Lyndon_B._Johnson_Space_Center: Security Forces?

[Olefin]

Actually if you want a possible intact launch site how about Wallops Island in VA? dont have my HW with me right now but dont remember that getting hit

They launch small rockets and payloads out of there all the time - and with Kennedy down for the count it would make for possibly the only intact facilty the US has left

as for assembling and launching rockets - that would really depend on what could be used from storage facilities and how much is left of NASA and Rockwell's engineers - there are always some rocket engines and rockets in storage - and while I dont see you making geosynchronous orbit with a cobbled together rocket I could see a low orbit satellite being possible

plus if any of the boomers survived - and given a Russian one did then surely at least one or two US ones did - you could use any unused Tridents for launching satellites - and you can make a relatively unsophisticated satellite that still offers useful info - again all depends what you have access to and who you have access to

[Targan]

Originally Posted by Olefin

as for assembling and launching rockets - that would really depend on what could be used from storage facilities and how much is left of NASA and Rockwell's engineers - there are always some rocket engines and rockets in storage - and while I dont see you making geosynchronous orbit with a cobbled together rocket I could see a low orbit satellite being possible

plus if any of the boomers survived - and given a Russian one did then surely at least one or two US ones did - you could use any unused Tridents for launching satellites - and you can make a relatively unsophisticated satellite that still offers useful info - again all depends what you have access to and who you have access to

I regard these scenarios as plausible.

[stormlion1]

Speaking of Trident Missiles where are they produced? Is there a depot for refurbishing them? Places like these could be source of parts or even complete missiles.

[raketenjagdpanzer]

I think a grand (in both scope and ideal) adventure could be created wherein a recovery team of PCs is tasked with moving an ICBM in the midwest to a more suitable launch area in the US to get a weather satellite, or comms satellite (or both?) back in orbit. Some missile fields in the midwest have intact missiles, some launch facilities in the Southeast are still serviceable. Getting the two together is the task.

[Targan]

Originally Posted by raketenjagdpanzer

I think a grand (in both scope and ideal) adventure could be created wherein a recovery team of PCs is tasked with moving an ICBM in the midwest to a more suitable launch area in the US to get a weather satellite, or comms satellite (or both?) back in orbit. Some missile fields in the midwest have intact missiles, some launch facilities in the Southeast are still serviceable. Getting the two together is the task.

Moving an ICBM would be a massive undertaking in T2K 2001, even disassembled. I think a more realistic scenario would be for the PCs to be involved in moving the payload (satellite) from its storage or fabrication site to the missile in its silo.

[Olefin]

Originally Posted by Targan

Moving an ICBM would be a massive undertaking in T2K 2001, even disassembled. I think a more realistic scenario would be for the PCs to be involved in moving the payload (satellite) from its storage or fabrication site to the missile in its silo.

I agree with Targan on his scenario - it would be like a reverse Satellite Down but in this case either having to retrieve the satellite from someone else first (i.e. its in a facility guarded by New America forces) or having to transport it and fend off raiders and others trying to get it and take it apart for the precious metals or electronic parts in it

especially difficult if it turns out the distance involved is quite long or if the satellite is behind enemy lines in CA in a facility the Mexicans havent found and you have to get there, load it up and get it out just to start the rest of the journey to the launching point

[raketenjagdpanzer]

Originally Posted by Targan

Moving an ICBM would be a massive undertaking in T2K 2001, even disassembled. I think a more realistic scenario would be for the PCs to be involved in moving the payload (satellite) from its storage or fabrication site to the missile in its silo.

Getting a satellite into proper orbit from that latitude would be at the very best problematic, however. Launches from closer to the equator are done for that reason.

[Targan]

Originally Posted by raketenjagdpanzer

Getting a satellite into proper orbit from that latitude would be at the very best problematic, however. Launches from closer to the equator are done for that reason.

Very good point, I hadn't thought about the orbital mechanics involved. I guess it would depend on what kind of orbit was required, and that would depend on what sort of satellite it was.

If it was the ICBM that was to be transported, the only practical option would be rail and/or water.

[raketenjagdpanzer]

Originally Posted by Targan

Very good point, I hadn't thought about the orbital mechanics involved. I guess it would depend on what kind of orbit was required, and that would depend on what sort of satellite it was.

If it was the ICBM that was to be transported, the only practical option would be rail and/or water.

Kato's Midgetman proposal makes the most sense for a scenario, then. You could really go full-on Damnation Alley with that (okay, minus giant scorpions and killer cockroaches).