SD.net's World (RAR!)

[MKSheppard]

There's no way you can do that efficiently.

Build Sea Dragon Then.

[Shroom Man 777]

Isn't Shepnukistan less than optimal for space launch due to its being up north?

The Shinra Republic, Lonestar Republic, and Tianxia are near the equator (we have an equator, right guys?) and could do their launches on their own lands. Without having to violate Shepnukistan (for ill-defined reasons).

[Admittedly, the Prime Minister of Shroomania is not a rocket scientist.]

[K. A. Pital]

I thought lifting payloads is okay? Just not permanent objects in low LEOs.


PRAVDA

Diamonds? Space Stations!
The Red Techocracy has announced the start of construction of ALMAZ space stations. The Secretary General in his speech announced: "We are commited to space exploration and want to be a beacon among nations that leads humanity and science into the vast depths of space"

The initial funding for the program has been secured for the entire next FY - 2009 N.E.

ECSOC develops a comprehensive annual report
Time is nearing when yearly results will have to be assessed; as a sign of good will and trust among the nations, the RT's economic statistics and growth parameters shall be released to the nations party to the 1st Great Conference of Nations.

International terrorism - Libertopia?
The gist of international terrorism problem connected with Libertopia has been a cause of concern for the RT Supreme Council. However, the people's congressial body did not authorize any operations beyond UAV surveillance of Libertopia, voting 201-30 against stronger action, reflecting th strained status of the military; it is presumed several LR drones have been dedicated to that now.

APCS conference due after the 1st Great Conference of Nations is finished
The RT is sending out invitations to APCS member parties for the next conference. Official delegations have today asked if any states wish to becme Observer parties to the APCS for the IInd APCS Conference on Syndromia.

[Beowulf]

I thought lifting payloads is okay? Just not permanent objects in low LEOs.

It's in my airspace? I shoot it down. Doesn't matter that it was passing through on the way to a higher orbit. It's still in my airspace. *boom* There's no such thing as an object permanently in LEO. All of them will end up burning up eventually.

[MKSheppard]

I thought lifting payloads is okay? Just not permanent objects in low LEOs.

Given the technical limitations, RoS is open to the following amendments:

1.) Lowering the altitude to around 7,500 miles (12,070 km)

or

Allowing civilian launches to pass through national airspace with proper clearance. Military launches of course, would be destroyed on sight.

[K. A. Pital]

How about Sea Launch proposal? Nations or pacts big enough to launch off-territory will use ground, others will get sea.

The proposal is reasonable.

What do you suggest, a free for all airspace? Then why do people get up in arms when a SAM is constructed with a 100 km range for example, since that is "infringing on their airspace"?

[Shroom Man 777]

It's in my airspace? I shoot it down. Doesn't matter that it was passing through on the way to a higher orbit. It's still in my airspace. *boom* There's no such thing as an object permanently in LEO. All of them will end up burning up eventually.

This statement comes as a surprise since Tian Xia earlier did not express any problems with violating Shepnukistan's aerospace as it conducted tests on its launch vehicles.

[Addendum]

While the MESS expressed concerns regarding nations developing defensive technologies in reaction to the MESS' show of military might in Vulpesia, it seems as though the MESS itself has no problems with infringing upon the territorial rights of other nations.

[RogueIce]

How about Sea Launch proposal? Nations or pacts big enough to launch off-territory will use ground, others will get sea.

The proposal is reasonable.

What do you suggest, a free for all airspace? Then why do people get up in arms when a SAM is constructed with a 100 km range for example, since that is "infringing on their airspace"?

People did? I remember remarking that 100km SSMs were bit unreasonable since you could plug a ship sailing in its own international waters.

I suppose then you could do the same with a SAM if you wanted to (horizontaly as opposed to vertically) but hopefully people wouldn't do that.

Of course, my fellow world leaders, this is why we're having this argument now, in a global conference. Rather than waiting around to see who gets trigger-happy first.

[Beowulf]

It's in my airspace? I shoot it down. Doesn't matter that it was passing through on the way to a higher orbit. It's still in my airspace. *boom* There's no such thing as an object permanently in LEO. All of them will end up burning up eventually.

