Circumnavigating a planet (for charity)

[ElectricZ]

Just dropped a couple of creds into the jar for a worthy cause and a righteous pilot!

Of course, just driving around on a planetoid of such low mass is going to mess with its orbit, so now you've got to do another lap in the opposite direction to balance it out. It's physics. Leave it like you found it, Alex.

And right on, Commander!

 

[Tentacle Love]

At the risk of sounding like a jackass...

That's a moon, not a planet.

No, but seriously, good job, good luck, may the luck always be in your fliving.

 

[Alec Turner]

Day #3 (05.11.3303)

Hi folks! Decided to take Maria out for her first spin today.

(OK, yes ... she does look an awful lot like Joe ... but then they match the ship!)

Just a short one really, was a bit off my game so decided to quit while I was ahead (I had a nasty collision that ripped the hull straight down to 4% ... it's not the end of the world if I lose an SRV but having come this far without doing so I'm of a mind to try and finish without a single explosion now).

Start co-ordinates: -1.96, -66.5 (total SRV distance travelled = 8.53MM)

Finish co-ordinates: -1.4, -22 (total SRV distance travelled = 8.67MM)

So that's 44.5° of longitude covered today which is approximately 132km (or roughly 140km according to distance travelled), let's call it about 138km for a total of 478km so far (approaching half way I reckon).

Here's today's "spot the SRV" competition.

Also just wanted to pass on my appreciation (again) to everyone that's donated to Special Effect. Thanks to you guys we've now broken my original £100 target which is absolutely awesome. I don't know about anyone else but I reckon' we should keep on going?

I'll leave you with this, a short video entitled "The loneliness of the long distance SRV driver".

o7

 

[Alec Turner]

Leave it like you found it, Alex.

It did occur to me to simply leave my PC logged in all week to preserve the instance and thereby the tire tracks. How awesome would it be to see this band of track marks going around the entire planet (oh all right, moon for the benefit of Mr Love)!

 

[Flimley]

I think it may be a fun idea for two players to set off in opposite directions to see if they can join up on the other side?
Although, it will probably end up like the film Capricorn one where one of the astronauts has to climb a near vertical mountain [haha]

Flimley

 

[Alec Turner]

I think it may be a fun idea for two players to set off in opposite directions to see if they can join up on the other side?
Although, it will probably end up like the film Capricorn one where one of the astronauts has to climb a near vertical mountain [haha]

Flimley

Oh I like that idea! I must say I'm really enjoying this so far. For anyone who's thinking about doing anything similar this is great little planet to do it on. The light is generally terrrific, the landscape's awe inspiring (without being down right terrifiying), nice low gravity and a lot of the time (certainly in the direction I've chosen) you're either chasing the nebula or, as seen in this video from earlier this evening, a spectacular ringed planet rise!

A few things to note in that one.

a) It's x2 speed but that's actually closer to how it "feels" a lot of the time.

You have to think fast and pick your "landing" spots carefully!
b) For some reason (perhaps a gentle rising gradient) I was constantly finding myself barely able to gain any altitude today (which is BAD news at that speed).
c) Towards the end I fly across one of those anomolous dark grey rectangular areas. Come on FD, wish you'd fix these, they've been in the game forever!

 

[Flimley]

Ha, I like the speeded up 'dong' sound when you hit the deck periodically. Apologies as I have not read the whole thread. But how long did that take ? And did you make it all the way round ?

Flimley

 

[Alec Turner]

Apologies as I have not read the whole thread. But how long did that take ? And did you make it all the way round ?

Today is day 4. And no .. not yet!

Full day 4 update coming later but here's a little teaser ...

Today's journey has not gone according to plan!

 

[Alec Turner]

Day #4 (06.11.2017)

The day begins with the discovery that I've run out of repair synthesis mat's. I deploy "Maria" and start prospecting for Iron and Nickel. Thankfully, since each rock collected now delivers three units of the material it only takes around 20 minutes before I've gathered enough for another 24 repairs.

That done I'm good to go and it's back to the primary task of getting myself around this planet (for the sake of consistency I'm going to keep calling it a planet despite it actually being a moon, call it artistic licence if you will!). Alas my luck seems to have run out as far as the visibility and the view ahead is concerned. It's deep dark night and there's nothing to see apart from endless mounds of death looming in my full beam headlights. I plough on but I think it's fair to say that I carry with me a horrible sense of forboding. Perhaps it's the potato-like shape of this rock but it feels like I'm permanently travelling up hill today. That means I constantly find myself struggling to retain enough boost to keep Maria off the ground ... not good when you need to pick your landing spots very carefully in between the hundreds of nasty little rocks that seems to litter this cursed terrain.

I think it's fair to say that the last few days have left me complacent and I allow my hull to drop below 40% without bothering to repair. I flive onwards into the night, thinking "this is fine ... I'll repair when I get down to 25%". The following video tells the tale of the next three and a half minutes.

All I can say is - thank GOD I brought two SRVs (I really REALLY should have brought four). Farewell Maria, I'm sorry I didn't look after you better!

