Sidewinder Mk. I Galactic Circumnavigation Attempt

[Commander William Diffin]

Day Eight hundred and sixty-two:

Waypoint №34 - 5,139.84 - 140,740.05 - The Sublustris Beacon, Cheae Eurl AA-A e0

The first neutron star I encountered in in the Abyss at QautheiA BL-P d5-0 had been discovered by Commander Ginrikuzuma, with the three orbiting planets all previously scanned too. The first planet in the system, a High Metal Content World, hadn't been mapped however, so I took the opportunity to leave my mark in this system by mapping it myself.

In the Byeia Broae DC-D d12-8 system, a Type F White Star just over halfway out into the Abyss orbited by nine solid but unlandable planets, I found an unmapped Earth-Like World Byeia Broae DC-D d12-8 4, double with a terraformable High Metal Content World Byeia Broae DC-D d12-8 5, both first discovered by Commander Allitnil, whose discovery tags I seem to remember seeing all around the routes to Beagle Point. Mapped both worlds. The High Metal Content World Byeia Broae DC-D d12-8 3 is also terraformable, as is its only satellite, the Rocky World Byeia Broae DC-D d12-8 3A.

(Earth-Like World Byeia Broae DC-D d12-8 4)

(Terraformable High Metal Content World Byeia Broae DC-D d12-8 5)

The neutron star at Cheae Theia XJ-R d4-3 is unremarkable, with three unlandable Icy Bodies orbiting, but for some reason the Discovery Tag is glitched. According to EDSM it was discovered by Commander Lightspeed. I scanned the three planets.


(Cheae Theia XJ-R d4-3 discovery tag glitch)

Stumbled across a Type A Blue-White Supergiant at Cheae Theia ZK-P e5-0, first discovered by Commander Zatie. The star is orbited by three double planets, all discovered previously, the first double mapped. I mapped the second double High Metal Content Worlds Cheae Theia ZK-P e5-0 3/4, both worlds being near twins of each other. Cheae Theia ZK-P e5-0 3 has Ruthenium, Cheae Theia ZK-P e5-0 4 Polonium.

(Enterprise leaving the atmosphere of Type A Blue-White Supergiant at Cheae Theia ZK-P e5-0)

(above: Passing Cheae Theia ZK-P e5-0 3 on the way to the apparently identical twin world Cheae Theia ZK-P e5-0 4, below: Cheae Theia ZK-P e5-0 4)

Then I mapped the first High Metal Content World of the entirely explored neutron star system Cheae Theia KO-Z d13-0. The other five worlds of the system remain to be mapped. Nearly across the Abyss now, the Roncevaux Crossing should be easy in a ship like Enterprise.

(After mapping Cheae Theia KO-Z d13-0 1)

Some more mapping at Ooctact AC-D d12-5, of the first planet of the primary in this binary Type A / Type K system. The system has already been entirely scanned, and the main object of interest is the Earth-Like World at Ooctact AC-D d12-5, which has also already been mapped.

(After mapping Ooctact AC-D d12-5 1)

The Sublustris Beacon, Cheae Eurl AA-A e0, is a Type B Blue Star which serves as a navigational rally point for ships taking the Roncevaux Crossing. I decided to land on the third planet to gather materials, particularly Mercury for SRV Standard and Premium Fuel Refills, coming down in a field of Silicate Magma Lava Spouts. As it was, I came down too hard and did 5% damage to Enterprise's Hull Integrity. I need to clean the contacts on my controller's POV Hat that I use for directional thrust. And then the various Crystalline Fragments, Clusters and Needles I collected yielded Antimony rather than Mercury.

(Enterprise on Orbital Glide coming down onto Cheae Eurl AA-A e0 3 past a large impact crater)

(Landed)

(SRV Herbie approaching Crystalline Cluster affixed to Silicate Magma Lava Spout)

I have now crossed the Abyss and am in the Sagittarius-Carina Arm on the far side of the Galaxy, 61,000ly from the Bubble, and 10,000ly from Beagle Point. Tomorrow the Pegasus Run Expedition rendezvous at Chua Eop ZC-T c20-0, still in the Scutum-Centaurus Arm. From there they will cross the Abyss directly opposite Beagle Point, only 6,800ly away, to arrive 14 March a fortnight later. I am still on course to get there ahead of them.

 

[Arnoldo]

What ship I choose to fly does not give you the right to call me insane and then hijack my thread. I'm not going to take that as a compliment in any context, because as I already told you, I'm not insane. I take space exploration seriously.

Whilst I did not participate, I am aware of the DECE expedition through its flagship, the Leviathan piloted by Commander Marlon Blake, which was the only Sidewinder registered on that expedition. I believe he disappeared somewhere in the Outer Arm Vacuus two years ago, without completing the first 50,000Ly of that Galactic circumnavigation attempt. I was the last to speak to him on his own circumnavigation thread. His is the only other Sidewinder circumnavigation attempt that I am aware of. And I see no trace of you on the DECE flight roster or on their thread.

If you want to wish The Pegasus Run 3305 Expedition well, you should contact them directly on their thread, which I already posted the link to. And I have no desire to meet you either.

My my, we are a snippy pixel pilot aren't we? I honestly had no intention of 'hijacking'your thread, my only desire was (in a round about way) to express my admiration for you on your choice of ship for such a long journey.

You appear to have interpreted my poor choice of words as a genuine assessment of the state of your mental health - I apologise for any offence I may have caused as it's apparent from the tone of your responses that there's nothing wrong with you - no sirree, far from it, probably the sanest person on these forums. Congrats on your stability and well-being, a shining example to us all...

In regard to DECE, I wasn't aware that Marlon Blake's Leviathan was the exped flagship - musta missed that while I was imagining my participation in the exped! Guess there' may be sanity issues with a number of the other pilots on the trip as they appear to have been having conversations in game, in Discord and in the DECE forum post with a figment of their imagination. In regard to the EDSM ship roster, #180. In regard to the forum thread, suggest you read it rather than relying on the inefficient search algorithm.

