Sidewinder Mk. I Galactic Circumnavigation Attempt

[Commander William Diffin]

Day Six Hundred and Sixty-two [continued]:

Now. Having finally docked at a starport I have a decision to make. Do I transfer to here one of my fast research ships from The Bubble, make the journey back to the Bubble with her, then transfer RV Enterprise to the Bubble to re-engineer that ship, before reversing the process and making the return journey to Colonia? It seems that transferring my Ananconda CV Pourquoi pas ? is prohibitively expensive at CR377,720,704 in any case, but transferring my Asp Explorer RV Abeona, which made the journey to Beagle Point in the pre-Engineers days, is 'only' CR49,438,289. It's still a huge amount of money; the Abeona isn't even worth that much. Her jump range is something like 49-53ly currently, whereas Pourquoi pas ? is currently in a long-range light cruiser configuration with only about the same jump range as Abeona, although she should make 60ly easily in an exploration configuration. But things have changed since I was last in human space and I don't know how new engineering and modules affect range any more. Anyway. I shall transfer the Abeona. It will take 61 hours. Once I have taken the Abeona back to the Bubble via the Neutron Highway, then transferred Enterprise to the Bubble and re-engineered her, I can reconfigure the Pourquoi pas ? for exploration in the Bubble and take her back to Colonia on the Neutron Highway, then re-transfer Enterprise back to Colonia to resume the circumnavigation with her and maybe link up with the Pegasus Expedition. That's the plan. Phew.

Now to refit the Enterprise as far as possible in this remote outpost. First, a full service and repairs. Over 60,000ly of travel in the outer reaches of the Galaxy have taken its toll on the little scout ship.

(RV Enterprise fresh into Pilkington Dock hangar)

(RV Enterprise after servicing)

Now upon looking to install an AFMU, I am amazed to discover that modules have shrunk whilst I've been away, and now my Sidewinder can include no less than four Class 1 modules, instead of two. So now I can install not one but three extra modules. For now I have fitted a Class 1D AFMU and a Class 1C Extra Fuel Tank, enabling in-flight repairs and neutron jumping, whilst doubling the amount of Fuel that Enterprise can carry. I have also ordered my spare Class 1A Enhanced Low-Power Shields to be transferred from the Founder's World to install in Enterprise's remaining module slot, which I will almost certainly remove again before she resumes the circumnavigation.

Then to take care of business. After redeeming vouchers, paying for ship and module transfers, servicing, crew wages and new modules, I was left with just CR14,468,379 (my fortune is mainly tied up in the Pourquoi pas ? and the many modules for her different configurations). But after cashing in CR237,005,890 of exploration data, my balance of CR251,474,269 looks much healthier.

Whilst waiting for the Abeona to arrive at Einheriar to begin the journey back to the Bubble, I worked out exactly what materials I need to re-engineer Enterprise. Possibly the legacy bulkheads are better than anything the new engineers can produce, but everything else can be improved, possibly dramatically, especially with the new Stripped Down Experimental Effect. But even here in Colonia I can still entirely re-engineer some systems, although first I had to acquire some... items for Engineer Etienne Dorn. This necessitated my buying a new ship, a Zorgon Petersen Hauler which I have named the MV Speedy Return, in hopes of a 'speedy return' to the circumnavigation, and also after the famous early eighteenth century pirate ship.

(MV Speedy Return begins her mission)

After some adventure, incurring the hostility of the Ukraine Colonist Alliance, being attacked by their authorities at Engineer Mel Brandon's base at The Brig, and trading materials at the megaship Foster Terminal, I was able to engineer some modules on the Speedy Return to gain reputation, before finally fully-engineering the Power Plant, Life Support and Power Distributor of the Enterprise as follows:

CLASS 2D STRIPPED DOWN LOW EMISSIONS POWER PLANT

	Legacy	New Engineering
Grade	3	3
Mass	1.13t	1.01t
Integrity	40	41
Power Capacity	6.53MW	6.55MW
Heat Efficiency	0.47	0.41

CLASS 1D LIGHTWEIGHT LIFE SUPPORT

	Legacy	New Engineering
Grade	4	5
Mass	0.16t	0.08t
Integrity	36	18
Power Draw	0.32MW	0.36MW

CLASS 1D STRIPPED DOWN ENGINE FOCUSED POWER DISTRIBUTOR

	Legacy	New Engineering
Grade	3	3
Mass	0.50t	0.45t
Power Draw	0.38MW	0.36MW
Weapons Capacity	9.79MW	10.01MW
Weapons Recharge	1.40MJ/s	1.36MJ/s
Engines Capacity	11.95MW	12.60MW
Engines Recharge	0.61MJ/s	0.65MJ/s
Systems Capacity	8.02MW	8.19MW
Systems Recharge	0.46MJ/s	0.46MJ/s

All of the new modifications are an improvement on the Legacy modifications. The effect of these preliminary modifications, with the installation of the AFMU and Extra Fuel Tank, has been to reduce the Fully Laden range of Enterprise from 29.55ly to 28.28ly (with twice as much Fuel), and increase the Unladen range from 30.53ly to 30.76ly. I expect further modifications, particularly to the FSD, should improve the range some more.

Time to make friends with another Engineer, Mel Brandon. First, to make sure I could land at his base without being attacked, I had to make amends to the Ukraine Colonist Alliance, by taking a couple of lowly delivery missions in the Speedy Return. Then I had to run an errand for the Colonia Union to secure the invite from Mel Brandon. Finally, I had to buy a combat ship to earn the CR100,000 of bounty vouchers on ships of the 'Nameless' faction of Carcosa, the only Anarchy system in the Colonia Region, which he demanded. I settled for a Fer-de-Lance, which with modules and Multi-Cannons ended up costing me over CR125,000,000. I named her the K(Corvette) Golden Hind, after the historical English sailing ship that carried out a (privateering) circumnavigation of the Earth in the sixteenth century. And she made mincemeat out of the Nameless ships I pounced on in the Carcosa System, apart from one encounter with a wing of four Viper Mk. IIIs. But even with the un-engineered FDL, her speed enabled me to to burn off the wing of Vipers easily enough, taking no damage.

