Project Black Rock

[Voodoo Nova]

Novakian scientists were working on a secret project plotted out by the Chief of Staff several weeks ago. The technology itself was nothing new, but the development of this technology to serve a new purpose would advance Novakian and allied defense systems. The project was outlined to be the following:

[code]
I. Space Platform Vehicle with:
A. Jamming equipment
B. Satellite Guidance equipment
C. Direct Energy Countermeasures
D. Various other technological capabilities

II. Launching Vehicle with:
A. LOX/RP-1 fueled engines
B. LEO payload of 32000 kg
C. Two Stage Engines
D. Ability to be Reused[/code]

Novakian scientists sent the following abstract of the report to the Chief of Staff with the report attached:

[quote]Scientists have experimented on the outskirts of the Empty Quarter the existing technologies on a land-based simulated Space Platform to determine the ease of such equipment on the platform. The experiment was deemed a success, with minor drawbacks in electronic connections to the Direct Energy Countermeasures. The primary issue with the SPV is the amount of energy required to power the three systems at once, should it be required, due to the finite amount of energy available. Some of the possible solutions include using solar energy and setting up a "wind" generator. Another issue is the lack of qualified cosmonauts to operate the shuttle. The solution we propose is contacting an ally with a strong space program to provide experienced cosmonauts and help with the experimentation of this system.[/quote]

The Chief of Staff read the abstract and gave a call to the military leaders of the USC;

"Hello, this is the Chief of Staff of the Novakian Armed Forces. We require some assistance with military defense experimentation of a new type of space platform. If you are interested in making this a joint project, I will send our project manager and the top researchers to make quick work of this project so it will be operational as soon as possible."

[Triyun]

"Taibei Spaceport will be made available for this project. Our strategic space lift rockets and shuttle fleet will be made available for your disposal." the message reply read.

"Please send engineers and technicians, and we'll make our industrial capacity available to you immediately."

[Voodoo Nova]

[quote name='Triyun' date='24 April 2010 - 11:39 PM' timestamp='1272166731' post='2273797']
"Taibei Spaceport will be made available for this project. Our strategic space lift rockets and shuttle fleet will be made available for your disposal." the message reply read.

"Please send engineers and technicians, and we'll make our industrial capacity available to you immediately."
[/quote]

The Project Manager, Al-Zarqali, his top engineers and technicians were put on the first military flight out to Taibei. They arrived at the airport in Taibei and made their way by car to the Taibei Spaceport. Al-Zarqali met with the researchers at the Spaceport. "Hello gentlemen. I assume you have been brought up to speed on this stage in this project, so I will begin. Currently, we need a space shuttle to experiment these new systems in the vacuum environment of space. With your help, we will be able to outfit any space shuttle with these existing technologies. Are we ready to begin this experiment gentlemen?"

[Triyun]

Space Shuttle Guo Shoujing was already being prepared in the hangar. It was the largest of the three resusable shuttles that had been constructed by the Neo Whampao Brotherhood.

"We will provide our best crew and largest shuttle for your equipment and prototype. The space ship can remain in orbit for several weeks and can hold up to eight payload specialists in addition to the regular crew. We will also be outfitting a second shuttle to bring up a solar panel array that can help supply additional power for prototype testing."

Edited April 25, 2010 by Triyun

[Voodoo Nova]

[quote name='Triyun' date='25 April 2010 - 12:16 AM' timestamp='1272168949' post='2273854']
Space Shuttle Guo Shoujing was already being prepared in the hangar. It was the largest of the three resusable shuttles that had been constructed by the Neo Whampao Brotherhood.

"We will provide our best crew and largest shuttle for your equipment and prototype. The space ship can remain in orbit for several weeks and can hold up to eight payload specialists in addition to the regular crew. We will also be outfitting a second shuttle to bring up a solar panel array that can help supply additional power for prototype testing."
[/quote]

"That sounds perfect. At least two of my technicians and engineers will need to be in contact with the space shuttle to help interpret research data transmitted from Space Shuttle equipment. A major portion of this test will be the laser systems. Novak currently has two dead radio and television satellites that would burn in the atmosphere at the end of the year. We will be sending two missiles, one at each of the satellites in order to test the response time of the laser system when faced with multiple targets. This will ensure your men in the Space Shuttle will not be harmed from bad results of a live fire experiment. Are there any tests we have not previously covered that the USC wishes to observe with this SPV?"

