The S.H.E.P.A.R.D. MISSION: Elite Dangerous Deep Space Exploration

DEPARTING NOV 5th - The S.H.E.P.A.R.D. MISSION: Deep Space Exploration

The S.H.E.P.A.R.D. MISSION: Stellar Heliographic Expedition for Proto Astronomical Reconnaissance and Discovery

***Departing Nov 5, 3302***
Arrives back at Sol on May 5, 3303 - the same date SHEPARD achieved orbit

***Sign Up Here!!!***
https://goo.gl/forms/CpOGqOm7lKPJNOvn2

***EdEx Discord Server Link Here***

https://discord.gg/0t9DFHttXuE4HkFR

***EDSM Expedition Page with Waypoints & Basecamps***
https://www.edsm.net/expeditions/summary/id/13/name/S.H.E.P.A.R.D.+Mission

***Download High-res pdf of SHEPARD Here***
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***Download High-res pdf of WAYPOINTS & BASECAMPS Here***
View attachment 113185

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The S.H.E.P.A.R.D Mission
of interstellar discovery is a 6-month exploration mission named in honor of Alan Shepard, the second human to enter space, and one of only twelve humans to land on the moon during the historic Apollo Missions. Our mission is to obtain scientific data - to observe, document, and collect three primary types of deep space measurements:

0.1_
Scan the stars of over 10,000+ systems to collect data on star migration and composition to understand relationships between star locations, movement, and clustering around galactic arms - including detailed surface scans of hyper-fast rotating planets and stars.

0.2_ Collect and collate information from over 30 Planetary Nebula and Supernova Remnants // To discover new unexplored and unknown planetary nebula, in particular on the far side of the galaxy.

0.3_ Perform a deep image scan of visible light from three distinct and distant locations across the galaxy to triangulate stellar formation and movement.




MISSION DESCRIPTION:

The SHEPARD Mission is first and foremost a fleet exploration mission - think Distant Worlds or the Galactic Nebula Expedition. This means, most of the time we will be flying independently, scanning systems (honking), and performing detailed surface scans of astronomical bodies that compel us. Where SHEPARD differs, however, are in two ways - duration and 'scientific' aims:

A) Duration
- The SHEPARD Mission is one of the longest of its kind. Taking 6 months to travel through the galaxy, which is longer than Distant Worlds & GNE Combined! There are two primary reasons for this. First is that SHEPARD is intended to be a pure exploration mission, where commanders take their time searching out unknown and unique points of interest in the galaxy, rather than simply jump scan / jump scan from waypoint to waypoint only looking at 'sights and wonders'. It is the hope, especially in the relatviely unexplored regions of Leg 2 & Leg 3 - that we will find some new astronomical anomalies (multiple black hole systems, binary Earth Likes, unknown planetary nebula)... The second reason that SHEPARD is so long in duration is that it is a return journey... which makes it roughly twice as long!

B) Scientific Aim
- While I will be the first to admit, it is hard to do KEPLER scans of the galaxy, we can however achieve some level of astronomical contribution for the ED Galaxy. We hope to achieve this is 4 ways:

-First, throughout the trip it is encouraged that all cmdrs have EDDiscovery installed on their ships computers... this will allow system you visit to be logged with EDSM - the Elite Dangerous Star Map https://www.edsm.net/ which is a comprehensive cataloque of all visited and known stars in the galaxy. EDSM will also route and track our expedition and add our progress to a 3-D map of the galaxy. SHEPARD has just been entered into the database and you can track our progess here (https://www.edsm.net/expeditions/sum...A.R.D.+Mission).

-Second, we will climb to the top of the galactic ceiling at Waypoint 22 (just outside the Near 3k Arm in the Galactic Core). This trip will utilize the new Pulsar FSD boost technology (loads of NS and WD at this location), along with increased ranges from 2.1 and 2.2, to take us further up the ceiling than that which has ever been achieved in the history of mankind.

-Third, once we are up there we will perform our third and final Deep Image Scan. A Deep Image scan is a distant photographic scan of visible light similar to the Hubble Telescope. The process to compile one of these is to capture 8-10 super-high resolution photographs of the galactic core (4k high-res screenshots in solo mode), and then stitch these together. Once we have all three, it may be possible to 'triangulate' (used loosely here) or combine these photographs into a 3-dimensional image / model of the galaxy. Moreover, having these images may help with the galactic mapping project and EDSM - which will use our collective system scan data (see first point about EDdiscovery and EDSM) to trilaterate (triangulate) exact coordinates of systems in the galaxy. Trilateration is already happening on EDSM.