This statement comes as a surprise since Tian Xia earlier did not express any problems with violating Shepnukistan's aerospace as it conducted tests on its launch vehicles.

Tian Xia wishes for airspace to be considered to end at a more energetically appropriate height. If the powers at this conference insist on near GEO orbit as the limit of airspace, then we will take action as we see fit. We do not have any real ability to determine the military nature of a launch, without the statements of the very nation that has interest in proclaiming a civilian launch in the first place. Tian Xia would be willing to consider 100 mi as the limit of national airspace.

[MKSheppard]

+++Republic of Shepnukistan+++

This afternoon, the aircraft of Strategic Air Command's 305th Strategic Reconnaisance Wing executed OPERATION ONE UP; a staged mass overflight of Tian Xia in response to Tian Xia's violation of the RoS's airspace earlier.

The Department of Defense states that in the process of accomplishing their mission, the RB-1Cs of the 305th SRW were fired upon by Tian Xian air defenses. One RB-1C was forced to divert to a friendly airfield in the United Kingdom of Blackadder after receiving damage.

[Sea Skimmer]

Al-Sindibaad Al-Bahri Island, Saddamistan control
On The Far Side of the SDN World

Alarms blared across the tiny spec of land on the edge of the great atoll, sending the handful of technicians and guards which remained into deep bunkers. Five ships ringed the landmass in ocean and lagoon, three Arleigh Burkes and a pair of freighters turned support ships, one mounting an enormous long range radar. From them, and several small bases on other islets dozens of instruments and cameras watched and waited. al-Sindibaad al-Bahri Island was barely a quarter of a square mile, but at each end it held a launch pad for the new al-Abid IV space booster.

The previous three versions had see extensive tests, but with each launch ending in a rapid deorbit, creating the illusion that Saddamistan had interest only in ballistic missiles and not orbital flight. This time it would be different, and each al-Abid held a simple signal amplification satellite which was certain to attract the attention of any nation with a radar system, and also a telemetry reporting package. As the first and then second al-Abid blasted skyward, more then a few of the observing technicians wondered why. Why had it been necessary to conduct such a record setting launch, the first Arab presence in space, from such a remote location and directly towards Saddamistan?

S-5 Missile Test Complex and Radar Range Command Bunker
50km south west of New Yawm al Azi, in the deserts of the Arab Socialist Ba'ath Empire of Saddamistan

The range command bunker controlled no combat systems directly; rather it was a clearing house for information, linking the Badar-X ASAT firing units of the 1st Provisional Very Special Republican Guard ASAT Brigade into the wider aerospace defense grid. In this case it relayed permission from the Central Air Defense Sector around New Bagdad to open fire upon the two friendly satellite tracks which had just appeared on long range radarscopes, following the successful al-Abid launches over ten thousand miles away. The tracks were designated IST-1 and IST-2.

Badar-X was no mere surface to air ASAT system. Early on it had been realized that a ground based combat complex would by nature be large, expensive and with relatively immobile equipment possessing only a limited cross range capability. Work had gone ahead on the enormous three stage IS-24 missile, fired singly from an 8x8 truck or railway car, while in parallel the KS-2 air launched ASAT weapon had been developed to cope with lower altitude targets. The brigade thus had one long range radar battalion with six very large radars, the first and only fully operational set being located at the S-5 range, one surface to space missile battalion with twenty four road mobile and tweleve rail mobile IS-24 launchers, and one special detachment of MiG 9.01SSD (Saddam Super Special) heavy interceptor jets equipped for KS-2 launch. Two of the Saddam Specials now flew over the range; navigation systems directly slaved to the ground radar, and armed with a single external KS-2 each, though the theoretical maximum capacity would be four of the 1300kg weapons.

