The Great Exploring in Style Expedition

CMDR Space Lurker

C
Earlier today I hopped into my shiny Orca, the "Narwhal", and headed out of the bubble on a combined exploration trip and sightseeing tour. We are now on the threshold of the Coalsack. When we arrive, there will be Dark Chocholate cake and Dark Beer served up on the obseravion deck!
coalsack.jpg

My plan for this expedition is to go visit nice places, and to travel along our local arm of the galaxy, so that the limited Jump Range of the Narwhal won't be an issue. I plan to find plenty of ELWs too..,. :)
 

CMDR Space Lurker

C
"Since our ship looks all pink in the light from the orange giant in front of us, we are serving colourful umbrella drinks by the Jacuzzi. Bring your sunglasses."
pink.jpg
Expedition is proceeding as much according to plan as it possibly could. We have made our first scan of an untagged planet, a Jovian less than 700LYs from Sol. Most of the system was tagged, but the striped gas giant and its moons were unclaimed. Now they are mine! :)
 

CMDR Space Lurker

C
An eventful day for our partying explorers! We have passed by a few giant stars, made our first planetfall by a huge crater, and now also found our first untagged Water World, and it is a Terraformable!

As the guests are marvelling at the water world rising above the moon's snowy horizon, the flight crew is getting ready to scan all the HMCs and Rocks in the system.

crater.jpgWater_World.jpg
 

Cmdr Frawd Digger

Cmdr Frawd Digger
Man, what was I thinking?!? To the far rim in a sidey...

To the far rim in an orca sounds like much more fun! No drinking recycled water on your pleasure craft!

(Edit: Oh, that's right...couldn't afford anything more that a sidey.)

Frawd
 
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CMDR Space Lurker

C
"Ladies and Gentlemen, we have successfully made planetfall on a small rock orbiting close to the local star. Outside you can see the awesome spectacle of the local star risingn, the twin of this planet looming in the sky, and the ominous black shape of the Coalsack in the distance... take your time admiring it all, the kitchen is preparing tonight's feast, and the beer is on cooling!... see you all in the lounge."
twinmoons.jpg
 

CMDR Space Lurker

C
The Tour continues. We have taken a turn towards Barnard's Loop. You need to go somewhere spectacular to please the very demanding guests.
Today's events:
"We have successfully avoided the Iceberg. There is no danger."
ice_spaceways.jpg

I did some driving on a rather spectacularly ringed planet while the guests were having dinner in a high-G envoriment.
driving.jpg

"Now, it is vitally important to keep your limbs AWAY from the Event Horizon at alla times!"
party.jpg
 

CMDR Space Lurker

C
The Great Exploring in Style Expedition is slogging on towards Barnard's Loop. We're having lots of fun, food and luxury on the way.

"We are the first to discover this Chocholate Giant, if we eat it all, it will be like it never existed!..."
chocholate.jpg

"Ladies and Gentlemen, we are on final approach to Hell. Warm clothes will not be needed."
hell.jpg

"Downhill!..."
slope.jpg

The Orca is a surprisingly good Canyon Runner for its size... as long as you have A-grade thrusters.
 

IliteratSqirel

I
Aww mate, this is good stuff, keep up the reports - I enkoy reading of the pleasure barge's adventures while going back to the bubble from the far side. Your approach to exploration makes for a nice contrast to my no-frills trip in a T6.

Will give you reps once I'm no longer on mobile.

CMDR iliteratSqirel
 

Ouberos

Ouberos
This is exactly what I am planning. I'm heading to the core soon and thought the Orca would be a suitable statement for my Commander.
Could you post your load out?
What was the total cost?
 

PaleoGamer

PaleoGamer
I actually plan to get an Orca before an Anaconda. Hopefully passenger missions will be live before I get back from Beagle Point.
 

SpaceMonkeyz

SpaceMonkeyz
The least flown ship in ED is growing in popularity. I am also interested in making my first Core Expedition in an Orca. Why fly a guppy when you can take a whale?

Kudos(and rep) for you OP for living my dream :p
 

CMDR Space Lurker

C
Hi everyone!.. Nice to see some posts here!.. :)

Since I can't do a Shipyard screenshot out in uninhabited space, I'll give you the most important parts of the loadout:
FSD is obviously max size A grade, as are the thrusters. Distributor is 5D, Fuel Scoop is 5A, shields are 4D.. Then I have a hangar with 2 SRVs, and a small (Size 3), AFMU.
I have a full loadout of chaff, point defence and shield boosters on the utility hardpoints, the weight of those tings is so small anyhow. I have size 1 Beam Laser on the central hardpoint, since it is nice to be able to shoot at ice blocks out in space. :)
Jump range is just over 16LY, and the fuel tank doesn't hold more than about 3 max jumps.. but my scoop refills it really quickly. It feels like the ship heats up very quickly even though I have an A grade power plant.. but I'm probably spoiled by the Diamondback I was flying for quite some time before..
 

CMDR Space Lurker

C
Today we have continued onwards towards Barnard's Loop. Even in this very well travelled bit of the Galaxy there are still lots of untagged objects. (Most of the spectacular ones like B and O stars are tagged, though, as are most ELVs)

Today's highlights:
"Dear Imperials, this is how you bask! Pool Party on the observation deck! Clothes optional, sunscreen recommended!" The star is a fair sized Orange Giant.
Bask.jpg

"Behold the Majestic Eclipse!..."
While the guests were feasting on lobster and gin, I did some driving on this planet, it had plenty of materials on it and it was driving friendly.
Eclipse.jpg

"We are getting closer..."
We perched on this craggy little mountain to take it easy after a few days' partying.
Perched.jpg
 
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CMDR Space Lurker

C
With this short jump range, reaching Barnard's Loop has suddenly become a challenge... I have struck a dead end less than 80LY from the great cluster around the Orion Nebula... there will have to be serious backtracking.
"See the great Loop of Barnard's!...."
View attachment 105046
 

Agony_Aunt

Agony_Aunt
Wow, no extra fuel tank!!!

Man, after i went on a tour in an Orca I swore if i ever did it again i would take extra fuel tanks.
 
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