Post by Paffnia on Oct 1, 2020 21:53:32 GMT -5
This month, three nations are aiming for the stars at the Islands Space Center: Free Las Pinas, Flying Eagles, and Thedairos. The weather is clear, without a cloud in the sky, and the rockets are cleared for launch. Today, TITO Knight, space program benefactor, and first nation on the moon Echolilia hit the big red button to start the countdown:
T-minus 10...
9...
8...
7...
6...
5...
4...
3...
2...
1...
Liftoff!
First off the launchpad was the rocket from Free Las Pinas. FLP had tried to launch a probe twice before. Unfortunately, the third time was not the charm. The rocket reached near lunar orbit, but the burn to get the probe down to the surface was misaimed. The probe instead launched out into deep space. At least FLP got off the launch pad this time!
Next up, Flying Eagles' and Thedairos' rockets launched neck-and-neck, in a space race to get a probe on the moon. Both rockets made it to lunar orbit in nearly the same time. The probe from Thedairos deployed its parachute a little early, though, slowing its descent and allowing Flying Eagles' probe to reach the surface first. Flying Eagles' probe touched down right near the center of the near side of the moon, and his victory in the space race boosted the economic payout.
Mission control for Thedairos' probe remained steady, though, and successfully piloted their probe down as well. Thedairos landed in the northern half of the eastern hemisphere of the near side of the moon.
The updated moon map can be found here. Payouts and details to come in a moment.
