A tale of eight expeditions

JJGoldberg · Nov 22, 2020

The double engineered FSD Community Goal made me return to the bubble hastily. FInished that, and with two slices of the Glorious HIPs project almost concluded, i started wondering what to do next. The Glorious HIPs are great fun, but you can only do so many at a time... Another expedition? EDSM lists a lot of them. Christmas seems like a good time to pick one. The problem was that there were several that I wanted to take. This one, that one? Like a kid in a candy store, I could not make up my mind. Then... why not take them all? And here we are.

Distant Screws II

Heart of the Storm

The Enthusiastic Christmas Colonia Trip

Christmas Carriers Convoy

La Grande Expedition

Expedition Mercury Wings

AESA Inaugural Deep Space Survey

Space Adaptation

Let's do them all! The problem is that they start and end at different times (of course) but at one point seven of them will be running simultaneously. I will want to travel to all the waypoints (no shortcutting) and finish them all. Two have already started. My methodology: Split the milestones between starters, waypoints and finishers. When an expedition starts, add the starting point, end point, waypoints, to the respective lists. Try to do the startpoints asap. With the active waypoints, plot the most economical route and start taking it. Pay attention to the end dates. When a new expedition opens, recalculate optimal route. Take new starting point when convenient, adjust when an expedition is coming to an end. I haven't calculated the total travelling distance yet, but it will surely be north of 300.000 Ly (the sum of travelling distances for the four expeditions is more than 400.000 Ly).
Long range Anaconda, with a big fuel tank and pretty much topped out with materials.
I'll still be chasing a few HIPs in the meantime, but progressively dedicating a bigger percentage of the time to the expeditions as they start.
So, today I reached the first starting point (Trifid Sector DL-Y d157, for the Space Adaptation expedition). A nice place to visit. Some pictures from it below.
o7, CMDRs!

scopelx · Nov 22, 2020

You're a madman JJ, but I like your style

JJGoldberg · Nov 22, 2020

Day 2 - Easy planning (for now). Kuwema is the start of AESA expedition, and Pomeche the start of Mercury Wings (starting today). Need to get to these before adding their waypoints to the trip. With the waypoints of Space Adaptation and these two mandatory stops, the first road map looks like
7461.48
TOTAL Name
Trifid Sector DL-Y d157
5105.22 Upaniklis
245.46 Pomeche
185.87 Kuwema
228.02 Delphi
805.06 Synuefe KU-F b44-4
891.85 Praea Euq LQ-L b22-1
On my way to Upaniklis. After taking the last waypoint on the list, I'll probably finish the Space Adaptation exploration so that I do not have to worry with that endpoint.
Nothing much to see up to now (only a non frequent set of two terraformable moons)

JJGoldberg · Nov 23, 2020

With the first six stops cleared, things are getting more convoluted. Three expeditions are now started, and considering the distribution of waypoints from those, the best option is to finish the Space Adaptation expedition now. Half way to NGC 3199 at the moment, and this is the travel schedule now (170.000 Ly already scheduled):
172421.89
TOTAL Name Expedition
Trifid Sector DL-Y d157 SASL
1 5105.22 Upaniklis SASL
2 245.46 Pomeche Start MW
3 185.87 Kuwema Start AESA
4 228.02 Delphi SASL
5 805.06 Synuefe KU-F b44-4 SASL
6 891.85 Praea Euq LQ-L b22-1 SASL
7 14122.89 NGC 3199 Sector EB-X c1-6 End SASL
8 16123.99 HIP 102082 AESA
9 848.31 Star Of India AESA
10 3083.4 Smojoo ZE-R d4-109 AESA
...
41 8000.06 Eactaisky IR-N e6-2 MW

Now, a few days until the 4th expedition kicks in and more waypoints get incorporated.

JJGoldberg · Nov 29, 2020

After a few days of slow action (real life commitments popped up), I managed to get to the endpoint of thr Space Adaptation expedition and, because La Grande Expedition was starting, get to Pangluya to earn the green mark there. Time to incorporate the new waypoints for La Grande Expedition in, and things start to look busy... 72 waypoints, 216237 Ly total distance.