[Triyun]

This will be fine. Our crew will be able to provide us with reports. We would however like to request to be supplied with direct energy weapons to be able to defend our territory from satellite based systems in space. Namely lasers capable of knocking out satellites.

[Voodoo Nova]

[quote name='Triyun' date='25 April 2010 - 12:44 AM' timestamp='1272170681' post='2273897']
This will be fine. Our crew will be able to provide us with reports. We would however like to request to be supplied with direct energy weapons to be able to defend our territory from satellite based systems in space. Namely lasers capable of knocking out satellites.
[/quote]

"Once the experiment is completed and we make the necessary adjustments, we can contract out direct energy weaponry to the USC. When will the Space Shuttle be ready for launching? We are currently performing preliminary checks to ensure there will be no equipment malfunctions."

[Triyun]

"The space shuttle can be ready for launch within six hours weather permitting of the equipment being loaded on."

[Voodoo Nova]

[quote name='Triyun' date='25 April 2010 - 01:42 AM' timestamp='1272174137' post='2274002']
"The space shuttle can be ready for launch within six hours weather permitting of the equipment being loaded on."
[/quote]

"This is good news. I'll have my engineers perform final checks on the space shuttle and equipment so we can begin the launching procedures."

[Triyun]

At about 6 AM the first shuttle would blast off from Taibei Space Port heading towards the heavens. As it cleared the initial stage it jettisoned its booster rockets and cargo tank in the Pacific Ocean as it headed into Orbit. "Mission Control, this is the Guo Shoujing, we are reporting that we have entered orbit." the shuttle commander said as they faced a black horizon filled with bright white dots across it. "Beginning to proceed to mission point alpha."

"Roger Space Shuttle Guo Shoujing. The Zheng He will rendevous in 11 hours." mission control responded.

"Roger." the commander of the shuttle said.

Lt. General Shu head of space command placed a call to the Novakians.

"We have confirmation of the first shuttle carrying your scientists has successfully entered orbit and is proceeding to the rendezvous point for experiments to begin. We will have our second shuttle with additional power generating equipment and supplies launch in 9 hours."

[Voodoo Nova]

[quote name='Triyun' date='26 April 2010 - 02:40 PM' timestamp='1272307217' post='2276204']
At about 6 AM the first shuttle would blast off from Taibei Space Port heading towards the heavens. As it cleared the initial stage it jettisoned its booster rockets and cargo tank in the Pacific Ocean as it headed into Orbit. "Mission Control, this is the Guo Shoujing, we are reporting that we have entered orbit." the shuttle commander said as they faced a black horizon filled with bright white dots across it. "Beginning to proceed to mission point alpha."

"Roger Space Shuttle Guo Shoujing. The Zheng He will rendevous in 11 hours." mission control responded.

"Roger." the commander of the shuttle said.

Lt. General Shu head of space command placed a call to the Novakians.

"We have confirmation of the first shuttle carrying your scientists has successfully entered orbit and is proceeding to the rendezvous point for experiments to begin. We will have our second shuttle with additional power generating equipment and supplies launch in 9 hours."
[/quote]

"This is good news. These experiments should last only a week, at which point we will have enough data to start the development of production models of this spacecraft."

[Voodoo Nova]

After the first set of experiments were completed, the following abstract was sent to Novakian & USC government officials and scientists working on the project:

[quote]
The jamming equipment worked well in disrupting communication satellite equipment when deployed in low-orbit, against domestic Novakian test satellites. Issues that were unexpected included some coding issues that resulted in some spelling errors and further jamming tests will be completed at a later date. The missile defense system was tested 2 hours after the additional power source arrived a half hour behind schedule. Two ICBM missiles were launched from Novak towards two defunct Novakian communication and televison satellites. On the first missile, the laser system took 4.7 seconds to power up, while tracking the first missile, and took 6.9 seconds to destroy the first missile. On the second missile, power up took 3.6 seconds, while tracking the second missile, and took 6 seconds to destroy the second missile. The variance in time could be attributed to the system already being powered up. The satellite guidance equipment was tested with success and will work well as a replacement for other guidance systems.[/quote]

[Triyun]

Chairman X signed off on the progress as it went by his desk. "Excellent, we should discuss bringing in other partners on this system. Order the surprise test." he said.

