[LIFTOFF] Earth sucks, let's go to space

(?) · Post by **Void Chicken** (?) » Mon Jun 15, 2020 1:11 pm

https://www.deviantart.com/vanillaghost ... -758076986

August 9, 1968. After their capsule's engine failed, Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy were stranded in lunar orbit. A competing nation launched a rescue mission to intercept them. No docking adapter was available to launch at the time, so Pinkie and Fluttershy had to perform an emergency EVA to reach their rescuer's capsule. The two would return safely to Earth.

Hang on don't close the tab yet.

I know the last time we did Liftoff things didn't go well. You might say things exploded. So I'm adding two rules to at least offset some of the game's random BS: The ability to trade with your opponents, and the ability to launch joint missions to split the risk and reward.

Because really, the last games had some great flavor and I want to see some of that again. Good idea, bad idea? Only way to find out is to light this candle, right? This capsule is built for four, but we can squeeze someone under the floorboards if we have to.

There's no rules link as I am going off an unholy amalgamation of the board game rules and the mechanics of a computer game based off the board game, with a smattering of house rules that I think helps. If you have any questions, just ask.

If you're willing to give this game another chance, then please introduce your space program for us. Go nuts, these descriptions are what the game is made of.

(?) · Post by **Void Chicken** (?) » Mon Jun 15, 2020 1:12 pm

Unmared payloads

Rockets

Capsules and Modules

Miscellany

Missions

Mission Budget Effects

Code: Select all

Mission                First  Second Third  Subsequent Failure
                       Nation Nation Nation
Orbital Satellite      +16    +10    +6     +2         -3
Mared Space            +24    +12    +6     +2         -10
Mared Orbital          +16    +10    +6     +2         -10
Mared Docking          +11    +7     +4     +1         -2
Space Walk             +11    +7     +4     +1         -2
Intl. Docking (each)   +12    +6     +4     +2         -4
Two-Pony Craft         +10    +4     +2      0         -10
Three-Pony Craft       +20    +10    +5      0         -10
Four-Pony Craft        +30    +16    +10     0         -10
Minishuttle            +30    +16    +10    +4         -10
Intl. Crew (each)      +12    +6     +4     +2         -4
Lunar Flyby            +6     +4     +3     +2         -3
Mars Flyby             +8     +6     +4     +2         -3
Venus Flyby            +8     +6     +4     +2         -3
Mared Lunar Pass       +15    +7     +3     +1         -10
Mared Lunar Orbit      +30    +14    +10    +4         -10
Lunar Probe Landing    +20    +12    +8     +4         -6
Rescue                 +12    +12    +12    +12        +8

Succeeding a mission grants the sum of the applicable budget bonuses. Each nation can only claim one of first/second/third per category. Failing a mission grants no bonuses and the single largest applicable penalty, e.g. killing a pony will always be a total of -10.

Launching the first 3- or 4-pony craft will lock out the first bonus on smaller craft if they have not yet been claimed. The first Mared Lunar Orbit will similarly lock out Mared Lunar Pass.

Example: You attempt a Mared Orbital with a spacewalk. She makes it into space, the EVA fails, then she safely returns to Earth. As the only part that failed was the spacewalk, the net result will be -2.

Bremen · Post by **Bremen** (?) » Mon Jun 15, 2020 6:12 pm

I read this fanfic!

There's definitely nothing suspicious about this totally innocent miss... I mean, rocket program. The changelings will lead the way into space with the Revolutionary United Space Enterprise that is in no way a disguised advanced weapons development program.

sharkmafia · Post by **sharkmafia** (?) » Thu Jun 18, 2020 9:31 am

the space program of glorious democratic people's republic of kishmaraaf will show world that kishmaraaf is greatest nation. long live great steersman of nation, supreme leader, who will lift kishmaraaf people to stars. ДЛЯ ШАРКМАФІІ!

Zylo · Post by **Zylo** (?) » Mon Jun 22, 2020 8:10 pm

Everypony knows changelings can't be trusted with dangerous things like rockets. Leave anything involving flight to the pegasus pony experts in the space program of Equestria Pegasopolis.

(?) · Post by **Void Chicken** (?) » Mon Jun 29, 2020 9:43 pm

January 1956

Queen Chrysalis - Bremen
Definitely Not Missiles

Eager for a head start on their space program, Chrysalis's changelings swarm to the research labs! All R&D rolls will get +1 this turn.
Next year's budget increases by 3.

Previous Funds: 0 MB
Budget: 60 MB
Current Funds: 60 MB

Programs: (+1 to rolls)
None

Hardware:
None

Astronauts (18 MB for first, 2 MB afterwards):
None

Planned Missions:
Pad A: None

Next Milestone: Orbital Satellite

Glorious Leader - sharkmafia
Kishmaraaf Space Program

The Glorious Democratic People's Republic of Kishmaraaf also has a glorious air force! Three experienced test pilots line up to serve their nation.
Next year's budget increases by 7.
In the interest of fairness, I'm going to rule that you still need to pay the 18MB before you can send any of them into space. Locker rooms are expensive.