216237.08	36539.8
TOTAL	DONE	Name	Expedition	Done
		Trifid Sector DL-Y d157
1	5105.22	Upaniklis	SASL	y
2	245.46	Pomeche	Start MW	y
3	185.87	Kuwema	Start AESA	y
4	228.02	Delphi	SASL	y
5	805.06	Synuefe KU-F b44-4	SASL	y
6	891.85	Praea Euq LQ-L b22-1	SASL	y
7	14122.89	NGC 3199 Sector EB-X c1-6	End SASL	y
8	14955.43	PANGLUYA	Start LGE	y
9	161.6	Nervi	LGE
10	417.33	Pleiades Sector PN-T b3-0	LGE
11	615.33	California Sector DL-Y d4	LGE
12	410.51	Outopps KO-X c28-0	LGE
13	1258.75	Oort	LGE
14	2166.52	HIP 102082	AESA
15	490.75	Veil West Sector DL-Y d68	LGE
16	561.86	Star Of India	AESA
17	3083.4	Smojoo ZE-R d4-109	AESA
18	2672.08	Traikoa FL-P e5-4	MW
19	898.76	Trifid Sector OI-S b4-12	LGE
20	1357.36	NGC 6629 Sector SU-O b6-3	LGE
21	3526.81	Smojai IT-P d6-2	LGE
22	4958.24	Nyeakio TG-N c23-2	AESA
23	3231.62	Eidaills OC-C d41	AESA
24	1862.53	Blaa Hypai DR-V e2-16	LGE
25	1771.37	Synookio EI-J d9-1	LGE
26	665.27	Bleae Aewsy HV-X d1-8	LGE
27	2825.67	Bleae Aescs ZE-A g4	MW
28	3076.39	Skaude AA-A h294	LGE
29	905.41	Skaude AL-X e1-28	LGE
30	2078.16	Eodgorph PI-T e3-21	LGE
31	4601.94	V1343 Aquilae	AESA
32	3218.56	Flyai Eaescs AA-A h63	AESA
33	906.62	Flyiedgae RJ-Q e5-0	AESA
34	3616.38	Campbell's Hydrogen Star	AESA
35	3249.4	Eussownst AA-A h0	AESA
36	1793.34	XTE J2012+381	AESA
37	2867.57	Prue Dryai KX-A d1-23	LGE
38	3679.18	Slege WJ-R c20-0	LGE
39	1894.57	NGC 7380 Sector WC-D b15-3	LGE
40	669.98	Bubble Sector DL-Y d34	LGE
41	441.11	Hegoea TD-T e3-5	LGE
42	6990.45	QZ Vulpeculae	AESA
43	1540.5	Traikeou OR-W b5-0	LGE
44	208.67	Traikeou AA-A h4	LGE
45	1271.07	Lgm-1	LGE
46	708.59	Traikeou AA-A h0	LGE
47	1564	Thailio AA-A h43	AESA
48	12081.24	Boesky AA-A g89	AESA
49	3262.31	Dryaea Aob IH-V e2-250	AESA
50	1691.77	Oob Freau EL-Y e4717	MW
51	2020.86	Colonia	AESA
52	0	Colonia	LGE
53	3808.14	Kyloaln AA-A h627	AESA
54	2886.17	Dryoea Flyi II-S e4-6870	MW
55	3548.42	Eok Flyuae AQ-P e5-2798	LGE
56	2614.19	Eok Pruae PI-S e4-2295	LGE
57	3184.77	Great Annihilator	AESA
58	2246.98	Zunuae IU-D d13-363	AESA
59	1568.52	Myriesly DQ-G d10-1240	LGE
60	594.98	Sagittarius A*	AESA
61	0	Sagittarius A*	LGE
62	1997.85	Nyuena JS-B d342	AESA
63	2922.16	Phoi Screia EL-Y f304	AESA
64	4482.19	Shrogaae KK-A d983	AESA
65	2431.2	Mynoaw AA-A h26	AESA
66	4650.09	Floawns XE-R d4-45	AESA
67	0	Floawns XE-R d4-45	LGE
68	4829.9	Puelaa OD-V b8-0	AESA
69	13358.28	Smumbu JG-Y e25	AESA
70	9816.4	Hypuejaa RT-Q e5-83	MW
71	9483.15	Vegnaa FD-H b40-1	MW
72	8000.06	Eactaisky IR-N e6-2	MW

JJGoldberg · Nov 30, 2020

Another expedition started... Christmas Carrier Convoy 5 (CCC5). I made it to waypoint 13 (Oort), and now heading to Karbon (starting point of CC5). Updated travel plans now at 224278 Ly, 39403 already travelled.