(K Golden Hind at The Brig, before handing in bounty vouchers to Engineer Mel Brandon)

Once I had handed over my bounty vouchers, I immediately put Mel Brandon to work upgrading the Golden Hind's new Thrusters to Grade 5 Dirty Drive Tuning with Thermal Spread, so that all upgrades were available for Enterprise and Abeona's legacy engineered modules. Then he re-engineered Enterprise's own Dirty Drives for the following improvement:

CLASS 2D STRIPPED DOWN DIRTY DRIVE TUNING THRUSTERS

	Legacy	New Engineering
Grade	5	5
Mass	1.00t	0.90t
Integrity	30	35
Power Draw	2.65MW	2.52MW
Optimal Mass	46.1t	47.2t
Optimal Multiplier	133%	140%
Thermal Load	2.2/s	2.1/s

This has improved Enterprise's Fully-Laden jump range to 28.34ly, and Unladen jump range to 30.84ly. Unfortunately, Mel Brandon is only qualified to carry out Grade 4 FSD improvements, and so can't do anything with Enterprise's Grade 5 Legacy engineered FSD, nor with that of the Abeona when she arrives. So for the Abeona I must buy a new FSD and re-engineer it to Grade 4 new Engineers (slightly better than the Grade 5 Legacy FSD she is already fitted with) from scratch, to maximize her jump range for her voyage to the Bubble.

As soon as the RV Abeona arrived at Einheriar with her legacy engineered modules, I took her to the Engineers Etienne Dorn and Mel Brandon, used up all of my Proto Light Alloys on new modifications, and removed the Abeona's Planetary Vehicle Hangar, increasing her jump range to 53.49ly/58.11ly Fully Laden/Unladen. She is now ready for the 22,005.75ly journey to Shinrarta Dezhra, my base of operations.

(The beautiful starship Abeona leaving Colonia for the Bubble)

 

[Commander William Diffin]

Day Six Hundred and Sixty-four:

[Waypoint №18 Detour №2 - 22,005.75Ly from Einheriar - n/a - Shinrarta Dezhra]

So now the long-range RV Abeona returns to the Bubble along the neutron highway, there to summon Enterprise for a complete refit of her legacy modules. This is Abeona's first outing for a couple of years, but there is no exploration for the Abeona on this trip, just hyperspace grinding all the way, with rest stops at some of the inhabited systems en route. Using the Galactic Map Route Plotter it's 39 jumps to Kashyapa, my first stop on the Colonia Connection Highway.

It didn't take long to get to Kashyapa, and damage to the FSD was minimal, integrity being at 97% on reaching at Vihara Gate. There I traded the standard Class 5C 32t Fuel Tank for a Class 4C 16t tank, increasing my Fully Laden range to 56.07ly. I hadn't had to use as much as half of my fuel between scoops on the way here. Next stop is Gandharvi.

(RV Abeona approaching the Ringed Earth-Like World Kashyapa 1)

66 jumps to Gandharvi by Galactic Map, but 22 jumps using Spansh's Neutron Plotter. I will probably have to use the AFMU for this leg.

In the end I didn't have to use the AFMU at all; even after 19 jet cone boosts FSD integrity was only down to 85% by the time I reached Gandharvi. However, only having a 16t Fuel Tank made fuel management dicey at times when jumping from neutron star to neutron star whilst only being able to scoop from secondary stars, so I'm restoring Abeona's 32t fuel capacity now, reducing her Fully Laden range back down to 53.49ly. Also sold CR3,889,862 worth of exploration data. Next stop is Rohini, 46 straight neutron jumps away. Will definitely have to use the AFMU this time.

After 23 neutron jumps, had my first FSD malfunction at Ellaidst VU-G d10-205. AFMU is indispensable. Reached Rohini without further incident and sold CR3,506,659 of exploration data. Next stop Mammon, 56 jumps away, 40 of them jet cone boosted.

During a short run between neutron stars, at A-Type star system Gria Drye AC-B b1-140 I decided to use the FSS scanner for the first time and immediately discovered an Earth-Like World orbiting in the primary position. Scanned a couple of HMCWs as well. Abeona couldn't help herself. In spite of this being just a transport mission she just had to discover something.

(RV Abeona at Gria Drye AC-B b1-140 1, the first Earth-like World she has discovered in nearly three years)

After 27 neutron jumps had to stop to use the AFMU again after another FSD malfunction. Did not take so long to reach the asteroid base at Mammon. Just 18 jumps left to the Founder's World, three of them jet cone boosted.

(The Mammon Monitoring Facility asteroid base)

Arrived back at Shinrarta Dezhra very quickly then. First thing I did was order Enterprise returned, for the sum of CR1,034,269. Then cashed in my exploration data for CR2,944,303. Then I took my Anaconda, the light cruiser Pourquoi pas ? out of storage, and began storing her weapons and fitting her legacy exploration modules. I got her to 67.63ly Unladen range, and was about to take her to the Engineers, when I discovered the Technology Broker on the Station Contacts. Then I discovered the existence of Guardian FSD Boosters.

So immediately I found myself back in the Abeona, equipped with three Point Defence modules and two SRVs, and flying straight back out of the Bubble to the Guardian Structure 821.36ly away at Synuefe NL-N c23-4, there to plunder everything I needed to secure Guardian FSD Boosters in Abeona's SRV Adeona. It took a little while, I had to wantonly destroy a number of Guardian Sentinels, and in the end I also had to plunder a second Guardian Structure at Synuefe EU-Q c21-10 A3 for Guardian Technology Components, but eventually I got everything I needed. And so back to Shinrarta Dezhra.

(SRV Adeona explores the Guardian Structure on Synuefe NL-N c23-4 3B, the way illuminated by RV Abeona in the background)

Back at Shinrarta Dezhra, I immediately equipped RV Abeona with a fantastic new Class 5H Guardian FSD Booster, giving the ship a massive 67.31ly unladen jump range, even with a 2G Planetary Vehicle Hangar and 3D Shields fitted. However the Power Plant can't really handle the Guardian module on top of everything else, and the ship will need some re-engineering to run with all systems. But I didn't have time or materials for that. I wanted to get back to Colonia as quickly as possible, and instead of solving the Abeona's power issues I got to work engineering the Anaconda Pourquoi pas ? for the return journey to Colonia instead. After some time shuttling around the Bubble visiting Engineers, the Pourquoi pas ? now has an unladen jump range of 83.98ly. If I had pinned the Grade 5 Lightweight Life Support Blueprint of Etienne Dorn back in Colonia, she would have a range in excess of 84ly, possibly the largest jump range in the Galaxy. I will install that modification once I've taken the Pourquoi pas ? to Colonia. In the meantime I await delivery of Enterprise to Shinrarta Dezhra to begin her own refit.