Previous Funds: 0 MB
Budget: 60 MB
Current Funds: 60 MB

Programs:
None

Hardware:
None

Astronauts (18 MB for first next and to use any, 2 MB afterwards):
Unnamed astronaut 1 (20% save)
Unnamed astronaut 2 (20% save)
Unnamed astronaut 3 (20% save)

Planned Missions:
Pad A: None

Next Milestone: Orbital Satellite

Rainbow Dash - Zylo
Pegasopolis Spaceflight

Pegasopolis, concerned that the leader of their space program may be... shall we say... impulsive, has decided to take a few measures to keep their director on track. The government orders Rainbow Dash to make her first planned mission an Orbital Satellite.
If you accept, your next year's budget will increase by 10. If you refuse, it will decrease by 12. If you accept and don't make your first mission that satellite, you will lose half your budget.

Previous Funds: 0 MB
Budget: 60 MB
Current Funds: 60 MB

Programs:
None

Hardware:
None

Astronauts (18 MB for first, 2 MB afterwards):
None

Planned Missions: (Order: Orbital Satellite)
Pad A: None

Next Milestone: Orbital Satellite

(?) · Post by **Void Chicken** (?) » Mon Jun 29, 2020 9:43 pm

As it has been a while, here is how the game is played again:

There are two turns each year, in January and July. Every January, you get paid your yearly budget. During your turn, you buy stuff, build rockets, and declare missions.

To get yourself a new program, pay its Initial Cost. You will get one piece of whatever hardware you unlocked included in the initial price. After you launch it into space you'll probably want another, but you only have to pay the Unit Cost for more.

Every program has a Safety Factor, i.e. the odds that any given test of it will succeed. To raise its safety factor, pay its R&D cost and it will go up by 1d6. You may research any given item's safety up to five times per turn, capped at the first number in its safety stat.

Once you have all the parts you need for a mission (and a free launch pad), declare the mission and specify what parts you're sticking together for it.

When you declare a mission, it will be flown after your next turn. You may scrub a pending mission and get your hardware back, but it will be considered a failure, budget-wise.
When a mission is flown, I evaluate each step. The part's safety factor is its odds of passing each test. If an unmared mission fails even one, it's over. All that's left is the flavor and possibly blowing up your launch pad. Mared missions have a chance of overcoming a bad roll, but I'll get to that once one of you researches a capsule.

Any component that is tested at least once during a mission will get +1% to its safety factor after the mission ends, even if it failed, up to its max safety.

There are eight milestone missions that you should do, in order:

Orbital Satellite
Mared Sub-Orbital
Mared Orbital
Lunar Satellite Fly-By
Lunar Probe Landing
Mared Lunar Pass
Mared Lunar Orbital
Mared Lunar Landing

If you attempt a milestone mission without succeeding all of the previous ones, then you will get a 3% penalty to all tests per milestone skipped. However, if you succeed in spite of that, then those skipped milestones will not count against any future flights.

If a mission succeeds, then your budget will be raised according to the budget effects chart at the end of the second post. A successful mission will get every applicable bonus combined. A failed mission will get no bonuses at all, and one failure penalty matching whatever part of it failed.

You can only claim a first/second/third bonus of each category once. Anything after that gets the 'subsequent' bonus, even if nobody else has done that mission yet.

When you declare a mission, you may (privately if you wish) rush it, launching it up to six months early, in order to beat your competitors to a big budget bonus (or maybe even the win). Each month rushed costs 1 MB. You'll also get a 1% penalty to all tests per month rushed.

Technically the turn order is high to low budget, everyone does their hardware, then everyone's research, then saying how many missions, and finally choosing which ones. But that'll take forever to play out. So I'm just going to let everyone post all their stuff at once in whatever order. If two people wait to see what the other will do, do it in budget order.

Launches will be performed in order of rushing, then low to high budget.

Please post your spending totals to help keep the books balanced. Leave off the rush cost if you're doing that in secret.

(?) · Post by **Void Chicken** (?) » Mon Jun 29, 2020 9:43 pm

I mentioned two new rules, so here they are.

Capitalism:
You may trade with other players at any time during the planning phase. You can trade funds (but not budget), hardware, astronauts, and safety (i.e. raise someone's safety factor on a program by any amount up to your own). You can trade an unlock, but keep in mind it doesn't include the free hardware unless you provide one yourself.

Joint Missions:
If you and someone else want to go to space together, now you can! You can mix and match parts and astronauts between you as you please. I suggest reimbursing your buddy half their hardware costs.

I'll use the average of your safety ratings when rolling (if one of you doesn't have it unlocked, it counts as 0%) and you'll both get the +1% safety thing.

You will split any budgetary rewards or penalties from the mission.

Speaking of, a word on budgets.

The game tends to rubberband your budget. If you're below 100, it will on average go up a little. If you're above, it will on average go down a little. On top of that, there are soft caps at 50 and 150. If you're outside that range, you can count on a push back in. (There are exceptions on both ends, but don't hold your breath.)

Bremen · Post by **Bremen** (?) » Mon Jun 29, 2020 10:22 pm

Have we tried just throwing it into space?

Develop Orbital Satellite (6)
Research Orbital Satellite x5 (5)
Develop One-Stage Rocket (24)
Research One-Stage Rocket x5 (10)
Total: 45 bits

Zylo · Post by **Zylo** (?) » Mon Jun 29, 2020 10:30 pm

Pegasi are experts on flight so this shouldn't be too difficult to get something in orbit...

##Develop 1-stage rocket x1
##Develop Orbital Sat x1

umm... Rainbow Dash? Maybe we should research so we don't waste out bits if something breaks.