"Yes sir."

The true measure of this weapons effectiveness would be coming from a flight of vipers with specially programmed missiles. The fighters would wait till the unit was in orbit over the West Pacific when they would fly to maximum altitude and launch anti-satellite missiles. These weapons were programmed to break off at the last minute and not equipped with warheads. But the crews would not know that. The only way to test the active defense counter measures in a war situation would be to expose them to some. Housed in the internal weapons bays of some of the best stealth fighter models in the world, they would be what they needed to perform against.

[Voodoo Nova]

[quote name='Triyun' date='02 May 2010 - 05:08 PM' timestamp='1272834494' post='2284135']
Chairman X signed off on the progress as it went by his desk. "Excellent, we should discuss bringing in other partners on this system. Order the surprise test." he said.

"Yes sir."

The true measure of this weapons effectiveness would be coming from a flight of vipers with specially programmed missiles. The fighters would wait till the unit was in orbit over the West Pacific when they would fly to maximum altitude and launch anti-satellite missiles. These weapons were programmed to break off at the last minute and not equipped with warheads. But the crews would not know that. The only way to test the active defense counter measures in a war situation would be to expose them to some. Housed in the internal weapons bays of some of the best stealth fighter models in the world, they would be what they needed to perform against.
[/quote]


The unit passed over the West Pacific, approximately around the area of the USC and Vietnam. The fighters, after receiving word of the unit's location in orbit flew to maximum altitude and launched their payloads towards the experimental spacecraft.

**In the spacecraft**

"Sir, it seems we have several anti-satellite missiles heading in our direction."

"Monitor the path of the missiles and prepare to fire the laser. I'll report this to Novakian & USC Military Command."

The operator fired the laser and successfully destroyed all missiles once they were outside Earth's atmosphere within the span of 30 seconds. The Officer phoned both Military Commands and informed them of the situation and the status of the experimental spacecraft. He informed them of the lasers slightly less usefulness in penetrating the atmosphere to successfully destroy the missiles with precision accuracy.

[Triyun]

"Sir the test was a success." one of the aides said to the chairman.

"Excellent, please inform them of the situation, proceed onwards towards the next phase of tracking." he ordered.

"Yes sir."

On the Taiwanese coast a large cruise missile would prepare to launch. The missile was an experimental hypersonic design, one of the first developed by the USC scientists.

Its missile would be to fly by satellite guidance. It took off attempting to establish uplink to the satellite in orbit.

[Voodoo Nova]

The Commander was informed of the situation, followed by a bit of swearing and some laughter over the "scare" his team endured. He was also informed of the next experiment.

The operator of the satellite software noticed on the screen an object uplinking to the satellite. He informed the Commander whom replied with "Track it's progress and the strength of the link between the satellite as it takes it's course. Track it's speed and path as well."

"Yes, sir" and the operator monitored the object.

The Commander informed the ground crews of a successful uplink and the tracking of the speed of the missile.

[Triyun]

Missile 1 began increasing in speed as it soared over the Pacific Ocean.

[IMG]http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a112/Triyun/0107global_main.jpg[/IMG]

The weapon would accelerate to maximum height as it moved towards hyper sonic capability, its wave rider system would give it a boost in altitude as it rapidly approached Mach 5. As it hit Mach 5 the unit began to snap in and out of guidance control of the satellite, an automatic shut off gauge kicked in causing the engine to turn off as the units propietary technology would self destruct and it fell off into the Pacific Ocean.

"This is mission control, we are detecting that the satellite and missile are not synching fast enough at top speed, request a data report so that we can update the software for a faster response for unit 2."