Anyhoo, so as not to hijack your thread any further or prolong an interaction that obviously isn't welcome, I'll bid you an extremely warm o7 Cmdr - good luck with the rest of your exped

 

[Commander William Diffin]

My my, we are a snippy pixel pilot aren't we? I honestly had no intention of 'hijacking'your thread, my only desire was (in a round about way) to express my admiration for you on your choice of ship for such a long journey.

You appear to have interpreted my poor choice of words as a genuine assessment of the state of your mental health - I apologise for any offence I may have caused as it's apparent from the tone of your responses that there's nothing wrong with you - no sirree, far from it, probably the sanest person on these forums. Congrats on your stability and well-being, a shining example to us all...

In regard to DECE, I wasn't aware that Marlon Blake's Leviathan was the exped flagship - musta missed that while I was imagining my participation in the exped! Guess there' may be sanity issues with a number of the other pilots on the trip as they appear to have been having conversations in game, in Discord and in the DECE forum post with a figment of their imagination. In regard to the EDSM ship roster, #180. In regard to the forum thread, suggest you read it rather than relying on the inefficient search algorithm.

Anyhoo, so as not to hijack your thread any further or prolong an interaction that obviously isn't welcome, I'll bid you an extremely warm o7 Cmdr - good luck with the rest of your exped

off

 

[Commander William Diffin]

Day Eight hundred and sixty-eight:

Waypoint №35 - 3,480.96 - 144,221.01 - Permadesco Zoi, Puwhoi ZO-I d9-4

Whilst the route to Beagle Point from the Sublustris Beacon is an exploration thoroughfare, with many systems already scanned, most of the planets of these systems have yet to be mapped. So I am making myself useful by mapping one or two bodies in the more interesting systems to mark my passage.

The ternary system Syneayoo UQ-P c5-1 possesses an Earth-Like World A8, discovered by Commander Silvershadow, and mapped by Commander Torm Serbius, so I mapped the High Metal Content World A2, also scanned by Commander Silvershadow.

(About to map High Metal Content World Syneayoo UQ-P c5-1 A2)

Then the neutron star at Syneayoo AZ-S d3-1 was discovered by none other than the late Commander Salomé. I mapped the Class IV Gas Giant Syneayoo AZ-S d3-1 1 and its third moon the Rocky World 1C.

(After mapping Class IV Gas Giant Syneayoo AZ-S d3-1 1)

But then with only ten days left to the Pegasus Run rendezvous, and with Enterprise still 8,000Ly from Beagle Point, I had to put on speed. Most systems on the route were M-Type stars, and those that weren't had been entirely explored if not mapped, but after this point I stopped checking and just pressed on.

And so I arrived at Permadesco Zoi, the Puwhoi ZO-I d9-4 system, remarkable for having three Water Worlds. Just a quick look, then straight on to the Last Stop Saloon.

(EV Enterprise at Puwhoi ZO-I d9-4 6)

(Puwhoi ZO-I d9-4 8)

(Puwhoi ZO-I d9-4 7, double with 8 in the background and the primary Type A star)

 

[Commander William Diffin]

Day Eight hundred and seventy-one:

Waypoint №36 - 1,164.72 - 145,385.73 - Last Stop Saloon, Fleckia FI-Z d1-6

Following a neutron boost at Nuwia CS-H d11-9, had to refill the AFMU for the thirteenth time and repair the malfunctioning FSD, when I noticed damage across all systems, perhaps accrued during the hard landing on Cheae Eurl AA-A e0 3 a while back. This I repaired. Hull Integrity is at 84%, AFMU at 82% and Power Plant at 88%.

The 'Last Stop Saloon' was the penultimate waypoint of the Sagittarius-Carina Expedition, chosen because it was the only system at that time known to contain a Water World, the sight of which was thought to be important for the well-being of commanders so far from inhabited space. During the expedition an Earth-Like World with a moon was discovered in a neighbouring system which better served the purpose. A landing site on that moon was chosen, Fleckia PW-W c4-0 1a, and named the Pale Blue Dot Patio.

(The Last Stop Saloon, Fleckia FI-Z d1-6 5)

(The Pale Blue Dot Patio, Fleckia PW-W c4-0 1a)

Mapped the third planet of the system, a uniformly dull unlandable icy world, to leave my mark there.

(Icy World Fleckia PW-W c4-0 3)

Only six days to the Pegasus Run Waypoint 13 rendezvous at Beagle Point now, and 5,443ly still to cross.

 

[Commander William Diffin]

Day Eight hundred and seventy-five:

Waypoint №37 - 5,197.62 - 150,583.35 - Grill at the End of the Road, Ceeckia ER-I b43-0

After leaving the Last Stop Saloon with its first Water World discovered past the Abyss, I began to find that Water Worlds are actually quite common out here, in fact I must have discovered ten new ones on this run to the next Waypoint.

After discovering a Water World at the Type K system at Fleckaea LN-N c9-0, I found that a Standard Boost was just not quite enough to reach the neutron star at Fleckaea GR-T d4-0 I was trying to get to. The stars are getting sparse here, and I am only 250ly below the Galactic plane. Used a Premium Boost then; I still have 107 of them.

At Fleckaea FC-M b27-0, a dull Type M system, I noticed that my Hull Integrity was down to 83% from 84%. All other systems were undamaged, apart from the already accrued damage to AFMU and Power Plant. EDDiscovery gives no clue as to how the Hull damage happened.

With a little over 2,000ly and four days left to Beagle Point, the stars began to thin out again. From Iorady MB-X d1-0 I began using Jumponium again, beginning with a Basic Boost to the next system on the way to the neutron system Iorady WT-R d4-0. It then took a further two Premium Boosts and a Standard Boost to finally get there.