(RV Pourquoi pas ? at Jameson Memorial starport)

Once Enterprise arrived at Jameson Memorial, I set to work immediately, taking her to Engineers Felicity Farseer, Lei Cheung, Selene Jean, Hera Tani, Marco Qwent, Ram Tah, Professor Palin and Lori Jameson. A visit to Dav's Hope was also required, as well as some farming of High Grade Signal Sources, not to mention several visits to Materials Traders. Finally Enterprise is entirely upgraded as far as possible in her new configuration.

The biggest upgrade has to be the Class 1H Guardian FSD Booster, adding 4Ly to Enterprise's jump range. I tried numerous tests with the Class 2H Guardian FSD Booster, giving another 2Ly range increase again on the Class 1H, but this necessitated changing my 2A Fuel Scoop for a 1A Fuel Scoop, to make room for the Class 2H Guardian FSD Booster in the 2A Fuel Scoop slot (obviously it can't replace the Class 2G Planetary Vehicle Hangar or I will be unable to gather materials). In testing, the 1A Fuel Scoop initially proved too slow to scoop a full fuel load before the ship overheated, and even with the ship re-equipped to run cool enough to sit in a star's atmosphere scooping fuel for extended periods, for the time I will spend fuel scooping, the 2ly range increase simply isn't worth the hours I will spend sitting in stars' atmospheres waiting for the fuel tanks to fill. So just the 1H Booster it is.

Another big upgrade is the new Grade 5 Deep Charge Increased Range FSD. This also added another 2.49ly to Enterprise's jump range by itself.

CLASS 2A DEEP CHARGE INCREASED RANGE FSD

	Legacy	New Engineering
Grade	5	5
Integrity	42.8	47.6
Mass	3.58t	3.25t
Optimal Mass	134.1t	139.5t
Power Draw	0.37MW	0.36MW
Max. Fuel per jump	0.93t	0.99t

Whilst running a cool ship during the testing of the 1A Fuel Scoop, I decided that the high-speed Grade 5 Stripped Down Dirty Drive Tuning Thrusters of the Enterprise were not necessary for exploration, and neither was the Grade 5 Lightweight Heat Sink Launcher. The Thrusters were entirely replaced with Grade 5 Stripped Down Clean Drive Tuning Thrusters, and the mass loss of 0.24t with the HSL (0.20t with a newly-Engineered Heat Sink Launcher) gave a range increase of 0.19ly. (I had to visit Galileo starport in the Solar System to buy the new Thrusters.) However, speed has been reduced from 298m/s → 434m/s (maximum → boost) to 287m/s → 417m/s. The old modules went into storage.


CLASS 2D STRIPPED DOWN CLEAN TUNING THRUSTERS

	Dirty Drive Tuning	Clean Tuning
Grade	5	5
Mass	0.90t	0.90t
Integrity	35	34
Power Draw	2.52MW	2.61MW
Optimal Mass	47.2t	48.6t
Optimal Multiplier	140%	128%
Thermal Load	2.1/s	0.0/s

Sensors were also re-engineered, for a mass saving of 0.02t.


CLASS 1D LIGHTWEIGHT SENSORS

	Legacy	New Engineering
Grade	5	5
Mass	0.12t	0.10t
Integrity	11.7	20.5
Target Scan Angle	21.2°	22.5°

Finally, the Bulkheads were replaced with newly-Engineered Grade 5 Deep Plating Heavy Duty Armour Lightweight Alloy. The Legacy Bulkheads went into storage. Whilst the old Bulkheads were quite superior in resistances to the new ones, they were inferior in overall strength, and thereby overall slightly weaker in Kinetic Resistance, the only external damage I will encounter. So into storage they went.


CLASS 1C DEEP PLATING HEAVY DUTY ARMOUR LIGHTWEIGHT ALLOY BULKHEADS

	Legacy	New Engineering
Grade	5	5
Mass	0.00t	0.00t
Hull Boost	140.9%	156.6%
Kinetic Resistance	-14.3%	-17.4%
Thermal Resistance	4.8%	2.1%
Explosive Resistance	-31.7%	-37.0%

Life Support and Power Distributor had already been fully upgraded in Colonia, where a Class 1A AFMU and Class 1C Extra Fuel Tank had also been installed.


Finally, I have decided to reclassify Enterprise from a Research Vessel to an Exploration Vessel. From here on she is EV Enterprise, to distinguish her Legacy configuration RV Enterprise from the present one.

(RV Enterprise passing the Terra-Luna System approaching Galileo starport to replace Core Modules)

And so this lengthy detour and refit has resulted in the following overall changes to Enterprise's vital statistics:

Faulcon DeLacy Sidewinder Mk. I EV Enterprise

RV Enterprise 3203-10-19 https://s.orbis.zone/46q_	EV Enterprise 3205-08-18 Refit https://s.orbis.zone/6ep8
Speed: 298m/s	Speed: 287m/s
Boost: 434m/s	Boost: 417m/s
Max. Jump Range: 30.52ly	Max. Jump Range: 36.43ly
Laden Jump Range: 29.70ly	Laden Jump Range: 34.11ly
Total Jump Range: 72.31ly	Total Jump Range: 151.61ly

Shield: 0MJ	Shield: 0MJ
Armour: 146	Armour: 154
DPS: 0	DPS: 0

Cargo: 0t	Cargo: 0t
Fuel: 2t	Fuel: 4t
Unladen Mass: 38t	Unladen Mass: 38t
Laden Mass: 40t	Laden Mass: 42t

Crew: 1

Crew: 1

CORE INTERNAL

1C Lightweight Alloy [G5 Heavy Duty]	1C Lightweight Alloy [G5 Heavy Duty Deep Plating]
2D Power Plant [G3 Low Emissions]	2D Power Plant [G3 Low Emissions Stripped Down]
2D Thrusters [G5 Dirty Drive Tuning]	2D Thrusters [G5 Clean Drive Tuning Stripped Down]
2A Frame Shift Drive [G5 Increased Range]	2A Frame Shift Drive [G5 Increased Range Deep Charge]
1D Life Support [G4 Lightweight]	1D Life Support [G5 Lightweight]
1D Power Distributor [G3 Engine Focused]	1D Power Distributor [G3 Engine Focused Stripped Down]
1D Sensors [G5 Lightweight]	1D Sensors [G5 Lightweight]
1C Fuel Tank	1C Fuel Tank

