The Cassiopeia Project

[Daragh]

I created an online tool to convert from Galactic Coordinates to Elite's XYZ Coordinates: https://jsfiddle.net/de5933/6Lagryqq/embedded/result/

I tested it with Sirius, Vega, Canopus, and VY Canis Majoris and it seems pretty accurate. (Although I notice that my formula differs slightly from the one used in hiciacit's Python script.)

I hope this is useful. If anyone finds a bug let me know and I can update it in real time.

 

[Cpt.Bilsn]

I signed on in '85 when Elite was released on the C64. 117+ jump range? Who needs more then 7? And aft-mounted military lasers.

Seriously though, since 2.2 is chocked full of surprises I've started carrying at least minimal armament. We PROBABLY won't need it but who knows?

Besides, these guns can barbeque grumbles so they're at least good for that.

If I miss one thing from Frontier 2 & FFE its rear mounted lasers... And maybe gas giant hydrogen scooping (really it was awesome, if you screwed up in big freighter you could have stayed trapped in gravitational well)... Plus it was possible to actually land on star .

Unrelated:
I can, if there is interest for it, set up "armed" role for discord, akin to "rescue". It would provide a clear indication of those who go combat ready for other expedition members and a more convenient way to call for their help in the event of something going horribly wrong.

 

[RatPhink]

Has any CMDR yet run into a sirius drone? I didn't think anyone had yet. Since any attack on a member of the expedition would be unprecedented, should we have some kind of rules of engagement document should we find some new threat? Personally if I'm attacked by either little green men or a sirius cylon, assuming I can out run it in normal cruise, I'll probably lead it on goose chase while I call for back up or check if anyone else wants to come see it. Id also like to know what type and the strength of weapons they are using. I'd like to see if they would follow me into supercruise, but would be afraid to lose the instance, this could be solved by a wing mate remaining behind with it while I lowwaked out. I'm sure there are other things I should like to try before I just greased 'em.

 

[Commander William Diffin]

Yep the idea of going anywhere unarmed makes me queasy

Well I've been around here and there and right across the Galaxy, practically unarmed, and apart from having to flee a few lightweight NPCs just outside of the Bubble, on all of my explorations I've never once missed having weapons. But of course, what with all the furtive talk of the Rift, Mysterious Things, Sirius Probes, Smiling Dogs, and Thargoids, I can understand why any Commander on this expedition would prefer to be prepared for combat. I've had to do a fair bit of soul-searching myself, and have spent many hours trying out different unusual combat load-outs for exploration.

But looking at the Formadine Rift region on the Galactic Map, particularly in the area beyond Rho Cassiopeia, I see vast voids between the stars that remind me of trying to directly cross the Abyss to Beagle Point in my pre-Engineers Asp Explorer the Abeona, probing, backtracking, probing again, nursing my dwindling supply of jumponium, nearly stranding myself with no way out but the Self-Destruct sequence. Except that the Rift looks worse. And I've never ventured into it before.

So in the end, entering the Formadine Rift, personally I'm not as fearful of attack, whether by Cylon, Smilon or Thargon, as I am of travelling 11,000-odd Light-years only to be faced with an impassable wall of Black, or worse, to venture in so far with jumponium that I can't get back out again. Maximizing my jump range by ditching defences is the only effective precaution I can take against that eventuality. Unless there are any experienced Rifters among us who have some advice?

Although of course, if I am attacked personally I'll be only too happy to accept help from armed colleagues. For which service I'm bringing a comfortable supply of fuel limpets for the expedition. But it may be that at some point the jump ranges become so long that armed escorts will have to be left behind and fuel limpets dumped in order for the expedition to progress further...?

 

[isaidNO]

I read a few things about the Rift when it piqued my interest a little while ago, and came away with the impression that 30+ ly range was fine and dandy for crossing it at least. Before I heard of this expedition I was planning on heading down there to see what I could see; see if I could build a ship that had range, surviveability (sp?) and firepower, and head on down to the Heisenberg Bridge. There are other mapped crossings I believe. There are bound to be areas too sparse and distances too large to cross, but that's the trade off I guess. There are also often ways around - if you only have a 20ly ship you can still get to the other side, you 'just' need to take an 8000ly detour.

I have no intention of shooting on sight (not least because the outcome would be far from guaranteed - The Excession may be heavily armed for an explorer but she wouldn't last too long in a proper PvP for example), but I need to have the option for my own sanity. Perhaps it'll come in useful.

