That First Docking Was Tricky

Not since I was a cadet flying a beat up old sidewinder have I followed a docking checklist. Two days ago I did exactly that.

I dropped out of supercruise some 9 kilometres from my first entry point back into the civilised world, Haldeman II Enterprise in HIP 101760. Being out in the black for so long, I forget how quickly I can close that gap, and how fast the station grows in my vision.

1. Shield engaged with full pips

2. Contact station and request docking permission

3. Slow down to under 100 m/s

Whut?! Blinked twice at this new entry in the docking procedures. Speed limits now? Anyway, I will quiz the station management another time. I lined up on the docking slot from approximately 3km out and slowed down.

4. Lower landing gear at 2km

6. Match station rotation

Right now 100m/s felt too fast. I've not been doing anything as accurate as docking for some time, gear down and throttle in the blue zone put me at a more agreeable 75 m/s as I passed through into the station. My pad straight ahead I did a final systems check and fired my landing thrusters.

Missing the centre of the pad by a fair margin. Twice.

On the third occasion I docked successfully. The journey is over.

I will leave one picture here

 I landed here as it is a high technology system that allowed me to refit my vessel for the final journey to Lembava where I sold my data. The journey is only 8 jumps, but reports suggested there would be heavy piracy in my destination system.

My Imperial Clipper can fight her way out of many a situation, but while loaded down with exploration data I decided I would use her party trick if interdicted. Nothing that can catch her can kill her.

As it happened there was no situation, and my second docking since arriving back in populated space saw me right on the centre first time in.

Eight hours later, I had sold all my data. My rank is now 'Pioneer'

My Imperial Clipper may look a little rough around the edges, but she is a fine exploration vessel and we shall be venturing out again in the not too distant future.

Commander Rikk, stocking up on coffee and ale.

Nearly Home!

I am now mere footstep from being home, in explorers terms at least. I am currently under 4000 light years from Sol.

From taking the decision to head directly home, from only a few thousand light years along the Sagittarius Arm, travelling has been harsh. I have had more emergency stops from taking fuel onboard quickly in the past 10 days than my entire journey prior to this. But I have still seen some wonderful sights.

Multiple pretty and untouched Earth Like worlds

A few black holes. You can see here just how much of a battering my ship has taken on her maiden exploration voyage.

Ammonia worlds a plenty, and these made me very nervous. I always got the feeling I was being observed, yet there was nothing on sensors.

I will write separately about that time when I nearly ran into a planet while fuel scooping. Yes you read that right. For now, there are really two views that are important to the explorer.

Where we have been. I have for months been out in the black, and one thing that has been ever present on my journey is the galactic ring. It has been all around me. Strong in one direction, not so in the other, but ever present. As I left the Sagittarius Arm behind and skipped over to the Orion spur I took a moment to reflect.

The bright bit, that's the centre of the galaxy. I've been there. I've been beyond there.

And ahead

And then I look the other way, for the first time I can see one of our 'local' landmarks. Barnards Loop. This tells me I am very close to home, and also makes me think.

When I set out I was a tourist. A galactic photographer. Yet I have never really looked beyond the next star while bumbling around our little corner of the galaxy. I have never noticed Barnards Loop. Yet now I see it as a shining beacon lighting my way home.

I left as an tourist. I will return as an Explorer.

Commander Rikk, Signing Off.

A Chance Encounter

The past few days I have been heading home.

Since leaving that rather stunning nebula I pointed my bows towards Achenar and have been burning in a straight line since then. I have hardly even stopped to marvel at the scenery I have been passing, such is my desire to be back home.

However I found that my journey took me on a route that intersected with a commander on his outward leg, so with a little detour we arranged to meet up and exchange stories. The system we stopped off at has a single solar body, a cool M class star.

Greetings, CMDR Engadine!

We closed to range gently, as neither of us have flown near another vessel for quite some time. Indeed I lowered my landing gear to ensure my boost function was disabled and my throttle less sensitive.

I did not want to risk getting any closer. While I fly with full shield and armaments I know this is not the norm for other explorers, where a scratch could be fatal. Especially with the ASP canopy right at the front.

Caution wins out. I did shuffle round for a sideways shot, very careful thruster use here!