OPTIONAL INTERNAL

2A Fuel Scoop	2A Fuel Scoop
2G Planetary Vehicle Hangar	2G Planetary Vehicle Hangar
1C Advanced Discovery Scanner	1H Guardian FSD Booster
1C Detailed Surface Scanner	1C Detailed Surface Scanner
	1A Auto Field Maintenance Unit
	1C Extra Fuel Tank

HARDPOINTS

Small EMPTY	Small EMPTY
Small EMPTY	Small EMPTY

UTILITY MOUNTS

0I Heat Sink Launcher [G5 Lightweight]	EMPTY
EMPTY	EMPTY

So that's that then. I think that adding 6ly to the jump range, doubling the total jump range, reducing heat issues and installing an AFMU and re-enabling neutron jumping were worth the detour. Now EV Enterprise stays in the hangar at Jameson Memorial, whilst I make the the journey back to Einheriar along the neutron highway with the RV Pourquoi pas ? and her mighty 83.98ly jump range.


After reaching Nova Aquila No 3 in just 7 jumps with only one jet cone boost, decided to skip Mammon and Rohini and head straight for Gandharvi. It took 69 jumps to get there from Nova Aquila No 3, with 53 of them neutron jumps. From Gandharvi Pourquoi pas ? made the journey to Einheriar in just another 28 jumps, 22 of them neutron jumps. At Einheriar the first thing I did was order Enterprise transferred back. Then I cashed in CR6,345,956 of exploration data. Then I saw Etienne Dorn whilst I waited for Enterprise to arrive, and upgraded Pourquoi Pas ?' Lightweight Life Support to give her the highest jump range currently possible of any ship in the Galaxy, of 84.11ly.

(RV Pourquoi pas ? — fastest ship in the Galaxy https://s.orbis.zone/46qz)

In less than three days the Sidewinder Mk. I Scout EV Enterprise was delivered to Pilkington Dock. And so now to resume the circumnavigation with her.

(EV Enterprise leaving Pilkington Orbital for Waypoint №18 - Outer Arm Depot, Phae Flaae OO-Z d13-35, 20,030.15Ly away)

 

[Windie004]

Very interesting write up of your travels.

 

[Commander William Diffin]

Day Seven hundred and two:

Waypoint №18 - [20,030.15Ly from Einheriar] 9,663.12 [ly from Waypoint №17] - 63,201.16 [Total ly between Waypoints] - Outer Arm Depot, Phae Flaae OO-Z d13-35

A thousand light-years out from Einheriar, following neutron stars all the way apart from fuel stops, discovered first unexplored neutron system at Eorgh Prou RS-K d8-790. No FSD malfunctions yet. Making good time. Is great to be out of human-occupied space and back out in the Black.

First FSD malfunction came at Eorgh Prou WJ-R e4-510, after 17 neutron jumps, 1,395ly out from Einheriar, FSD at 79% integrity. First use of the AFMU at the next system Eorgh Prou VJ-R e4-79, used 406 of 1100 repair ammunition to restore full FSD integrity. So I'll get 2⅔ repairs or about 46 neutron jumps for each refill.

Entering the Leamae Sector, whilst navigating to the neutron star at Leamae NX-B d13-30, spotted a neighbouring nebulous Black Hole at Leamae HW-N e6-56. But the system had been entirely scanned by Commander Titler, with the only planet in the system mapped by Commander Dahak Maeglynn.

(Black Hole with Nebula at Leamae HW-N e6-56)

Then leaving the Leamae sector, the last neutron system at Leamae CN-A d14-24 was a little surprising with a close scoopable M-Type star orbiting with the neutron primary. Tertiary and quartary stars were also present, the quartary having been previously unexplored, the others discovered by Commander Jackie Silver.

Had to refill the AFMU for the first time at Kyloagh VO-R d4-24, a neutron star discovered by Commander Airykai.

Second AFMU refill at the unexplored white dwarf star at Dryua Prou ND-A d14-8. Managed to Emergency Stop whilst jet cone boosting, forgetting that white dwarfs are trickier than neutrons. So now my hull is down to 99%, and my AFMU and Power Plant are both down to 98%.

At the red dwarf star at Agnairr PG-O b7-0, managed to absent-mindedly Emergency Stop again whilst fuel scooping. Hull is now down to 98%, AFMU at 96%, Power Plant was undamaged and remains at 98% integrity.

Third AFMU refill at the unexplored neutron star at Wembuia QX-T b4-0.

Fourth AFMU refill at the unexplored neutron star at Phrua Flyiae YQ-D d12-4.

At Wembia MS-B d13-2 found an interesting close binary system orbiting the primary neutron star. The system is also 'green', and has all Jumponium materials available.

(Cockpit view of close binary Wembia MS-B d13-2 BC)

With neutron jumping enabled by the AFMU, and with so many neutron stars on the route, the 20,000ly from Einheriar to Waypoint №18 didn't seem like such a massive slog. But it was. It's a huge distance for a tiny scout ship. Now that I am back on the Circumnavigation itinerary after the Colonia detour, I expect that things should proceed more smoothly and swiftly. Although I could be wrong.

At the Outer Arm Depot I found the whole system scanned by Commanders Chaon Sarat and GT3IceHouse, with none of the planets mapped. According to EDDB I am only the fifth Commander to arrive here. To make my own mark on this system then, I mapped the planet A4 before prospecting for Polonium, then mapped A2 before prospecting for Arsenic. Now I have finished prospecting I have Jumponium enough for 157 Basic, 140 Standard and 108 Premium FSD Injections, and can be confident of plunging into unknown un-navigated regions which need Jumponium to get out of them again.

(EV Enterprise approaching Phae Flaae OO-Z d13-35 A2)

(SRV Herbie investigating Metallic Meteorite in crater at Phae Flaae OO-Z d13-35 A2)

The next Waypoint, the Osprey Stellar Remnant, is a mere five-and-a-half thousand light-years away now.

 

[Windie004]

Love the updates, only been as far as colonia in my sidewinder.

 

[Commander William Diffin]

Love the updates, only been as far as colonia in my sidewinder.

Thanks! Colonia is still far for a Sidewinder, even an upgraded one. But for deep space exploration, the Sidewinder really must be fully equipped and Engineered. Preferably with Guardian FSD Booster technology. The Deep Black is not for the starting Sidey!