Why would our new parts break?

Well, you have been making everypony work long hours and if something goes wrong it will cost lots of bits to get new parts. It could cut into your cider budget...

Fine, I guess you make a good point about the research ... and the cider.

##Research 1-stage rocket x5
##Research Orbital Sat x5

Costs are:
24MB (1-stage rocket)
10MB (1-stage rocket research)
6MB (orbital sat)
5MB (orbital sat research)
45MB total expense

Zylo · Post by **Zylo** (?) » Mon Jun 29, 2020 11:02 pm

Rainbow Dash? Aren't you forgetting to accept the mission?

I guess that makes sense, it will help with the budget too. Extra cider for a successful mission.
##Accept first planned mission Orbital Satellite

sharkmafia · Post by **sharkmafia** (?) » Wed Jul 01, 2020 4:43 am

PLEASE STAND BY FOR BROADCAST BY GLORIOUS LEADER CONCERNING ONLY SLIGHTLY LESS GLORIOUS KISHMARAAF SPACE PROGRAM.

Fellow revolutionary citizens, rejoice! Today, Kishmaraaf has begun road to benevolent democratic conquest of space! Space is known in decadent hedonist failure countries as 'final frontier.' In Kishmaraaf, we know this is not true, as space was always rightful domain of wondrous Kishmaraaf republic! All other countries must stay out, or Kishmaraaf will fall upon them with most fury!

Foolish 'scientists' of idiot bad stupid countries say they will build small beeping thing to hurl into space. Again, Kishmaraaf knows better. What does beeping thing do? Nothing! It is worthless! Beeping machine could be crushed by boot of single powerful Kishmaraaf soldier! Like tin can! Therefore we forge ahead to sending citizens of Kishmaraaf republic into space long before other much worse countries do. Three brave volunteers have volunteered for voluntary mandatory space recruitment program already! They will be pioneers of new not-frontier.

Hail to Kishmaraaf!

##Develop one-man capsule
##Research one-man capsule (x5)
##Develop one-stage rocket
##Research one-stage rocket (x5)

cost: 57 MB total

(?) · Post by **Void Chicken** (?) » Wed Jul 01, 2020 8:58 am

The scientists of the various space programs get to work...

Not Missiles:
One-Stage Rocket: 3+1, 5+1, 3+1, 2+1, 4+1 (+22%)
Orbital Satellite: 6+1, 2+1, 6+1, 2+1, 5+1 (+26%)

Kishmaraaf:
One-Stage Rocket: 1, 2, 1, 3, 6 (+13%)
One-Man Capsule: 5, 3, 6, 1, 2 (+17%)

Pegasopolis:
One-Stage Rocket: 2, 3, 3, 6, 3 (+17%)
Orbital Satellite: 3, 4, 4, 5, 4 (+20%)

I'm going to do all R&D rolls at once out of fairness. Certainly fairness and not laziness. But since mission planning happens after research does, you can make a mission depend on the outcome of the rolls, e.g. say "plan an Orbital Satellite launch on Pad A if the rocket ends up above 75%" in your post. Or you can base a scrub decision on a roll (since rules-wise you're allowed to scrub all the way up to the launch). Just let me know ahead of time because I'm going to be launching missions the moment I'm done with R&D.

(?) · Post by **Void Chicken** (?) » Wed Jul 01, 2020 8:59 am

July 1956

Queen Chrysalis - Bremen
Definitely Not Missiles

The Queen is feeling a little under the weather this month, but things are otherwise on track. (An astronaut event was drawn, but you don't have any.)
Next year's budget decreases by 2.

Current Funds: 15 MB
Next Year's Budget: 61 MB

Programs:
One-Stage Rocket: 32%/85%/98%
Orbital Satellite: 66%/95%/98%

Hardware:
1x One-Stage Rocket
1x Orbital Satellite

Astronauts (18 MB for first, 2 MB afterwards):
None

Planned Missions:
Pad A: None

Next Milestone: Orbital Satellite

Glorious Leader - sharkmafia
Kishmaraaf Space Program

The citizens of Kishmaraaf are inspired by their glorious leader's speech and the factories work extra hard to provide for their nation's ambitious goals! All hardware unit costs are half price this turn.
Next year's budget increases by 3.

Current Funds: 3 MB
Next Year's Budget: 70 MB

Programs:
One-Stage Rocket: 23%/85%/98%
One-Man Capsule: 27%/80%/93%

Hardware:
1x One-Stage Rocket
1x One-Man Capsule

Astronauts (18 MB for first next and to use any, 2 MB afterwards):
Anonymous Astronaut 1 (20% save)
Anonymous Astronaut 2 (20% save)
Anonymous Astronaut 3 (20% save)

Planned Missions:
Pad A: None

Next Milestone: Orbital Satellite

Rainbow Dash - Zylo
Pegasopolis Spaceflight

Not naming names, but somepony had a little too much cider and accidentally set the rocket fuel storage tanks on fire. You may only launch 1 mission this turn, not that you had the pad or the hardware for a second anyways.
Next year's budget increases by 10.

