Astronaut Package Deal

[AlHazred]

In a thread on the Champions board, the community pondered the contents of an Astronaut Package Deal. I gave it a lot of thought and eventually visited a number of websites devoted to astronaut training. I eventually came up with this, and thought I'd post it for commentary and criticism (and world-wide acclaim... or maybe not.)

 

ASTRONAUT

 

Manned space flight began in the US in 1961. Two years earlier, NASA had winnowed down candidates from three U.S. military services to 7 men from the original field of five hundred and eight candidates. Six of these men flew in Project Mercury, completing tests of one-man space capsules from 1961 to 1963. Nine more military men were chosen in 1962 and 14 more in 1963. These men participated in Project Gemini, which tested larger spacecraft from 1965 to 1966. In 1964, it was determined to include scientists as well and from an initial group of over four hundred applicants, 6 scientists were selected for astronaut training in 1965. In 1966, 19 more military men were selected, and in 1967 11 more scientists. The Skylab Missions proved that man could live in space; three separate missions were flown in 1973 and 1974. In 1975, the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project tested docking procedures when two spacecraft were docked nose-to-nose. Starting in 1981, the Space Shuttle flew a large number of successful flights, dramatically increasing man's knowledge of space and leading to the founding of the International Space Station project, which began construction in 2000.

 

Since the very beginnings of the Space Program, there has been a stringent training regimen for astronauts. There are two kinds of astronauts on missions: pilot astronauts (the vast majority of whom come from either the Air Force or the Navy), and mission specialists (formerly called "scientist astronauts") who are selected based on academic credentials or work experience. Although the requirements differ slightly, they maintain certain standards of physical and mental health. Pilot astronauts have a slightly tougher physical fitness requirement, and must have had at least 1,000 hours of flight time as the pilot in command of a jet aircraft; test pilots receive more consideration than pilots of regular aircraft. All astronaut candidates are required to have at least a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in physical or biological science, engineering, or mathematics; in addition, mission specialist applicants are required to have at least three years of experience in their field of endeavor. Advanced degrees may substitute for some experience.

 

Applicants are selected every two years and sent to the Astronaut Candidate Program; civilians may apply at any time to become mission specialists, while military personnel have to apply through their branch of service and be nominated by their service to NASA. From a typical pool of four thousand applicants, NASA accepts 20 into their program.

 

Once selected, applicants undergo basic training in spacecraft operations as well as taking science classes (geology, meteorology, astronomy, and so forth) and first aid training. They spend a lot of time practicing living in weightless conditions, either in the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (which contains large water tanks) or in the zero-g aircraft, the KC-135 (known as the "vomit comet"). After the basic astronaut training, they learn survival and navigation and learn more about shuttle systems. They spend many hours in simulators, practicing various emergency procedures and learning to deal with many different kinds of malfunctions. Throughout the training period, pilot astronauts continue to fly, spending at least 15 hours every month in one of NASA's T-38 jet aircraft. Mission specialists spend at least 4 hours per month in the back seat, learning more about navigation and maintaining communications with the control tower.

 

In game terms this package adds on to either the Basic Training Package from Dark Champions, or an "Academic" or "Professional" Package from that book or another source.

 

ASTRONAUT PACKAGE DEAL

 

Abilities

Cost Ability

3 +3 STR

6 +3 CON

3 +3 INT

2 Running +1"

1 Swimming +1"

3 Combat Piloting

2 KS: Astronaut History and Traditions 11-

3 Navigation (Air, Space)

3 Paramedics

2 PS: Astronaut 11-

3 PS: Zero-G Operations (DEX Roll)

2 SS: Astronomy 11-

2 SS: Mathematics 11-

2 SS: Meteorology 11-

2 SS: Physics 11-

4 Survival (Marine, Temperate/Subtropical)

3 Systems Operation

2 TF: Basic Parachuting, Advanced Parachuting, Spacecraft

4 Contacts (4 points' worth)

5 Fringe Benefit: Security Clearance

2 Reputation: astronaut (military/space enthusiasts) 11-, +2/+2d6

9 9 points' worth of Skills from the following list:

Bureaucratics, Climbing, Combat Piloting, Combat Skill Levels, Computer Programming, Electronics, Mechanics, Oratory, Persuasion, Skill Levels, Survival, any Background Skill, Contacts

 

Total Cost Of Package Abilities: +94

 

Disadvantages

Value Disadvantage

10 Hunted: FBI 8- (Mo Pow, NCI, Watching)

15 Social Limitation: Subject To Orders (Frequently, Major)

 

Total Value Of Package Disadvantages: 25

 

Options

Value Ability

0 Pilot Astronaut: Choose Combat Piloting +2.

0 Mission Specialist: Choose SS: Mission Specialty.

[John Desmarais]

Re: Astronaut Package Deal

 

Not bad - a little pricy, but astronaut is one of those professions that basically takes over your life. If it were me I'd probably drop the characteristic mods - but only because there is something about characteristic mods in packages that bugs me.

[tkdguy]

Re: Astronaut Package Deal

 

Sounds good for a hard science fiction campaign, but shouldn't this go in the Star Hero forum?

 

But I like the concept.

[AlHazred]

Re: Astronaut Package Deal

 

Not bad - a little pricy' date=' but astronaut is one of those professions that basically takes over your life. If it were me I'd probably drop the characteristic mods - but only because there is something about characteristic mods in packages that bugs me.[/quote']

FWIW, the characteristics mods in the Dark Champions packages are meant to evoke a certain level of physical fitness for those who take it, not to straightjacket the PC. For example, the Navy Seal package has some high characteristic requirements, but then, if you had an NPC Seal with an 8 STR, well, it would strain credibility. PCs get an out because they're heroes and can get away with it as long as they justify it to the GM.

 

Right now I'm wondering if some of the SSs should be 8- instead of 11-.

[CSgeekHero]

Re: Astronaut Package Deal

 

Definitely cool.

 

It fits both Dark Champions and Star Hero. We do have real astronauts today and it makes a good jumping off point for both a hard/low science fiction campaign. Hmmm.....

 

That said--It could be a good entry into mixing the genres!

 

Wanders to his hero book library mumbling to self, "Yes, yes."

[tkdguy]

Re: Astronaut Package Deal

 

I'd keep the science skills at 11- because astronauts normally have good science and/or technical skills.

[Sketchpad]

Re: Astronaut Package Deal

 

FWIW, the characteristics mods in the Dark Champions packages are meant to evoke a certain level of physical fitness for those who take it, not to straightjacket the PC. For example, the Navy Seal package has some high characteristic requirements, but then, if you had an NPC Seal with an 8 STR, well, it would strain credibility. PCs get an out because they're heroes and can get away with it as long as they justify it to the GM.

 

Right now I'm wondering if some of the SSs should be 8- instead of 11-.

I'd leave them at 11- ... from the passing knowledge that I have of astronaut training, it seems more likely that it'd be at a decent level rather than just a familiarity

[AlHazred]

Re: Astronaut Package Deal

 

I'd keep the science skills at 11- because astronauts normally have good science and/or technical skills.

Very true. I was impressed at the amount of book-learning astronauts need to complete before they're allowed into space. The difference between Mission Specialists and Pilot Astronauts is only a few degrees of knowledge - Pilot Astronauts know spacecraft systems better, while Mission Specialists know the sciences better.

 

It occured to me that I didn't post links to my sources:

http://liftoff.msfc.nasa.gov/academy/astronauts/training.html

http://www.pbs.org/spacestation/station/training.htm

http://aerospacescholars.jsc.nasa.gov/HAS/cirr/ss/2/5.cfm

[Sociotard]

Re: Astronaut Package Deal

 

I might tack on a small "reputation". Astronauts don't have a whole lot of name recognition, but it still garners a whole lot of respect. A cop might let you off a speeding ticket if he saw that you were doing what a 6-year-old version of himself hoped to do. You might get extra service in restaurants, etc.

[TheQuestionMan]

Re: Astronaut Package Deal

 

You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to AlHazred again.

 

A really big THANK YOU!

 

QM

[AlHazred]

Re: Astronaut Package Deal

 

I might tack on a small "reputation". Astronauts don't have a whole lot of name recognition' date=' but it still garners a whole lot of respect. A cop might let you off a speeding ticket if he saw that you were doing what a 6-year-old version of himself hoped to do. You might get extra service in restaurants, etc.[/quote']

That's not a bad idea. I left it off because all of the military packages do, but I imagine that's mainly because of the fact that many military types in these games will have pretty dark reputations - they all seem to end up becoming grim vigilantes or vicious criminals after the service!

 

Astronauts never seem to have that stigma. I'll add it in.

[AlHazred]

Re: Astronaut Package Deal

 

I've updated the Astronaut Template to 6E, and uploaded the Package Deal here. This version also includes a detailed writeup of the Space Shuttle Era EVA space suit, and the SAFER maneuverability unit. I should really start a separate thread for those.

 

EDIT: A thread on how to build a space suit in Hero terms has been started here.