught with peril and revelation. She formed deep connections with the inhabitants of the hidden civilization, learning from their wisdom and experiencing the richness of their culture. However, she also grappled with the responsibility that came with her newfound knowledge and the potential consequences of its dissemination.

In the crucible of moral conflict and ethical quandary, Maya emerged as a beacon of hope. Through diplomacy, empathy, and unwavering resolve, she became a bridge between two civilizations. She facilitated a dialogue that culminated in a carefully orchestrated exchange of knowledge, fostering mutual understanding and cooperation.

However, just as the two civilizations were about to embark on a shared journey towards a future where their combined wisdom and resources would benefit not just themselves, but all of humanity, chaos erupted.

A rogue faction within the hidden civilization, fueled by a desire for power and control, launched a surprise attack on the leaders who advocated for sharing the ancient technology. The attack was swift and brutal, leaving the leaders dead and the ancient technology in the hands of the rogue faction.

Maya, who had grown close to the leaders, was devastated by the sudden turn of events. She knew that the ancient technology was now in the wrong hands, and that its potential misuse could have catastrophic consequences for both civilizations.

In a desperate bid to prevent the misuse of the ancient technology, Maya joined forces with a small group of rebels within the hidden civilization who were determined to overthrow the rogue faction. Together, they launched a daring counterattack, fighting their way through the rogue faction's defenses to reach the ancient technology.

As the battle raged on, Maya and the rebels managed to gain control of the ancient technology, but not before the rogue faction had already begun to misuse it. The consequences were immediate and devastating. The ancient technology, once a symbol of hope and cooperation, had become a tool of destruction and chaos.

Maya and the rebels were forced to flee the planet, leaving behind the remnants of the hidden civilization and the ancient technology that had once held such promise. As they escaped into the unknown, they knew that their journey was far from over. They had to find a way to stop the rogue faction and prevent the misuse of the ancient technology, or risk losing everything they had fought for.

As they fled, Maya received a transmission from an unknown source. The voice on the other end was distorted and menacing, but the words sent shivers down her spine:

"You may have won this battle, Maya, but the war is far from over. The rogue faction is just the beginning. There are others out there, waiting to claim the ancient technology for themselves. And you, Maya, are the key to unlocking its true power."

The transmission ended abruptly, leaving Maya and the rebels in stunned silence. They knew that they had to keep moving, to find a way to stop the rogue faction and prevent the misuse of the ancient technology. But they also knew that they were not alone in this fight, and that there were forces out there that would stop at nothing to claim the technology for themselves.

As they flew through the darkness of space, Maya couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. She knew that they had to be careful, that they had to be prepared for anything. For in a universe where the ancient technology held such power, the stakes were higher than ever before.

And so, Maya and the rebels continued their journey, driven by their determination to stop the misuse of the ancient technology and to protect the future of the galaxy. But they knew that they were not alone, and that the battle ahead would be the most challenging one yet.

[docgold13]

365 Marvel Comics Paper Cut-Out SuperHeroes - One Hero, Every Day, All Year…

December 7th - Johnny Storm, The Human Torch

Jonathan Spencer ‘Johnny’ Storm had been a high school student and amateur daredevil when exposure to high levels of strange cosmic radiation bestowed him super human powers.  Johnny was imbued with the ability to transform his body into a fiery, plasma form possessing pyrokinesis.  He can generate and control fire, enabling high speed flight, energy blasts and the capacity to create temporary constructs composed of fire.  In times of great peril, Johnny can also release a huge burst of energy, a nova blast that can decimate anything around him, yet also exhaust all of his power requiring him to rest for a period of time before he can once again flame on.   

Johnny and his older sister, Susan, grew up on Long Island until their mother, Mary Storm, died in an automobile accident. Their father, Franklin Storm, a once acclaimed physician, fell on hard times.  Dr. Storm gambled his family fortune away and ended up incarcerated for the accidental murder of his loanshark.  Thereafter, Johnny and his sister went to live with their aunt who ran a boarding house in the suburban outskirts of New York City.  There, Susan fell in love with one of her aunt's boarders, Reed Richards, who was a doctoral student at Empire State University.  Sue and Reed becoming a couple ultimately led to Johnny joining them and pilot Ben Grimm on the foursome’s fateful mission to outer space.  Their spacecraft passed through the belt of cosmic radiation resulting in each of them being bestowed super powers.  Upon returning to earth, the quartet decided to use these powers to become the team of superhero adventurers known as The Fantastic Four.  Herein, Johnny took on the superhero name of ‘The Human Torch’ (an homage to the hero of the same name who had battled the Axis Forces during World War II).  

Johnny loved being a superhero and basked in the fame and adulation it offered him.  He was a critical member of the team and his quick thinking and bravery has saved the day on countless occasions, although it often seemed that Johnny was more interested in the thrills and action of being a superhero and his status as a celebrity.  