The SSD pilots watched as a pair of the huge IS-24 SAMs lifted off, each blasting away from a huge cloud of smoke before jettisoning boosters and accelerating to hypersonic speed. Shortly after a second pair of missiles followed, all targeted on the lead satellite, traveling some 50 seconds ahead of its partner by design. Flashes invisible to the naked eye appeared in low earth orbit as the first IS-24 detonated its 100lb shrapnel warhead less then a half second before it scored at direct impact with IST-1, followed quickly by the flash of the second missile hitting. The second pair of interceptors self destructed, the target having been shattered forcing the radar to categorize the debris as entirely new tracks.

The whole while the SSDs had been climbing, following cues to take themselves faster and higher, away from the thick lower air and up into the stratosphere. The mach indicators pressed towards 3.1 as the planes clawed past 80,000ft, and then, it was time to fire. KS-2 dropped away before firing its main rocket, the blast immediately sending it sailing out away from the Saddamistan interceptors and towards space. The newly born satellite IST-2 almost glowed to the radar seekers in the nose of each KS-2 as it amplified each radar pulse they emitted. The first missile suffered a thrust vectoring malfunction and passed nearly a hundred yards wide, still managing to pepper IST-2 with a few shrapnel balls, but the second one homed in directly, obliterating it with a direct impact.


Press Release 24 Hours Later
Saddamistan formally announces its possession the operational capability to destroy satellite targets employing the Badar Combat Complex. Full scale ‘orbit cleansing’ use of Badar will be temporary postponed, pending the outcome of air-space treaty negotiations. Saddamistan does however reserve the right to fire without warning on any surface, air or space target approaching to within 380nm of its territory without prior permission while negotiations are conducted. Furthermore Saddamistan surrenders no right by mere acceptance of a negotiation process, and may withdraw at any time.

- All Hail Saddam The Great, ruler of men, builder of armor, conqueror of Farsi.

[PeZook]

CONSTRUCTION TO COMMENCE ON FIRST PRODUCTION RUN OF THE FCS

The bid contest has been resolved - mostly due to lack of offers from other nations, a Shroomanian-made steam turbine was selected as the new engine for the trouble-plagued Fast Commerce Ship project.

This turbine, however, seems to be an excellent design: originally used to provide engine power for Shroomanian warships, it is very fuel-efficient and low on maintenance. After modifications, it should allow the Fast Commerce Ships to reach a sustained speed of 25 knots, while not using more fuel than any other, slower merchant ship.

While thought was given to automating the FCS, as Baernians did, the NSB is not confident that precious cargo will not be lost to random accidents which automated system will not be able to compensate for. However, several patents were licensed to reduce crew from 12 to 8 men and improve safety. They are also armed with Shroomanian-made weapons, including two 20mm cannon emplacements, a simple anti-missile system for shooting down older ASMs which may be in use by pirates, an ultrasonic "pain inducer" and two machine guns. These armements were added at the last minute, in light of recent loss of a Baerne freighter, and are another reason why a human crew was deemed necessary.

The 15 thousand tonne freighters are ideally suited for tight channels and straits of SD.net world, and their fast speed (compared to classic freighters) allows them to shorten delivery times by half or more.

Initial cost estimates for a single FCS run at about 15-20 million dollars, but cost overruns are expected for the first batch. The Republic shall purchase two ships for domestic use, and the NSB is authorized to sell the FCS to friendly nations. Currently, Republican shipyards can produce four ships in parallel. Construction time for a single FCS is one moth.

[OOC: Edited my post after OPERATION VANAHEIM HAMMERTIME to reflect the fact the conference was NOT over]

EDIT: Scaled down the costs and build times. They were excessive even for a modern VLCC

[PeZook]

As the new day of the Conference began, the King of the II Republic commented on Saddamistan's recent statements:

This is an outrage! Saddamistan basically claims it has the authority to shoot down any aircraft flying over the Central Sea without warning! While the II Republic proposed the plan to deploy long-ranged anti-ship missiles, it treated this as a proposal and immediately proposed an acceptable compromise when other nations objected, while Saddamistan simply claimed 380 nautical miles as its airspace!

The international community must react most strongly to such a statement ; Innocent lives of aircraft passeners are at stake.

The Journal has decided to post this diagram, a simple illustration of the extent of Saddamistan's claimed airspace.