[Voodoo Nova]

[quote name='Triyun' date='10 May 2010 - 04:13 PM' timestamp='1273522365' post='2293850']
Missile 1 began increasing in speed as it soared over the Pacific Ocean.

[img]http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a112/Triyun/0107global_main.jpg[/img]

The weapon would accelerate to maximum height as it moved towards hyper sonic capability, its wave rider system would give it a boost in altitude as it rapidly approached Mach 5. As it hit Mach 5 the unit began to snap in and out of guidance control of the satellite, an automatic shut off gauge kicked in causing the engine to turn off as the units propietary technology would self destruct and it fell off into the Pacific Ocean.

"This is mission control, we are detecting that the satellite and missile are not synching fast enough at top speed, request a data report so that we can update the software for a faster response for unit 2."
[/quote]


The Commander sent mission control a data report. He also gave his thoughts as to what the issue could have been. "Mission control, I believe the uplink hardware was not properly put in to place, or the hardware needs to be redesigned to handle the rigors of the speed of the experimental missile. Software errors indicates there was an issue reconnecting with missile guidance programing at around the time the missile hit Mach 5."

[Triyun]

After about 36 hours of program debugging and fixing, they were ready to begin the second test. The second missile would be tested from an Tu-160 flying above the Pacific Ocean.

"Test vehicle 2, launching."

Attached below the center of the plane, the cruise missile was dropped from the plane's central body. Igniting the missile sword passed the plane over the horizon, accelerating rapidly to Mach 5+ speed. With its reduced cross section profile, the weapon would pass in and out of long range radar. The guidance system was working now perfectly.

"Fire the satellite laser."

From Taibei space port a high powered laser fired up at the Satellite's guidance system aiming to disrupt the guidance of the missile.

[Voodoo Nova]

[quote name='Triyun' date='13 May 2010 - 12:40 PM' timestamp='1273768800' post='2297007']
After about 36 hours of program debugging and fixing, they were ready to begin the second test. The second missile would be tested from an Tu-160 flying above the Pacific Ocean.

"Test vehicle 2, launching."

Attached below the center of the plane, the cruise missile was dropped from the plane's central body. Igniting the missile sword passed the plane over the horizon, accelerating rapidly to Mach 5+ speed. With its reduced cross section profile, the weapon would pass in and out of long range radar. The guidance system was working now perfectly.

"Fire the satellite laser."

From Taibei space port a high powered laser fired up at the Satellite's guidance system aiming to disrupt the guidance of the missile.
[/quote]


The laser hit the satellite in space over Taiwan. The satellite guidance operator notified the Commander as the spacecraft's backup guidance system took over for the briefly disabled satellite with near immediate results. As soon as the laser was shut down, the satellite's quick recovery system took over guidance for the missile and the spacecraft's backup guidance system went back in to standby mode. The Commander notified mission command and the researchers of the results.

"Mission Control, the satellite was briefly blinded by a laser. Almost immediately, the spacecraft's backup guidance system for our network satellite system. After the quick recovery system kicked in, our system went in to standby mode as guidance satellite took over for the missile's guidance. The system worked perfectly."

[Triyun]

"Message received." Mission control responded. The weapon would then be directed to hit a target on an uninhabited Island in the Pacific. An C-130 would be nearby with instruments to measure the impact force. As it hit the location a tremendous shockwave formed blowing away the surrounding tree line from the sheer kinetic energy of the blast.

"Mission control, this is observation team 2, we can confirm the success of the strategic strike weapon." the team said.

"Excellent."

As the report was sent to the Chairman he smiled. "Send the plans for the black rockwave rider cruise missile to the Novakians for mass production. Also inform them we are onboard for joint production of the satellite. I want the research data on advanced rocket fuel systems we recovered from the UFE database sent to our an their national research laboratories so that we can begin research into a new engines for the black rock wave rider to give it even more range and kinetic energy."

"Yes sir."

[Voodoo Nova]

The Novakian government received the message from the USC. Production began immediately on both the missiles and satellite systems in defense factories. Engine research begun based off the old documents and data, in conjunction with USC scientists.

Edited May 13, 2010 by Voodoo Nova