Along with countless adventures alongside the Fantastic Four, The Human Torch has also embarked on numerous solo exploits and team ups with other heroes, especially The Amazing Spider-Man whom Johnny became great friends with.  Johnny would ultimately become a bit more serious in his role as a hero, acting as a member of the Avengers Unity Squad, The Fantastic Force and a close alley to the Inhumans of New Attilan.  

Just as exciting and tumultuous as Johnny’s career as a super hero has been his love life and he has had numerous, torrid affairs.  These relationships have included romances with Prince Crystal of the Inhuman Royal Family,  Lorrie Melton, Frankie Raye, the extraterrestrial Zsaji, Namorita, Zora Vukovic. Queen Medusa, and many others.  At one point, Johnny fell in love with the Skrull agent, Lyja, while she was posing as Alicia Masters.  The two married yet soon there after her secret identity as a Skrull was found out.  Heartbroken, the marriage was annulled but Johnny and Lyja would eventually rekindle their romance for a brief time.   

Johnny Storm,The Human Torch has appeared in a number of cinematic features, portrayed by actors Jay Underwood, Chris Evans and Michael B Jordan.  The hero first appeared in the pages of Fantastic Four Vol. 1 #1 (1961).   

[marsblog2anthonydeyn]

Chris Foss Dune

Chris Foss's design process, especially his heavy use of basic geometric shapes such as squares, triangles, and circles, aligns with Jodorowsky's vision and the surreal nature of the "Dune" project. Foss's approach can be attributed to several factors:

Simplicity and Universality: Basic geometric shapes are fundamental and easily recognizable. Foss's use of squares, triangles, and circles reflects a desire for simplicity and universality in his designs. These shapes can convey complex ideas in a visually accessible manner.

Archetypal Symbolism: Jodorowsky, known for incorporating symbolism and archetypes into his work, likely appreciated Foss's use of shapes with inherent symbolic meanings. For example, circles can represent unity or cyclical nature, triangles might symbolize conflict or balance, and squares can convey stability or confinement.

Bold and Graphic Aesthetics: Foss's heavy reliance on geometric shapes contributes to a bold and graphic visual style. This aesthetic aligns well with Jodorowsky's penchant for creating visually striking and memorable imagery. The simplicity of the shapes allows for clear and impactful designs that leave a lasting impression.

Futuristic and Otherworldly Feel: Foss's spaceship designs often feature sleek lines and futuristic elements, creating a sense of otherworldliness. The use of basic shapes contributes to this futuristic feel, as these shapes can be manipulated and combined in ways that evoke a sense of advanced technology or alien origin.

Practical Considerations: In the context of science fiction and spaceship design, basic geometric shapes can serve practical purposes. They can be adapted and modified to create functional and visually interesting spacecraft while maintaining a certain coherence and balance.

Personally I recognise the importance of basic shapes, I do a lot of prop making in my spare time, being able to properly use a ruler and create the perfect angles and shapes therefore making you design is a crutial skill in my opinion. When drawing designs that have to be symmetrical the use of basic shapes and a ruler it an absolute necessity, I completely understand why Chriss Moss relys on basic geometry.

[amzoo2013]

My story, Polar bear Roamings

Once upon a time in a distant future, humans had successfully colonized Mars, transforming the barren red planet into a thriving habitat. As part of an ambitious conservation effort, scientists decided to introduce polar bears to Mars, creating a unique ecosystem that mimicked Earth's Arctic conditions. The polar bears adapted surprisingly well, their white fur standing out against the Martian landscape as they roamed freely, hunting for prey in the sub-zero temperatures.

The Martian polar bears became a symbol of the resilience of life, showcasing humanity's ability to create new habitats and sustain diverse ecosystems even in the most challenging environments. Scientists marveled at the success of the experiment, observing the bears as they navigated the Martian tundra, their footprints leaving a trail in the red dust.

One day, as the polar bears continued to flourish on Mars, a strange phenomenon occurred. Unidentified flying objects appeared in the Martian sky, descending from the vast cosmos above. These were not human spacecraft, but rather extraterrestrial beings from a distant galaxy. The aliens, with their advanced technology and enigmatic motives, began to explore the Martian landscape.

The polar bears, curious and unafraid, approached the alien visitors. The aliens, resembling luminescent beings with multiple limbs and iridescent skin, communicated with the polar bears in a mysterious language that transcended traditional forms of communication. The bears, seemingly understanding the aliens' intentions, coexisted peacefully with the extraterrestrial visitors.

As days passed, the aliens shared their advanced knowledge with the humans on Mars, offering insights into sustainable energy, medical breakthroughs, and other scientific marvels. The once-barren landscape of Mars transformed into a hub of innovation, blending the resilience of Earth's polar bears with the wisdom of intergalactic travelers.

However, as the humans and aliens collaborated to improve life on Mars, a shadow began to cast over the newfound harmony. Some humans, driven by greed and ambition, sought to exploit the advanced alien technology for their own gain. Tensions escalated, leading to a conflict that threatened the delicate balance between Earthly life and extraterrestrial influence.