JJGoldberg · Dec 1, 2020

Planning, planning, planning...
Since the last update, my faithful Conda reached waypoint 17 on the last list (Smojoo ZE-R d4-109 - Musica Universalis). Some great sights along the way, a few first discoveries, one of them an exciting system with five water worlds, three of them terraformable.
In the mean time, the sixth expedition is starting (the Enthusiastic Christmas Colonia Trip). This will be a relatively easy one, because it has only five stops and the end point (Colonia) is already on my plans. But... start it must we. Back to the drawing board.
As the starting point is Jackson's Lighthouse, first step was to recalculate the route through the non visited waypoints and include it.
I thought I would have to retrace a significant distance, but actually it also fits well with the rest of the schedule. Nice! Second step is to plan a route starting at Jackson's Lighthouse and optimize for the rest of the waypoints.
236 586Ly total distance, 45 934 already executed.
Finally... get on the road again!
Updated travel plans (starting from Musica Universalis):

19	2672.08	Traikoa FL-P e5-4	MW
20	898.76	Trifid Sector OI-S b4-12	LGE
21	732.19	Lagoon Sector NI-S b4-10	CCC5
22	1587.57	Smojai IT-P d6-2	LGE
23	3525.7	Jackson's Lighthouse	ECCT
24	5623.09	Omega Sector VE-Q b5-15	ECCT
25	1166.13	NGC 6629 Sector SU-O b6-3	LGE
26	1218.17	Eagle Sector IR-W d1-117	CCC5
27	3930.55	Skaude AL-X e1-28	LGE
28	905.41	Skaude AA-A h294	LGE
29	467.88	Skaudai CH-B d14-34	CCC5
30	1228.48	Eodgorph PI-T e3-21	LGE
31	2104.8	Blua Hypa HT-F d12-1226	ECCT
32	1326.64	Gandharvi	CCC5
33	3138.93	Eord Flyuae VP-W d2-2699	ECCT
34	1023.92	Kashyapa	CCC5
35	2233.94	Dryaea Aob IH-V e2-250	AESA
36	1691.77	Oob Freau EL-Y e4717	MW
37	2020.86	Colonia	AESA
38	0	Colonia	LGE
39	3808.14	Kyloaln AA-A h627	AESA
40	2886.17	Dryoea Flyi II-S e4-6870	MW
41	3548.42	Eok Flyuae AQ-P e5-2798	LGE
42	2614.19	Eok Pruae PI-S e4-2295	LGE
43	3184.77	Great Annihilator	AESA
44	2246.98	Zunuae IU-D d13-363	AESA
45	1568.52	Myriesly DQ-G d10-1240	LGE
46	594.98	Sagittarius A*	AESA
47	0	Sagittarius A*	LGE
48	1997.85	Nyuena JS-B d342	AESA
49	2922.16	Phoi Screia EL-Y f304	AESA
50	4482.19	Shrogaae KK-A d983	AESA
51	2431.2	Mynoaw AA-A h26	AESA
52	4650.09	Floawns XE-R d4-45	AESA
53	0	Floawns XE-R d4-45	LGE
54	2675.9	Blaa Hypai DR-V e2-16	LGE
55	1771.37	Synookio EI-J d9-1	LGE
56	665.27	Bleae Aewsy HV-X d1-8	LGE
57	2056.88	Eidaills OC-C d41	AESA
58	3231.62	Nyeakio TG-N c23-2	AESA
59	6469.7	Puelaa OD-V b8-0	AESA
60	8493.18	Bleae Aescs ZE-A g4	MW
61	7357.89	V1343 Aquilae	AESA
62	3218.56	Flyai Eaescs AA-A h63	AESA
63	906.62	Flyiedgae RJ-Q e5-0	AESA
64	3616.38	Campbell's Hydrogen Star	AESA
65	3249.4	Eussownst AA-A h0	AESA
66	1793.34	XTE J2012+381	AESA
67	2867.57	Prue Dryai KX-A d1-23	LGE
68	3679.18	Slege WJ-R c20-0	LGE
69	1894.57	NGC 7380 Sector WC-D b15-3	LGE
70	669.98	Bubble Sector DL-Y d34	LGE
71	441.11	Hegoea TD-T e3-5	LGE
72	6990.45	QZ Vulpeculae	AESA
73	1540.5	Traikeou OR-W b5-0	LGE
74	208.67	Traikeou AA-A h4	LGE
75	1271.07	Lgm-1	LGE
76	708.59	Traikeou AA-A h0	LGE
77	1564	Thailio AA-A h43	AESA
78	12081.24	Boesky AA-A g89	AESA
79	9496.57	Smumbu JG-Y e25	AESA
80	9816.4	Hypuejaa RT-Q e5-83	MW
81	9483.15	Vegnaa FD-H b40-1	MW
82	8000.06	Eactaisky IR-N e6-2	MW