Matters got worse after that, with the route plotter giving me 83 jumps to cover just 1,225ly. It is a good thing I stocked up with plenty of Jumponium materials. This is old school exploration, just like in the days before Universal Cartographics route plotting, choosing a destination one system at a time. Six Basic, four Standard (actually five, but one of those was a mistake and had to be upgraded to Premium) and eight Premium Boosts later, and I arrived safely at the neutron star at Iorant RI-K d8-0. From there I could finally plot a route to the Waypoint, using just one Premium Boost to cut across a loop of seven jumps necessitated by Enterprise's relatively short jump range. I am now left with Jumponium for 162 Basic, 135 Standard and 96 Premium FSD Boosts.

The Grill at the End of the Road is a green system containing all Jumponium elements, chiefly known for its flaming magma fumaroles on the Rocky Body 1a at 4.8°S, 80.5°W. These had since been reported to have disappeared:

Two Updates to POI

Sadly, both POI have their noted Geysers busted by 3.0 it looks like.

-------------------

POI: Icarus Spouts
System: Pyrie Euq EW-E c11-0

Was at the noted 57.63° / 105.58° and the geysers seem to be gone.

https://imgur.com/74k3UsO

Source: https://i.imgur.com/74k3UsO.png


-------------------

POI: Grill At The End of the Road
System: Ceeckia ER-I b43-0

Was at the noted -4.8, -80.5 and also no Geysers to be found.

https://imgur.com/adZBtIs

Source: https://i.imgur.com/adZBtIs.png

As such, when I finally arrived in the system I neglected to look for the famed fumaroles straight away, and instead concentrated on making my mark on the system, first discovered by the famous Commander Kamzel (who also first discovered and then named the Beagle Point system). Here in the Grill system all of the bodies had already been scanned, but most them had not yet been mapped. I mapped the three Gas Giants 3, 4, and 5, the first two of these having Water-Based Life; and the first moon of 5, which bears Polonium. That still left two planets and many moons for future visitors to map.

(Finished mapping Gas Giant with Water-Based Life Ceeckia ER-I b43-0 3, the planet's three icy moons in the background, from left to right: B, A, and C, B and A being binary)

(Gas Giant with Water-Based Life Ceeckia ER-I b43-0 4)

(Polonium-bearing Icy Body Ceeckia ER-I b43-0 5a, Class II Gas Giant Ceeckia ER-I b43-0 5 in the background)

(EV Enterprise investigating the Carbon Dioxide Ice Geysers of Ceeckia ER-I b43-0 5a)

Only after mapping these worlds did I decide to visit the actual fumarole site which had made this system famous, but had since disappeared.

(EV Enterprise entering the Ceeckia ER-I b43-0 1 planetary system)

Having first mapped the Rocky World Ceeckia ER-I b43-0 1a which was home to the Grill at the End of the Road, I don't remember detecting any geological sites when I did so. However, upon arriving at the co-ordinates of the Grill, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the magma fumaroles had returned, and my Navigation Panel was showing 31 Geological Signals, with the Grill showing as Signal №19. I landed and enjoyed the camp fire ambience of the site, on the remote far side of the Galaxy. This is the first Waypoint on my itinerary to be 65,000ly from Sol.

(EV Enterprise landed in front of a Silicate Magma Lava Spout at The Grill at the End of the Road)

Then I took SRV Herbie for a spin. Collected some Arsenic.

(SRV Herbie about to harvest a Crystalline Cluster)

Finally leaving the site, I rechecked the co-ordinates to reinstate this system with the Galactic Mapping Project.

(Hovering directly above the Geological Signal, now at 4.96°S 80.55°W)

I am now just 14 jumps from Beagle Point. The Pegasus Run Expedition meets there in two days. I think I'm going to make it.

 

[Commander William Diffin]

Day Eight hundred and seventy-seven:

Waypoint №38 - 257.05 - 150,840.40 - Beagle Point

Just fourteen jumps then, and I have returned to Beagle Point for the first time in four years; last time I was here it was still the Ceeckia ZQ-L c24-0 system. I noted that a Tourist Beacon has now been installed in the system, and whilst visiting this and reaching over my controller to use my keyboard to switch to the little-used communication panel, I just happened to catch the Boost button on my controller, and just happened to boost straight into the Beacon, although I managed to grab the controller and pull up at the last instant to only catch the Beacon a glancing blow instead of ploughing headlong into it. Absolutely typical. Damage was 3% to Hull Integrity, which is now down to 80%. It could have been worse, and indeed got worse later, much worse. But all was for the best in the end.

The Tourist Beacon apparently marks the final rendezvous point of the first Distant Worlds Expedition, visited by 3,467 Expedition Commanders, who arrived at Beagle Point about the same time as I did on my first visit there in my Asp Explorer Abeona, although I was not participating in the Expedition myself. Also present at the Tourist Beacon there were one or two tourist passenger ships, and a wing of three ships of the Peckollates Purple Ring, the lead ship of which, the Asp Explorer Wild Sepulchre, buzzed me for booty. I'm not a fan of this tourist beacon.

(The Beagle Point Tourist Beacon hazard)

(EV Enterprise squares up to the Wild Sepulchre. Note Enterprise's extended landing gear, to prevent accidental Boost collisions)

As I arrived in the Beagle Point system, Commander Stubby of the Pegasus Run 3305 Expedition, in which I am a nominal participant, announced on Discord that the landing site for the following day's mass jump would be Darwin's Legacy (Beagle Point 2) 48.56°N 35.57°W. I headed there immediately after finishing at the Beagle Point Tourist Beacon, stopping at the Zy the Beagle Memorial orbiting Darwin's Legacy, to pay my respects. This time the couple of ships loitering in the area were considerate enough to leave me well alone.