The polar bears, caught in the middle of the human-alien struggle, displayed a remarkable intelligence. Drawing on their adaptability and survival instincts, they became peacemakers, bridging the gap between the conflicting parties. The bears, now regarded as wise guardians of the Martian ecosystem, worked tirelessly to restore harmony and prevent the misuse of the alien knowledge.

In the end, it was the polar bears who played a crucial role in mediating a resolution between humans and aliens. Their presence on Mars became a symbol of unity, reminding both species of the importance of coexistence and shared responsibility for the preservation of their extraordinary world. As the conflict subsided, Mars once again became a beacon of hope and collaboration, with the polar bears standing proudly as guardians of a planet where life had triumphed against all odds. And so, the tale of polar bears on Mars unfolded as a testament to the boundless possibilities that arise when different worlds collide.

[comradecowplant]

People are so brain broken by hating everything russian that they are gleefully celebrating the loss of Luna-25, which is a really sad set back for lunar & space research as a whole, but it seems that xenophobic War is A Marvel Movie HEEHEE DUMB EVIL RUSSIANS CRASH SPACECRAFT is a stronger sentiment to the "we want to live in Star Trek" crowd than actual commitment to the dream of international unity of humanity to explore the stars & better scientifically understand the cosmos

[brightbluedot]

orchid, sage, edelweiss, nutmeg!

Thank you beloved mutual 😊

orchid ⇢ what’s a song you consider to be perfect? Ooh, lots, but one I've been focused on lately is '39 by Queen. I think there's this beautiful gut-punch simplicity to the story, and the Freddie backing vocals that go crazy and get all tinny for the last chorus are the perfect little layer to really sell it. sage ⇢ what ‘medium’ of art (poetry, music, fiction, paintings, statues etc.) is the most touching to you? why do you think that is?

This is a tough one!! I think maybe music. So much of the craft there is beyond me, like I know Some Stuff about music but not enough to make it myself or often even describe what I like about a song, it seems like witchcraft to me – but then there’s also elements that I can kind of extrapolate from writing (lyricism, telling a story over time). So, it lights up parts of my brain that I don’t use often and ones that I do all while Sounding Pretty, and that’s a satisfying combination.

edelweiss ⇢ how’d you think of your url/username? what’s it associated with to you?

It's a riff on "pale blue dot," from the Carl Sagan speech. The title comes from what the Earth looks like in a picture taken by the Voyager spacecraft from obscenely far away. I really love it because it's about the perspective this grants, how small the things people kill each other over really are -- and it urges kindness and unity instead of bitter nihilism. Have NOT been the same since I first heard it at 14. Anyway "palebluedot" was taken, so.

nutmeg ⇢ how’s your room/home decorated? do you have a specific theme or style going on?

Yes!! Six and I think a lot about how we decorate. We have this great exposed brick wall in our apartment, so we play off of that with red appliances in the kitchen and brown leather and green fabric in the living room. The bathroom came with these cute '70s pale blue fixtures, so we match the hand soap, toothbrush holder, etc. to that.

We have a lot of art on the walls in the living room (HUGE fuck-off Velvet Goldmine poster, a favorite poem, painting of David Bowie flanked by decorative shelves where we keep our dice bags, things of this nature.) We also have a tradition of getting a postcard together whenever we go on a little trip, and we put all of those up on the wall by our key hooks. The other walls are typical landlord white, but rich blue and white is one of my favorite color combinations, so I fill my room with blue, sometimes with a subtle nautical tilt. Really love this place and am very proud of it and want to kill my landlord with a hammer for making the building hostile to human life.

Original post for anyone who wants to play

[randomactsofpigeon]

This is not an appropriate comparison.

Sputnik was used for a series of satellites, including the first satellite. The fiest US satellite (also one of a series) was Explorer 1. This is frankly a similar name to "fellow traveler". (And neither was the name of the rocket.)

Apollo, which was the name of the assembled spacecraft and not merely the rocket (which was the Saturn series) compares most proximally to the Soviet Soyuz, which google tells me means union (though I don't know in what sense; gut feel, they probably meant it in the sense of unity).

Love the contrast between the Americans’ “Apollo” and the Soviets’ “Sputnik.” You got the Americans naming their rocket after a Greek god trying to communicate the grandness and importance of this rocket. And you got the Soviets naming their rocket “fellow traveler.” Like a friend you go on an  adventure with together. This rocket is our little friend lol 

[ashlyplus]

Games Design Week 5 PM - 01/11/2024

Last week I forgor to do a recap on what I had managed to do so I'm doing a Post Mortem.

I created an outline for the game's map using 2d colliders because that solved the issue of bounds at the same time which would hopefully reduce headaches later.