It is normally my family empire family tradition to approach all strangers with my hardpoints deployed, as a sign of trust and power. However I am also part of the explorer family now, who I know will be somewhat nervous when meeting a combat vessel many thousands of light years from home. I keep with tradition, but instead I depart with my hardpoints deployed.

An absolute pleasure to met up with CMDR Engadine so far from our homes. May your voyages be safe and filled with exciting finds sir!

One more for the road. The eagle eyed among you will notice the paintwork, including the emblems. This man bears symbols which earned him as much respect as meeting me so far from home.

Commander Rikk, Signing off., 17,000 ly from home.

The Beautiful Nebula

It probably has a name, but I'm not going to ruin it's majesty by even mentioning some otherwordly number numbers and letters the map calls a name. This nebula was stunning. Beyond words.

Bet let us first rewind to my approach. I have been tracking G & F type stars on my approach to this nebula, as I once again climb well above the galactic plane. This was done purely in the vague hope of getting a photograph of a pretty world with the nebula as a backdrop.

Well my wish was granted, as high above the nebula (some 2000Ly above the galactic plane) I dropped across this stunning little earth like.

I love how this nebula seems to be a bowl for the earth like world in this shot, but I needed to get in closer for another look.

No bowl here, but mesmerising none the less. I can honestly say this is the first galactic object that caused an emergency drop because I was too busy marvelling at it's beauty. So i decided to head inside

Closer to being enveloped by beauty (or the beast?)

Inside it was like a maelstrom of hell's own fires. No light other than the deep red gases of the cloud, mystifying at best. Stopping off in this belt did nothing to ease the forboding mood.

It seems like no time at all before I was away from the clutches of this alluring nebula, and back on my route home. She drew me in with her malevolent beauty and threatened to imprison me with marvel and intrigue.

Fortunately I fly the hand crafted splendour that is the mighty Imperial Clipper so I have a higher tolerance for such things. My escape was swift and (if I may be so bolt) also rather stunning.

In my sights is another nebula. Typically also well above the galactic plane. This one, however, is different. She is purple. I know, what could possibly go wrong.

CMRD Rikk, Signing out.
(I need to get back to civilisation, I think deep space is out to get me)

The Journey Home

I am now ready to be back home.

I understand that things are afoot back in the empire and the powers we have known for years are being questioned. I have been following of Aisling Duval since well before she stepped out in defence of her father, but I am not yes sure I am ready to throw myself into war in my beloved empire just yet. I have a wanderlust that will never be satisfied.

Out here, it may seem like many systems are alike, but then out of the blue something beautiful is thrown in.

It wasn't in this particular ring, but I decided to set my vessel down on an asteroid yesterday. There was no real reasoning behind it, I have been in space so long now that the feeling of solid rock under my landing gear was welcome.

This will certainly class as one of the furthest landings from the empire!

I have also been fortunate enough to discover many more worlds which strongly resemble the earth of our ancestors. While travelling to the galactic ceiling I dropped across this one, as you can see from the photo we are well above the galaxy here (upside-down, I know...).

And as I now track the Sagittarius arm back towards out little corner of the galaxy I am dropping across more worlds. The earth likes are fascinating, but moreso are the Ammonia worlds which could easily hold 'other' life forms.

The even look menacing.

Onwards, my trek home takes me. The next sight to see is this rather pretty looking nebula about 1800ly away. It is very high above the galaxy, hopefully I can reach it.

My next entry will hopefully be from the edge, or even inside, this galactic beauty.

Rikk, signing off.

90 Day Journey

So this is it. My outward leg is now officially ended. I have actually turned the nose back towards my home systems. I have now been out in the black for a total of 90 days, although I will admit there have been rest periods where I have not been actively piloting my ship.

My systems scanned has passed 3500 on this trip, and I estimate that I have cleared some 55k+ light years. My faithful Clipper is still performing flawlessly having taken just 5% hull damage so far, and all modules are running at 100%. Considering where I insist on taking her, and the close calls we have had, I'd say I'm doing pretty well.

Landing right between a pair of O class stars, well I must admit it was quite exciting. I had to repair a few modules following that encounter. I still have ample charges in my field maintenance units to take care of further mishaps.

And in close orbit around that third (B Class) star was this ringed beauty, there was only one thing to do.