(Enterprise saluting the Zy the Beagle Memorial, with High Metal Content World Darwin's Legacy and Class K Orange Star Beagle Point in the background)

Finally arrived at the rendezvous co-ordinates with Beagle Point's sun low over the horizon, illuminating a mountain complex in the distance. No one else here. And now I must wait until the mass jump tomorrow.

(Just arriving at Darwin's Legacy 48.56°N 35.57°W a day early)

And so the next day on 14 March soon after 1800UTC, Pegasus Expedition leader Commander Sgt Stubby duly arrived at Darwin's Legacy, invited me to Wing, and then promptly fired a Repair Limpet at me from his Anaconda Star Diver without being asked, kindly restoring Enterprise's Hull Integrity to 100%. The Wing was later joined by Commander Johnson Sky, flying his Anaconda Recon Explora, and the mysterious Commander WetToast, flying her Krait Mk. II Aphelion.

(SRV Herbie overlooking the Pegasus Run 3305 Expedition Waypoint 13 Base Camp, with Anacondas Star Diver and Recon Explora landed with Sidewinder Mk. I Enterprise)

([from left to right] Star Diver, Enterprise and Recon Explora with SRVs deployed)

Later Commander CosmicWhaleShark turned up in his Anaconda Fes Soyokaze, and engaged in some friendly fireworks with Star Diver.

(Star Diver [foreground] and Fes Soyokaze firing on each other)

When it came to the mass jump however, just as the ships were charging their FSDs, Enterprise sustained a catastrophic ship-wide systems failure for some reason, and was left stranded on the surface for time. I heroically urged the Pegasus Run Expedition to continue without me.

Happily, three days later Commander Vulcan of the Elite Dangerous Customer Support Wing was able to restore Enterprise's condition to fully operational, as if she had just been serviced at her home starport. She now has 100% integrity across all ship systems, and a gleaming new paint job too. Commander Vulcan has done an outstanding job, and I just want to thank him here for the permanent record.

(EV Enterprise still at Beagle Point and as good as new)

(Note Power Plant integrity at 100%)

This completes Stage Four of the Sidewinder Galactic Circumnavigation attempt. The Circumnavigation is now at the halfway point. Upon leaving Beagle Point I shall take a detour to attempt to find the most distant system from Sol that Enterprise can possibly reach in this configuration. And then having only just failed to make the Pegasus Run 3305 Expedition mass jump from Beagle Point, I will try to keep up with them to make the next mass jump at Pegasus Waypoint №14 Angel's Heart, at Pyrie Eurl LX-U c2-0, 9,441ly away from my present position, on 28 March. My own Waypoint №39 Lonely Candle is on the way there, 1,488ly short of Angel's Heart. I will put off restocking Jumponium until after Angel's Heart.

But first I must plot the itinerary for Stage Five.

 

[Nort]

Awesome Commander Diffin.

 

[iain666]

I just happened to catch the Boost button on my controller, and just happened to boost straight into the Beacon, although I managed to grab the controller and pull up at the last instant to only catch the Beacon a glancing blow instead of ploughing headlong into it. Absolutely typical.

I went to see the Zurara during my last circumnavigation and something remarkably similar happened - although I wasn't able to pull up before I rammed nose-first into her...

 

[Commander William Diffin]

I went to see the Zurara during my last circumnavigation and something remarkably similar happened - although I wasn't able to pull up before I rammed nose-first into her...

Arriving at the Zurara, I guided my tiny Scout very carefully around the huge Megaship with Landing Gear deployed to prevent any unpleasant surprises with accidental boosts...

(Enterprise investigating the Zurara)

It's always the time you forget to deploy the Landing Gear whilst exploring something that you accidentally hit Boost.

 

[Commander William Diffin]

Day Eight hundred and eighty-one:

[Waypoint №39 Detour - 552.52ly from Waypoint №38 - n/a - near Semotus Beacon, Oevasy NA-A d0]

Leaving Beagle Point then, before resuming the Circumnavigation I set out to achieve a personal distance record, by heading directly for the Semotus Beacon, Oevasy SG-Y d0, the most distant system from Sol currently reachable by any ship. After burning one Standard and two Premium FSD Boosts, I soon found myself at the last extremity with no way to go but back the way I came, at the Ceeckia FK-C d14-0 system, still 343.53ly from the Semotus Beacon, and 65,433.96ly from Sol. This was still a personal best; last time I was out here in the Asp Explorer Abeona, I only managed to reach Ceeckia FZ-D d13-0, 65,356.04ly from Sol.

(Enterprise reaches the Ceeckia FK-C d14-0 system, 65,433.96ly from Sol)

The next system towards the Beacon from Ceeckia FK-C d14-0 was 93.74ly away, and Enterprise would not have been able to reach it even with Herbie's Planetary Vehicle Hangar replaced with a Class 2 Guardian FSD Booster. This made me suspicious, as I knew that Enterprise should be able to reach Oevasy SG-Y d0 with such a configuration. I backtracked and looked for another way round.

After doing a little research at EDSM, I managed to get onto Commander XBLiterata's Beagle Point to Ishum's Reach Route, and started following the tortuous route to the furthest point in the Galaxy from Sol.

Along the way, at Iorant BE-G c24-0, the next jump to Iorant AC-D d12-0 was 36.24ly and my range was 36.16ly. I just needed to burn a little fuel to increase my range, so, whilst supercruising at many times the speed of light, I decided to switch on all of my redundant modules to increase power consumption. I was quite surprised then, when this had the effect of shutting down my FSD and pulling me out of Supercruise with an Emergency Stop. For some reason my FSD Module Priority had been set to 2. With this unusually high speed stop, the damage to Enterprise was unusually severe, including 7% damage to Hull, 3% to AFMU and a whopping 9% to Power Plant. The other systems fared little better, but at least I could repair them. It hadn't taken long for me to take the shine off my spanking good-as-new serviced ship. After carrying out repairs and readjusting Module Priority, I just used a Basic Boost to get out of the system, of which I still had 157 anyway, just like I should have done in the first place. At least my Module Priorities are sorted out now and the FSD will not shut down in Supercruise again.

