Guide:Aphrodite
| |
| Afrodite | |
|---|---|
| Class Overview | |
| Category | mission spacecraft |
| Operational | 2001-2047 |
| Constructed | 22 |
| Dimensions | |
| Length | 61.2m |
| Beam | 97.6m |
| Height | 6.6m |
| Mass | 680 tons |
| Performance | |
| Max Speed | 0.4c |
| Endurance | 3 months |
| Complement | |
| Crew | 2 |
| Passengers | 8
|
| Tactical Systems | |
| Shields | normally none |
| Laboratories | 1x planetary sciences |
| Auxiliary Craft | 1 Venus lander or 2 asteroid landers |
The Afrodite class was humanity's first post-Eugenics War effort to re-achieve a presence beyond Luna. The ability to re-create DY series spacecraft had not yet been achieved, though efforts were committed and developing. However, there was a fear that waiting until that level of technology was again available would lead to a tremendous lull in space travel, as was seen in the post-Apollo decade and a half. The Afrodite series was one concerted and focused effort to get back "out there" using the technology available to NASA and then, later, the ISA.
While discussions were held in regards to returning to Mars, there was considerable concern that followers of Khan might still be there and active, and most importantly, hostile to any standard human's approach. While there was similar concern with Venus, it was determined that it was most likely the Apex vessels detected there were uncrewed and un-automated, providing a greater level of certainty of mission success. A second series of missions was crafted to explore the asteroid belt for critical resources for cheap space construction, a necessary step for the many Earth orbital structures planned, as well as lunar colonies envisioned.
A total of 22 of these vessels were constructed over the next 15 years; most would remain on station and supplied by drone or small resupply craft, acting as forward bases for the small exploration crews deployed to them. The last operational ship/station would be abandoned on-site in 2047.