I find myself looking down on the planet from the now unfamiliar and earily quiet surroundings of the Python's cockpit. A quick check tells me what I already know.

It's just me and Joe 90 now and I'm barely halfway. I review the video evidence and return to the last known co-ordinates of Maria. Alas I can see no sign of the wreckage (please don't spoil the moment but pointing out "instancing"). Oh well, sitting here feeling sorry for myself is not going to get the job done. I land, grit my teeth, deploy Joe, refill his depleted fuel tanks, spin back around towards a heading of 90°, dismiss the Call-out Charge and gun the throttle. Onwards into the night!

I started the day at -1.8, -20.4 with 8.68MM on the clock (loss of Maria at -0.1, -10.8). I cross the half-way mark about 10 minutes later and finish today's session at -0.7, 37.9. I've now covered a total distance of something like 630km with maybe another 440km left to go?

Without a backup SRV I can no longer afford to screw up. If that means going a bit slower, making damn sure my hull never drops below 50% and stopping to gather more repair mat's as and when necessary then so be it. I now reckon' I should be able to finish this by Thursday.

Assuming all goes well then the Special Effect charity donation hotline will remain open until the end of the week! Thanks again to everyone who's donated, you've smashed the target and proven once again that Elite: Dangerous has one of the best damn gaming communities on the planet!

o7 commanders

 

[Broon]

+Rep

Bump To Top

+Donate



Flive Safe Commander!

 

[Flimley]

The trials and tribulations of SRV surfing. [noob]
.. Interestingly by coincidence, I updated my Asp explorer fit today to include a second SRV hanger. I have also been caught out before just as you have, and it's a real downer. I'm honing my fit for next years big outing.
Good luck. Carry on Cmdr !

Flimley

 

[Nick Sticks]

Dr Livingstone, I presume?

I've been reading about Alec doing his moon tour with interest. I've tried to do something similar but on a much bigger moon and gave up after a while. Then I thought how easy or difficult would it be to find him? You'd think easy, he is giving out his location every day after each trip, after all.

So, I set off from his starting location in my Cobra III and went completely round the moon with no sign of him.
Ok, maybe he can come to me. I parked up in what I hoped would be somewhere ahead of him with a good view of the horizon. I then had my ship sitting there (on my 2nd PC) all afternoon looking while I was doing stuff out Colonia way on my main Cmdr.

Still no sign of him. Better go for another search on his route, with no luck, nothing, nada, is he really on this moon?

Today started off the same, looking into the distance.....

..... but I need to get out there and start searching. I went back to the last co-ordinates and set off on his heading. It's quite easy to drift a few points and then what if Alec heads off to something interesting looking - I could be on the completely wrong course. What height should I be at to spot an SRV? I retrace my course and zig zag a bit to cover more ground.

Those stars have a habit of twinkling on the horizon in the same way a distant SRV's searchlight would look, very annoying.

Then suddenly I spot movement ahead, could it be, yes it is, a lone SRV in the wilderness!
With a bang Alec's yellow Python jumps in and lands, looks like I spotted him just in time, another 5 minutes and he would have been away. Success!

 

[Alec Turner]

I've been reading about Alec doing his moon tour with interest. I've tried to do something similar but on a much bigger moon and gave up after a while. Then I thought how easy or difficult would it be to find him? You'd think easy, he is giving out his location every day after each trip, after all.

So, I set off from his starting location in my Cobra III and went completely round the moon with no sign of him.
Ok, maybe he can come to me. I parked up in what I hoped would be somewhere ahead of him with a good view of the horizon. I then had my ship sitting there (on my 2nd PC) all afternoon looking while I was doing stuff out Colonia way on my main Cmdr.

Still no sign of him. Better go for another search on his route, with no luck, nothing, nada, is he really on this moon?

Today started off the same, looking into the distance.....

https://i.imgur.com/xYpUgs1.jpg

..... but I need to get out there and start searching. I went back to the last co-ordinates and set off on his heading. It's quite easy to drift a few points and then what if Alec heads off to something interesting looking - I could be on the completely wrong course. What height should I be at to spot an SRV? I retrace my course and zig zag a bit to cover more ground.

Those stars have a habit of twinkling on the horizon in the same way a distant SRV's searchlight would look, very annoying.

Then suddenly I spot movement ahead, could it be, yes it is, a lone SRV in the wilderness!
With a bang Alec's yellow Python jumps in and lands, looks like I spotted him just in time, another 5 minutes and he would have been away. Success!