I am currently 35,000 light years from Achenar. 11,000 light years from Sagittarius A*, flying across the base of the Sagittarius arm. This is my highway home, although I must admit the next arm out is calling me, maybe in a few thousand light years I will skip over.

Right now, the view from 1000Ly above the galactic plane is pretty damn breathtaking.

Disappointingly it looks like my automated cleaning systems have definitely packed up. I am sure my Clipper did not have so many smudges on the bridge as she does now.

I know...

Rikk, Signing Off.

External View while Jumping

I've been mulling over trying this for a few days, and decided what the hell, space cowboys don't act with caution.

So I boldly took the decision to enter hyperspace while having zero control of my ship and instead using the drone camera to record my progress.

The results, were jaw dropping. We just don't see all the eddies of space itself when it is happening around us, but a still shot, breathtaking.

I had the cams set to be more responsive, so don't have one of my super high resolution shots, but here is a higher res version if anyone wishes to use it for their computer desktop image.

Coming soon, a post about one of the nebula over the other side of the core.

Rikk, signing out.

Rings, Can't Keep Out of Them

Readers of these logs may have realised that I am somewhat a fan of ringed bodies, specifically going and playing in the asteroids. Not always a wise choice when I'm so far from home but an enjoyable one none the less.

And the views can be delightful at times.

Hot metal rich planets with metallic rings look particularly menacing

Cold metallic rings even more so

Finally, a Class III gas giant with a rather special backdrop. I have been heading roughly towards this nebula since I passed the little purple bubble some time ago. I like the contrast of green and red and am hoping to find something interesting inside that will make the most of those stunning colours.

I am now over 34k light years from Achenar. The supplies are holding out nicely, my hull is still at 95% with all critical systems at 100%.

I have started hearing things with witchspace. I think I should head back, there are rumblings of trouble across the galaxy.

Rikk, Signing Out.

Earth-Like Grail

It was another Commander who, some months ago, reported back findings of an Earth like world with rings. Even before I fell into the trap of exploration I knew I wanted to see one, maybe even find one for myself.

I was three thousand, one hundred and eighty six systems into my voyage when my usual check of the system map yielded something.

Having had a couple of false starts with ringed water worlds it was with a combination of trepidation and excitement that I closed in on this little world. Hardly daring look down to the left of my screen as the scan completed, the polite ding from the ships computer was accompanied by those three divine words.

Earth-Like World

I was already moving closer to get a good look and I won't lie I was slightly disheartened to see it was a narrow ring a long way out. Still a beauty none the less, and clearly visible through the ring is the gas giant which shares the orbit.

For me, however, the real fun lies down there in the dust and rocks. This is why I was hoping for a metallic or icy ring because they just look better. Still, it's a view not many will have seen.

I particularly like how I was able to get the Magellan cloud into the frame, offsets then galactic plane well. I stuck around this tropical world for a while just taking in the view, but I had to move on.

So I bid this world goodbye and headed out. to see what else the journey held.

Surprisingly enough, for me, it was more earth-like worlds! Just a quick shot as I enter hyperspace from the last of five further terrestrial worlds in only a couple of hundred light years. Also, I never realised just how pretty hyperspace is when you are transitioning from normal space.

So that's it from me today. I am currently plotting a course back to civilisation, and hope to be home within a month.

Rikk, Signing out.

The Little Purple Nebula

I entered the miniature nebula which was centred on a single neutron star, and while the star itself was hardly visible, it was surrounded by a calming lilac hue which I am sure would soothe even an angry thargoid.

That said, it has the effect of making he mighty Imperial Clipper looks quite harmless.

Within the nebula there was also a barren rocky planet which had to be worth a look. The light from the neutron star has subsided somewhat in the 4k Ls the planet was from the star, and to my suprise this world had high metal content and an atmosphere.

Overall this little nebula was a very lucky find in the depths of space. I have since seen another one from my cockpit but alas I could not pinpoint it's location on the map.

Just a single jump away was this nursery for M class stars, with quite a violent mass ejection going on. I took the opportunity to look back at the nebula just 18ly behind me. By the next jump it was not visible at all in the night sky.