There's something to find out there. Hopefully it'll be interesting and friendly

 

[Capt. Paul Kavinsky]

Has any CMDR yet run into a sirius drone? I didn't think anyone had yet. Since any attack on a member of the expedition would be unprecedented, should we have some kind of rules of engagement document should we find some new threat? Personally if I'm attacked by either little green men or a sirius cylon, assuming I can out run it in normal cruise, I'll probably lead it on goose chase while I call for back up or check if anyone else wants to come see it. Id also like to know what type and the strength of weapons they are using. I'd like to see if they would follow me into supercruise, but would be afraid to lose the instance, this could be solved by a wing mate remaining behind with it while I lowwaked out. I'm sure there are other things I should like to try before I just greased 'em.

I have heard rumors of explorors getting ganked by other players out there in the black its not unheard of. Trust no one.

 

[Jaiotu]

MISSION UPDATE (5 Nov 3302)

Today is the day! We are just hours away from launching the Cassiopeia Project! I apologize for not having sent out friend requests yesterday. I'll try to get those out this morning prior to the first launch event at Chi Orionis. We still have no idea how many people will be attending the launch event which, unfortunately, has made coordinating a security detail difficult. If it is just going to be myself and Steven Eisler @Chi Orionis then there is little need for calling out an EDF wing for protection.

I hope to see at least some of you out there in a few hours. Good luck, God Speed and Keep Flying!

 

[Capt. Paul Kavinsky]

MISSION UPDATE (5 Nov 3302)

Today is the day! We are just hours away from launching the Cassiopeia Project! I apologize for not having sent out friend requests yesterday. I'll try to get those out this morning prior to the first launch event at Chi Orionis. We still have no idea how many people will be attending the launch event which, unfortunately, has made coordinating a security detail difficult. If it is just going to be myself and Steven Eisler @Chi Orionis then there is little need for calling out an EDF wing for protection.

I hope to see at least some of you out there in a few hours. Good luck, God Speed and Keep Flying!

I am NA i dont think ill be able to make it for the first one. sides i just flew out a little bit to assist on a LRR.

 

[Erimus Kamzel]

MISSION UPDATE (5 Nov 3302)

Today is the day! We are just hours away from launching the Cassiopeia Project! I apologize for not having sent out friend requests yesterday. I'll try to get those out this morning prior to the first launch event at Chi Orionis. We still have no idea how many people will be attending the launch event which, unfortunately, has made coordinating a security detail difficult. If it is just going to be myself and Steven Eisler @Chi Orionis then there is little need for calling out an EDF wing for protection.

I hope to see at least some of you out there in a few hours. Good luck, God Speed and Keep Flying!

Are the expedition meetups in Fleetcomm or Open ?

 

[Jonuss]

I should be able to make the first meetup, if not definitely be there for the second and third.

 

[Jaiotu]

Are the expedition meetups in Fleetcomm or Open ?

I ... haven't played in anything but open for the last year and a half. I probably wouldn't know how to join a private group if I tried

I'll be in Open. I can understand if other would rather meet up in a private group though.

 

[raymondo the great]

OK, change of plans, I can make a launch!

I am loading in now, I'm at founders, first person to respond with a location gets me at their launch, I'm indy so I will launch from anywhere..... go go go!

- - - - - Additional Content Posted / Auto Merge - - - - -

As it happens I did a mission last night, only one jump from Chi Orionis, heading there

 

[Jaiotu]

Currently online and at Chi Orionis, Carey Terminal

 

[raymondo the great]

at chi, waiting

 

[Jaiotu]

Okay. We're getting started now.

 

[Commander William Diffin]

I read a few things about the Rift when it piqued my interest a little while ago, and came away with the impression that 30+ ly range was fine and dandy for crossing it at least. Before I heard of this expedition I was planning on heading down there to see what I could see; see if I could build a ship that had range, surviveability (sp?) and firepower, and head on down to the Heisenberg Bridge. There are other mapped crossings I believe. There are bound to be areas too sparse and distances too large to cross, but that's the trade off I guess. There are also often ways around - if you only have a 20ly ship you can still get to the other side, you 'just' need to take an 8000ly detour.

Interesting. Getting across won't be a problem for anyone then. Thanks for that. In which case I shall dispense with one AFMU and take a Heavy Fighter and a couple of fighter pilots with me instead. Just for reconnaissance you understand. It just means my maximum jumponium range is reduced from 117 to 113. I doubt that I'll find anything that's 114-117 L-y away from anything, and have an: 'I knew I shouldn't have installed that flipping Fighter Bay' moment.

 

[Jaiotu]

I'd like to thank everyone who made it to Chi Orionis. It was short but nice to have a quick meetup before the main expedition. This is my first time organizing something like this so thanks for overlooking the foibles. Once we got the instancing working things were pretty smooth.