I borrowed some spacecraft art from Ruled in order to get the game looking a bit more finished. (I may return and do my own art if I feel it is necessary) I went with the smallest craft to represent the player to give the sense that the player is maneuverable and nippy.

I used code to fill in the map with static asteroid objects to make it seem more obvious that there is no other way to go. (It's also more natural and immersive than an invisible wall) I then added small moveable asteroids within the course as well to add some more dynamic gameplay.

I also readjusted the bounds to make it more difficult for the player to accidentally hit an invisible wall. This also helps with immersion.

Adding lighting to the map centered on the ship stopped the player from simply zooming out and seeing the vary obviously placed asteroid field and forces the player to make more reactive and spontaneous decisions.

I made a small win animation using Unity's animation system to give the player a sense of completion. All good progress last week!

[govindhtech]

Starfield: Shattered Space Expansion Releases On Sep 30

Starfield Shattered Space

Shattered Space Expansion

Bethesda’s “Starfield” has been a hot topic in recent years. Players worldwide are excited about the game’s first expansion, “Starfield: Shattered Space,” because to its vast universe, deep mythology, and open-ended exploration. It explain this expansion, why it’s crucial for Starfield, and what players can anticipate from the Shattered Space storyline in this post.

In a post-Unity reality, “Shattered Space” continues Sarsfield’s huge globe. The expansion will depict a fresh galactic battle as old and new groups fight over broken lands. Shattered Space would explore political intrigue, cosmic diplomacy, and power conflicts, while the main game centered on exploration and wonder via its space opera.

The main subject is interstellar alliance disintegration. The Free Star Collective and renegade mercenary gangs are rising as the United Colonies weakens. These groups have different goals, and players must navigate these stormy seas while making galaxy-changing decisions.

Starfield shattered Space Story

New Persons and Groups

Bethesda has hinted at key new characters. Some characters may dispute the player’s affiliations, prompting them to reconsider. Diplomats, military leaders, and space renegades will be there.

Additionally, new groups will form. These will include split factions and new organizations with their own aims. Players may have to choose between allegiance to the original United Colonies and joining a new group with a distinct galactic vision.

Above-Base Gameplay Enhancements

Bethesda develops innovative gameplay, and “Starfield: Shattered Space” is no exception. The fundamental game will be enhanced with additional systems that complicate battle, exploration, and role-playing.

Expanded Space Combat

One of the biggest modifications is space combat redesign. Ship-to-ship combat was important in the main game, but “Starfield: Shattered Space” will enhance it. Players may now customize starship armaments, shields, and engines. AI-controlled opponent ships will have more complex tactics, making space dogfights more tough and rewarding.

Tactical fleet fights will also be exciting. Players may now command many spacecraft for large-scale space combat. Battles include strategy, placement, and resource management as well as physical force. Combat decisions affect the player’s fleet and campaign.

New Biomes and Planets

In “Starfield: Shattered Space,” Bethesda introduces new planets with distinct biomes, resources, and difficulties. A broken galaxy will house these worlds, some of which are in perilous areas where gravitational anomalies, space pirates, and black holes make passage risky.

Planets with severe environments frozen wastelands, volcanic plains, and lush jungles offer unique gameplay. For planets with heat, cold, and radiation, survival mechanisms will be included.

New alien creatures and species

Starfield exploration is fueled by extraterrestrial life, and “Shattered Space” delivers. New alien species with distinct habits and environments will inhabit these worlds. To live, players must learn to fight, evade, or tame these monsters.

These new life forms will either be benign or dangerous to the gamer. Some aliens carry the secret to new technology or ancient civilization history, making these encounters quest-related.

Deeper Role-Playing: Player Choices Matter More

Bethesda succeeds at giving gamers meaningful options. In “Starfield: Shattered Space,” these choices affect more than speech or quests. Every action ripples throughout the galaxy, affecting faction strength.

Dynamic Politics

Players may influence factional alliances, negotiate peace accords, or start wars in the expansion’s political system. Players must carefully manage their alliances in this system, adding strategy. A diplomatic error might lead to war, ending questlines and chances.

Moral difficulties will accompany political ones. Which group promises a utopian society, even at the expense of human freedoms? Do you support an organization that works for individual rights yet generates chaos?

New quests and rewards

Bethesda promises evolving questlines depending on player activities. These adventures range in duration and complexity, with some spanning numerous solar systems to solve riddles or obtain resources. The awards will include rare weaponry, sophisticated technologies, and strong ships to aid gamers in the latter expansion phases.

Player-built outposts will also be important in this expansion. Strategic outposts will collect resources, create fortifications, and establish footholds in disputed locations. Players may strengthen these strongholds against competing groups and monsters.

Visual and audio improvements for Starfield: Shattered Space

The main game’s visuals are impressive, but “Shattered Space” goes beyond. Video and sound quality have improved at Bethesda. Better planets, sunlight, and space physics are coming.

The music for “Shattered Space” will include symphonic pieces to match the grandiose plot. Every space fight, planetary exploration, and conversation scenario will include music to enhance the player’s emotional experience.