[MKSheppard]

Stas needs to move out the islands quite a bit; as it is, they're so close to each other that either this world is really small or a SCUD is an ICBM

[RogueIce]

As roughly 3/4ths of the Shinra Republic is within Saddamistan's claimed shoot-down zone, I must concur with the King of the II Republic.

[PeZook]

Stas needs to move out the islands quite a bit; as it is, they're so close to each other that either this world is really small or a SCUD is an ICBM

It does provide for unique challenges as far as international politics go (see the very real problem of deploying a decent-range defensive system).

I kinda like it.

[Sea Skimmer]

Saddamistan has always intended that in the locations its claimed airspace and sea exclusion zone infringed on other nations territorial limits; that whatever limit that nation claimed, up to half the width of the total gap between coastlines, shall be respected with regards to the passage of its shipping and aircraft. However this respect will not necessarily extend to military craft of a third part transiting the other nations territory. Considering that many nations’ field warships armed with land attack missiles in the 800 mile range class, with aircraft launched weapons reaching even further Saddamistan finds its 380 mile limit as more then reasonable and vital to state security.

[PeZook]

Saddamistan is more than capable of fielding SAM systems that would be able to destroy such long-ranged missiles aimed at its cities with trivial ease. The shoot-down rules proposed by the Great Saddam basically mean that the Kingdom of Zoria would be completely unable to run any excercises with its air force over its own sovereign territory!

Frankly, Saddamistan's blatant posturing and excessive imperialistic claims are cause for utmost concern for the King and should be for the rest of the international community.

[K. A. Pital]

I find the SCUD ICBM angle being good and indeed allowing for unique political challenges.

It would be boring if we removed the close aspect, and it would also make near-instant aviatravel which we have now as a benefit to this community fal apart. The Conference could not be called up within timeflow; neither could it be left and returned by leaders due to urgent needs; current situation however allows that.

This proximity also means huge rockets are only used for spacelift and really huge ICBMs are pointless. Small states would not have to waste tons of money on large ICBMs.

[ I will also point out that we are constrained by pixel map scape, if you make even 100 mile gaps, the map would baloon beyond measure; and if we minimize scale any further, small states will vanish off the map]

Airspace law
The Red Technocracy hereby proposes airspace limits to be the same as Naval Limits per the International Law of the Sea.

This will remove the overlap of airspace.

Else, the situation could lead to a massive conflict.

[Shroom Man 777]

[Skimmer: Super Saddam Special good one ]
[Power outage wiped my post out, so I will be re-posting this briefly but concisely.]


The Sovereign Shroomanian Sentinel
Shipping Shroom Seas

Shroomanian shipping corporations have entered negotiations with the Republic to license the Fast Commerce Ship design so local Shroomanian shipyards can produce them and export them to fellow FUNGAL AXIS nations.

In light of the success and drawbacks observed in the Baernish fish-killing roboship, Shroomanian fish-killing roboships are now being operated by a minimal skeleton crew in order to prevent accidents and other mishaps. Also, these Shroomanian fish-killing robot vessels are being armed with defensive weaponry to be used by their crew only when under duress from pirates and other menaces of the sea. The provision of trained skeleton crews also ensures that should the robot vessels malfunction, they will not go strip-fishing until their pre-set fish-kill-meters expire.



In other news...
CONFERENCE CONCERNS

The Prime Minister of Shroomania voices concerns over the Empire of Saddamistan's latest announcements and cautions the Empire to avoid infringing upon the territories of its close neighbors.

The Prime Minister has also stated to his colleagues and counterparts in the Great Conference that the MESS and the O.M.S.K. Pact should - at least temporarily - cease their animosities and disagreements in light of recent alarming events as Saddamistan's actions may jeopardize the stability of a region that encompasses nations belonging to not only the MESS, but also the LUN and the FUNGAL AXIS, nations friendly to the O.M.S.K. Pact.

Also, in the spirit of defusing international tensions, the Prime Minister has expressed willingness to declassify information regarding Shroomania's twin mothership-submarines, the Yer Mom and the Yer Face while also announcing that due to economic concerns, the development of the Stonehenge railgun has been halted and there will be no further development aside from the already-completed prototype (which in itself is believed by analysts to be an already potent defensive system).