Also as I progressed further from Sol, it soon became apparent that every last single star, planet and moon in this remotest region of the Galaxy has been mapped. The name of Commander Darth_Ruehl is particularly conspicuous in this respect. The manner in which he has mapped most every single body in nearly every system out here smacks of a single-mindedness that is nothing short of vicious. I will be fortunate to find any discovery tag scraps out here.

Fortunately then, a first such scrap presented itself in the Myeia Thaa JW-E d11-1 F-Type system, the seventh planet being a Class II Gas Giant having four moons, of which Commander Darth_Ruehl had only mapped the first. I mapped the second, Rocky Body Myeia Thaa JW-E d11-1 7b, leaving the other two for future visitors.

(Rocky Body Myeia Thaa JW-E d11-1 7b, Class II Gas Giant Myeia Thaa JW-E d11-1 7 in the background)

Commander Darth_Ruehl slipped up again at Myeia Thaa VY-H c23-0, having mapped every single last body in the system as usual, but missing out Icy Body Myeia Thaa VY-H c23-0 C6f, over 168,000 light-seconds from the system entry point. C6a-e and C6g all bear his mapping tags. C6f will uniquely bear mine.

(Icy Body Myeia Thaa VY-H c23-0 C6f)

So after 9 Basic, 2 Standard and 10 Premiuim FSD Boosts, I finally arrived at Oevasy NA-A d0, within 115.88ly and two jumps of the Semotus Beacon Oevasy SG-Y d0. The first jump is a prohibitive 82.68ly, and this is as far as Enterprise will ever get unless I come back with a Class 2 Guardian FSD Booster. My new personal best distance from Sol then is 65,563.80ly, and from my Home System of Rangchan is 65,438.13ly. And this achieved with a Sidewinder. Incidentally, I must mention Commander Rampant Haggis, whose blanket tagging of the systems out here replaced Commander Darth_Ruehl's for the very remotest systems, preventing for all time the establishment of a permanent record of their earliest visitors. Again, we see how those who tag entire systems without leaving any space for the tags of future visitors, always do so with excruciatingly ridiculous imaginary space hero names. They know neither shame nor embarrassment.

(Enterprise at Oevasy NA-A d0, 65,563.80ly from Sol)

(No stars left out here)

Now I have to try to get back into the Sagittarius-Carina Arm proper, so that I can catch up with the Pegasus Run. I have 144 Basic, 120 Standard and 84 Premium FSD Boosts left to do it with, so becoming stranded shouldn't become a problem. Navigating is tortuous though.

 

[Commander William Diffin]

Day Eight hundred and eighty-eight:

Waypoint №39 - 8,058.42[ly from Waypoint №38] - 158,898.82 - Lonely Candle, Nuweou CO-F d12-4 [interrupted]

Using four Basic, three Standard and four Premium boosts, I was able to reach Myeia Thaa AZ-H c23-0. From there I was able to begin plotting routes, the first to a neutron star at Iorant HR-N d6-5.

(EDDiscovery map of my travels around Beagle Point and the Semotus Beacon)

Soon after Iorant HR-N d6-5, I began to find systems with undiscovered bodies in them again, in a field of Red Dwarf systems. But all the stars in these systems have been discovered already. I even found brown dwarf systems with all bodies scanned. But if I deviated from the explored systems I would find myself in sparsely populated regions unsuited for my Sidewinder. I headed for the known neutron star at Syriae Thua OO-Z d13-3, the route plotter having no difficulty finding a path.

And then a problem. Commander Zenit of the Elite Dangerous Community Support Wing reported that, what with Commander Vulcan's restoration of Enterprise at Beagle Point, all of my exploration data gathered until then since I left Kraken's Retreat in Colonia, including 2,023 newly-discovered systems and six Earth-Like Worlds, might possibly be lost if I do not hand it in to a starport within the next few weeks.

This means that catching up with the Pegasus Run at Angel's Heart is now out of the question. The nearest starport to my position at Syriae Thua OO-Z d13-3 is Explorer's Anchorage in the Stuemeae FG-Y d7561 system, 38,240.54ly away at the centre of the Galaxy.

So now it is time to embark on another lengthy detour. At least I can give Enterprise another refit at Anchorage; after delivering my exploration data there I intend to max out my Jumponium reserves, then ditch SRV Herbie and max out Enterprise's jump range. But first I must get to Explorer's Anchorage, an adventure all of itself; and right at its outset I must cross the Abyss again, but this time far short of the safe Ronceveaux Crossing...

 

[Chrystoph]

I came across your thread while looking for my prior entries. I would like to say that it was an honor to be included on your list of waypoints (Perseus Deep).

Fair skies, Commander!

 

[Commander William Diffin]

I came across your thread while looking for my prior entries. I would like to say that it was an honor to be included on your list of waypoints (Perseus Deep).

Fair skies, Commander!

Why thank you Commander. The honour is mine; on all my travels I have yet to discover anything worthy of inclusion in the Galactic Mapping Project, nor receive such recognition from someone who has o7

210,555.70ly from Beagle Point to Perseus Deep, via Explorer's Anchorage and all the Waypoints in between now. I'm on my way, but it'll be a while before I get there.

 

[Chrystoph]

My memory of the dive has softened with a bit of distance, but I have vague memories of at least one jump in the vicinity of 80LY. I was flying an AspX at the time, and using boosters.

I sincerely hope you can make the range!

 

[Commander William Diffin]

My memory of the dive has softened with a bit of distance, but I have vague memories of at least one jump in the vicinity of 80LY. I was flying an AspX at the time, and using boosters.

I sincerely hope you can make the range!