Current Funds: 15 MB
Next Year's Budget: 80 MB

Programs:
One-Stage Rocket: 27%/85%/98%
Orbital Satellite: 60%/95%/98%

Hardware:
1x One-Stage Rocket
1x Orbital Satellite

Astronauts (18 MB for first, 2 MB afterwards):
None

Planned Missions: (Order: Orbital Satellite)
Pad A: None

Next Milestone: Orbital Satellite

Bremen · Post by **Bremen** (?) » Wed Jul 01, 2020 12:34 pm

Research Orbital Satellite x5 (5)
Research One-Stage Rocket x5 (10)
Total: 15

Zylo · Post by **Zylo** (?) » Wed Jul 01, 2020 7:44 pm

at least we didn't need those storage tanks yet...

##Research 1-stage rocket x5
##Research Orbital Sat x5

It looks like our bits will be spent for the rest of the year but we should have a larger budget next year.
10MB (1-stage rocket research)
5MB (orbital sat research)
15MB total expense

sharkmafia · Post by **sharkmafia** (?) » Wed Jul 01, 2020 10:33 pm

##Research one-man capsule x3

(?) · Post by **Void Chicken** (?) » Wed Jul 01, 2020 11:12 pm

Not Missiles:
One-Stage Rocket: 1, 4, 5, 3, 1 (+14%)
Orbital Satellite: 4, 3, 6, 3, 6 (+22%)

Kishmaraaf:
One-Man Capsule: 2, 3, 5 (+10%)

Pegasopolis:
One-Stage Rocket: 1, 3, 6, 3, 3 (+16%)
Orbital Satellite: 1, 1, 6, 2, 3 (+13%)

January 1957

Queen Chrysalis - Bremen
Definitely Not Missiles

Changeling drones are always on the lookout for spies. You can never be too careful. (You'd be able to lower another player's research to match yours, but there's nobody above you.)
Next year's budget increases by 1.

Previous Funds: 0 MB
Budget: 61 MB
Current Funds: 61 MB

Programs:
One-Stage Rocket: 46%/85%/98%
Orbital Satellite: 88%/95%/98%

Hardware:
1x One-Stage Rocket
1x Orbital Satellite

Astronauts (18 MB for first, 2 MB afterwards):
None

Planned Missions:
Pad A: None

Next Milestone: Orbital Satellite

Glorious Leader - sharkmafia
Kishmaraaf Space Program

It seems changeling drones are not as good at looking out as they think they are. You successfully steal Chrysalis's research, raising your rocket's safety factor to match hers.
Next year's budget increases by 5.

Previous Funds: 0 MB
Budget: 70 MB
Current Funds: 70 MB

Programs:
One-Stage Rocket: 46%/85%/98%
One-Man Capsule: 37%/80%/93%

Hardware:
1x One-Stage Rocket
1x One-Man Capsule

Astronauts (18 MB for first next and to use any, 2 MB afterwards):
Anonymous Astronaut 1 (20% save)
Anonymous Astronaut 2 (20% save)
Anonymous Astronaut 3 (20% save)

Planned Missions:
Pad A: None

Next Milestone: Orbital Satellite

Rainbow Dash - Zylo
Pegasopolis Spaceflight

Pegasi meanwhile have no need for stealing when they can hire unicorns to do the smart stuff for them. All of your R&D rolls will be increased by 1 this turn.
Next year's budget increases by 3.

Previous Funds: 0 MB
Budget: 80 MB
Current Funds: 80 MB

Programs:
One-Stage Rocket: 43%/85%/98%
Orbital Satellite: 73%/95%/98%

Hardware:
1x One-Stage Rocket
1x Orbital Satellite

Astronauts (18 MB for first, 2 MB afterwards):
None

Planned Missions: (Order: Orbital Satellite)
Pad A: None

Next Milestone: Orbital Satellite

Zylo · Post by **Zylo** (?) » Wed Jul 01, 2020 11:54 pm

I'm here to help with research!

Wasn't Rarity supposed to help?... Actually forget that, she would probably just try to make the rocket look pretty.

##Develop 1-pony capsule

##Research 1-stage rocket x5
##Research Orbital Sat x5
##Research 1-pony capsule x5

18MB (1-pony capsule development)
10MB (1-stage rocket research)
5MB (orbital sat research)
5MB (1-pony capsule research)
38MB total expense

Bremen · Post by **Bremen** (?) » Thu Jul 02, 2020 12:45 am

Sure, when changelings spy on ponies it's a crime, but when it's the other way around everyone just laughs.

##Research One-Stage Rocket x5 [10]
##Research Orbital Satellite once [1]
##Recruit an astronaut - Kevin [18]
##Develop 1-Pony Capsule [18]
Total: 47 Megabits

And

Declare Orbital Satellite Launch

(?) · Post by **Void Chicken** (?) » Thu Jul 02, 2020 12:53 am

Now that we have an astronaut and a capsule, I'll talk about mared missions, which are a little more involved.

First off, you need enough butts to fill every seat in the capsule. Only a rescue mission can launch understaffed. You may also turn a scheduled mared mission into an unmared one, but it'll count as a failure for your budget.

During missions each astronaut has a saving throw. Whenever a pony goes into space and returns alive, she gets +10% to her save, to a maximum of 70%. If a mission has multiple ponies, they get a single save of their average percentages. If the mission fails a step that doesn't have a "No Save" next to it, I roll their saving throw. If it passes, the failure becomes a success and the mission goes on like nothing happened.

If the saving throw fails, then I have a big chart of possible things that can go wrong that I pick at random from. From the completely benign to the instantly lethal, it's all in there.