The Starfield Future

The Starfield post-launch plan is looking promising with “Starfield: Shattered Space” as the first step. Bethesda indicates future additions will expand on this universe’s vast fabric. For Starfield fans, “Shattered Space” promises a deeper, more complex experience that builds on what made the main game so popular.

For epic space travel, deep storytelling, and strategic gameplay, this expansion will not disappoint. Players will decide who will rise and fall in “Shattered Space.” as they begin on this new voyage.

Starfield Shattered Space Release Date

The release date of Starfield: Shattered Space is set for September 30, 2024. This was revealed during the Opening Night Live broadcast from Gamescom.

Read more on govindhtech.com

[hobbyspacer]

Space habitat reports – Aug.24.2024

Here is a new selection of videos, updates, and articles about space habitats (govt. and commercial), living in space, and space settlement. === International Space Station & NASA https://youtu.be/mhSiE0DMgnc ** The parking lot is packed at the ISS: These are the 6 visiting spaceships currently docked to the Space Station. It's a shell game to make room for new ships as they arrive. Delaying @Boeing Starliner has made it more complicated - final decision tomorrow: https://t.co/hLcFwxgtrV image: @NASA pic.twitter.com/fuhpdblCXK — Chris Hadfield (@Cmdr_Hadfield) August 23, 2024 ** Progress 89 Cargo Ship Docking - Saturday, August 17,2024 - NASA Video The uncrewed Roscosmos ISS Progress 89 cargo spacecraft docked to the Zvezda module August 17 after launching to the International Space Station from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan August 14 on a Soyuz booster rocket. Progress is filled with over three tons of supplies and cargo and will remain docked to the space station for approximately six months. https://youtu.be/LUhybl8znM4 ** NASA’s Northrop Grumman 21st Cargo Resupply Services Rendezvous and Capture- Tuesday, August 6, 2024 - NASA Video Loaded with food, fuel, and supplies, the unpiloted Northrop Grumman CRS-21 Cygnus cargo craft arrived to the International Space Station August 6 where it was installed to the nadir port of the Unity module. Dubbed the “SS Richard ‘Dick’ Scobee” for the late NASA astronaut who perished during the Challenger accident, Cygnus launched from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on August 4 atop an SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and will remain docked to the space station for approximately six months. https://youtu.be/VUSPkIP_ZrY ** NASA’s Northrop Grumman 21st Cargo Resupply Services Installation - Tuesday, August 6, 2024 - NASA Video Loaded with food, fuel, and supplies, the unpiloted Northrop Grumman CRS-21 Cygnus cargo craft arrived to the International Space Station August 6 where it was installed to the nadir port of the Unity module. Dubbed the “SS Richard ‘Dick’ Scobee” for the late NASA astronaut who perished during the Challenger accident, Cygnus launched from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on August 4 atop an SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and will remain docked to the space station for approximately six months. https://youtu.be/hQbl4Uh4USo ** Many questions remain with NASA's plan to deorbit ISS with SpaceX - Laura Forczyk SpaceX is building a Dragon-modified deorbit vehicle to send the International Space Station into the ocean. But many questions remain, such as the exact timeline, the budget, the salvaged materials, the transition to commercial space stations, and more. https://youtu.be/FK1NljlfkfE ** ISSRDC 2024 Day2 Fireside Chat: Technology Development on the ISS and Future LEO Platforms - ISS National Lab During this session, launch providers and implementation partners that support the International Space Station Program highlighted the challenges and successes of launching projects to low Earth orbit (LEO), and highlighted some of the recent investigations they supported. This panel discussed the level of detail required behind the scenes to support a project or launch, while showcasing the diversity of experimentation taking place on this space station, and how the work supported now sets the foundation for research on future R&D platforms in LEO. https://youtu.be/WpFLHPj-SMs === Commercial space habitats ** Overviews of commercial space stations: --- Looking ahead to the next 25 years of private space stations | Space.com - July.18.2024 "In the short term, commercial space stations are an essential next step to fill the void left by the impending decommissioning of the ISS," said Lauren Andrade, a spokesperson for the Beyond Earth Institute. "Beyond that, commercial space stations offer a flexibility and capital that government-run projects simply do not possess." --- Companies prepare next generation of space stations for orbit | Fox News - July.5.2024 NASA is working with at least three companies that are designing space stations to replace the International Space Station before it de-orbits in 2031. "NASA can utilize those resources in our exploration of the heavens, back to the moon and on to Mars. Then we can rent space on a commercial space station to do our research, to prepare our astronauts for longer flights out into the cosmos," NASA administrator Bill Nelson said. "We've given them seed money so that they can jump start developing space stations." The cost to the U.S. government is a factor, but Nelson believes the investment will pay off. ** Axiom Space --- Axiom CEO resigns post and joins board of directors:  Axiom Space CEO Transitions to Board of Directors | Axiom Space - Aug.6.2024 Axiom Space today announced the transition of CEO Mike Suffredini to a position on the company’s Board of Directors, following eight years of leading the company to significant achievements in the space industry. --- Fourth Axiom mission to the ISS on a SpaceX Dragon space ship to feature multi-national crew: - Axiom Mission 4 to ISS will include India, Poland, Hungary | Axiom Space - Aug.5.2024 - Axiom Space Announces Agreement to Send Indian Astronaut to International Space Station on Ax-4 Mission | Axiom Space - Aug.3.2024 - Axiom Space prepares for Ax-4 mission to ISS | SatellitePro ME - Aug.9.2024 Axiom Space has announced that it is partnering with India, through the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Poland, with European Space Agency (ESA) support and Hungary to send three national astronauts to the International Space Station on Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), the company’s next commercial human spaceflight mission to the orbiting laboratory. --- The critical design review is the key final step before starting construction of the operational hardware: Hab-1 reaches CDR! During Critical Design Review, Axiom Space updates NASA on its module design, soliciting Agency feedback & moving Axiom Station one step closer to LEO. pic.twitter.com/GkhEa26ill — Axiom Space (@Axiom_Space) July 18, 2024 --- Axiom space suit news: Axiom Space and Nokia Partner to Enable High-Speed Cellular Network Capabilities in Next-Gen Lunar Spacesuits | Axiom