Thanks! With a refit at Explorer's Anchorage and a Premium FSD Boost she should be able to make well over 80ly. Will be some time before I get there though!

 

[Commander William Diffin]

Day Nine hundred and twenty-seven:

[Waypoint №39 Detour №2 - 39,677.66ly from Oevasy NA-A d0 - n/a - Explorer's Anchorage, Stuemeae FG-Y d7561]

Another epic run then. At first I approached it by looking for an interesting system (Type O, W, White Dwarf, Non Sequence or nebulous star) to head for, some 15-20,000ly along the path to Explorer's Anchorage, and settled on the Striechoo CL-Y g3 Nebula surrounding a T Tauri Class star. Then I fed the system into Spansh's Neutron Router and obtained a list of 77 neutron stars along the route to Striechoo CL-Y g3, which reduced the number of jumps I might have expected to make to reach Striechoo without neutron boosting by over 200. Then I plotted a route on Galaxy Map for the first neutron star on the list.

Leaving the Sagittarius-Carina Arm on the way to the first neutron star towards the edge of the Abyss, I finally left the explored bubble around Beagle Point and discovered a virgin A-Type system with a Water World with a single moon at Fleckeae UV-K d9-1. It is good to be discovering things for the first time again. I had forgotten that I was out in the Deep Black with all the Discovery Tags I was seeing.

Only needed a Basic FSD Boost for most of the way into the Abyss. My recent discovery turned out to be a fluke though, as I ploughed through a disappointing pageant of previously explored systems. The most exciting perhaps were first Cheiya Dryiae CH-S d5-4, a quaternary system in the middle of the Abyss with a primary A-Type star orbited by three other stars, themselves orbited by an Earth-Like World Cheiya Dryiae CH-S d5-4 BCD 4, with a rocky moon. Commander Vegasissimus had discovered and mapped this world. Then still in the Abyss but approaching the Scutum-Centaurus Arm was Eishav BN-H d11-3, another A-Type star but this one unary, with another Earth-Like World Eishav BN-H d11-3 5 discovered by Commander Sezja and mapped by Commander Frearnaud.

It was only as I reached the outskirts of the Scutum-Centaurus Arm that the going began to get really tortuous. Approaching the neutron system at Cheia Eohn RK-C d14-3 required two Premium and a Standard FSD Boosts. At Cheia Eohn RK-C d14-3, I needed to burn some fuel to reach a star 141.61l-y away, and managed to Emergency Stop again whilst messing with power settings in Supercruise to maximize my fuel use. Hull Integrity is now down by 1% to 92%, AFMU is down 1% to 96% and Power Plant remains the same at 91%. Had to refill the AFMU again, for the fourteenth time since leaving Colonia, to repair the other systems.

Thereafter it took me one Premium, four Standard and one Basic FSD Boost to make the Formorian Frontier, cutting out gigantic loops in the route of upwards of seven systems at a time with each boost. This is still a path well-trodden; even the red dwarfs usually have all planets scanned and sometimes mapped too. Here I abandoned my plan to head for Striechoo CL-Y g3 and decided instead to make for Luna's Shadow as a point of interest.

Another Emergency Stop whilst changing CDs (Liszt late piano works performed by Leslie Howard for Grieg's Piano Concerto performed by Alice Sara Ott). Hull and Power Plant still at 92% and 91% integrity respectively, but AFMU is down 3% to 93%. No matter.

And then another AFMU Refill, after an FSD malfunction at neutron star Byeia Chrea CW-E d11-162. I am entering a good neutron field now and should make rapid progress across the Scutum-Centaurus Arm from here.

And then finally I was discovering things again; an Earth-Like World in the Truechou WY-S d3-293 binary system, itself double with a Water World, both orbiting the secondary Type F white star together.

(Enterprise at Earth-Like World Truechou WY-S d3-293 B7)

With frequent neutron jumping I soon arrived at the Smootoae QY-S d3-202 System, containing the Moon-analogue world Luna's Shadow. I was surprised to find a Tourist Beacon there, the first I've seen since Beagle Point, with three or four ships in attendance. I was hassled for cargo and insulted as usual. These pilots can count themselves lucky I'm not out here in the Pourquoi pas ? in her deep space attack cruiser loadout; all Lightweight Multi-cannons, Incendiary Rounds and Corrosive Shell. I'm never happy to encounter uncouth behaviour outside of the Bubble, and I'm always happy to pick up free Bounty Vouchers whenever they're offered to me.

Apart from the clientele, Luna's Shadow lives up to its name, the system looks very much like the Earth-Moon System in the Bubble, and is on the exact opposite of the Galaxy to it. But it's not the Earth-Moon System even if it looks like it, and it doesn't help with Bubble homesickness. In fact it probably makes it worse, by reminding pilots of what they are so very far away from.

(The thin crescent of Luna's Shadow, Smootoae QY-S d3-202 3a, Water World Smootoae QY-S d3-202 3 and the parent star in the background)

I am now more than halfway across the Scutum-Centaurus Arm, and will soon enter Styx, the region separating Scutum-Centaurus from the Norma Arm.

Another Emergency Stop refuelling from the Class M red dwarf at Plaa Briae RC-M b49-4 A, radius 0.4088r☉. Had to refill AFMU again, and after repairs was left with Hull Integrity 92%, AFMU 91% and Power Plant 90%.

And another Emergency Stop refuelling from the 0.3862r☉ M-Type at Gria Pri JF-C b5-0, at the climax of Alexander Scriabin's Poem of Ecstasy at full volume on speakers. Hull Integrity now 90%, AFMU also 90%, Power Plant down to 88%.

Another AFMU refill at Blu Aowsy UO-Z d13-3. About to enter a 17,000ly stretch of jumping between nearly all neutron stars all the way to the outpost at the Galactic Centre.

Another AFMU refill at Hypumau LW-N d6-2. Making really rapid progress now, although every neutron system on the route has been fully explored.

