Winter Australis Expedition

“Beyond the Perseus Fade, at the end of the Outer Arm Vacuus… »

Logo by Alistair Hope, with the help of Valka Arialitan as well as CMDRs Hanna Hunter, Korver and Nozdus.

This expedition organized in early 3306 by the Deep Space Network took the most adventurous of explorers to this region close to the human bubble and yet the furthest from the galactic center. Our route rushed directly into the Sanguineous Rim area and from there we crossed from arm to arm through the void of Perseus Fade to reach the area of Kepler’s Crest and Xibalba. It was also planned for the bravest of explorers to reach some galactic limits where the use of FSD injections was de rigueur. The return was made by going up the outer arm to the Crab Nebula.

Our journey of more than 60,000 Ly planned to punctuate every Sunday evening various gatherings in a ship or SRV to share moments of conviviality, discovery and contemplation. These southern regions were also an opportunity to examine endemic biological species that were reminiscent of a certain kinship with the Thargoids.

Map source: Elite:Dangerous Astrometrics

Departure was scheduled for January 12, 3306 at HIP 23759 (Witch Head Nebula Science Center) and arrival on March 15, 3306 at Crab Sector DL-Y d9 (Station X in the Crab Nebula). A constraint related to the crossing of areas very sparse in stars imposed a minimum jump range of 55 Ly (a higher range was strongly recommended). It was also necessary to have planned about thirty premium FSD injections at least and if possible to have maximized the stocks of raw materials to reach the galactic limits. Shipping page on EDSM

Video of the expedition

The course of the expedition is retraced in this video report made by CMDR Nozdus

Nozdus

#1 – HIP 23759 (Witch Head Nebula Science Center)

It is with a traditional departure massjump that begins our expedition in the nebula of the Witch Head Nebula

Ulko

On the way to this first stage, Seagull Sector DL-Y d3 (Hell Port) is the last opportunity to dock in a station before the end of the expedition. This station was dug in an asteroid orbiting a metal rich planet and near its star. Suffice to say that the name of Hell Port is not flouted.

Arzae

#2 – GCRV 5190 (NGC 2452 Nebula)

This nebula around the B-type star offers the ideal setting for an original massjump. The fleet has positioned itself in flower formation for the occasion.

Hanna Hunter

#3 – Haffner 18 LSS 27 (Skull & Crossbones Nebula)

This nebula benefits from many referenced waypoints to collect the so-called jumponium components necessary for the synthesis of FSD injections. These injections allow our ships with already high jump ranges to jump much further into the very sparsely dense star area that remains to be crossed.

And it is a new massjump formation that is developed. This time the fleet is organized in circular formation

Hanna Hunter

The crossing of the Perseus Fade

From the Skull & Crossbones Nebula, this stage is the obligatory passage in order to reach the Outer Arm Vacuus by jumping from perseus arm. This crossing of the Perseus Fade requires 29 jumps between 55 Ly and 110 Ly.

The following route was tested by CMDR Korver: Far East Shortcut to Vacuus. Another route was proposed by erroringons128 whose largest jump is 89.3 Ly making it possible to cross with a ship with a jump range of 45 Ly: South-East Perseus Fade Shortcut.

While the crossing was simple for experienced commanders, it was not the same for the entire fleet. We operated the radio to provide advice and support to commanders who were looking to trace their route in this sidereal void.

#4 – Groehm WJ-I d9-2

After this trying crossing, we gather on this precipice ledge with the splendid view of the canyon before a fly-by.

Sasha614

#5 – Jongoae SX-L d7-0

We continued on to the eastern end of the galactic arm. It is in this region that we found a rather worrying endemic biological species: gyre trees.

Nozdus

Hanna Hunter

Arm’s End

The tip of the Outer Arm Vacuus is more difficult to access and has only been offered as an optional point. The commanders who committed themselves to it did so at their own risk. It was indeed necessary to foresee the amount of FSD syntheses needed sufficient to be able to make the return journey at the risk of finding oneself forever adrift outside our Galaxy. Cmdr Korver route proposal: Arm’s End Route by Gyre (55 jumps between 55 Ly and 110 Ly and as many to return).

From this system one feels like outside the Milky Way. Witness this photo taken by commander Mist0

Mist0

#6 – Jongiae LG-Y d1 then Sepositus Beacon

As an optional point, Sepositus Beacon is the furthest point from Sagittarius A* (45374.7 Ly). Here only 4 jumps between 78 Ly and 116 Ly and as many to return were needed.

#7 – Eol Hypa GE-E d13-2 (Australis Ferris Wheel)

This system discovered during the reconnaissance of the expedition, shelters a planet very close to the rings of a type IV gas giant. What is remarkable here is the size of the rings (467,693 km) and the offset of the moon from the rings. We then enjoy a magnificent view of the rings that turn quickly.

Nozdus

Nozdus

#8 – Lyed KX-A c27-0 (Shackleton’s Star) then Amundsen’s Star

Both systems echo the pioneer explorers of the Antarctic continent on Earth. In the same way that they were the first to reach the southernmost points of our mother planet, our pilots arrive in the southernmost part of the Galaxy.

Amundsen’s Star is the southernmost point in the Galaxy and therefore the furthest from Beagle Point and Salome’s Reach. It took 5 jumps between 75 Ly and 91 Ly and as many to come back.

#9 – Aidohs JI-A d14-0 (The Aidohs Platforms)

The grouping of the penultimate massjump was done in aligned formation in the bluish light of the star.

Melbus

Between base jumping from icy platforms that culminate at 20 km altitude and rides on equally high rocky edges, the Aidohs Platforms is a great playground for SRV.

Korver

Nozdus

#10 – Crab Sector DL-Y d9 (Station X)

On the last stage it was not necessary to miss the green ringing geante Gongae QW-L c24-0 (Dreamer Blush).

Nozdus

The fleet ends the expedition at Crab Nebula where the southernmost spaceport (Station X) is located. To celebrate the return to civilization, the pilots engage in a small SRV derby with fireworks against a background of red and green nebula.

Nozdus

Artistic contributions

Drawing of Mist0

As usual, Commander Mist0 rewarded us with a magnificent drawing visible in the EDSM galactic map of the expedition.

Mist0

Trailer of the expedition

Here is the trailer of the expedition made by Eikoop a few weeks before departure.

Trailer by Eikoop

DSN Photo Contest Gallery

You can see the most beautiful pictures of the expedition in the DSN photo contest gallery.