https://i.imgur.com/9zsrs51.jpg

Darn it, I'm outta rep. Seeing your ship turn up this morning was ... just .... awesome! Really put a big grin on my face. And I cannot tell you how delighted I am that you decided to try and eyeball this rather than just winging up and homing in on my beacon, a true adventure seeker after my own heart. Respect! And you're dead right, I was just finishing up for the day (Quick note to reasssure those wondering, I recall my ship at the end of each session. I have a coffee maker and a prototype Talkie-Toaster back on board the Call-out Charge so I like to park up and have breakfast while I take stock of the day's progress. I never fly anywhere tho' ... this whole journey has been done in the SRV). So yeah, I'd literally just recalled the ship and was swinging round to track it's landing when I spotted your Cobra. With my sensors off I initially assumed it was an NPC. It was only when I switched the sensors back on and saw the hollow square that I realised - holy crap - it's another commander! After five days not seeing another soul I have to admit I was quite choked up for a second there! Nice to chat and really sorry I had to leave so soon after all your searching. Maybe we can hook up again same time tomorow morning? We can either flive together for a bit or, if you fancy (and have the means) maybe you can fly chase-cam for a while? Would be nice to get some video footage from a 3rd person perspective.

o7 commander

P.S. full daily report coming later this morning when I've uploaded my video footage and screenshots.

 

[Flimley]

Hey there nick sticks.

You know...this evening I will join you also. Ping me in game

Flimley

 

[Alec Turner]

Hey there nick sticks.

You know...this evening I will join you also. Ping me in game

Flimley

Scout the route ahead for me guys? I won't be able to make it this evening (UK time?) but if the two of you could maybe clear some rocks out of the way then that'd be real handy!

 

[Flimley]

I'll bring my SRV JCB. [haha]
U.K. Time

Flimley

 

[Nick Sticks]

Darn it, I'm outta rep. Seeing your ship turn up this morning was ... just .... awesome! Really put a big grin on my face. And I cannot tell you how delighted I am that you decided to try and eyeball this rather than just winging up and homing in on my beacon, a true adventure seeker after my own heart. Respect! And you're dead right, I was just finishing up for the day (Quick note to reasssure those wondering, I recall my ship at the end of each session. I have a coffee maker and a prototype Talkie-Toaster back on board the Call-out Charge so I like to park up and have breakfast while I take stock of the day's progress. I never fly anywhere tho' ... this whole journey has been done in the SRV). So yeah, I'd literally just recalled the ship and was swinging round to track it's landing when I spotted your Cobra. With my sensors off I initially assumed it was an NPC. It was only when I switched the sensors back on and saw the hollow square that I realised - holy crap - it's another commander! After five days not seeing another soul I have to admit I was quite choked up for a second there! Nice to chat and really sorry I had to leave so soon after all your searching. Maybe we can hook up again same time tomorow morning? We can either flive together for a bit or, if you fancy (and have the means) maybe you can fly chase-cam for a while? Would be nice to get some video footage from a 3rd person perspective.

o7 commander

P.S. full daily report coming later this morning when I've uploaded my video footage and screenshots.

Yes, it was all about the hunt. I was losing heart in ever finding you but then suddenly your name popped up on the history tab so I knew I was in the right area.

Should be able to meet up and video stuff tomorrow.

 

[Alec Turner]

P.S. full daily report coming later this morning when I've uploaded my video footage and screenshots.

Our internet is running like a dog today ... this may take a while. Just talk amongst yourselves.

 

[AkenBosch]

I'm a bit behind on catching up on all things Elite but this, this is top stuff. You are a very good man Alec. Not completely sane maybe, but good nonetheless.

 

[Alec Turner]

Day #5 (07.11.3303)

OK, let's get the stat's out of the way first while I wait for the last of my videos to upload.

I started the day at -0.76, 38.03 (total SRV distance = 8.87MM) and finished at 0.17, 98.97 (9.06MM).

That's ~61° of longitude covered or 178km (~190km according to the odometer). Total distance covered so far is around 806km with roughly 261 left to do (still on for a Thursday finish as long as I don't crash into Alice Cooper tomorrow!).

The day started in bright early evening sunshine (evening down on the planet that is).

I didn't know it at the time but the sun (sorry, I'm gonna' call it that ... you know what I mean) was about to set behind me. Quick check on fuel & hull, surplus modules off and dismiss the ship. Let's jam!

As you can see, at the end of that video I run into possibly my first bit of truly challenging terrain. As the sun sets and the shadows start to stretch out I drop down into a deep dark canyon. For the first time on this trip I'm drawn by the shape of the landscape and take a detour, heading right on a heading of around 160° along the bottom of the valley. Although it's tricky and slow going at times I end up chasing my own shadow and, as Peter Pan will tell you, this is fun!

The valley continues further than expected (don't they always!) and eventually I have to start fighting the gradient and climbing the left-hand side to pull myself back on course. The sun has dropped completely below the landscape behind me now ..

.. and it gets truly dark!

I decide enough is enough, get myself on to a reasonably flat area and recall the ship (Talkie Toaster informs me that my breakfast is nearly ready!). It's at this point, just as I'm swinging round to track my ship's approach that I see another ship! Excuse the terrible screengrab, it was taken on an impulse. You can just about make out Cmdr Cooper's Cobra to the left of the orange nebula cloud in the center.

We park up next to each other and stop for a brief chat. Again, really lovely to bump into you cmdr, with luck I'll see you again tomorrow and hopefully we can cover some distance together!

That's it for today. Thanks everyone for following and/or donating!

o/

Alec