I take that back; having just discovered the neutron system Bleethuae SJ-O d7-846, for the first time. I left the three unexplored Rocky Worlds orbiting the star for future travellers. It's rare to find a virgin neutron system out here now. I really haven't felt like I'm on the far side of the Galaxy with all these tagged systems. And now that I'm approaching the centre of the Galaxy the sky is becoming crammed with stars.

(Enterprise after discovering Bleethuae XP-M d8-397, on the outskirts of the Perseus Stem)

Discovered another neutron star at Bleethuae WJ-X d2-29. Just a binary with a Type M red dwarf, but encouraging. On the other side of the Perseus Stem I once discovered binary Earth-Like Worlds orbiting a neutron star. Maybe I'll find something exciting yet.

And discovered another neutron star at Bleethuae SD-Z d1-506. Nothing else exciting in the system though. This sector is full of unexplored neutron stars.

Another AFMU refill at Phraa Byoe LO-F d12-1553. Wearing the FSD out regularly now.

And then suddenly I discovered a neutron star with Earth-Like World at Phraa Byoe ND-Q d6-718. In the primary system the double ringed gas giants Phraa Byoe HC-S d5-6825 A2-3 are outstanding, with the moon Phraa Byoe ND-Q d6-718 A2a featuring Silicate Vapour Fumaroles. The secondary system consists of a Type M star orbited by the Earth-Like World and eight terraforming candidate worlds, including the double planets Phraa Byoe ND-Q d6-718 B5-6, B5 being a High Metal Content World with Silicate Magma Spouts and B6 being a Water World; and Phraa Byoe ND-Q d6-718 B7-8, with B7 being the Earth-Like World and B8 another High Metal Content World. [As luck would have it, by the time I reached Explorer's Anchorage and cashed in my data only four days later, Commander Telemachus Odysseus had already discovery tagged the entire system, leaving me with just the first mapping of A2a and B5 to my credit.]

(Approaching Phraa Byoe Phraa Byoe ND-Q d6-718 A2a)

(The Silicate Vapour Fumaroles of Phraa Byoe ND-Q d6-718 A2a)

(Enterprise at the foot of a 1,200m sheer cliff face on Phraa Byoe ND-Q d6-718 A2a)

(The Silicate Magma Spouts of Phraa Byoe ND-Q d6-718 B5)

(Earth-Like World Phraa Byoe ND-Q d6-718 B7)

Soon discovered another Earth-Like World orbiting a neutron star at Hyuqo JI-Q d6-1829, although the neutron star had already been discovered by Commander Kompact Kitty, who was obviously in too much of a hurry to have scanned the rest of the system. Scanned and mapped the Earth-Like World, but left the couple of Rocky and High Metal Content Worlds in the rest of the system for the next traveller. [This discovery at least was not swiped from under me before I could cash in my exploration data.]

(Earth-Like World Hyuqo JI-Q d6-1829 2)

And then another AFMU refill at Aemost FY-F d12-233. And another at Eos Briae SX-U d2-8867. And another at Stuemeae GC-D d12-6584. Once I had hit the neutron highway to the Galactic Centre from the Scutum-Centaurus Arm, the journey to Explorer's Anchorage had been very rapid indeed, and with the frequent FSD repairs I had had to refill the AMFU nine times since leaving Beagle Point, making it twenty-two times since my last docking at Kraken's Retreat in the Los System.

(EV Enterprise arrives at the remote forward station of Explorer's Anchorage, at the centre of the Galaxy)

Arriving at Explorer's Anchorage I immediately ordered the transfer of a Class 2H Guardian FSD Booster from the Bubble to refit Enterprise with. Then I safely cashed in CR330,299,891 of exploration data, reporting my success to the Elite Dangerous Community Support Wing. Now I have some work to do. First I must go prospecting and max out my materials storage in every useful department. Then I must ditch the SRV and refit Enterprise for maximum range. Then I can head back out to the edge of the Galaxy and resume the Circumnavigation.

 

[Commander William Diffin]

Day Nine hundred and thirty-seven:

[[Waypoint №39 Detour №2 - 39,677.66ly from Oevasy NA-A d0 - n/a - Explorer's Anchorage, Stuemeae FG-Y d7561 (continued)]

Before leaving Explorer's Anchorage to prospect for the materials I will need to complete the Circumnavigation, I refitted my Sidewinder to take advantage of the limited facilities available, placing my Fuel Scoop and Lightweight Alloy into storage and replacing them with a Class 2C Bi-weave Shield Generator and Military Grade Composite respectively. Then I headed for Stuemeae GG-Y c5005 1, a Metal-Rich Body where the surface Polonium concentration is 1.1%.

(EV Enterprise prior to refit)

(SRV Herbie discovers a wrecked SRV on Stuemeae GG-Y c5005 1

After maxing my Polonium storage to 150, Niobium storage to 200, and collecting a number of other useful materials, headed for Stuemeae AA-A d4628 1fa, a Rocky Body with a surface concentration of 3.0% Arsenic. First I harvested all of the Geological features on this moon.

(On the floor of a graben filled with Sulphur Dioxide Gas Vents, on Rocky Body Stuemeae AA-A d4628 1fa)

(Sulphur Dioxide Fumaroles on Stuemeae AA-A d4628 1fa, Stuemeae AA-A d4628 1f hanging over the horizon)

(SRV Herbie prospecting amongst the Sulphur Dioxide Fumaroles)

Then I landed in the middle of a vast lava plain to finish filling my materials storage with Arsenic, a notoriously difficult element to find.

(Resting on the plains of Stuemeae AA-A d4628 1fa after filling Arsenic storage to 250)

Then moved on to Metal-Rich Body Stuemeae GG-Y c165 2, to collect Yttrium.