 

[schlowi123]

Another episode … Always looking forward reading about the adventures of the Starship Enterprise

 

[Jethro49]

Nice trip and nice write up ! Keep up and fly safe !

 

[Commander William Diffin]

Day Seven hundred and twenty-three:

Waypoint №19 - 5,565.75 - 68,766.91 - Osprey Stellar Remnant, Eos Brai KR-W e1-4

Not a lot to report on this leg. All but one of the neutron star systems I passed through had already been discovered, and little else of interest was encountered, apart from the odd Ammonia or Water World, and my first discovery of an Earth-Like World orbiting a Type-M star, at Eocs Chraea IQ-V b57-4 B4. I had seen ELWs orbiting M-Types before, but had never been the first ever visitor to one. B5 was also a Water World, and the few landable worlds contained every jumponium element but for Arsenic.

(EV Enterprise approaching Earth-Like World Eocs Chraea IQ-V b57-4 B4)

Had to refill the AFMU for the fifth time since leaving Einheriar at the neutron star at Eos Brai PL-Y d69, discovered by Commander RicM. The star is the only object in the system.

Arriving at Eos Brai KR-W e1-4, The Osprey Stellar Remnant, discovered the system had been already been extensively mapped. There was nothing I could add in terms of discovery tags. The entire system is contained within a nebula shed by the central neutron remnant when its progenitor star went supernova, and is best seen from outside of the system. From within the system it appears as an eerie greenish glow that covers the entire sky.

(EV Enterprise approaching The Osprey Stellar Remnant Nebula from 7.66ly away...)

(... and within the Remnant Nebula, the remnant neutron star in the background)

The next Waypoint, at Koijoo XS-T d3-40 inside Wagar's Reach, is little more than 3,000ly away and contains a binary ice world featuring the Premonition Geysers sites.

 

[Commander William Diffin]

Day Seven hundred and twenty-five:

Waypoint №20 - 3,089.55 - 71,856.46 - Premonition Geysers, Koijoo XS-T d3-40

Nearly half-way to the Waypoint, took a short detour to investigate a nebulous Type B star at Dryo Broo AA-A g1. This turned out to be an unremarkable ternary system, the stars all discovered by Commander Pyromaniac-2015. I discovered two small Metal Rich worlds orbiting the binary pair of the secondary and tertiary stars of the system.

Later took another detour, this time to visit a nebulous Herbig Ae/Be-Type star at Dryo Broo EG-Y d3. According to the EDDB database, the system had already been visited once, by Commander utu2tm. From a distance the nebulosity surrounding the system was obvious, but arriving in the system was disappointed to find the nebulosity quite invisible and the star the only body in the system. However in spite of Commander utu2tm's prior visit there is no discovery tag on the star yet.

(EV Enterprise about to jump to the nebulous Dryo Broo EG-Y d3 system, 17.2Ly distant)

Had an Emergency Stop shortly afterwards. For some reason, after scanning the Dryo Broo YL-J c23-0 system and coming out of FSS, the next system destination was not targeted, with the effect that hitting the FSD binding on my controller did not engage hyperspace, and hitting it twice to make sure hyperspace engaged precipitated an Emergency Stop instead. After repairs using the AFMU, hull is now down to 96% and Power Plant to 97%. AFMU was undamaged and remains at 96% integrity.

Arriving at Koijoo XS-T d3-40 then, the system had first been visited by Commander Baton, who had scanned the primary star, the gas giant 4, and three of its moons, including the binary moon 4A/4B which is home to the Premonition Geysers. The other planets and moons had all also been discovered, and the binary moon mapped. I mapped the first planet in the system, a High Metal Content World with 22 Geological locations, before heading for the Geysers. I visited one site on each of the moons 4A, and 4B, but only the site on 4B had an active Water Ice Fumarole.

(EV Enterprise heading for the binary ice moon Koijoo XS-T d3-40 4AB...)

(... and heading into a massive fissure in the moon 4A's icy crust)

(SRV Herbie collecting a Crystal Fragment in the Water Ice Fumarole field at the bottom of the fissure)

(Leaving 4B to head for 4A)

(Active steaming Water Ice Fumarole on 4B illuminated by Enterprise's headlights, 4B and Class I Gas Giant Koijoo XS-T d3-40 4 in the background)

The next Waypoint is at Mount Glenn in the Hypi Bra CH-M d7-85 system, only 3,255.8ly from the Geysers. However I will first be taking a short detour to Hypi Broo AA-A h0, Waypoint №8 of the Pegasus Run 3305 Galactic Circumnavigation Expedition which has just begun. Having joined this Expedition with the intention of meeting up with it at Beagle Point in March 3306, whilst I yet remain ahead of the Expedition I intend to scout out basecamps for any of its forthcoming Waypoints that are not too far from my own route.

 

[Commander William Diffin]

Day Seven hundred and twenty-seven:

Waypoint №21 - 3,255.80 - 75,112.26 - Mount Glenn, Hypi Bra CH-M d7-85 2 3.1857°N, 105.3005°E

The first neutron star out from the last Waypoint, at Koijoo ZJ-H d10-3, was the only body in the system and was discovered by Commander Sgt Stubby, organizer of the Pegasus Run 3305 expedition. So I am on the right track.

Making good distance in the refitted EV Enterprise, soon arrived at the Pegasus Run 3305 Waypoint №8 Hypi Broo AA-A h0, within Wagar's Reach on the edge of the forbidding Mare Desperationis. The system turns out to consist of a Wolf-Rayet NC-Type star, two other stars, and a Belt Cluster 40 kilolight-seconds from the entry point. No point scouting for base camps here then.

The nearest landable body to the Pegasus Run 3305 Waypoint №8 is Hypi Broo OI-J d9-10 A2a, a small Rocky Body and Lunar analogue orbiting a High Metal Content World with sulphur dioxide atmosphere, itself orbiting a Type A star in a binary system with a Type F star. There are three Water Worlds in the system, which is 9.54ly from Waypoint №8. After scouting some impressive mountain ranges and high plateaux that were unfortunately too rugged to land in, I eventually settled on a rough plain overlooking a huge lava channel leading from a canyon network and cutting into an ancient crater. I will suggest this as a base camp for Waypoint №8 of the Pegasus Run 3305.

