Republic of Pentium Astronautics & Space Program (RPASP)

[Pentium]

Edited November 29 by Pentium (see edit history)

[Pentium]

 

 

The Republic of Pentium Astronautics & Space Program (RPASP) is a jointly funded civilian and military agency primarily focused on maintaining the network of satellites that provide communication relays, weather forecasting, navigation, broadcasting services and scientific research for the civilian population and military arms of the WDC.  Founded on the 5th of November 2024 in response to the lack of technological advancement in respect to wireless communications and GPS systems, the RPASP was given a mandate to work with outside parties to start developing domestic satellites and launching technology using information and technology acquired from other states and institutions, the RPASP's goal is to eventually succeed in its goal of creating and maintaining its satellite network.  The organization has been granted a large investment of just over 28.5 Billion Pentian Dollars (7B $A) to achieve these goals in a timely and effective manner.  

Two major divisions of the RPASP have been established to best achieve the goals set out by the Callahan administration.  Science and Launch.  The science division is focused on the advancement of technology and the collection of information to further the interests of Pentian interests and the interests of all Eurth towards the final frontier of space.  However, given their scope and funding the agency only predicts the capability to launch satellites independently as is the given mandate of its office.  It is also responsible for finding, acquiring and gathering already discovered information and techniques for space-faring organizations and countries and adapting it for use in Pentian service.

The Launch Division is the hands-on practical side of the organization and works toward the creation, launching and monitoring of active satellites.  The current satellites in orbit have been launched by other nations, and have been ongoing since the early 2000s when Pentium came out of its isolation.  The operation and monitoring of these systems was previously a task given to the WAF up until the creation of the organization.  The current goal of the Launch division is to create a simple launch site to launch small-scale rockets to place assets into orbit without relying on foreign nations.  However, it is not in the scope of the division to create an independent operational capacity to launch larger rockets into orbit for manned flight or probes.

[Pentium]

WAF Stonecradle, Northwest of Whedon's Row.  8:45 AM

After 23 days of negotiating, allocation and decisions.  Colm Gallagher emerged ahead of the pack from his peers within the party, his new position as administrator of the RPASP had been a close run gambit.  However, he narrowly managed to beat out Finn Ariston, one of several backbench MPs looking to increase their standing in the Conservative Party of Pentium.  Colm was a talented engineer, a profession that many of his family had taken up through the long history of his lineage.  His great-grandfather had been responsible for several important designs for tanks, armoured cars and weaponry, he had also been the mastermind behind several domestic transportation systems, early steam engines and automotives were marvels of the nation when they had first been created.  He had a bit of a reputation to uphold.

Despite his elevation above his rivals and colleagues, that reputation had to be proven.  Where his ancestors had facilitated great advances in engineering and science, Colm hoped to push past Eurthly restrictions and expand into space.  All thing started small, and as he was overlooking WAF Stonecradle, it was no exception.  

WAF Stonecradle was a small installation, placed on one of the hills that made up the terrain that eventually met Whedon's Row.  Its prime was far past it, though it was a functional installation none-the-less.  Revitalization had already begun once the location had been selected, trustworthy renovation and demolition teams had been contracted and brought out to begin work.  Much of the work initially would be tearing down the old structures, and rebuilding them from the ground up where needed. Where possible, the restoration and modernization of several older systems and structures, and the creation of entirely new external infrastructure.  The sheer vastness of the project was almost for Colm to grasp.  His project manager, however, was present for that exact reason.  Mary Higgins always seemed to sneak up on him.

“Mr. Gallagher?  Are you listening?”

Colm blinked, becoming aware of the ground around him and the people on it.  “Ah, yes.  Sorry Mary, the sheer scale of this project is causing my head to spin.  It's not in my particular field of engineering, architecture is its own mess of theocraticals and creation.  I can do it, of course, just… I am not sure where I would even begin with this.”

“Trust me, I am more than aware.  As I was saying, the project is on schedule.  We will be starting with external infrastructure first, and working our way inward, most of it is concrete work and cabling.  Once the foundation is laid, there will be a few arms and structural supports for launches as we get more established.  Afterwards, command and control systems, assembly, payload transport and servicing will be built in and connected.”

“Good, you have a good handle on this then I wager.  What are our support facilities like?”

“Well enough, frankly, anything here will be purely here to assist, maintain and monitor our current satellites in orbit and launch our small-scale rockets.  Anything larger than that will be too much for this facility to handle on its own, we would likely have to continue relying on Seylosian faculties should we decide to progress our program.  Mind, it also depends on what the government gives us.”

“Of course, the lifeblood of any organization.  Money.  What we have been given so far should be sufficient, or so I've been told.  The finances will have to be delved into deeper when we get the final bill of this entire ordeal, but I guess we will have to see.  We have been given quite a bit of leeway to do what is needed.  As long as we keep things moving, we will be alright.”

“Very good then, I will give you updates as the project here progresses.  I'll leave you to the gazing, don't get too distracted by the concrete jungle growing before you.”

 

END