Galnet archive

Freelance Report: The SHEPARD Mission

In honour of Alan Shepard, the second human being to enter space, a group of independent pilots has announced a galactic endurance expedition. The SHEPARD Mission (Stellar Heliographic Expedition for Proto-Astronomical Reconnaissance and Discovery) will document three types of stellar measurement: star composition and clustering, unknown supernova remnants, and star triangulation and migration.

The SHEPARD Mission will consist of five legs covering 37 waypoints and 12 base camps in the Centaurus Reach, the Scutum-Centaurus Arm, the Styx and the galactic core. The mission will also include an SRV planetary-circumnavigation endurance race and a climb to the galactic ceiling using newly discovered Pulsar-FSD boost technology.

Still accepting pilots, SHEPARD will last six months and depart from the Sol system on the 5th of November 3302.

Commander Parabolus

Freelance Report: The Cassiopeia Expedition

The Earth Expeditionary Fleet has announced plans to mount a bold expedition beyond the Perseus Arm to find two stellar objects in the Cassiopeia constellation first noted by Earth astronomers in the distant past.

"The Cassiopeia Project differs from other expeditions," said Commander Finn McMillan. "We will attempt to locate two supernova remnants, which have yet to be found despite numerous attempts from independent explorers. Our targets are Cassiopeia A and Tycho's star."

"This is not space tourism. The expedition to Cassiopeia A will take us into an area of space referred to as the Formidine Rift, which before the advent of the frame shift drive had a reputation as a kind of Bermuda Triangle. Few who venture into the Rift return to tell the tale."

The expedition is expected to depart from Chi Orionis in the first week of November 3302.

Jaiotu

Freelance Report: Basking for Refugees

A group of well-connected Imperial Commanders has descended on the Kalana system carrying medicines and evacuation shelters. The loosely organized 'Cutter Club', as the group calls itself, has pledged to meet the needs of the Mu Koji refugees.

The Cutter Club has also organised a fundraising event in support of various other charitable efforts. The event, Basking for Refugees, will be streamed from Moore Prospect on the 2nd of October 3302 at 22:00 galactic standard time. The main event will feature daredevil SRV jumps over rows of Imperial Cutters. The public is invited to participate in the event, and to consider supporting a charity of their choice.

Commander PeachSlicesV summed up the event:

"War creates significant numbers of displaced, vulnerable and needy people. Whatever you can give will improve their lives. Who knows – one day they might save yours."

Commander Corrigendum

Freelance Report: The Alien Wreck

As independent pilots flock to the mysterious wreckage in the Pleiades, many have been speculating on the meaning of the discovery. Some believe the wreck is of Thargoid origin, but that rumour has little evidence to support it.

One pilot who visited the site shared his opinion:

"While the alien wreck is worthy of further study, I doubt it's recent. Judging from the lack of heat signature, I think it's been dead for a while – maybe even centuries. It's hard to tell how old something is with a simple visual inspection, especially on a planet with no atmosphere."

"I suspect it won't be long before the Federation or the Empire tries to claim the wreckage, so we probably don't have much time to study it."

Independent pilots are still flocking to the site, but many questions remain. Possible links to the barnacles, Unknown Artefacts and Unknown Probes have been suggested, but no evidence of a connection has been found.

Commander Cosby714

Freelance Report: Buckyball Presents Heavy Metal Megadeth

Following the success of the Total Recall 2 event, the Pilots Federation has asked the Buckyball Racing Club to help it investigate a pressing safety issue.

Since the start of the year, the Pilots Federation has noticed a sharp increase in the number of crash landings on high-gravity planets. To assess whether or not ship thrusters require an across-the-board power increase, the organisation has asked the Buckyball Racing Club to organise an event that pushes ships to their maximum tolerance during high-gravity landings.

To this end, the Buckyball Racing club invites pilots to gather at Cook Gateway in the Medzistha system. After departing from Cook Gateway, pilots must perform a single hyperspace jump to Omicron Capricorni B, land on planet A4 - anywhere - and return to Cook Gateway.

Pilots are warned that Omicron Capricorni B A 4 has a surface gravity of 4g, so extreme caution should be exercised when exiting orbital cruise.

The event will run from 00.00 UTC on the 6th of September until 23.59 UTC on the 11th of September.

Commander Markzx59

Freelance Report: Weird Science

As the scientific community grapples with the discovery of mysterious wreckage in the Pleiades Sector AB-W B2-4 system, controversial naturalist Ulla Burton believes she has the answer.

In her most recent broadcast, Ulla said:

"The answer is staring us in the face – it's a form of giant space crab. I'm surprised the Canonn Institute hasn't considered it. The creature was obviously confused by frame shift emissions, and beached itself while looking for food."

While answering viewers' questions, Ulla dismissed suggestions that the remains were dangerous or indicative of the existence of intelligent life.

"The chances of anything coming from the Pleiades, or beyond, are a million to one. Other than the space trees the Federation is guarding, there's nothing in that remote, forbidding area. The Unknown Probes are nothing more than space fungi. The Canonn should stop misleading people with its pseudo-science."

Commander Gan

Ogilvy Observer | Interstellar Press

Freelance Report: Much Ado about Nothing?

Recent statements from Professor Steven Eisler of the Okinura Xenobiology Institute appear to have frustrated large sections of the scientific community.

Darius Maddox, presenter of weekly science broadcast The Face of the Universe, said, "Eisler isn't a field scientist – he's an academic – and to throw around the T-word every time humanity encounters something it doesn't understand is irresponsible."

Eisler responded to the criticism:

"I'm not leaping to the conclusion that the object in the Pleiades is of Thargoid origin. I only meant that if it is Thargoid, it's likely to be a relic of the past."

"It's true that I haven't done much field science recently, but I plan to visit the site soon, and I'll be looking for indications of whether this is a recent find or something that has been sitting on the surface for a while."

Jaiotu

Freelance Report: August Exodus Ends with a Bang

On the 30th of August 3302, the August Exodus came to end with dozens of independent pilots assembling outside Jaques Station for photos and general tomfoolery.

Despite a few explosions, revellers enjoyed a race on the track that will host the first official event of the newly established Colonia Citizens Network on the 4th of September.

The August Exodus team issued a statement saying: "With the establishment of this colony, our wildest dreams have come true. We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to all those who took part in this endeavour. This could not have happened without your help."

Commander unrealization