Fourth and final, we have scheduled an endurance circumnavigation of a small planet during the journey. While this is a mostly fun endevour to help break space madness, we will use this information to create full map of the surface of a planet, with different regions, natural wonders, etc...

It is the aim of SHEPARD to at least attempt to push the scientific limits of ED, and merge role playing with actually database creation. We have a series of event planned (climb to the ceiling / SRV Endurance Race / Christmas at Beagle Point) for SHEPARD that will not only distinguish it from some of its predecessors, but also make it fun. 6 Months is a long time out in the black - but again, that is also one of the things that will make SHEPARD Epic!!! We would love to have you on the mission, and hope that this makes some of the aims and means of SHEPARD a little more clear. Stay tuned for a trailer video soon!!!


DEPARTURE TIME & LOCATIONS:

November 5, 3302
Primary Departure Point: 18:30 UTC [game time]
Sol - 10 km outside of Galileo Station (orbiting the Moon)

Alternate Departure Point: 18:45 UTC [game time]
Epsilon Indi - Mitterland Hollow
20km from Barcello Penal Colony [south pole]
-71.3082
57.4528

(There is a small clearing at the foot of the mountain near the south pole that provides absolutely stunning views and a panoramic vista of the parent planet passing by. There are ample places to land even the biggest ships here, but be patient as the ground is a little uneven. Set your guidance for Bercello Penal Colony during approach)


MISSION ROUTE:

The S.H.E.P.A.R.D. Mission is made of 5 legs each with their own mission and objective:

Leg 1: Orion Spur & Surrounds

Leg 1 of the Shepard Mission is a local detailed scan of observable galactic anomalies. It is the aim of Leg 1 of the mission to gather precise data obtainable through detailed surface scans of nearby nebula and star systems. Leg 1 will feature accumulation of data on extremely large red-giant stars, nebulae clusters around Barnard’s Loop, and exhaustive examination of two crucial deep blue planetary nebula. At the end of Leg 1, the crew will perform the first of three Deep-Image-Scans of the galactic core.

Leg 2: Scutum-Centaurus Arm

Leg 2 of the Shepard Mission is a 40,000ly peregrination along the length of the Scutum-Centaurus Arm. The primary focus of Leg 2 is to explore the death and creation of new stars through a thorough stellar analysis of key Neutron Star fields, White Dwarf nurseries, and Black Hole clusters. It is the aim of this segment of the mission to analyse known stellar assemblages, while discovering new clusters of hyper-activity not observable from civilized space. The second of three Deep-Image-Scans will be performed at the edge of the interstellar space. Leg 2 culminates in a detailed scan of the Ceeckia ZQ-L c24-0 system - the farthest point from Sol in our galaxy.

Leg 3: Outer & Perseus Arm

Leg 3 of the Shepard Mission is to gather information from over ten nebula on the far side of the galaxy. As information on this gaseous nebula is difficult to obtain from the civilized sector, detailed scans of numerous star systems within these nebulae provides crucial information of the formation of the Milky Way. Leg 3 will culminate in the final Deep-Image Scan of the galactic core.

Leg 4: The Core
Leg 4 of the Shepard Mission is a detailed reconnaissance and observation of massive planetary nebulas and supernova remnants near the galactic core. The gathered information will be collated with data collected from larger nebula in the region that have formed around the core. This leg of the mission will feature fifteen newly formed planetary nebula.

Leg 5: Galactic Long Arm
Leg 5 of the Shepard Mission is planned to collect extensive information on over 2000 star systems to coalesce stellar knowledge into a cohesive system. This leg of the mission will feature many young nebula and young stars, and will culminate in the final WayPoint, Veil Nebula West - and arriving back at Sol on May 5, the same day that Alan Shepard reached low-earth orbit for the first time. Leg 5 of the mission may be by-passed with a direct return route to Sol based on the volatile condition of ships’ hulls and powerplants.