Space - Aug.21.2024 Axiom Space has partnered with Nokia to integrate advanced 4G/LTE communication capabilities into the next-generation spacesuits that will be used for the Artemis III lunar mission. Together, Nokia and Axiom Space will incorporate high-speed cellular-network capabilities in the Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AxEMU), supporting HD video, telemetry data and voice transmission over multiple kilometers on the Moon. This advancement will enable Artemis III crewmembers to capture real-time video and communicate with mission controllers on Earth while they explore the lunar surface. --- Axiom takes Alexa to space: Axiom Space and AWS Demonstrate AI Assistant On Orbit | Axiom Space - Aug.23.2024 In some cases, spacecraft operate in relative isolation, devoid of direct human interaction and decision-making. However, by integrating virtual assistants, we can revolutionize a spacecraft’s architecture and functionality. As humanity ventures farther from Earth, our reliance on artificial intelligence (AI) assistants will inevitably grow. Axiom Space, in collaboration with Amazon and Amazon Web Services (AWS), envisions a future where spacecraft interact with humans as seamlessly as humans interact with each other. A significant step in this direction occurred during Axiom Mission 3 (Ax-3), where Amazon's Alexa voice assistant underwent a technology demonstration. During Ax-3, Axiom Space tested Alexa on an Amazon Echo device on the ground before flying it to the International Space Station (ISS) for evaluation. This milestone represents a crucial step toward creating “Earth-independent” AI assistants capable of supporting astronauts during future Mars missions. ** Gravitics --- Space Station Foundations, with Colin Doughan (Gravitics) - Payload This week's Pathfinder features Colin Doughan, CEO of Gravitics, a Seattle-based startup that specializes in the development of modular space infrastructure to support the expansion of stations and orbital platforms. Their primary product is the StarMax module, which can be customized in various sizes to accommodate different launch vehicles and mission requirements. Colin shares his journey into the aerospace industry and his vision for building real estate platforms in space. With a background that includes nearly 20 years at Lockheed Martin and founding Altius Space Machines (acquired by Voyager), Colin brings a considerable amount of experience in infrastructure development. We explore: – The approach Gravitics takes in developing scalable station modules – The market potential for free-flying stations and the impact of new launch vehicle capabilities – Operator vs builder model in space stations – Challenges in scaling manufacturing and testing for space environments – The future of artificial gravity and its importance for long-term space habitation And much more... • Chapters • 00:00 - Intro & Epsilon ad 02:04 - Colin's background 03:23 - Colin's first business venture 04:02 - Why start a space station business? 05:25 - Evolution of the Gravitics's vision 06:57 - Zero G modules 07:36 - Business model 08:26 - Why not operate modules? 10:04 - How do you perceive the market opportunity for free-flying space stations? 18:19 - Design decisions 22:25 - Turning a competitor into a customer 25:02 - Gravitics's approach vs existing providers 26:14 - Is there enough capital and investors to sustain this market? 30:26 - Countries creating their own launch capabilities 33:24 - StarMax 35:44 - Insourcing vs outsourcing 36:52 - Scaling manufacturing 40:05 - Testing 42:50 - Technical challengers that keep Colin up at night 44:42 - Commercial and government traction 48:34 - Long-term view 50:09 - ETA for Elysium? 50:35 - Who's going to play Colin in the future movie about Gravitics? https://youtu.be/LieTRHMXZw0 ** Sierra Space  --- Burst test of full scale expandable habitat module validates design goals: Sierra Space Heralds Giant Leap in Microgravity Research and Manufacturing with Historic Test of Expandable Space Station Technology | Sierra Space - July.25.2024 Sierra says that its expandable space station technology successfully passed a seventh key validation test, and second full-scale structural test, at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. The results herald a giant leap towards building the world’s first end-to-end business and technology platform in Low Earth Orbit, enabling humanity to find the answers to some of the toughest problems faced on Earth. Completion of the successful Ultimate Burst Pressure test, which occurred on June 18 in collaboration with ILC Dover (an Ingersoll Rand Business) and NASA, accelerates Sierra Space’s revolutionary softgoods technology towards on-orbit operations. Planned for an initial stand-alone pathfinder mission before the end of the decade, the technology will also feature as a key element of the Orbital Reef commercial space station. The test will close out Milestone #8 for Orbital Reef with Blue Origin under NASA’s Commercial Low Earth Orbit Development Program.  Some data for the test: - Company’s second Ultimate Burst Pressure test of a full-size, inflatable space station structure occurred on June 18 - Test unit stood over 20’ tall and was comparable in size to an average family home - The article was 300 m³ in volume, or 1/3rd the volume of the International Space Station - Test results exceeded NASA’s recommended x4 safety levels by 22% - Two 4-ft x 4-ft steel blanking plates were integrated into the highest loaded cylinder section of the article; both were 50 lbs. lighter than the ones used in the first full-scale test and accommodate larger windows The test article in the company’s historic first full-scale burst test last December peaked at 77 psi, which well exceeded (+27%) NASA’s recommended level of 60.8 psi (maximum operating pressure of 15.2 psi multiplied by a safety factor of four). This most recent test in June showed similar results – within five percent of the pressure loading of December’s test article – with this one reaching 74 psi, exceeding NASA’s 4x safety factor by 22 percent. These back-to-back test results accelerate Sierra Space’s path to flight certification, verifying scalability for 10 cubic-meter and up to 1,400 cubic-meter structures based on the company’s current softgoods inflatable architecture. Sierra Space is currently gearing up for a first test of its 500 cubic-meter space station technology next year. --- Advancing Next-Gen Space Station Tech with Sierra Space and NASA - Sierra Space Youtube https://youtu.be/WDhrM6dsGJA ** Vast --- Vast testing habitat components: At Vast’s Vibe Test Lab, we're rigorously testing Haven Demo and Haven-1 components for launch dynamics to LEO. Our in-house setup means quick design iterations, faster timelines, seamless integration, and enhanced quality. pic.twitter.com/vj4DKXWfHD — VΛST (@vast) August 2, 2024 --- Vast news: - Private Space Partners Eye Commercial Platform for Microgravity Research | Leonard David - Aug.2.2024 - Vast Space Station Roadmap to 2030 and Beyond | NextBigFuture.com - July.21.2024 ** Starlab - Voyager Space

