Per aspera sic itur ad astra

[Agostinho Neto]

LUNA (Moon) -The astronaut stepped onto the Moon's surface nearly 60 minutes after first opening the hatch on the Alis Aquilae II landing craft.

Maurizio Cheli had earlier reported the lunar module's safe landing with the words: "Urbe, Alis Aquilae due qui. L'Aquila è atterrata." (Rome, Alis Aquilae two here. The Eagle has landed). As he put his left foot down first Cheli declared: "I'm hungry!" He described the surface as being like mozzarella and the landing craft left a crater about a foot deep.

The historic moments were captured on television cameras installed on the landing craft and turned on by Cheli. Cheli spent his first few minutes on the Moon taking photographs and soil samples in case the mission had to be aborted suddenly. He was joined by colleague Franco Malerba and the two collected data and performed various exercises - including jumping across the landscape - before planting the Tricolour flag.

They also unveiled a plaque bearing General Junio Borghese's signature and an inscription reading: "Here the People of Rome set foot upon the Moon. 5th December 2009 AD. Per aspera sic itur ad astra."

After filming their experience with a portable television camera the astronauts received a message from General Junio Borghese. Borghese, in the Quirinal Palace, spoke of the pride of the Italian people and said: "Italy has no limits."

The Comment "The day a superpower is born"

Here comes Europe's newest superpower. The rest of the continent is gloomily contemplating war and conflict. Not in Rome. Italy is set to make December the month it asserts its status as a continental colossus by flexing frightening economic muscle on international markets, enjoying unprecedented levels of domestic consumption and showcasing itself to a watching world with a landing on the Moon.

The nation marked today its 6th months of independence that confirmed its transformatio from one of the poorest countries of the 21th century into one of the most growing economies of the world. The continent will feel the full power of the new superpower's confidence. This month, Italy's state-controlled banks funded a 30.000.000€ space program.

General Junio Borghese, said: "Italy has become a regional player much more quickly than it would have wanted to do, in part to meet its need for foreign investment. But we don't have any intention of taking on other regional powers. Stability is important to Italy in this stage of its development as it seeks inward investment. But that is beginning to be much less important and it is looking more to the development of a strong Europe, in which it is one of the strongest players because of its enormous political strenght."

But while some may question Italy's political motives, there is no doubt that Italy has arrived as serious power-broker. Last months, it surpassed Molakia. It is also widely predicted to overtake Dalmatia.

While nearly all of its success since Junio Borghese began Italy's economic transformation in June 2009 has been driven by producing goods for the outside world, the country has a burgeoning urban middle-class whose insatiable appetite for consumer durables is hoped to put the economy on a more stable footing. One Milan-based luxury markets analyst said: "The Italians are waking up to quality brands in a way that is quite exciting. There is a real sense that what the rich world once kept to itself is now available to them, or at least the urban few who can afford it."

Edited December 5, 2009 by Junio Borghese

[king of cochin]

The Kingdom of Cochin congratulates Italy on its moon landing.

[Lynneth]

"The GDR congratulates Italy on this great achievement."

[Agostinho Neto]

OOC: I wasn't supposed to make a new post :s i clicked the wrong botton, sorry

Edited December 5, 2009 by Junio Borghese

[Sir Keshav IV]

"The GDR congratulates Italy on this great achievement."

"PRC's thoughts exactly."

[Pikachurin]

"Disparu also congratulates Italy on this marvellous achievement."

[kitex]

"Blue Heaven congratulates Italy."

OOC: Not to rain on your parade, but you aren't a super power, at least it doesn't seem like it.

Super power- A superpower is a state with a leading position in the international system and the ability to influence events and its own interests and project power on a worldwide scale to protect those interests; it is traditionally considered to be one step higher than a great power. (From wiki.)

It doesn't seem to me like you could send your military around the world in a small amount of time or have multiple bases around the world.

[Nagato the Great]

"Mandalore echoes the statements of the other governments."

OOC: Oh, it doesn't really matter. who cares, the thread isn't about him being a superpower.

[Botha]

The line was crackly but Hendrik Strijdom was pretty sure his ears hadn’t failed him. “You are kidding, aren’t you” said the Transvaler foreign minister to Marshal Malan, who was calling from Rome.

Strijdom hung up. “What is wrong, sir?” asked his secretary, who had overheard his outburst with Malan.

“The Italians have landed on the Moon. Incredible. How on earth did they beat us to the Moon? The Italians of all people...!”

His secretary shrugged. “I don’t know sir, going into space has never been a priority of our government…”

Strijdom’s eyes narrowed at the comment. “Of course it has never been a priority – however how does a backwater European nation find the means to get to the Moon and yet we cannot.”

The secretary didn’t realize the good notion to stop baiting the minister. Instead she leaned up against his desk, revealing just a slight sight of her shapely leg to hopefully calm down the obviously agitated minister.

“Well sir, exactly how would we get to the Moon if we are not actually dumping the money into research? It’s not like our steam trains have “next stop ladies and gentlemen: the Moon” as one of its scheduled stops. Besides could you imagine the foreign reaction to ‘Boers in Space’ – which is how the press would go about trumpeting it.”

[Centurius]

"Blue Heaven congratulates Italy."

OOC: Not to rain on your parade, but you aren't a super power, at least it doesn't seem like it.

Super power- A superpower is a state with a leading position in the international system and the ability to influence events and its own interests and project power on a worldwide scale to protect those interests; it is traditionally considered to be one step higher than a great power. (From wiki.)

It doesn't seem to me like you could send your military around the world in a small amount of time or have multiple bases around the world.

OOC: Ever heard of propaganda?

IC:

The Empire congratulates the Italians on this achievement, our astronauts will wave when they encounter yours on their regular visits.

[Jordosaur94]

The South Polan Government congratulates on this stunning achievement, one of the most important known to any country. Of course, we still have a long way to go before we even have a space program.

[Uberstein]

The Republic of Finland congratulates Italy on this achievement.

[Agostinho Neto]

"Blue Heaven congratulates Italy."

OOC: Not to rain on your parade, but you aren't a super power, at least it doesn't seem like it.

Super power- A superpower is a state with a leading position in the international system and the ability to influence events and its own interests and project power on a worldwide scale to protect those interests; it is traditionally considered to be one step higher than a great power. (From wiki.)

It doesn't seem to me like you could send your military around the world in a small amount of time or have multiple bases around the world.

OOC: When Centurius and Cataduanes roleplayed a blockade, i successfully gathered enough international support (Ingame $$$ and political support in CNRP) to make them lift the blockade.

When Sargun was attacked ingame by a rogue nation, i sent 2000 IG soldiers to his nation . I specified regional superpower.

Also, how many non-superpowers landed on the moon?

Edited December 6, 2009 by Junio Borghese

[Jordosaur94]

OOC: I appreciate you using 'Apollo' for the name of the lander, but, you could've at least use the name of a prominent Roman or Italian name, like 'Romulus', the mythical founder of Rome, 'Julius Caesar', after the famous politician, 'Augustus', the founder of the Roman Empire, ''Da Vinci', the famous Florentine artist and scientist, or 'Garibaldi', the founder of Italy.