(Approaching Hypi Broo OI-J d9-10 A2a)

(Above potential base camp at Hypi Broo OI-J d9-10 A2a, with lava channel entering ancient crater)

(View looking into channel from crater)

System: Hypi Broo OI-J d9-10
Distance to WP#8: 9.54Ly from Waypoint №8 Hypi Broo AA-A h0
Moon: Hypi Broo OI-J d9-10 A2a
Surface Gravity: 0.18g
Coordinates: -1.4779°N, -48.5401°E
Notable Features: Lunar analogue world, closest landable body to Waypoint №8; co-ordinates are of a rough plain overlooking an ancient crater, with a huge lava channel entering the crater from a neighbouring canyon network. System also has three Water Worlds.

(Potential Base Camp Report submitted to Pegasus Run 3305 Expedition)

And so on to my own next Waypoint, at Mount Glenn, a little over 1,800ly away now.

Investigated a nebulous B-Type star at Hypo Gruia DL-Y g3, and was disappointed to find that the nebulosity was invisible within the system, which consisted of just the star alone, and which had already been discovered by Commander Smudge-O-Tron.

Arriving at the Hypi Bra CH-M d7-85 system, I found it to be a relatively dull system fo a G-Type star orbited by seven High Metal Content Worlds, with little of remarkable interest beyond its historic significance as a waypoint of the Mercury 7 Expedition of 3303. I don't understand why it was chosen as a Waypoint. Still, an ascent of the mountain on the second planet at co-ordinates 3.1857°N, 105.3005°E had been made by a number of SRVs belonging to Commanders participating in that expedition in April 3303, and the mountain was thereafter named Mount Glenn after the eponymous pioneering astronaut. Apparently no one has returned since, as none of the planets in the system had yet been mapped when I arrived. After mapping the second planet, I finally arrived at Mount Glenn in the middle of the night local time, and found that I was able to land my tiny scout ship right next to the summit, without having to land at the foot and attempt an ascent by SRV. However the night-time views from the summit were disappointingly obscure, and so I waited until sunrise before making my preparations to leave the system. And then overslept. And then waited until sunset.

(Approaching Mount Glenn at night)

(Atop Mount Glenn late evening)

(The sun setting; night fallen everywhere apart from on the mountain heights)

The next Waypoint is in the mysterious Ishtar region. This remote region of the Outer Arm is said to glow blue when observed from afar, possibly due to the unexplained presence of interstellar oxygen.

 

[Commander William Diffin]

Day Seven hundred and thirty-one:

Waypoint №22 - 6,444.04 - 81,556.30 - Plae Fleau CB-O e6-2 Nebula, Plae Fleau CB-O e6-2

First neutron star system out from Mount Glenn at Hypi Bra MT-I d9-59 was a surprise, a close binary with a K-Type star, with a tertiary brown dwarf orbiting both. All three stars had already been discovered, but using the FSS I was able to discover a previously unknown High Metal Content World orbiting the entire system.

(Entering the Hypi Bra MT-I d9-59 ternary system)

Managed to Emergency Stop whilst fuel scooping a Type M in the very next system at Hypi Bra VP-Y b42-1. I wasn't paying attention to the temperature, but then I wasn't doing anything wrong either. Noted the star's mass as 0.2187M☉, radius as 0.3761r☉, and surface temperature as 2,047K. After repairs, Hull integrity is down to 94%, AFMU at 95%, and Power Plant at 96%.

And then suffered another Emergency Stop whilst fuel scooping another Type M at Phooe Bra RP-A b5. This time I was paying attention. Temperature was in the low 60s%, when I looked away for a moment and suddenly it was 114%. I'd done nothing wrong. Just the edge of the star was in the top of my field of view. Noted the star's mass is 0.2187M☉, radius is 0.3604r☉, and surface temperature is 2,171K. The star is coincidentally identical in mass to the last one that Emergency Stopped me. Considering that I don't usually Emergency Stop very often, it must be this particular star type and size which is cooking me every time I do. I'm going to try and avoid Type Ms in future by taking them off the filter in Galactic Map even if it adds jumps to my routes. They are nearly always dull systems anyway. After repairs and a sixth AFMU refill, Hull is still at 94%, AFMU is now down to 94% and Power Plant is still at 96% integrity.

About half way to the Waypoint, towards the edge of the Universal Cartographics Outer Arm Region, enjoyed traversing a small patch of previously unexplored neutron stars on my route. It soon passed though. I am getting tired of seeing discovery tags on every neutron system in this supposedly remote and largely uncharted region. Commander Theophilus in particular is quite a prolific explorer in these parts.

First noticed the Plae Fleau CB-O e6-2 Nebula when 66.81ly distant. Not far to go.

(66.81Ly to Plae Fleau CB-O e6-2 Nebula)

(37.43Ly to Plae Fleau CB-O e6-2 Nebula)

(5.53Ly to Plae Fleau CB-O e6-2 Nebula)

The view inside the nebula was quite striking, the blue clouds of the supernova remnant covering the entire sky. Possibly this is the source of at least some of the interstellar oxygen that is thought to give this whole Ishtar region of the Galaxy its blue colour. The central binary neutron/Type K pairing is impressive too.

(EV Enterprise at Plae Fleau CB-O e6-2 AB)

According to EDSM, Enterprise is only the sixth ship to visit this system. The three stars of the system had been discovered by Commander Orion3zzz, whilst all of the planets of the system orbiting the tertiary were discovered and mapped by Commander Orion3z. Presumably the same Commander revisited the system under a different moniker.

The next Waypoint at Eactaisky IR-N e6-2, another supernova remnant, is the last on the Outer Arm and on this Stage of the circumnavigation. By then the Outer Arm has overtaken the far end of the Scutum-Centaurus Arm, which will be the next Stage. On the way to the Eactaisky Stellar Remnant, I intend to visit the Quantum Sea system at Smoorea FG-Y g4, an octonary system with a binary singularity at its centre, discovered earlier this year during a dedicated survey of the Ishtar region. Despite being well below the plane of the Galaxy in a fairly sparse region, Enterprise can reach the system easily by neutron jumping.

It is now two years and a day since I commenced this expedition.

 

[Commander William Diffin]

Day Seven hundred and thirty-eight:

Waypoint №23 - 5,394.01 - 86,950.31 - Eactaisky Stellar Remnant, Eactaisky IR-N e6-2

On the way to the Quantum Sea discovered my seventeenth Earth-Like World on this expedition, the first world out from a Type K orange star in an otherwise unremarkable system.