(Prospecting for Yttrium among the Fumaroles of Stuemeae GG-Y c165 2, Stuemeae GG-Y c165 1 partially eclipsing the luminary)

Moved on to Rocky Body Juenae BC-B d1-810 1ba Rocky Body, to fill out my Germanium storage and pick up Phosphorus too.

(Prospecting for Germanium among the Prasinum Sinuous Tubers of Juenae BC-B d1-810 1ba, Juenae BC-B d1-810 1b looming huge on the horizon)

Finally, I maxed out my Vanadium supply at the Metal-Rich Body Stuemeae GG-Y c4843 1. After a week of prospecting, I now have the following materials maxed:

For FSD Boosts:
Carbon: 300
Vanadium: 250
Germanium: 250
Cadmium: 200
Niobium: 200
Arsenic: 250
Yttrium: 150
Polonium: 150

For AFMU Refills:
Nickel: 300
Zinc: 250
Chromium: 250
Tin: 200
Manganese: 250
Molybdenum: 200
Zirconium: 250

For Life Support:
Iron: 300

Only Vanadium really worries me, what with 3 × Vanadium being required for each Basic AFMU Refill, and 1 × Vanadium required each for Basic and Standard FSD Boosts. But then I just travelled over 147,000ly since Colonia, including a massive neutron highway across the Scutum-Centaurus Arm, Norma Arm, Perseus Stem, Far 3kpc Arm and Galactic Centre, using only twenty-two AFMU refills and 66 Vanadium. So I should have no problems with running out of materials for the remaining 181,000ly I have yet to travel to complete the Circumnavigation. (Now you see why I kept count of each time I refilled the AFMU.)

This means I can now ditch SRV Herbie and his Planetary Vehicle Hangar, giving me a massive increase in range for the second half of the Circumnavigation, which will be of great help in the more remote and unknown regions than the first half took in. It also frees a Module Slot for my Class 2H Guardian FSD Booster, now arrived from the Bubble, which adds another 2ly to my range when I replace the Class 1H Booster with it. The Class 1H Booster stays in storage at Explorer's Anchorage, just leaving me with the question of what to replace it with. I would prefer a Class 1A AFMU, with which to repair the AFMU that I already have fitted, but Explorer's Anchorage does not stock them. In fact the only zero-mass Modules stocked here are Cargo Racks, Flight Assists, Refineries, and Surface Scanners. So I have installed a Class 1E Supercruise Assist. Whilst useful for entering orbit around planets I will probably never use it, but at least it will take some of any damage spread away from the crucial Power Plant module.

Faulcon DeLacy Sidewinder Mk. I EV Enterprise

EV Enterprise 3205-08-18 Refit https://s.orbis.zone/6ep8	EV Enterprise 3206-05-13 Refit https://s.orbis.zone/6w5s
Speed: 287m/s	Speed: 291m/s
Boost: 417m/s	Boost: 423m/s
Max. Jump Range: 36.43ly	Max. Jump Range: 44.31ly
Laden Jump Range: 34.11ly	Laden Jump Range: 41.12ly
Total Jump Range: 151.61ly	Total Jump Range: 184.57ly

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

Cargo: 0t	Cargo: 0t
Fuel: 4t	Fuel: 4t
Unladen Mass: 38t	Unladen Mass: 32t
Laden Mass: 42t	Laden Mass: 36t

Crew: 1

Crew: 1

CORE INTERNAL

1C Lightweight Alloy [G5 Heavy Duty Deep Plating]	1C Lightweight Alloy [G5 Heavy Duty Deep Plating]
2D Power Plant [G3 Low Emissions Stripped Down]	2D Power Plant [G3 Low Emissions Stripped Down]
2D Thrusters [G5 Clean Drive Tuning Stripped Down]	2D Thrusters [G5 Clean Drive Tuning Stripped Down]
2A Frame Shift Drive [G5 Increased Range Deep Charge]	2A Frame Shift Drive [G5 Increased Range Deep Charge]
1D Life Support [G5 Lightweight]	1D Life Support [G5 Lightweight]
1D Power Distributor [G3 Engine Focused Stripped Down]	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	2H Guardian FSD Booster
1H Guardian FSD Booster	1E Supercruise Assist
1C Detailed Surface Scanner	1C Detailed Surface Scanner
1A Auto Field Maintenance Unit	1A Auto Field Maintenance Unit
1C Extra Fuel Tank	1C Extra Fuel Tank

HARDPOINTS

Small EMPTY	Small EMPTY
Small EMPTY	Small EMPTY

UTILITY MOUNTS

EMPTY	EMPTY
EMPTY	EMPTY

(EV Enterprise refitted at Explorer's Anchorage and ready for launch)

Next Waypoint is the Lonely Candle, 37,376.37ly out to the edge of the Galaxy again. Another long slog ahead.

 

[Gimp in stars]

You, Sir, are a madman.. In a positive way of course. Long time ago I was watching some Cmdr flying to BP with a sidey called Son of a Sneaky Pete, iirc, the gentleman was wearing a hat and he was drinking some single malt tea. It was just stunning, but this, this is beyond my comprehension. Hats off to you. Safe travels!

edit:
Found a link.. hmm it was not so long ago, the video is 4 months old?? That's weird. Anyway, it was CMDR r4nger0, and indeed was wearing a hat!
Cheers!

 

[Commander William Diffin]

You, Sir, are a madman.. In a positive way of course. Long time ago I was watching some Cmdr flying to BP with a sidey called Son of a Sneaky Pete, iirc, the gentleman was wearing a hat and he was drinking some single malt tea. It was just stunning, but this is beyond my comprehension. Hats off to you. Safe travels!

This again. I know you mean well, but I'm not a madman. I just take my space exploration seriously. If I didn't, I probably would go mad. Or else disappear without trace like other Sidewinder Commanders out in the Deep Black.

But there's a still a long way for me to go yet. Who knows, I could still completely lose my sheet somewhere out in the deepest darkest Tenebris.