Project BIFROST

Project BIFROST is the UN umbrella project for interstellar exploration and JPT-related R&D.

History:

First proposed by Councillor Innocent Bystander on the 28th October 2031.

Shipyard tooling for a gravitational survey vessel (See HEIMDALL, Detailed Information) began 17th May 2032.

Construction began on two El Dorado class gravitational survey vessels, the El Dorado and Klondike, on 23rd November 2032

Construction completed of the aforementioned vessels on 29th May 2033.

First jump point found, just within the orbit of Jupiter, 25th June 2033.

Current Progress:

The project is currently approaching the deployment phase of YGGDRASIL. The Solar system's survey has been completed, three points have been found. We are currently retooling a shipyard for constructing the Turing class jump tender.

Phases:

Phase One (HEIMDALL)

Before the UN can walk the path to the stars, we must first find that path, HEIMDALL will attempt to do so.

-Create the technical knowledge required to build gravimetric sensors capable of finding Jump Points

-Design and build a platform capable of deploying these sensors in the field

-Map the Jump Point layout of the Solar system.

Should HEIMDALL pay off, we can then enter the next phase of BIFROST.

HEIMDALL bottlenecks are projected to be primarily found in creating suitable sensors and shipyard retooling.

Phase Two (YGGDRASIL)

Current theories suggest that simply knowing where a JP is won't allow you to pass through, YGGDRASIL will attempt to give us passage.

-Create the technical knowledge required for applied interstellar travel

-Design and build starships carrying this technology

-Explore nearby star systems and assess them for resources and habitable land

YGGDRASIL bottlenecks are projected to be primarily found in creating the JPT Transition Engines and shipyard time. It is unknown wether refitting an existing class with a JTE would be better than designing purpose-built vessels capable of ferrying others across. Considering that nothing is known about where the JPs will lead, unforseen expenses are likely to occur.

Phase Three (ASGARD)

BIFROST is an enormous operation, and will involve many expenses. ASGARD is where it will repay these investments.

-Establish reliable interstellar military, cargo and colonist transport

-Exploit extrasolar mineral deposits superior to those available at home

-Colonise any easily terraformable worlds

Potentially, we can also set up military bases in similar vein to project ZEUS.

ASGARD bottlenecks will be similar to YGGDRASIL, focussing mainly in upscaling the technology of that subproject. More precise projections cannot be made prior to HEIMDALL completion.

Detailed Information:

Design summary of the El Dorado class gravitational survey vessel:

El Dorado class Science Vessel    1,400 tons     126 Crew     €306 million      TCS 28  TH 80  EM 0
2857 km/s     Armour 1-11     Shields 0-0     Sensors 1/1/1/1     Damage Control Rating 1     PPV 0
Maint Life 5.53 Years     MSP 137    AFR 15%    IFR 0.2%    1YR 8    5YR 113    Max Repair 100 MSP

Pratt & Whitney 40000M-E100 Nuclear Pulse Engine (2)    Power 40    Fuel Use 100%    Signature 40    Armour 0    Exp 5%
Fuel Capacity 100,000 Litres    Range 128.6 billion km   (520 days at full power)

Gravitational Survey Sensors (1)   1 Survey Points Per Hour
Geological Survey Sensors (1)   1 Survey Points Per Hour

This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes