09-24-2023, 05:30 PM
Dr. Anika Velitē, an aerospace engineer and prominent official in the Eirian Ministry of Scientific Development, cleared her throat and turned on her microphone. "Thank you, Dr. Harrison and Mr. Joniken." While her English was clear, her Serenity Island accent still gave her voice a unique timbre and cadence. "I personally enjoyed hearing about the A3 Booster, and I would love to have more extended discussions about boosters and costs at a later date."
"To give some more input, while we may have an idea for an effective booster, that means little if we aren't able to build an actual station. As such, I would like to take a moment to bring up Project Cēlavra, a grant program funded by the Eirian Ministry of Scientific Development. This program gave millions of Lunens to experts at over a dozen universities in order to create designs and prototypes for zero-G station elements that prioritize sustainability and astronaut safety."
"Among the station elements that have been designed are living quarters, labs, airlocks, and even a greenhouse. These modules would provide for an ideal station in order to study the effects of a zero-G environment on human, plant, and microbial life, all of which interest the Eirian government. In addition, many of Project Cēlavra's designs are made using standardized parts and measurements, allowing for easy modification and integration into other modules. Project Cēlavra may not provide all of the elements that will be needed in a space station, but I believe it will be a good start."
Velitē glanced around the table at the other delegations. "As for the cost, the Ministry of Scientific Development is willing to contribute similar amounts as the honorable representatives from Zongongia and Libertas Omnium Maximus have stated, provided that enough nations contribute so that such a project is possible. However, I would like to raise a few more concerns, if I may. First, once a set design for the station is decided on, where will the modules be constructed? And even though this second question may be a little preemptive, I believe it is better to have this discussion sooner than later, in order to reduce disagreements: How will a crew for the station be decided? How can we ensure a fair divide of astronaut time for individual member states?"
The Eirian turned off her microphone and sat back, waiting to hear a reply.
"To give some more input, while we may have an idea for an effective booster, that means little if we aren't able to build an actual station. As such, I would like to take a moment to bring up Project Cēlavra, a grant program funded by the Eirian Ministry of Scientific Development. This program gave millions of Lunens to experts at over a dozen universities in order to create designs and prototypes for zero-G station elements that prioritize sustainability and astronaut safety."
"Among the station elements that have been designed are living quarters, labs, airlocks, and even a greenhouse. These modules would provide for an ideal station in order to study the effects of a zero-G environment on human, plant, and microbial life, all of which interest the Eirian government. In addition, many of Project Cēlavra's designs are made using standardized parts and measurements, allowing for easy modification and integration into other modules. Project Cēlavra may not provide all of the elements that will be needed in a space station, but I believe it will be a good start."
Velitē glanced around the table at the other delegations. "As for the cost, the Ministry of Scientific Development is willing to contribute similar amounts as the honorable representatives from Zongongia and Libertas Omnium Maximus have stated, provided that enough nations contribute so that such a project is possible. However, I would like to raise a few more concerns, if I may. First, once a set design for the station is decided on, where will the modules be constructed? And even though this second question may be a little preemptive, I believe it is better to have this discussion sooner than later, in order to reduce disagreements: How will a crew for the station be decided? How can we ensure a fair divide of astronaut time for individual member states?"
The Eirian turned off her microphone and sat back, waiting to hear a reply.
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