In attendance were: Commanders Daragh, Erimus, Halceon, Raymondo the Great, Steven Eisler and myself. Here's the text of Steven Eisler's inaugural message:

"In the year 1680 Astronomer Royal John Flamsteed recorded the position of a star that he categorized as "3 Cassiopeia". That star went missing for the next 268 years. That was when radio astronomy rediscovered Flamsteed's star, a supernova remnant, now categorized as Cassiopeia A.

That star has gone missing once again.

The advent of the frame shift drive has opened up our galaxy to further exploration. Since the late 3300's explorers have tried to find Cassiopeia A. They have all returned empty-handed.

We now embark on a journey to find Cassiopeia A once and for all or, at the very least, prove that some cataclysmic event beyond our imagination has silenced the strongest radio signal source in our galaxy.

We fly for science. For mankind. For the future!

Thank you for attending and thanks to all those who have volunteered for this endeavor.

The Cassiopeia Project has now commenced!"

 

[Cpt.Bilsn]

Thanks to Commanders who turned up for Imperial departure event, albeit small, it was nice to meet some of you.

There are few words I said for that event:

Esteemed Commanders, Fellow Imperial citizens, Honoured Independent pilots. Today we depart into the Void on a quest to find one of the most famous super nova remnant and radio source in our galaxy - Cassiopeia A, that went inexplicably missing.

This expeditions not only aims to provide answer for one of the greatest astronomical mysteries of our time but also to show and prove that there can be a peaceful cooperation across human universe, that no matter our chosen allegiances we can work together in harmony for the greater good of scientific knowledge and all mankind.

Esteemed Commanders! Today our journey begins. Keep in mind that out there in the deepest darkness of Void you are envoys of Emperor herself! Bring her light in your hearts and souls! Do not falter in the face of dread and dismay and prove our friends, no matter their allegiances, the true spirit of Empire!

Praise Emperor!

Good luck and Right on Commanders!

 

[Jaiotu]

Instancing

So a lot of us had some trouble with instancing during the initial meetings. Here's a few tips to help in the future.

1. When team members begin gathering together the first two Commanders who arrive in the same instance will declare a "Prime Instance". All other Commanders will attempt to join them in their instance.
2. If you arrive at the rendezvous location in a different instance request to join a wing with any member in the Prime Instance.
3. Leave the rendezvous location and engage wingman nav-lock (select the wingman by name in the Comm Panel and you'll see the option).
4. Once you have engaged wingman nav lock return to the rendezvous. You *should* now be in the Prime Instance.
5. If this fails log out of the game completely and log back in, resuming at step 3 if necessary.

Hopefully this will be all that is needed to ensure we all end up in the same instance.

 

[Capt. Paul Kavinsky]

Hello Cmdrs welcome to the Cassiopeia safety brief.

Yes I know many of you are familiar with KGBFOAM but there might be some who are not as familiar. To use a fuel scoop just skim a scoopable star and your fuel scoop will automatically start adding it to your tank. Be wary though you fly too close and you will cook or drop out of super cruise.

This is a handy fuelrat guide to what stars you can scoop: https://confluence.fuelrats.com/pages/viewpage.action?pageId=1507609


OK now that the basic stuff is taken care of now here is the brief for the rest of the fleet including myself

The most common cause of deep space fuel catastrophes is watching movies and flying. This problem can be avoided by scooping each time you get into a new system. In any case distractions in deep space can be deadly. On a side note of this topic super cruising and watching a movie can also be deadly if you need a break from scoop and jumping drop out into real space and take your break there instead of just staying in super cruise. You burn through a ton of fuel each hour in super cruise and this is the minimum number.

The next cause of running out of fuel is not deviating from your route when you are in a field of stars that you cant scoop. Take the time bookmark your current end route than re plot the route once you have refueled at a star you can scoop at. Also be aware of your fuel level when you super cruising through big systems and you are low on fuel.It is also possible to run out while landing or taking off from a planet i am not going to go into the detail because of the rarity of said situation.

This is how you can make it easier for somebody to save you.

Do not under any circumstances allow yourself to go to emergency oxygen if you are on your last ton of fuel and cant jump. call for help!!!!!

If you go on emergency air PLS PLS LOOK AROUND YOUR surroundings and if possible write down the name of the stellar body you are near.

If you are unable to do that note exactly what is around your ship that way we have a chance of getting a fix on your position.

Here is where we will be running the rescues out of I am still in the talks with our mission lead and the ppl who are bringing limpets how we are going to do the logistics of this. Please if you run out you can private message me on the forums or you can post on the discord emergency channel.

The fuel rat IRC channel this is where we will coordinate the actual save: https://www.fuelrats.com/

I need a list of ppl with limpets and a controller i would like to get to know you guys better and discuss how we are going to handle emergencies within the fleet.