If a part failing a test results in the death of an astronaut (i.e. a catastrophic failure), its safety is reset to its minimum and you have to buy that research all over again. It can be paid up back to its original safety, even if that was above its normal buyable limit.

While you don't have to declare a backup crew for your mared missions, events in this game can suck and take out your astronauts. If your primary crew can't go (or you decide not to risk that 70% pony on your 60% capsule after all), your backup will hop right in and away we go. If you have no backup but can't or don't want to send your primaries into space, you can slot in anyone with at least a 20% save, but they'll be down 20% on their saving throws for the mission due to lack of preparation. Otherwise it's either launch it unmared or scrub it.

That last part's a house rule. The rules as written don't say what happens if your primary can't go and there's no backup, and I figure "you have to eat the -10" is too harsh.

For joint missions, you can split astronauts between you to get that sweet International Crew line on the budget sheet. If somepony dies on a joint mission, you will each lose half the safety rating of the offending part instead of getting it cut entirely.

sharkmafia · Post by **sharkmafia** (?) » Thu Jul 02, 2020 1:02 am

PLEASE STAND BY FOR BROADCAST FROM GLORIOUS LEADER CONCERNING VICTORY IN PROGRAM FOR SPACE

Fellow revolutionary citizens, rejoice! Today Kishmaraaf has stuck a glorious blow in quest to defeat terrible other countries in race for space! A true Kishmaraaf patriot has retrieved research stolen by perfidious foreign 'scientists,' ensuring that fruits of Kishmaraaf labor and thought remain property only of Kishmaraaf! Other countries know that Kishmaraaf science is superior to all other science, and so they try to take it for themselves! They are foolish, for their perfidy is no match for vigilance of Kishmaraaf citizens! Plan for space rocket proceeds double-quick fast!

Hail to Kishmaraaf!

##Research one-stage rocket (x5)
##Research one-man capsule (x5)
##Develop EVA suits
##Research EVA suits (x5)

total cost: 35

(?) · Post by **Void Chicken** (?) » Thu Jul 02, 2020 1:44 am

Not Missiles:
One-Stage Rocket: 5, 6, 4, 4, 6 (+25%)
Orbital Satellite: 6 (+6%)

Kishmaraaf:
One-Stage Rocket: 5, 5, 4, 2, 3 (+19%)
One-Man Capsule: 4, 5, 5, 3, 3 (+20%)
EVA Suits: 5, 4, 4, 4, 5 (+22%)

Pegasopolis: (+1)
One-Stage Rocket: 2+1, 6+1, 1+1, 4+1, 3+1 (+21%)
Orbital Satellite: 5+1, 4+1, 6+1, 3+1, 6+1 (+29%)
One-Pony Capsule: 4+1, 4+1, 6+1, 6+1, 5+1 (+30%)

July 1957

Queen Chrysalis - Bremen
Definitely Not Missiles

Okay, the bad news is that the engineers have found a serious design flaw in the one-stage rocket and it has lost 25% of its safety.
The good news is that next year's budget has gone up by 5.

Current Funds: 14 MB
Next Year's Budget: 67 MB

Programs:
One-Stage Rocket: 46%/85%/98%
Orbital Satellite: 94%/95%/98%
One-Pony Capsule: 10%/80%/93%

Hardware:
1x One-Stage Rocket
1x Orbital Satellite
1x One-Pony Capsule

Astronauts (2 MB):
Kevin (0% save)

Planned Missions:
Pad A: Orbital Satellite - December 1957 (One-Stage Rocket, Orbital Satellite)

Next Milestone: Orbital Satellite

Glorious Leader - sharkmafia
Kishmaraaf Space Program

The government vehemently denies rumors that one of its recruited test pilots published a letter in the newspaper declaring the current course of the program "ludicrous" and "bound to kill someone" and that "living in a camp is better than dying in a fireball". Taking care of particular arrangements has lowered next year's budget by 5.

Current Funds: 35 MB
Next Year's Budget: 70 MB

Programs:
One-Stage Rocket: 65%/85%/98%
One-Man Capsule: 57%/80%/93%
EVA Suits: 52%/98%

Hardware:
1x One-Stage Rocket
1x One-Man Capsule

Astronauts (18 MB for first next and to use any, 2 MB afterwards):
Anonymous Astronaut 1 (20% save)
Anonymous Astronaut 3 (20% save)

Anonymous Astronaut 2 (retired)

Planned Missions:
Pad A: None

Next Milestone: Orbital Satellite

Rainbow Dash - Zylo
Pegasopolis Spaceflight

Sweetie Belle has discovered a novel way of plugging holes in the one-pony capsule's heat shield involving tree sap. The next time that capsule fails a safety roll, it will be changed to a success.
Next year's budget has increased by 5.

Current Funds: 42 MB
Next Year's Budget: 88 MB

Programs:
One-Stage Rocket: 64%/85%/98%
Orbital Satellite: 95%/98%
One-Pony Capsule: 40%/80%/93% (Next failure is countered)

Hardware:
1x One-Stage Rocket
1x Orbital Satellite
1x One-Pony Capsule

Astronauts (18 MB for first, 2 MB afterwards):
None

Planned Missions: (Order: Orbital Satellite)
Pad A: None

Next Milestone: Orbital Satellite

Bremen · Post by **Bremen** (?) » Thu Jul 02, 2020 1:51 am

The Changeling Empire has complete faith in its rocket designs, but on an unrelated note, would either of the other space programs be willing to sell us a copy of their rocket design for 5 MB?