WAYPOINTS & BASECAMPS:
For detailed information on waypoints and basecamps, please refer the the EDSM SHEPARD Expedition Page
https://www.edsm.net/expeditions/summary/id/13/name/S.H.E.P.A.R.D.+Mission



EXPEDITION ROSTER:

***Sign Up Here!!!***
https://goo.gl/forms/CpOGqOm7lKPJNOvn2

Below is the current Expedition Roster with Roles


Cmdr No.Cmdr NameDiscord NameShepard RolePlatformTimezoneShip / Range / Name
[SHEPARD #001]
[SHEPARD #002]
[SHEPARD #003]
[SHEPARD #004]
[SHEPARD #005]
[SHEPARD #006]
[SHEPARD #007]
[SHEPARD #008]
[SHEPARD #009]
[SHEPARD #010]
[SHEPARD #011]
[SHEPARD #012]
[SHEPARD #013]
[SHEPARD #014]
[SHEPARD #015]
[SHEPARD #016]
[SHEPARD #017]
[SHEPARD #018]
[SHEPARD #019]
[SHEPARD #020]
[SHEPARD #021]
[SHEPARD #022]
[SHEPARD #023]
[SHEPARD #024]
[SHEPARD #025]
[SHEPARD #026]
[SHEPARD #027]
[SHEPARD #028]
[SHEPARD #029]
[SHEPARD #030]
[SHEPARD #031]
[SHEPARD #032]
[SHEPARD #033]
[SHEPARD #034]
[SHEPARD #035]
[SHEPARD #036]
[SHEPARD #037]
[SHEPARD #038]
[SHEPARD #039]
[SHEPARD #040]
[SHEPARD #041]
[SHEPARD #042]
[SHEPARD #043]
[SHEPARD #044]
[SHEPARD #045]
[SHEPARD #046]
[SHEPARD #047]
[SHEPARD #048]
[SHEPARD #049]
[SHEPARD #050]
[SHEPARD #051]
[SHEPARD #052]
[SHEPARD #053]
[SHEPARD #054]
[SHEPARD #055]
[SHEPARD #056]
[SHEPARD #057]
[SHEPARD #058]
[SHEPARD #059]
[SHEPARD #060]
[SHEPARD #061]
[SHEPARD #062]
Parabolus
Cronus Ampora
Kerenn
Leonardo White
CYNAQQ
Collette
ABish
Nari Picaro
DrBambi
glenpark
ATR_Atlas
Toscha
Sylas Kaeler
Virgil260
Charlie Topper
Dartsm9
Kaiser_Soze
CapnHyaku
Legendary Chicken
SpaceGodzilla
EtherealCereal
Ohmegalisk
FallofVyperion
Ghost Hawk
Haruna Izumi
Cmdr Steve M
mechleader
Harry Predon
DarkHellSpartan
Riehl
Reichert
Captain Pain
edoardo
Jakapp
vfn4i83
Acharn
xoAutumn
JoeJoe
Noibla
Carfran
Hell-Androm
TrickyHunter
The Green Gamer
Aranck Machk
xXGambit
DocRaise
Dr.Ftor
Alessandro Ciapina
GriShutkin
Adelind
Blak
David Bowman
ANDRIS200
SoulHunterTM
Jack Calrissian
Carvalho
Taen
Aidryen
Robar22
Ramirel
Serwyn Taterforged
*AKEN*
Parabolus
Cronus Ampora
Kerenn
Leonardo White #2855
Cynaqq
Collette
ABish
Nari Picaro
DrBambi
glenpark
ATR_Atlas
Toscha
Sylas Kaeler
Virgil260
Charlie Topper
Dartsm9.68
KaiserSoze
CapnHyaku
not Legendary Chicken
SpaceGodzilla
EtherealCereal
Ohmegalisk
Vyper
Ghost Hawk
Haruna Izumi
Steve M
CMDRmechleader
Harry
DarkHellSpartan
Riehl
Blondzie
Dmitriy
Edoardo
Jakapp
vfn4i83
Athame
xoAutumn
JoeJoe
Noibla
Carfran
Das Engelschen
TrickyHunter
The Green Gamer
Aranck
xXGambit
DocRaise
Dr.Ftor
Alessandro Ciapina
GriShutkin
Adelind
Blak
DavidBowman
bardoandris
SoulHunterTM
CMDR Jack Calrissian
Carvalho
Taen
Aidryen
Robar22
Ramirel
Wakanik
AKEN
="class: outer_border"]
Shepard Expedition Leader
Shepard Fleet Commander
Shepard Fleet Commander
Shepard Fleet Commander
...
...
Scout [LEG 5]
Defense Fleet
