Republic of Pentium Astronautics & Space Program
Prògram Astronautics & Space Poblachd Pentium | |
| Abbreviation | RPASP (PASPP) |
|---|---|
| Motto | "Ever Onward" |
| Formation | February 7, 1989; 35 years ago |
| Headquarters | Whedon's Row |
Official language | Pentian, Anglish |
Administrator | Finn Ariston |
| North Fields Space Centre | |
Budget | $7,084,126,334.50 |
Staff | 4,890 |
The Republic of Pentium Astronautics & Space Program is an agency that operates semi-independently under a joint mandate from the Federal Government of Pentium and the Warden Airforce, established in 1989 and focusing on creating, maintaining and supporting a network of domestic satellites to provide the nation and its military for handling communications, targeting and GPS services for both parties. The organization doesn't operate spy satellites and typically emphasizes peaceful and civilian applications space science and information. Often working on hypotheticals rather than practical space initiatives, not having the funding to independently project itself into the stars alone.
The RPASP science division focuses on understanding the planet and the local area of space within the solar system, operating a single ground based observatory within the borders of Pentium. Smaller scale than most other nations, RPASP is not capable of undertaking many types of mission and have focused more on simulation technology, production of parts and equipment for launches.
History
Founding
The founding of RPASP was a consequence of the self-isolation Pentium found itself in after the end of the great war, falling behind from the majority of Eurth technologically. The federal government at the time was unwilling to contract out its nations communication system out to another agency, and founded the Republic of Pentium Astronautics & Space Program in order to remedy the issue. Given a contract to create the facilities internally and break the full isolation of the country in order to acquire what information and samples required in order to produce and maintain a single satellite. It took roughly a year of research and effort to put a single satellite together, the production of the rocket was a far more arduous task for the fledging space agency. Taking over 3 years from blueprinting to creating the finished product after.
First Launch
The first attempt at putting a satellite in orbit was a failure, the test rocket detonating in its 2nd stage as it attempted to break orbit. Thankfully, it was not carrying to satellite. Despite the failure, the Pentian's were undaunted by the failure, and learned several important insights into what caused the failure and better methods of creating, launching and operating the rockets. Another year after the initial failure, a second rocket was prepared to launch. It got far, far further than the first launch but was ultimately a failure when the mechanism that was meant to push the satellite into orbit failed to dispense its test cargo. After recovery, more insight was gather into the malfunction was implemented. Culminating in the launch of a third test rocket, ending in a successful launch, disembarkment of cargo and scuttling of the rocket into the Adlantic Ocean for recovery.
First Successful Launch
After the final test launch, and with the project veering closer to being overbudget, the real launch in 1996 finally put a Pentian satellite into orbit. However, it was determined that there would have to be several more launches in order to properly service both civilian applications and military applications. In order to free up more funding for the agency, an internal organization within RPASP was created in order to petition and service military satellites and other applications. Receiving funding from each branch to put up more and more satellites for their own purposes, only in 2012 have the demand for launches begun to dwindle. Having satisfied the civilian market and demands of the WDC, RPASP has transitioned itself into a maintenance role.
Modern Day
In the current era, RPASP finds itself funded just enough to keep the network of satellites in orbit sustained and functional. With little other funding for practical launches or experimentation into space. However, with the current government's ambitions for modernization and boundary pushing, many within the organization hope to see its gaze look towards the stars. However the cost of such a program would be long and time intensive to further Pentium's hand into space, and the prospects of the independent operations into space are highly unlikely to happen anytime soon, despite a small uptick in funding for the organization