CMDR SleepyDelegate · Dec 4, 2020

Double engineered FSD!!! Holly cow, I need to head back to the bubble immediately! Oh wait, it is not the FSD, it's DSS...

You almost had me there Commander!

JJGoldberg · Dec 6, 2020

CMDR SleepyDelegate said:
Double engineered FSD!!! Holly cow, I need to head back to the bubble immediately! Oh wait, it is not the FSD, it's DSS...

You almost had me there Commander!

Not this CG but a previous one, had a double engineered FSD...

Gong Li · Dec 7, 2020

JJGoldberg said:
The double engineered FSD Community Goal made me return to the bubble hastily. FInished that, and with two slices of the Glorious HIPs project almost concluded, i started wondering what to do next. The Glorious HIPs are great fun, but you can only do so many at a time... Another expedition? EDSM lists a lot of them. Christmas seems like a good time to pick one. The problem was that there were several that I wanted to take. This one, that one? Like a kid in a candy store, I could not make up my mind. Then... why not take them all? And here we are.

Distant Screws II
Heart of the Storm
The Enthusiastic Christmas Colonia Trip
Christmas Carriers Convoy
La Grande Expedition
Expedition Mercury Wings
AESA Inaugural Deep Space Survey
Space Adaptation
Let's do them all! The problem is that they start and end at different times (of course) but at one point seven of them will be running simultaneously. I will want to travel to all the waypoints (no shortcutting) and finish them all. Two have already started. My methodology: Split the milestones between starters, waypoints and finishers. When an expedition starts, add the starting point, end point, waypoints, to the respective lists. Try to do the startpoints asap. With the active waypoints, plot the most economical route and start taking it. Pay attention to the end dates. When a new expedition opens, recalculate optimal route. Take new starting point when convenient, adjust when an expedition is coming to an end. I haven't calculated the total travelling distance yet, but it will surely be north of 300.000 Ly (the sum of travelling distances for the four expeditions is more than 400.000 Ly).
Long range Anaconda, with a big fuel tank and pretty much topped out with materials.
I'll still be chasing a few HIPs in the meantime, but progressively dedicating a bigger percentage of the time to the expeditions as they start.
So, today I reached the first starting point (Trifid Sector DL-Y d157, for the Space Adaptation expedition). A nice place to visit. Some pictures from it below.
o7, CMDRs!

View attachment 196295

View attachment 196294

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View attachment 196291

JJGoldberg · Dec 8, 2020

November 30th Star of India was reached (waypoint 17)

Then, Musica Universalis (Smojoo ZE-R d4-109) was great fun. But what caught my eye there was an icy world satellite orbiting very near to its main planet's ring.

The Black Treasure (Traikoa FL-P e5-4) was a thrill (great distortions).

Next stop was Lucifer's Lair, on the Trifid Sector. Amazing canyons, and nice horizons.

Next, on December 1st, the Amundsen Terminal was a welcome stop. Very much a standard planetary base, but always good to come back to civilization for a bit.

Mount Wesley (Smojai IT-P D6-2) does not compare with Mount Nerverest but it displays some breathtaking views, and is on my bucket list for a mountain climb and a base jump on a future trip

And with that, I started making our way to Jackson's Lighthouse, to kickoff the sixth expedition. During the trip back, I decided to dip into the Capital Ship Production community goals, for the decals and as a mini vacation, and then the Ammonia Worlds Data Collection CG popped up, giving 4x credits for data (I had 1.75b in store) and promising a useful DSS fully engineered and with double the normal scan radius. Together with some real life commitments, this meant that "waypointing" was on hold until yesterday. While in the AW CG I was thinking of fully committing going for the 1st place, but after realizing that even after the target was lowered to 1/27 of the original value, it was still out of reach, I decided to just secure a top 10% (678 contributions delivered) and come back to this project.
Another update tomorrow (some more waypoints are already cleared)