Zylo · Post by **Zylo** (?) » Thu Jul 02, 2020 2:24 am

The changelings are offering bits for rocket designs but the offer seems low.

I don't think it's a good idea.

Maybe if they offer more bits?

Looks like it's time to plan a launch.
##Declare Orbital Satellite launch

##Research 1-stage rocket x5
##Research 1-pony capsule x5

Yay! We still have bits left.
10MB (1-stage rocket research)
5MB (1-pony capsule research)
15MB total expense

Bremen · Post by **Bremen** (?) » Thu Jul 02, 2020 11:41 am

That research is worth maybe 10MB, total. If you wanted that much I'd just do it myself.

Besides, you both have it, so do you really want the other party getting the money? Kishmaraaf isn't even going for a satellite launch so they don't gain anything if my launch fails.

Zylo · Post by **Zylo** (?) » Thu Jul 02, 2020 3:40 pm

We could sell our 1-stage rocket design with 64% reliability for 8MB.

I don't think we get research data from their launch attempt since this wouldn't be a joint mission so we probably don't want to sell our design any cheaper.

Having extra bits would be nice, we could increase our cider budget too.
##Offer sale of 64% 1-stage rocket design to the bug ponies for 8MB

sharkmafia · Post by **sharkmafia** (?) » Thu Jul 02, 2020 4:33 pm

Magnaminity of Kishmaraaf knows no bounds! Will sell superior kishmaraaf science rocket design for same price! Terrible other nations cannot hope to compete!

##Offer 65% one-stage rocket design for 8MB

##Research one-stage rocket x5
##Research one-man capsule x5
##Prep astronaut for launch
##Research EVA suits x2

##Declare Manned Suborbital Launch

total: 35 MB

Bremen · Post by **Bremen** (?) » Thu Jul 02, 2020 4:42 pm

Fine, but don't be expecting any deals from the changelings when the horseshoe is on the other hoof!

##Buy 65% rocket design from Kishmaraaf for 8 MB [8]
##Research one-stage rocket design x3 [6]
##Go for Launch
Total: 14

sharkmafia · Post by **sharkmafia** (?) » Thu Jul 02, 2020 6:46 pm

astronaut 1 is the guy, astronaut 3 is the backup

(?) · Post by **Void Chicken** (?) » Thu Jul 02, 2020 7:21 pm

The sale goes through before any research is performed, so let's see what we get on top of it.

Not Missiles:
One-Stage Rocket: 1, 6, 2, (+9%)

Kishmaraaf:
One-Stage Rocket: 1, 6, 2, 6, 4 (+19%)
One-Man Capsule: 1, 4, 6, 3, 2 (+16%)
EVA Suits: 4, 4 (+8%)

Pegasopolis:
One-Stage Rocket: 3, 6, 2, 2, 4 (+17%)
One-Pony Capsule: 1, 6, 6, 2, 6 (+21%)

It's obvious at the moment, but once you have multiple rockets and capsules and stuff available, be sure to specify what hardware you're using to plan those missions with. Also who your primary and backup crews are.

Safety tests are simple: I roll a number from 1 to 100. If I roll less than or equal to the safety rating, it's a pass. If I roll greater, it's a fail. All there is to it.

December 9, 1957

Not Missiles Mission: Orbital Satellite
One-Stage Rocket (74%)
Orbital Satellite (94%)

It doesn't look like much. A tube of metal with a nose cone. But if Queen Chrysalis's workers have done their jobs right, that metal tube will make history. Drones hold their breath as the final seconds tick down.

Three... Two... One... Ignition!

The engines spew fire and the world's first rocket lumbers off the pad, its roar drowning out the cheers. Higher and higher, vanishing into the clouds and eventually over the horizon.

High above the earth, the satellite detaches. Another engine, smaller but no less important, ignites to push the satellite into its modest orbit, eternally free from the bounds of gravity.

The drones are glued to their radios, waiting for the telltale signal.

Then they hear a rhythmic buzzing and clicking. Cheers and chants erupt throughout the launch complex.

Queen Chrysalis has successfully launched the first Orbital Satellite! Her next year's budget increases by 16. The rocket and satellite gain 1% safety.

...Is that faint whispering in the satellite's transmission? Must be the cosmic radiation.

(?) · Post by **Void Chicken** (?) » Thu Jul 02, 2020 7:34 pm

January 1958

Queen Chrysalis - Bremen
Definitely Not Missiles

In the wake of your momentous occasion, companies line up to invest in the Queen's space program. You gain 3 MB.
Next year's budget increases by 10.

Previous Funds: 3 MB
Budget: 83 MB
Current Funds: 86 MB

Programs:
One-Stage Rocket: 75%/85%/98%
Orbital Satellite: 95%/98%
One-Pony Capsule: 10%/80%/93%

Hardware:
0x One-Stage Rocket
0x Orbital Satellite
1x One-Pony Capsule

Astronauts (2 MB):
Kevin (0% save)

Planned Missions:
Pad A: None

Next Milestone: Mared Suborbital

Glorious Leader - sharkmafia
Kishmaraaf Space Program

Kishmaraaf has the best spies in the world! Kishmaraaf's opponents have nothing worth stealing. (You'd be able to raise a program's safety to match someone else's, but nobody has anything above you.)
Next year's budget increases by 5.