(Enterprise at Earth-Like World Smoorea DU-G c11-3 1)

Soon arrived at Smoorea FG-Y g4, and it really is a bizarre system. A massive Black Hole is orbited by a binary Black Hole/Neutron Star system that together is half as massive as the primary. Another Neutron Star orbits this system. Two more binary systems of brown dwarfs and an M-Type star orbit the central cluster of supernova remnants.

(Map of Smoorea FG-Y g4, the Quantum Sea system)

(EV Enterprise in front of the Smoorea FG-Y g4 A singularity, Neutron Star Smoorea FG-Y g4 B immediately behind)

Having to refill the AFMU for the seventh time out of Einheriar, after supercharging the FSD at the unexplored White Dwarf star at Trignooe DE-T c3-4, decided to use a Premium refill for the first time. I had hoped maybe a Premium refill might repair systems faster but use AFMU ammunition at the same rate, but no, it just gobbles the ammunition faster too. Could do with some more Ruthenium; I'm down to 13 units. Zirconium is down to 35 and Tellurium 43 now. I didn't even need to supercharge the FSD as it turned out; the next system on my route was another neutron star only 20.82ly away.

Back in Zephyrus having left the Ishtar region, at the unexplored neutron system at Trignoo OZ-G d10-9, over 1,100ly below the Galactic plane, I noticed that the Galactic Map was quite sparse without the M-Type stars I was filtering out. I put the M-Types back on the unfiltered list and the 11 remaining jumps to my next stepping stone became just 5.

Carelessly Emergency Stopped again soon afterwards, but not at a Type M star, but a Type DC White Dwarf Star. Misjudged which way the jet cone was pointing whilst trying to supercharge the FSD. Thought the cone was pointing towards me, not away from me, and flew directly over the star and was well cooked. After repairs, Hull integrity is still at 94%, but AFMU is down to 93% and Power Plant to 95%.

A slightly interesting system at Syraumia WP-G d10-0, with a central close Neutron/M-Type pair orbiting each other in only 0.3 days. Lots of previously undiscovered neutron stars down here at over 1,100ly below the Galactic plane in Zephyrus.

(Enterprise at Syraumia WP-G d10-0 AB)

(Universal Cartographics map of Syraumia WP-G d10-0)

(Universal Cartographics orrery showing separation of Syraumia WP-G d10-0 AB)

Another interesting system at Syraumia BR-D d12-0, a Neutron/M-Type binary system, with an Earth-Like World and five terraforming candidate worlds orbiting the Type M secondary star.

(Over one massive ice cap of the Earth-Like World Syraumia BR-D d12-0 B6)

(Sunset over Earth-Like World Syraumia BR-D d12-0 B6)

Had to refill the AFMU again [eighth time] immediately after jumping to the next system, yet another neutron star at Syraumia GX-B d13-1. Using Premium refills now. I may as well; I don't need the materials for anything else out here.

Ascending through the Galaxy between neutron stars and approaching the Eactaisky Stellar Remnant from underneath, started to find that the neutron stars were already explored again at Blue Flyiae PO-O d7-32, just 120ly below the Galactic plane now.

Another Waypoint, another supernova remnant. The Eactaisky Stellar Remnant at Eactaisky IR-N e6-2 is quite a landmark, having been visited by 32 ships now including my own.

(Enterprise approaches the Eactaisky Stellar Remnant from 23.04Ly away)

There are only three bodies in the system; the binary pair of the primary neutron star and secondary A-Type star, orbited by a Gas Giant With Water-Based Life. The central pair is impressive against the backdrop of the blue-pink nebula.

(Enterprise at Eactaisky IR-N e6-2 AB)

This supernova remnant is the last Waypoint of Stage Three of the Circumnavigation, and completes the traverse of the Outer Arm of the Milky Way Galaxy. It represents the last known landmark before the desolate expanse known as the Mare Desperationis, separating the Outer Arm from the Scutum-Centaurus Galactic Arm. This I must now cross to reach the first Waypoint of Stage Four, the Alastor supernova remnant. Enterprise is now well over 25,000ly from the nearest station at Colonia that she might turn back to, so there is no turning back after entering the Mare Desperationis. And without any Fleet Carriers on their way into the Galaxy, Enterprise is not going to be receiving any assistance now until a possible rendezvous with the support ships of the Pegasus Run 3305 Expedition at Beagle Point on 14 March 3306, at the end of Stage Four.

 

[Commander William Diffin]

Day Eight hundred and twenty:

Waypoint №24 - 9,706.19 - 96,656.50 - Alastor, Flyoo Groa SO-Z e0

The neutron stars soon began to thin out as I approached the outskirts of the Outer Arm, and the few neutrons I encountered had all received prior visitors. Soon I faced a 73-jump run without a single neutron star on the route. Some way into it I decided to stock up on Ruthenium and Zirconium for Premium AFMU Refills, and immediately found a High Metal Content World with Geological surface locations and Ruthenium in the system I had just arrived in, Grea Flyiae CP-S b51-0 B2. The only problem was that this world was part of a planetary system orbiting the secondary M-Type star over 123,500 light-seconds from the entry point, but the system was still worth visiting as it is a green system, with all of the landable planets possessing Pristine Reserves. The secondary system is itself binary with a tertiary L-Type dwarf star.

On the way into the Grea Flyiae CP-S b51-0 B system, I mapped Grea Flyiae CP-S b51-0 BC1, a single remote ringed ice world orbiting the secondary-tertiary system.

(EV Enterprise leaving Grea Flyiae CP-S b51-0 BC1, heading for the Grea Flyiae CP-S b51-0 B system, Grea Flyiae CP-S b51-0 C visible at the edge of the planet's ring system)

My destination, Grea Flyiae CP-S b51-0 B2, was in fact binary with another similar world, fairly close to the secondary star of the whole system.

(Entering orbit of Grea Flyiae CP-S b51-0 B2, Grea Flyiae CP-S b51-0 B1 and Grea Flyiae CP-S b51-0 B in the background)

Brought her down in a large shallow crater filled with Sulphur Dioxide Fumaroles, many of them active.

(Landed in Fumarole field)

Then took the SRV Herbie out for a spin. It was quite a productive one, and I was pleased to find Arsenic, Zirconium and Ruthenium among the Fumarole Crystals. My materials storage is now up to 113 Premium FSD Injections, limited on Polonium, and 21 Premium AFMU Refills, limited on Ruthenium.