[PeZook]

The Sovereign Shroomanian Sentinel
Shipping Shroom Seas

Shroomanian shipping corporations have entered negotiations with the Republic to license the Fast Commerce Ship design so local Shroomanian shipyards can produce them and export them to fellow FUNGAL AXIS nations.

The National Shipbuilding Bureau will gladly sell the FCS license to Shroomania, in exchange for an investment package in the Republican Shipyard. Expansion of existing facilities to accomodate parallel construction of six ships, and delivery of a floating drydock will grant Shroomanian companies a manufacturing and modification license for the FCS through a period of 15 years, with the possiblity to extend it in the future.

The NSB hopes this is an acceptable proposal, but is open for further negotiation.

[Shroom Man 777]

Shroomania accepts this!

[K. A. Pital]

Another subject of the conference, honoured nation leaders.

The ECSOC has delivered an analysis on world economic performance and has provided guidelines for general state economic performance that could be considered an economy capable of acting and growing:

1,5 trillion
Generally: 250-500 billion overall expense
Generally: 25-50 billion military expenditures
750 billion
Generally: 100-350 billion overall expense (up to 50% GDP)
Generally: 10-25 billion military expenditures
400 billion
Generally: 100-200 billion overall expense possible (up to 50% GDP)
Generally: 5-10 billion military expenditures
60 billion
Generally: 10-30 billion overall expense (up to 50% GDP)
Generally: 0,5-1 billion military expenditures
6 billion
Generally: 1-3 billion overall expense (up to 50% GDP)
Generally: 0,1-0,5 billion military expenditures

Do the honourable deputees agree to this data?

Incidentally, the military expenditure is just enough to maintain an army (unless you push for militarization and cut edges of the real budget) of required size. Probably not enough to maintain some types of bleeding edge technology though. But this is what you have pacts for, pooling resources.

Wars are really straining, but not beyond belief (some real world armies are really disproportionate to spending, and thus as it is possible to run an army of scale like Pakistan for a Tsardom, actually the AFV numbers are well smaller than Pakistan's - the ability to spend and run a foreign war is also present).

The more or less okay proportions for military spending, more or less, would have over 60% spend on maintenance/pay, while the other 30-40% is spent on production/aquisition of new weapons and R&D, the R&D being between 10 and 20% of overall military spending.

[EDIT: thanks to Pezookia, typos are bad!

EDIT2: This is really important guys - if you wish to have meaningful yearly trade, you should know how much money you can spend on buying cool military shit, and how much to develop something new cool and atrocious.

Else it be a stupid freefest.]

[PeZook]

Shroomania accepts this!

Contract signed! Shroomania to produce the new Fast Commerce Ship in their own shipyard!

Negotiations came to a succesful end today, as a licensing contract was signed between head of the National Shipbuilding Bureau, Bronislav Bzhechyshchykievitsh and a delegation from Shroomanian Ministry Of Finance, representing interests of Shroomanian shipping companies.

Many hijinks ensued due the unpronouncable name of the NSB's director, but the contract did get signed eventually. Several Shroomanian companies have already contracted surveys of the National Shipyards in order to develop the best way to expand it, and a set of requirements for the floating dry dock was submitted by the NSB.

The Republic's government expressed surprise at the accuracy of ECSOC data, noting however, that they grossly overestimated possible expenditure of a principiality with 60 billion dollars of GDP. Republic's total expenditures for the year are about 6.5 billion, with military spending at 600 million.

EDIT: It has been noted the errors were corrected. That crafty ECSOC, editing the Internet on the fly!

[K. A. Pital]

The Red Techocracy has observed the cargo vessel market with great interest; the Ministry of Economy has been pondering the FY 2009 NE export-import deals.

The Supreme Council has sent a delegation of seafaring captains and Import-Export Trade Commitee to the friendly nation of Pezookia to inquire about the possibility of buying FCS ships.

[@ look at the delegation, can you spot him? ]