Previous Funds: 8 MB
Budget: 70 MB
Current Funds: 78 MB

Programs:
One-Stage Rocket: 84%/85%/98%
One-Man Capsule: 73%/80%/93%
EVA Suits: 60%/98%

Hardware:
1x One-Stage Rocket
1x One-Man Capsule

Astronauts (2 MB):
Anonymous Astronaut 1 (20% save)
Anonymous Astronaut 3 (20% save)
Anonymous Astronaut 4 (0% save)

Anonymous Astronaut 2 (retired)

Planned Missions:
Pad A: Manned Suborbital - June 1958 (Primary: Ast 1, Backup: Ast 3, One-Stage Rocket, One-Man Capsule)

Next Milestone: Orbital Satellite

Rainbow Dash - Zylo
Pegasopolis Spaceflight

The earth ponies in the factories can be smart, too! They've come up with a great new manufacturing technique that will halve the unit costs of hardware for this turn only.
Next year's budget increases by 3.

Previous Funds: 0 MB
Budget: 88 MB
Current Funds: 88 MB

Programs:
One-Stage Rocket: 81%/85%/98%
Orbital Satellite: 95%/98%
One-Pony Capsule: 61%/80%/93% (Next failure is countered)

Hardware:
1x One-Stage Rocket
1x Orbital Satellite
1x One-Pony Capsule

Astronauts (18 MB for first, 2 MB afterwards):
None

Planned Missions: (Order: Orbital Satellite)
Pad A: Orbital Satellite - June 1958 (One-Stage Rocket, Orbital Satellite)

Next Milestone: Orbital Satellite

Zylo · Post by **Zylo** (?) » Thu Jul 02, 2020 8:21 pm

We can make cheaper parts now.

I have an idea...

##Develop 2-stage rocket
##purchase 1x 2-stage rocket with the 50% discount
##purchase 2x 1-stage rockets with 50% discount

Let's not forget research, don't worry I'll handle it.
##Research 1-stage rocket x2
##Research 1-pony capsule x5

umm Rainbow Dash? I'm not sure we can keep up this level of spending...
60MB for 2-stage rocket development
6MB for 1x 2-stage rocket (50% discount)
3MB for 2x 1-stage rockets (50% discount)
4MB for 1-stage rocket research
5MB for 1-pony capsule research
78MB total expenses

sharkmafia · Post by **sharkmafia** (?) » Thu Jul 02, 2020 9:36 pm

PLEASE STAND BY FOR BROADCAST FROM GLORIOUS LEADER CONCERNING IMMINENT TRIUMPH OF KISHMARAAF IN LAUNCHING OF KISHMARAAF CITIZEN INTO NEARLY-SPACE

Fellow revolutionary citizens, rejoice! In only few months, first launch of glorious Kishmaraaf space program will commence! Unlike pitiful idiot countries, Kishmaraaf wastes no time with beeping orb, and instead forges ahead to firing man high above earth! Soon Kishmaraaf science will prove obvious superiority to all countries too stupid to see truth.

Hail to Kishmaraaf!

##Research one-stage rocket x1
##Research one-man capsule x4
##Develop Two-Stage Rocket
##Research EVA suits x5

total cost: 71

Bremen · Post by **Bremen** (?) » Thu Jul 02, 2020 9:39 pm

Of course the launch succeeded, I was never worried for a moment.

##Develop EVA Suits (18) (edit: Opps, 15)
##Research One-Pony Capsule x5 (5)
##Research EVA Suits x5 (5)
##Research One-Stage Rocket x2 (4)
##Buy One Stage Rocket (3)
##Buy Orbital Satellite (1)
Declare Orbital Satellite Launch
Total: 36(33) MB

(?) · Post by **Void Chicken** (?) » Thu Jul 02, 2020 10:12 pm

Not Missiles:
One-Pony Capsule: 2, 6, 3, 4, 4 (+19%)
EVA Suits: 3, 4, 6, 5, 5 (+23%)
One-Stage Rocket: 3, 6 (+9%)

Kishmaraaf:
One-Stage Rocket: 5 (+5%)
One-Man Capsule: 3, 4, 1, 2 (+10%)
EVA Suits: 4, 6, 4, 5, 1 (+20%)

Pegasopolis:
One-Stage Rocket: 6, 1 (+7%)
One-Pony Capsule: 6, 4, 6, 2, 3 (+21%)

Remember if two missions are due in the same month, the player with the lower budget goes up first. If you want to beat someone to a budget bonus, rush it! If you have two missions scheduled for the same month, I'm going to assume you want them launched in the order you put them on the pads. Let me know if you change your mind.

June 26, 1958

Kishmaraaf Space Program Mission: Manned Suborbital
1 milestone skipped
One-Stage Rocket: 85% - 3%
One-Man Capsule: 80% - 3%
Anonymous Astronaut 1: 20%

Kishmaraaf has great faith in their technology, the best the scientists can come up with. If those bugs can put a satellite in space, Kishmaraaf can put a man there too! Glorious Leader expects complete success.

The engines ignite and a living being sees the sky from above for the very first time. He certainly hopes to be able to tell the tale.

Before long, his tiny capsule falls to earth again. The heat shield, made of the very finest Kishmaraaf iron, glows white hot. After what seems like hours, the roaring of the flames gives way to the gentle blowing of the wind.