An artist's rendering of a Starlab space station. Credits: Starlab --- Starlab - Sizzle Reel - Summer 2024 - Voyager Space on Vimeo https://vimeo.com/985151477 --- The Power of Microgravity - Jim Bridenstine - Voyager Space on Vimeo https://vimeo.com/986264497 --- Starlab: the most international commercial space station - Laura Forczyk Among the current commercial space station players, Starlab is the most intentionally international, forming partnerships all over the world. Will this help the small upcoming space station become profitable and sustainable? Other commercial space station companies should take note. https://youtu.be/CEFvDnwcR8M ** Max Space – Expandable Space Habitats --- Space Café Radio Frontiers - How expandable structures will become a game changer in space - SpaceWatch.Global Innovating Space with Expandable Architecture: An Interview with Max Space”s Aaron Kemmer and Maxim de Jong Join Torsten Kriening, Publisher at SpaceWatch.Global, in an enlightening conversation with Maxim de Jong and Aaron Kemmer from Max Space. Delve into the groundbreaking technologies behind expandable and inflatable space structures, their applications, and the future of real estate in space. Learn about Max Space’s mission to maximize usable space in orbit, from initial small modules to potentially vast habitats in space and on the Moon. This episode explores the challenges and innovations in creating habitable volumes for long-term human presence beyond Earth. https://www.buzzsprout.com/1911988/15587416-space-cafe-radio-frontiers-how-expandable-structures-will-become-a-game-changer-in-space.mp3 --- Outline of the Max Space plan: Max Space: Expandable Habitats for Space Commercialization Key Points: 1. Launching in 2026: New expandable space habitat technology 2. Innovation: Larger, stronger, cheaper than current options 3. Founded by space industry veterans Aaron Kemmer and Maxim de Jong 4.… pic.twitter.com/nytJ3dG8N7 — Treky (@treky_ai) July Read the full article

[theversevoyager]

Once upon a cosmic void, in realms beyond our sight, A decision weighed heavily, with consequences immense and bright. In search of distant stars, a spacecraft ventured far, Encountering life so alien, its secrets sparked a war. The crew made a choice, their future's fate they'd harness, To learn or to destroy, a path that held no answer. They chose knowledge, and with it, a bond of worlds unfurled, A tale of unity, where galaxies twirled.