I am now at a loose end. I travelled some 850ly further out than I was planning to look at this little nebula, and it's nice to start getting away from the core again. I certainly will not be heading straight back to civilisation now.

Rikk, signing out.

Holes as Black as...

I don't know what is blacker than a black hole actually, or even as black as a black hole. Because make no mistake, they are pretty damn black.

After a recent journey through a thick neutron belt, I dropped across this rather pleasant hole that was a bit bigger than all of the others I had seen. Apart from Sagittarius A* - that one was a bigger. I digress, as promised in my last entry, here are the tales of me getting very close to a black hole.

You can just see the black hole here, along with some rather stunning gravitational lensing

What surprised me most is just how much black holes 'talk' to you. Once I was close enough I found myself utterly mystified as to the noised and sounds I was hearing.

It is indescribable, hence the video I promised.

It's only 4m 30s but here are a few 'skip points' should you need to view the best bits.

1m 45s - First close pass to see the lensing (and check heat!)
2m 45s - Drop from supercruise to have a real close look. You can hear the hole chattering and howling
3m 20s - Nice cinematic bit with Drone-Cam
4m 10s - Mind blowing gravity effects when supercruising out.

Honestly, I am fascinated by black holes now. I am making it my quest to journey from one to the next as I make my way to the base of the Sagittarius arm.

Last quick photo of me leaving the hole showing our mistress gravity in all her glory.

This is me saying goodbye to the dense field of neutron stars which so frequently threatened to pull me out of supercruise, ready to scorch my hull as a penalty for my inattention. Browsing the galaxy map for my next interesting find and I drop across this unusual beauty of a nebula nearly a thousand ly away - course laid in!

I travelled most of the way doing the bare minimum of stops in order to scoop fuel and check the maps. The stars I passed were left untouched as my curiosity pulled me closed to my destination.

Such a small nebula, I felt lucky to have even found it, as it clings onto a single neutron star. This image was made only just over 3ly from the anomaly, I'm going in, next entry will be posted when I am out the other side.

Rikk, signing out

3000 Systems Visited!

Today I planned a nice long 1000Ly leg out the other side of the core

Then I realised I was approaching the 3000 system mark, so decided to have a quick look around to see if there was anything interesting to mark the occasion. I didn't do this at the previous couple of thousand as these were normal fayre for most explorers on the core run.

I found this nice little place with an A class blue supergiant, and as it turns out a B class and M class in a tight binary orbit and very close to the A.

You can barely see the M here, just look at the slight orange glow below the small B class (I was about 400ls from the supergiant here)

Or here is one where I closed in.

And yes, you know what happened next. Even though I didn't need to I popped in and scooped from that little M class! I'm starting to make a habit of this.

Leaving the stars I had a quick look back, by the gods my Clipper is showing the marks of a long journey.

I will write about it more in my next blog, but I have also been getting up close and personal with some black holes. As well as using the camera drones for stills, I have been shooting video.

Here is a sneak preview of what I have been up to.

I'm getting fascinated by staring into the black. Maybe I've been out here too long!

Rikk, signing off.

Herbig Ae/Be

In my travels I have now dropped across most star types, the only one that had eluded me was the Herbig Ae/Be.

Until yesterday, that is.

I dropped upon it entirely by surprise when I was on one of my short travel hops and I was absolutely floored by it's eerie beauty.

Here it doesn't look vastly different to any other star out there, slightly more mottled. But in a picture you don't get the sense of rotation. This crazy little star is spinning fast, really fast.

I recorded some footage showing just how fast.

It was really quite mesmerising.

But one must press on, and currently I am navigating the galaxy using Carbon or O class stars as waypoints. These are uncommon and often spaces quite a distance apart, so I pick one roughly en route to the Sagittarius arm and set a course.

I found this, and thought it would make a rather pretty photograph.

On departing from this system I set course for a promising landmark, another Herbig Ae/Be but this time joined by a pair of O class stars. I was quite apprehensive about the jump in, so decided to set the camera rolling as I entered hyperspace.

Turns out I had nothing to worry about. If you want to skip the jump in then 1:30 is the place to go, system map is at 00:35

I'm still exploring the neutron belt, heading slowly out to the Sagittarius arm. 27.3k Ly from Sol and increasing.

Rikk, signing out.