(SRV Herbie poised to collect Ruthenium Needle Crystals, just removed from the active Sulphur Dioxide Fumarole in the background)

Leaving Grea Flyiae behind, upon encountering the Blue Priae Sector, I took a break from travelling and began a survey of all Type B and Type A blue stars in the region, just to try and find a Point Of Interest in this increasingly sparse and bleak region that I could give a name to with 'Blue' in the title. After much fruitless searching I did find a green A-Type system at Blue Priae ID-Z d1-2, which apart from possessing all jumponium elements, also featured a terraformable High Metal Content World and an Ammonia World. A similar system was to be found at Blue Priae TF-V d3-1, also with a terraformable High Metal Content World and an Ammonia World, but this was not a green system. Also at Blue Priae HD-Z d1-0 there was an Earth-Like World in a green ternary system, with another terraformable High Metal Content World.

(EV Enterprise discovers Blue Priae HD-Z d1-0 A4, a rare Earth-Like World in the Mare Desperationis, orbiting a blue-white star in the Blue Priae Sector)

However none of these systems were really exciting enough to report a special Point of Interest. By the time I had finished in the Blue Priae Sector, I had visited sixty-four previously unexplored Type A blue-white and two Type B blue star systems, and in navigating the sparser regions of the Sector had used four Basic, three Standard and five Premium FSD Injections, leaving me with 147 Basic, 132 Standard and 108 Premium FSD Injections upon leaving the Blue Priae Sector.

Wishing to stay ahead of the steadily progressing Pegasus Run 3305 Expedition, did not stop at any more systems. Every neutron star on the route to Alastor had already been discovered, and the Mare Desperationis did not seem so remote as it really is at all. The Oombad VG-S d5-3 neutron system, first discovered by Commander Greeze, was interesting in that it turned out to be a green system despite only containing three High Metal Content Worlds with a Rocky Body orbiting the first of these.

A good slog then to cross into the Abyssal Plain from the bleakly uninteresting Mare Desparationis, and reach the Flyoo Groa SO-Z e0 Nebula, otherwise known as Alastor. This blue and pink supernova remnant cloud surrounds a neutron star with two Type K orange stars in orbit, one of which is itself orbited by a Gas Giant with Water-Based Life. This system is also one of the only known locations inhabited by Stolon Trees, and such were the first Notable Stellar Phenomenon I have encountered.

(EV Enterprise approaching the Flyoo Groa SO-Z e0 Nebula from 21.4ly away)

(Leaving the jet cone of Flyoo Groa SO-Z e0 A)

(Approaching the Roseum Lagrange Cloud at Flyoo Groa SO-Z e0 B)

(Investigating a huge Stolon Tree organism)

(At the Gas Giant with Water-Based Life Flyoo Groa SO-Z e0 B1)

I must now put on speed to stay ahead of the Pegasus 3305 Runners, who are due to rendezvous at the Bleae Freau DL-Y d16 system tomorrow, only 7,500ly behind my present position, so that I may be sure to rendezvous with them at Beagle Point. So I am heading straight on for the Strivie JG-Y e3 system, a quaternary system of blue-white stars, over 4,000ly away again.

 

[GunnerBill]

Nice write up CMDR!

During my travels I never quite got to the bottom of whether premium AFMU was any better than simply spamming basic refills? You've been out there much longer than my meagre trip to Beagle and back, how do you feel about the two in comparison?

Fly safe!

EDIT: I read a couple of posts back and it looks like you are not convinced either!

 

[Orvidius]

During my travels I never quite got to the bottom of whether premium AFMU was any better than simply spamming basic refills? You've been out there much longer than my meagre trip to Beagle and back, how do you feel about the two in comparison?

Premium refills just perform the repairs faster. They repair the same amounts though, so it's just a question of whether the extra mats are worth it to you to save a little repairing time.

 

[Commander William Diffin]

During my travels I never quite got to the bottom of whether premium AFMU was any better than simply spamming basic refills? You've been out there much longer than my meagre trip to Beagle and back, how do you feel about the two in comparison?

Premium refills just perform the repairs faster. They repair the same amounts though, so it's just a question of whether the extra mats are worth it to you to save a little repairing time.

Yep. It's as Orvidius says. Personally I feel that the Premium AFMU refill is just an excuse to deploy the SRV and gather materials. If it actually made the AFMU 'ammo' go further in terms of repairing more damage, that would be worth something.

 

[Mrat13]

Yep. It's as Orvidius says. Personally I feel that the Premium AFMU refill is just an excuse to deploy the SRV and gather materials. If it actually made the AFMU 'ammo' go further in terms of repairing more damage, that would be worth something.

OP, how far along are you in your travel, roughly?

 

[Commander William Diffin]

OP, how far along are you in your travel, roughly?

About 100,000ly, a third of the way around. The cumulative distances of each Waypoint are given in post №1 of this thread, and at the beginning of each report posted as I reach each Waypoint, in the format Waypoint № - distance from last Waypoint - cumulative distance from start - popular name of Waypoint, system name of Waypoint.

 

[Commander William Diffin]

Day Eight hundred and twenty-two:

Waypoint №25 - 4,242.52 - 100,899.02 - The Four Muses, Strivie JG-Y e3

An uneventful run to the next Waypoint. Only stopped at one system on the way to investigate and map the double ringed-world Blia Chria RO-I d9-10 AB2-3. Blia Chria RO-I d9-10 AB3 has an unusually thin single Metal Rich Ring. Both worlds have Pristine Reserves.

(Approaching Blia Chria RO-I d9-10 AB2-3, [Blia Chria RO-I d9-10 AB3 is on the right])

The Four Muses themselves are not particularly exciting, but make a fine landmark system in this remote region of the Galaxy, with three Type B and one Type A stars. There is also a High Metal Content World in the system which has been thoroughly mapped along with the stars.

(EV Enterprise at The Four Muses)

The next Waypoint is the Theuche Brahe Nebula, over 11,000ly away. Along the way is the Eufarb UT-Z d13-37 system, known for the famous 'Shadow Geysers' which used to be found on the small moonlet Eufarb UT-Z d13-37 1ca. This system has been chosen as Waypoint 10 for the Pegasus Run 3305 Expedition, which is due to rendezvous there in thirteen days. So I will scout the area for a suitable basecamp for the Expedition before pressing on to the Nebula.