[netmassimo]

Northrop Grumman's Cygnus spacecraft, launched last Sunday, August 4, has just reached the International Space Station and was captured by the Canadarm2 robotic arm. Astronaut Matthew Dominick, assisted by his colleague Jeanette Epps, will soon begin the slow maneuver to move the Cygnus until it docks with the Station's Unity module after about two hours.

[odissean]

AANEACH / OVERVIEW.

Like it says on the tin, this post will provide a quick overview of Maedi's home planet. More details will come in future posts, such a closer look at locations and history. This post gives the lay of the land in the meanwhile.

PLANETARY FEATURES.

Aaneach is a small player on the galactic stage. Although a strong seafaring tradition can be noted in virtually all of the species' cultures, they've only begun spacefaring beyond their solar system in the past century or so. It was not a lack of desire to explore but rather key features of the planet that hindered their progress.

I. The ring system — Aaneach is haloed by a five-layer ring system shepherded by four moons. This contributed to a strong seafaring tradition notable in virtually every Aaneachan culture. The predictable orbit of the shepherd moons as well as the spokes on the rings created by the planet's magnetic field make time-keeping easy. Calculating longitude becomes easy by extension. This Halo does make winters colder / summers warmer and weather patterns more chaotic compared to Earth. (Chaotic weather patterns in particular are bad for sailing or launching spacecraft.) However, the Halo has the benefit of making the planet overall brighter both day and night.

The trade-off is the Halo long hindered the view of the night sky, in turn limiting astronomy. They also interfered with early satellites and spacecraft. This was the true hurdle in the Aaneachan journey toward space exploration. Once they were able to mine the rings, that changed everything. The resources such operations provided propelled them forward.

II. Majority ocean — Aaneach's surface is covered primarily by ocean. They have no continents to speak of, only archipelagos and islands. A few islands near 900,000 square miles, but there are none larger. Although Aaneachans are adapted to this, it presents a few obstacles to spaceflight. For one, mining underwater is a tricky endeavor. Most of the planet's land mining operations were concentrated on the few largest islands and the ice seas at the poles. (Mining has been primarily moved to the rings and asteroids in the system in the present day.) Simply getting up the resources for such an endeavor took creative thinking. For two, limited land availability means limited launch sites for early spacecraft. They have since innovated around that problem, but the point is took innovation.

III. Lack of unity — This is less a planetary feature and more an additional consequence of the planet's features. Aaneachans can be termed a social species, but the distance between islands had hindered global unity. Although navigating the oceans wasn't so difficult to figure out, crossing those vast swaths of water historically proved a problem. Even as technology developed, the Halom again, interfered with satellites, and there's not a great deal of land to waste on communication towers, etc. They have formed a world government in the past century, but it's more of a federation with each archipelago or island considering itself independent.

RECENT HISTORY.

Aaneach is little known in the galaxy and then really only to its neighbors. Once all the previously mentioned obstacles were overcome and they were able to travel beyond their system, they were still held back by their lack of unity. They did not have a planetary astral navy. Rather certain states had their own astral navies that often collaborated but were ultimately independent. Maedi, for example, was an officer of the Cthaian astral navy. She is furthermore that best known Aaneachan in the wider galaxy. This is due in part to her decades long voyage home after getting lost and in part to her dedication to exploration in the years prior.

What really put them on the map in their sector, though, was a war. Exploration revealed a golden opportunity: an uninhabited planet in a nearby system habitable by Aaneachans with worthy resources. There was a great push to colonize the planet. Not only would this enrich them but many hoped it would unite the planet as well. And, it did — just not as tightly as the war.

Another neighbor, Taruisa, had also set their sights on the planet. Though Taruisians and Aaneachans had made contact, they weren't close allies. Indeed, Aaneach had few of those, mostly trading partners. But when Taruisa challenged Aaneach's claim, they wouldn't back down. It wasn't simply greed that motivated them or the dream of a more unified planet. Rather it was pride. This was a chance to make a name for themselves in galactic affairs. If they allowed themselves to be bullied by the Taruisians, everyone else would do the same.

The Aaneachans put up more of a fight than the Taruisians expected. United, they mustered twenty-eight fleets. These fleets were then divided between four fleet admirals — a rank created for the war. Although this was the Aaneachans first true war in space, they were no strangers to conflict, and their clever strategies won them victories. But, the Taruisians had more resources and more allies. True, they got locked into a longer war than expected, but they were beating back the Aaneachans in the end. Finally, the Aaneachans employed a desperate, deceitful strategy — one that would have turned the tide if they'd succeeded. Alas, they did not. Taruisa broke their fleets, claimed the colony world, and occupied Aaneach in the bargain. Underground resistance cells continue the fight on the planet.