The swelling ocean appears through a break in the clouds below. With a jerk, the parachutes deploy. Minutes later, the hot shield hisses as it comes into contact with the cold water. After a short wait, recovery swimmers appear to take this astronaut home to a ticker-tape parade.

Kishmaraaf has successfully placed the first man in space! Their next year's budget increases by 24. The rocket and capsule get +1% safety.

Kishmaraaf promises to release a name to the press. Eventually.

June 27, 1958

Pegasopolis Spaceflight Mission: Orbital Satellite
One-Stage Rocket: 85%
Orbital Satellite: 95%

Pegasopolis is the only nation yet to launch anything. Rainbow Dash is looking to change that. She paces back and forth in mission control as the timer counts down. She can't be the first director to lose a mission, especially one ordered by the government. She just can't.

The ground rumbles as the engines light. Like Kishmaraaf's rocket the day before, the Pegasopolis vehicle ascends into the skies and out of sight.

Uncaring to the jealousy of the pegasus below, the satellite's engine successfully boosts it into orbit.

Minutes later, the little beeping arrives. Rainbow breathes a sigh of relief. Good work, team.

Pegasopolis has launched the second orbital satellite! Her next year's budget increases by 10. The rocket and satellite get the usual safety bump.

(?) · Post by **Void Chicken** (?) » Thu Jul 02, 2020 10:29 pm

July 1, 1958

Queen Chrysalis - Bremen
Definitely Not Missiles

Some drone dropped the satellite while it was being loaded into the rocket. You can fix it, but it'll cost you 10 MB. If you don't, it'll take a temporary -10% to its safety on its next mission.
Next year's budget increases by 7.

Current Funds: 50 MB
Next Year's Budget: 100 MB

Programs:
One-Stage Rocket: 84%/85%/98%
Orbital Satellite: 95%/98%
One-Pony Capsule: 29%/80%/93%
EVA Suits: 53%

Hardware:
1x One-Stage Rocket
1x Orbital Satellite
1x One-Pony Capsule

Astronauts (2 MB):
Kevin (0% save)

Planned Missions:
Pad A: Orbital Satellite - Dec 1958 (One-Stage Rocket, Orbital Satellite)

Next Milestone: Mared Suborbital

Glorious Leader - sharkmafia
Kishmaraaf Space Program

Kishmaraaf is ahead of the other nations, but let it not be said that Glorious Leader is a sore winner! He has decided to stretch his nation's generous hand out to aid the lesser peoples of the world. The next mission you plan must be joint. (If people are jerks about accepting it, you can forcibly make it joint, taking half the hardware costs from them and still splitting the reward. But at least try to negotiate, please.)
Next year's budget increases by 1.

Current Funds: 7 MB
Next Year's Budget: 100 MB

Programs:
One-Stage Rocket: 86%/98%
Two-Stage Rocket: 25%/90%/98%
One-Man Capsule: 81%/93%
EVA Suits: 80%/98%

Hardware:
0x One-Stage Rocket
0x One-Man Capsule

Astronauts (2 MB):
Anonymous Astronaut 1 (30% save)
Anonymous Astronaut 3 (20% save)
Anonymous Astronaut 4 (0% save)

Anonymous Astronaut 2 (retired)

Planned Missions:
Pad A: None

Next Milestone: Manned Orbital

Rainbow Dash - Zylo
Pegasopolis Spaceflight

Upon the routine post-flight inspection of the launch complex, you find some major damage to the plumbing. Fortunately it doesn't cost anything to fix. (If you'd launched a mission this turn, it would have had a 50% chance of destroying the pad.)
Next year's budget decreases by 10.

Current Funds: 10 MB
Next Year's Budget: 91

Programs:
One-Stage Rocket: 86%/98%
Two-Stage Rocket: 25%/90%/98%
Orbital Satellite: 96%/98%
One-Pony Capsule: 80%/93% (Next failure is countered)

Hardware:
2x One-Stage Rocket
2x Two-Stage Rocket
0x Orbital Satellite
1x One-Pony Capsule

Astronauts (18 MB for first, 2 MB afterwards):
None

Planned Missions:
Pad A: None

Next Milestone: Mared Suborbital

sharkmafia · Post by **sharkmafia** (?) » Thu Jul 02, 2020 11:06 pm

Kishmaraaf knows that other countries would benefit from generosity of Kishmaraaf. Therefore, Glorious Leader proposes joint mission with less backwards other nation! Rejoice!

##Purchase one-man capsule
##Propose joint mission with Zylo: Manned Orbital with EVA
##Kishmaraaf will provide one-man capsule and astronauts (astronaut 1 primary, astronaut 3 secondary), Pegasopolis will provide one-stage rocket and pad
##Research EVA suits (x5)

cost: 7

Zylo · Post by **Zylo** (?) » Thu Jul 02, 2020 11:13 pm

##accept joint mission proposal

We can start working on the larger rocket research now.
##Research 2-stage rocket x2

:fluttershrug:

Well, that's nearly all of our bits for the year.
Cost 8MB

Bremen · Post by **Bremen** (?) » Thu Jul 02, 2020 11:13 pm

How does it cost ten times as much to fix something as it does to buy a new one? Oh, screw it, just slap some duct tape on it and send it up.

##Send up damaged satellite
##Research 1-Pony Capsule x5 (5)
##Research EVA Suits x5 (5)
Total: 10