Defense Fleet
Fuel Rat
Scout [unassigned]
Defense Fleet // Fuel Rat
...
Scout [LEG 1 & LEG 2]
Fuel Rat
Scout
...
...
BaseCamp Liaison // Defense Fleet
Defense Fleet
Fuel Rat
Defense Fleet // Fuel Rat
Defense Fleet
Fuel Rat
...
...
...
...
Defense Fleet
Defense Fleet
...
Scout [unassigned]
...
Scout [unassigned]
...
...
Fuel Rat
Defense Fleet
...
...
Fuel Rat
...
...
Defense Fleet
...
...
...
Basecamp Liaison
...
...
...
...
...
...
Defense Fleet
...
Defense Fleet
...
...
...
Defense Fleet
...
PC
XBOX
PC
PC
PC
PC
PC
PC
PC
PC
PC
PC
PC
XBOX
PC
PC
PC
PC
PC
PC
PC
PC
PC
PC
PC
PC
PC
PC
PC
PC
PC
PC
PC
PC
PC
PC
XBOX
PC
PC
PC
PC
PC
PC
PC
PC
PC
PC
PC
PC
PC
PC
PC
PC
PC
PC
PC
PC
PC
PC
PC
PC
PC
="class: outer_border"]
West
Central
Central
Central
Central
Central
Central
West
Central
Central
West
West
Central
West
Central
East
Central
East
East
East
West
Central
Central
Central
West
East
West
Central
West
West
West
Central
...
West
West
West
West
Central
Central
Central
Central
Central
Central
West
West
Central
Central
West
Central
East
East
Central
Central
Central
West
West
West
West
West
Central
West
Central
Anaconda / 54.24 / Temptress I
DBx 51LY / Aspx / 51ly
...
Anaconda 50.5Ly's "Arctic Snake"
Anaconda/~45ly/ICCS Mother's Embrace
Anaconda / 52 - 56Ly / Mr Bone's Wild Ride
AspX / 31.54Ly / Shippy McShipface
Anaconda / 40 / Event Horizon
Diamondback Explorer / ~40ly
Anaconda / 42ly / Howth
Asp Explorer/ 39.93Ly / The Magellan
Anaconda / 39.88ly / PCS Mar'eyir
Asp Explorer - Around 34Ly - Furtas
AspX
Anaconda/50Ly/Heavy Mettle
Python
ASP Explorer/ 33yl / The Thunder Road II
Conda 26LY Itchyballsack
Anaconda / 30+ / TheKrystalExperience
Anaconda/ 50ly/ Endeavour
Anaconda / 42.84ly / D.S.E.V. Katahdin
Anaconda / 39.8 Ly
Asp Explorer/ 45 ly/ Lazy Eight
Asp explorer
Python / 32.15 Ly / I.S.V. Musashi
Anaconda 30ly "The Winston Churchill
ASP Explorer. 31-33 LY range. Named: Pathfinder III
Asp Explorer / 38ly / Marlene
Anaconda 29.30 Aliyah
Asp Explorer / 33.8 LY / Blackbird
Anaconda / 50.05ly / Snek
Asp
asp explorer
Asp Explorer / Range: 29.43
Anaconda / 37Ly /
Anaconda, ~50LY
Anaconda / TBD / Akagi-yama
Unbuilt
AspX / 43.8ly / Shachihoko
Aspx / 39.96 / NaoVictoria
Anaconda / 38 / Herades
Anaconda / 55ly / Caribbean Blue
AspX / 30ly
Anaconda / 40ly / DESV Blue Jay
Clipper / 21ly / USS Gambit
AspX
AspX / 33ly
Anaconda / 58ly
AspX / Stalker
Anaconda / 30ly
AspX / 34ly
ASP Explorer / 52 ly / Discovery II
Asp Explorer/ 32.60 Ly/ Hungary's Pride
Explorer / ~30 Ly / SoulHunter's Ship
Python / 25 / IES Gomtuu
ANACONDA - 47 Ly
Anaconda / 56 ly / The Fountainpen
Cobra MKIII / 34.55 LY / Dragon's Fang
Type-6/28 LY/The Renegade
AspX
Eagle / 17.55 / Tintreach
Anaconda / 50ly / Mare Nostrum
EXPEDITION PATCH:
Special Thanks to Qohen Leth for another fantastic Shepard Logo and embroidered patch!

