06-09-2023, 09:31 PM
Dr. Carter Harrison, the portly and bespeckled Maximusian representative to the SCSC, a chemical engineer by education who had joined his nation’s diplomatic corps nearly three decades ago, cast his eyes to his lap contemplatively as the Zongogian representative concluded his opening address and shut off his microphone. After collecting his thoughts for a few seconds and adjusting a hefty stack of papers on his own desk, Dr. Harrison flicked on his own microphone and spoke to the committee-of-the-whole, his resonant, gravely baritone reverberating off the walls of the spacious SCSC chamber.
“Ladies, gentlemen of this committee, I would like to thank Mr. Jokinen of Zongongia for introducing the topic of international collaboration on a permanent low-earth-orbit manned space station for our discussion this morning. While the cost of such an installation cannot be understated, the opportunity for practical research into the human physiological response to prolonged exposure to zero-gees and other matters of universal scientific value is unprecedented.”
Pausing to clear his throat, Harrison carefully flipped through a lengthy memo on his desk from the R&D department of the Maximusian Aerospace Authority, stopping on a page displaying an itemized ledger. He inhaled deeply before continuing.
“As some of you may know, the Maximusian Space Program has been primarily focused on orbital assembly procedures for the past decade, and we have made significant strides in reducing the cost and increasing the reliability of this process. Our A3 super-heavy launch vehicle, which is in the final stages of development, can safely carry 67 tons into low-earth-orbit for around M$94 million per launch. While we do not have any preliminary schematics drawn up for the station itself, we estimate that, depending on the structure parameters, the station may require anywhere from 4 to 13 individual launches to assemble. So, getting the station into orbit, excluding the costs of constructing the modules themselves, will cost anywhere from M$376 million to over a billion. We believe that these figures indicate that the A3 super-heavy launch vehicle is the most inexpensive reliable vehicle available at this time for the assembly of the station, but would appreciate the input of any other member states with viable alternative launch systems.”
Scratching his chin, the Maximusian representative once again paused to shuffle through the documents on his desk, dog-earing the ledger. Looking up from his notes briefly, Carter shot a grin to the Zongongian delegate before continuing.
“With the status of the A3 launch system expounded upon, I’d like to move on to the larger questions that this committee needs to address, and I’ll explain the Maximusian stance on these queries, as well. First, what sort of chain of authority would be best suited for this project? It is conceivable that a joint-enterprise between participating member state space programs would be sufficient, though we may be better served establishing a central LIDUN commission. The former may produce jurisdictional discrepancies, while the later will no doubt generate an additional layer of expense and bureaucratic red tape. The Maximusian stance on this issue is to keep central authority in the hands of individual member states by forming a joint enterprise independent of LIDUN scaffolding, but I am eager to hear this committee’s stance on the question. Second, I think it is imperative that we establish an approximate budget and expected contributions from participating member states. A small, non-permanent space station could be assembled for around twelve billion, but it may not have all the functionality we desire. Conversely, there is really no upper limit to the budget for a project like this one. The Maximusian Space Program is currently petitioning for additional funding, but our yearly contributions likely will not be able to exceed 600-to-700 million at this time. I am hopeful that this figure will increase, however. Lastly, the research capabilities of a space station can be tailored to a particular scientific discipline. We, as a collective body, should make sure that our intended mission parameters are roughly compatible before preliminary design begins on the station. The Maximusian Space Program is particularly interested in researching the long term effects of zero gravity habitation on the human body and streamlining habitation systems for future manned deep space expeditions. We hope that these goals are in line with those of fellow member states, and look forward to hearing their input at this time.”
With a sigh, Harrison switched off his microphone and sipped on a glass of ice water on his desk. The scale of this undertaking was not at all lost on the 61 year old diplomat. He stood precariously on a proverbial razors edge between what could either be among the most scientifically significant international collaborations in human history or a costly and dangerous calamity. With a start, the Maximusian representative realized that he had begun to sweat through his thin mustard-colored cotton dress-shirt.
“Ladies, gentlemen of this committee, I would like to thank Mr. Jokinen of Zongongia for introducing the topic of international collaboration on a permanent low-earth-orbit manned space station for our discussion this morning. While the cost of such an installation cannot be understated, the opportunity for practical research into the human physiological response to prolonged exposure to zero-gees and other matters of universal scientific value is unprecedented.”
Pausing to clear his throat, Harrison carefully flipped through a lengthy memo on his desk from the R&D department of the Maximusian Aerospace Authority, stopping on a page displaying an itemized ledger. He inhaled deeply before continuing.
“As some of you may know, the Maximusian Space Program has been primarily focused on orbital assembly procedures for the past decade, and we have made significant strides in reducing the cost and increasing the reliability of this process. Our A3 super-heavy launch vehicle, which is in the final stages of development, can safely carry 67 tons into low-earth-orbit for around M$94 million per launch. While we do not have any preliminary schematics drawn up for the station itself, we estimate that, depending on the structure parameters, the station may require anywhere from 4 to 13 individual launches to assemble. So, getting the station into orbit, excluding the costs of constructing the modules themselves, will cost anywhere from M$376 million to over a billion. We believe that these figures indicate that the A3 super-heavy launch vehicle is the most inexpensive reliable vehicle available at this time for the assembly of the station, but would appreciate the input of any other member states with viable alternative launch systems.”
Scratching his chin, the Maximusian representative once again paused to shuffle through the documents on his desk, dog-earing the ledger. Looking up from his notes briefly, Carter shot a grin to the Zongongian delegate before continuing.
“With the status of the A3 launch system expounded upon, I’d like to move on to the larger questions that this committee needs to address, and I’ll explain the Maximusian stance on these queries, as well. First, what sort of chain of authority would be best suited for this project? It is conceivable that a joint-enterprise between participating member state space programs would be sufficient, though we may be better served establishing a central LIDUN commission. The former may produce jurisdictional discrepancies, while the later will no doubt generate an additional layer of expense and bureaucratic red tape. The Maximusian stance on this issue is to keep central authority in the hands of individual member states by forming a joint enterprise independent of LIDUN scaffolding, but I am eager to hear this committee’s stance on the question. Second, I think it is imperative that we establish an approximate budget and expected contributions from participating member states. A small, non-permanent space station could be assembled for around twelve billion, but it may not have all the functionality we desire. Conversely, there is really no upper limit to the budget for a project like this one. The Maximusian Space Program is currently petitioning for additional funding, but our yearly contributions likely will not be able to exceed 600-to-700 million at this time. I am hopeful that this figure will increase, however. Lastly, the research capabilities of a space station can be tailored to a particular scientific discipline. We, as a collective body, should make sure that our intended mission parameters are roughly compatible before preliminary design begins on the station. The Maximusian Space Program is particularly interested in researching the long term effects of zero gravity habitation on the human body and streamlining habitation systems for future manned deep space expeditions. We hope that these goals are in line with those of fellow member states, and look forward to hearing their input at this time.”
With a sigh, Harrison switched off his microphone and sipped on a glass of ice water on his desk. The scale of this undertaking was not at all lost on the 61 year old diplomat. He stood precariously on a proverbial razors edge between what could either be among the most scientifically significant international collaborations in human history or a costly and dangerous calamity. With a start, the Maximusian representative realized that he had begun to sweat through his thin mustard-colored cotton dress-shirt.
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Founded MDCCCXXXVII
Founded MDCCCXXXVII