HNS News: Edition I

[Emperor Tristar Majestica]

HNS Short Report

HNS Studio, Port Royalty: "Hello, and welcome to an HNS News at 6. We begin with a Short Report. As the world around us continues to change, we too, must look deeper into ourselves and see what needs changing. Today, the HNS Short Report team visits the HAA Complex Operations Zone, in Lionsgate. This HAA complex is responsible for the planning, testing and execution of Hungadada's space program. The well funded Pioneer space program is the star achievement of the HAA. With Pioneer, and the revitalisation of the Titan Project, the HAA was able to bring Hungadada into the planetary orbit around Orbis, and later send a hugely successful mission to Mars, which is still in place today. Our Science correspondent Daniel Leck is at HAA Headquarters to delve deeper into the Titan Project, and the future steps for the HAA. Daniel?

(above) HNS Pioneer 

Daniel Leck, Outside HAA HQ: "Thanks for that introduction. I'm here with the HNS Short Report team to delve deeper into a changing HAA. But first, let's do place this report in context. About 10 years ago, the Government returned to the Titan Project, a joint DSDH-HAA project to develop a "space navy" for the defence of Hungadadian space interests. However, within a few months, the DSDH announced that there was little in the way of defence that it wanted to. According to then HAA Director Madison Lee Lewis, the DSDH wanted to pursue a full military approach to spacecraft, while the HAA was interested in civilian and scientific development. In the end, it was decided that the DSDH would work on the project separately, as a dual project was leading nowhere. Without military requirements, the Titan Project was changed completely. Now, the HAA had the funding, resources and brainpower to develop something truly spectacular. Thus, out of the Titan Project, came two truly revolutionary spacecraft: HSS Pioneer and HSS Omega. HSS Pioneer is by far the star of the show. It is Hungadada's first truly indigenous spacecraft. It uses 3 nuclear fusion engines, each capable to provide 30 km/s of thrust, for a total of 90km/s of thrust for the Pioneer. This incredible speed is equivalent to 324,000 km/h. This speed allowed the Mars mission to be completed in a much shorter timeframe than the predictions from many decades ago. Two Pioneer spacecraft were launched and landed on Mars successfully. They spent a couple of days in Orbit while HSS Omega storage craft were also launched, carrying tons of supplies and materials for the journey there. Of course, after astronauts landed, they used supplies from both Omegas to build temporary structures while more than a dozen more Omega spacecraft were launched from Hungadada to supply the Hungadadian outpost on Mars with materials. These launches were stopped after the outpost became self sufficient. And boy, have the outposts become something. Over time, the outpost has grown into what can only be called a mini-city. Hundreds of people now live there, and continue to research. So, where does that leave us today? Well, after the outpost became self sufficient, the HAA stopped sending anything up. The launches were no longer needed. But, from next year, the HAA has announced they will be sending new crews up to further develop the population on Mars. Using revamped Pioneer II spacecraft, crews of 35 will be sent to the outposts. Let's take a look. Here with us now is HAA Director Emily Queen. Emily, what can you tell us about the so-called "Return to Mars".

Emily Queen, HAA Director: Well, our so-called Return to Mars is set to take place next year. We will be sending 3 crews of approximately 35 astronauts each in our new Pioneer II spacecraft. These new spacecraft have been developed to better implement new computer systems, including using the most up to date, advanced A.I. systems we have ever developed. This reduces the operational load of the crew, who will have more time to conduct important experiments en-route to Mars instead of having to fly the spacecraft. Of course, we have also fine tuned the engines to allow better power management, and developed our spacecraft controls to allow 85% better manoeuvrability of the craft from the previous iteration. We are of course, returning to Mars because we want to further develop our scientific and research capabilities, but also set up a strong Hungadadian presence on Mars so as to allow future generations to enjoy regular travel back and forth. Many hundreds of years from now, we will see a growth of travel from travel across Orbis to travel across planets. Who knows, we may venture well beyond our solar system and reach stars deemed too far to travel now. It all remains to be seen. But, with the premise of a return to Mars, we also allow ourselves an opportunity to revive some of the lost excitement of outer space, the universe and space travel. Millions of children remain fascinated with what lies beyond our planet, and so investing in programs to go to Mars allow our children to see technology, innovation, and science in action. I don't know what to say, it makes me so happy to see children come to the HAA mueseum to learn about how we got to this stage, from the early days of aircraft, to today, where we're travelling at over 300,000 kilometres an hour. It's truly amazing. 

Daniel Leck, HNS Science: Thank you, Emily. And so, as this Short Report comes to an end, we can look forward to not only new space travel launches, but also a renewed spark in the children of tomorrow. For HNS Short Report and HNS Science, I'm Daniel Leck. 

---

HNS Studio, Port Royalty: Thank you Daniel, for that Short Report. Viewers who are interested in what the HAA is doing as an agency can visit www.haa.hu. For those who are interested in the so-called "Return to Mars", you can visit www.haa.hu/thefuture. We'll be back after this. 

---

HNS Studio, Port Royalty: Welcome back to HNS News. The headlines for today:

 

The BioSphere project has opened to the public after 3 years of construction. The §1 billion initiative to educate the public about the threats facing different biomes and ecological habitats has seen a large amount of public interests. The opening ceremony will be held tomorrow, with the Emperor alongside CEI Director Edward Zachary expected to be in attendance. 

--

Thanks to a reduction in crime, Port Royalty police say they now have the resources to reopen at least 15 major cold cases, deemed unresolved because of a lack of evidence. New police resources will be poured into these cold cases to ensure some form of closure for the people involved. A police source told HNS that these cases include a spate of unresolved murders, known as the Fort Poppy Incidents that happened 20 years ago. The murders that took the lives of 6 people had the nation captivated, but after 3 years, the case was closed due to a lack of evidence. 

--

Sources say the Minister of Culture and Food James France will resign after he allegedly blackmailed a staffer at the MoCF to keep her quiet about apparent drugs the Minister was involved in. After asking the Ministry of Culture and Food, we were referred to the Office of the Emperor who provided us with this statement:
"The Emperor was made recently made aware of illicit activities being conducted by Minister James France of the Ministry of Culture and Food. After conducting an internal investigation, it was revealed that the Minister had blackmailed a staffer to keep her quiet about these illicit activities. The Emperor has asked for the resignation of Mr. France, who says he will make it available within the next few days. The Office of the Emperor is in contact with the HNP to determine how to further pursue this chain of events to lead to a suitable conclusion."

--

Finally, three pandas were born today at Lionsgate Zoo. The pandas, two females and one male named Mei Xiang, Bao Bao, and Xiao Liwu respectively were born just a few hours ago, in healthy condition. Lionsgate Zoo released this statement:
"We are thrilled to welcome 3 new cuddly pandas to our panda habitat. Mei Xiang, Bao Bao and Xiao Liwu are the new panda cubs who were born just a few hours ago in healthy condition. This brings the total panda population at Lionsgate Zoo up to 15. These pandas are incredibly cute, and we hope to continue to raise awareness of the issue of habitat loss and the threat endangered animals face through our new panda cubs." 

--

This has been HNS News at 6. Maggie Portman is up next with the Finance Report. Thank you for watching. 

-------

OOC: Pictures of Mars base