3IHnKbK.png

EXPEDITION TRAILER:
3:42 Video trailer for SHEPARD Mission
[video=youtube_share;IrhdwP4A6rc]https://youtu.be/IrhdwP4A6rc[/video]


DETAILED MAP OF EACH LEG:

Leg1 2.5Weeks [Nov5-Nov22]
Leg 1 of the Shepard Mission is a local detailed scan of observable galactic anomalies. It is the aim of Leg 1 of the mission to gather precise data obtainable through detailed surface scans of nearby nebula and star systems. Leg 1 will feature accumulation of data on extremely large red-giant stars, nebulae clusters around Barnard’s Loop, and exhaustive examination of two crucial deep blue planetary nebula. At the end of Leg 1, the crew will perform the first of three Deep-Image-Scans of the galactic core.

7xFdc2m.jpg


SHIP BUILDS:

Anaconda
There is certainly no specific ship or build that each cmdr needs to bring, the SHEPARD Anaconda posted below is my build [Cmdr Parabolus] for the mission and merely an example build - tips on how to use engineers to your benefit for the mission. Please feel free to use whatever ship you wish, with whatever build. While there is no minimum jump range, We suggest at least a 30ly jump (now that we have engineers) to get the most of the mission, especially around Beagle Point. The overall outfitting of my Shepard Anaconda is designed to optimize jump range while still providing redundancy in the event of failure or alien encounter. As such, shields, hull, and weapons have been included - as well as four [4] Surface Reconnaissance Vehicles [SRV] for adventurous planetary exploration. Engineer modifications allow these modules to be light-weight without reducing efficacy.

c7LxQP7.jpg


-Cmdr Parabolus "Lord Para" - Shepard Expedition Leader
-Cmdr Cronus Ampora - Shepard Fleet Commander
-Cmdr Kerenn - Shepard Fleet Commander
-Cmdr Leonardo White - Shepard Fleet Commander

Special Thanks for Qohen Leth for the amazing logo and patch!
Special Thanks for the Iridium Wing for an escort out of the bubble on our departure date! [https://iridiumwing.space/#/]
 
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I'm interested too. Missed all major exploration events due to life. Hope I can participate in this.
 
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Excellent glad we are stirring up some interest! We wI'll send out done more information over the next few days, in the meantime help spread the word about The SHEPARD Mission. Once we reach a critical mass of signed up cmdrs I will organise the discord server, etc.

- - - - - Additional Content Posted / Auto Merge - - - - -

i'd like to.... although Xbox here and all you folk on PC having fun while ill be staring at empty instances and dusty moons.

if anyone else is on Xbox i will join in, im due another 6 month expedition now im all engineered up, failing that i am heading out once i've had a play with 2.2 for a week as this will determine ship choice too, no point following an expedition though if i can never instance with anyone.

Yes hopefully we can get enough x-box invloved. Sign up regardless and we will arrange an x-box SHEPARD platform.
 
Sounds interesting, but can anyone explain to me how such a exploration mission works ?
are there specific Tasks assigned to everyone ?
is there some kind of attendance time ? what timezone is this in ?

what kind of minimum jump range is needed ? Sure, i know a few modules are mandatory for deep space exploration, but i will not gimp my ship to jump a few Ly further.
 
This seems like a complex task, and I wish you luck.

I very much approve of naming it after Admiral Shepard, who is one of my heroes.
He wasn't just the first American in space, and the 5th man on the moon. But was considered to be NASAs greatest pilot, but Deke Slayton, who selected the Crews from the late Mercury era, through Gemini and Apollo, to the end of Skylab. A truely great explorer :)

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CMDR mexicanhardh4t reporting for scouting duty!

Am on xb1 though, and regardless of whether or not it is supported on xb1 or not is irrelevant.
 
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