Subject: PROJECT COLD LAKE
Related Subjects: PROJECT DEEP FIELD, PROJECT DECUMANUS, PROJECT LOOKING GLASS, PROJECT LIGHTHOUSE, PROJECT NIAGRA FALLS
Security: WARNING
This document is unclassified, however it contains references to classified projects and technologies. Verify your security clearance before reading this document. This document requires level 3 clearance (DSE personnel) or equivalent to access all related materials. If you do not have necessary clearance, but are on teams using this document, please consult your line manager (DSE, corporate partners and clients) or commanding officer (Liberty Navy, LSF, BAF) immediately.
Introduction:
PROJECT COLD LAKE is the oversight term for a number of parallel projects undertaken by Deep Space Engineering's Breakthrough Propulsion Study Group, Engineering Department, Zero-G Construction Division and Theoretical Physics Department. The project includes contributions from PROJECT DEEP FIELD (DSE Astrometrics & Exploration), PROJECT LOOKING GLASS (DSE Gate & Trade Lane Construction Oversight) and PROJECT DECUMANUS (DSE Jumpgate Targeting).
In simplest terms, PROJECT COLD LAKE is the culmination and practical application of DSE's and Ageira research, reverse engineering and adaptation of alien hypergate technology. PROJECT COLD LAKE aims to design, construct, and operate humanity's first hyperspatial catapult capable of transgalactic range.
Previous versions of DSE and Ageira Technologies jumpgates were limited to ranges of a few light-years. Naturally occurring "jump holes", or transient-hyperspatial-rifts, have been observed to possess a similar range limitation, topping out at roughly two dozen light years (although these phenomena are extremely unstable).
Attempts to increase the range of conventional jumpgates culminated in the Texas Disaster, where thousands of DSE scientists, staff, construction workers, Navy personnel and civilians were killed when dark matter flooded the system following a catastrophic overload of the wormhole stabilization and end-point targeting systems.
PROJECT COLD LAKE began as small study group (PROJECT TANGENT) investigating the aftermath of the Texas Disaster, and future applications for jumpgate technology, in light of dwindling resources and claimable territory within House Space. It was thought that if current jumpgates could be augmented with powerful new energy sources and enhanced targeting algorithms, range limitations once thought to be insurmountable could be circumvented. This would then allow Libertonian industry and colonists to open up and exploit new star systems far outside the Sirius Sector. Unfortunately years of theorizing and experimentation yeilded little result.
With certain facts about the history of Sirius coming to light in late 801AS (at least at the higher levels of government and industry), there was suddenly a new source of technological ideas and astounding new theories to explore. DSE took note of these developments and reassigned the study group to the Breakthrough Propulsion Laboratory, to collaborate with the team developing what would eventually become the jump drives and hyperspatial survey modules we know today.
Within a few short months, new ideas about long-range hyperspatial travel and wormhole formation became testable hypotheses.
Since then, the BPL at DSE has worked tirelessly to build and test a completely human designed and made hypergate.
Scouting of a suitable construction and test site occurred quite recently, eventually settling on the Alberta system.
Project Location:
The PROJECT COLD LAKE construction site is located within the Cold Lake Nebula, orbiting Alberta's primary star. It resides in a gravitational null zone (Lagrange Point in ancient terms), surrounded by large (but stable) asteroids. Ageira's Leduc Station provides close support and housing for the current construction crews and site foreman. Camrose Supply Depot, anchored just outside the Nebula's periphery, houses technical staff, science teams and localized DSE management for the duration of the project.
Designing a 'Supergate':
PROJECT COLD LAKE is a fully human designed and built, large scale wormhole generator and hyperspatial catapult. The 'supergate', as its design team dubbed it early during construction, is basically a very large jumpgate with a range of hundreds, if not thousands, of light years.
However, if it were simply a large copy of a conventional jumpgate, it would require a corresponding twin to anchor the wormhole at its destination. Such a logistical challenge (building and then transporting such a massive object at sublight speeds, over hundreds of light years) would be impossible.
PROJECT COLD LAKE aims to solve this problem by using technology and techniques gathered from jump-drive operation and alien 'hypergate' sensor observations (sources of observations are classified top secret).
The COLD LAKE supergate is comprised of four main components, working in synergy to achieve transgalactic travel:
[1]. The CYCLIC or TORUS - an upscaled exotic-matter manipulation array similar to, but much larger than, a standard jumpgate's rotational component. The TORUS contains the majority of Ageira-derived spatial manipulation technology and hyperspatial interface units.
[2]. The ARMATURES - are four massive scaffolds positioned equidistantly around the TORUS, housing the equally massive gravimetric tractor-beam arrays designed to lock onto and catapult vessels and components into the wormhole created by the supergate. Also inside the ARMATURES are row upon row of industrial-scale capacitors and emergency backup fusion reactors, should the primary gate power fail or be damaged by unforeseen circumstances.
[3]. The HUB - is a smaller scaffold located beside the gate, connected to it by power conduits and armoured struts. The HUB contains the supergate's targeting computers, exotic-matter stream projectors and primary reactor. Access to the HUB can only be allowed to authorised DSE and Ageira employees, or Navy personnel under escort.
[4]. The ALIGNMENT ARRAY - attached between the ARMATURES and the TORUS, this series of low-friction gimbals, electromagnetic interlocks, thruster packs and forcefield projectors keep the entire supergate locked on a stable orbit around Alberta's star, and the TORUS safely rotating and pointed in the direction proscribed by the HUB's targeting computers.
Operational Details:
PROJECT COLD LAKE, when completed, will operate in the following way;
The HUB calculates the distance to and relative velocities of Alberta and the target star, local hyperspatial gradients, transpatial manipulation vectors and energy-density functions necessary to open a wormhole. The HUB's exotic-matter projectors then begin firing particle beams to create supermassive particles (waste) and tachyons (useful). Once the density of the tachyon stream is free-flowing, the projectors aim the stream at the target star, creating a continuous link between local space and the selected destination.
The ALIGNMENT ARRAY begins to rotate the TORUS into the required position and alignment.
The TORUS uses its spatial manipulation technology to bombard local space with high-amplitude gravity waves, forcing a rotating singularity to form. This singularity distorts local spacetime in close proximity to the already-established FTL particle stream running towards the target star. This proximity forces the resulting wormhole to open and flings its exit apeture to the end-point of the tachyon stream.
The transgalactic wormhole is now open, and stable (without a corresponding gate at the other end).
The ARMATURES engage their tractor beams, locking onto and accelerating the travelling vessel into the newly formed wormhole. Smaller exotic-matter arrays on the rear end of the ARMATURES activate to stabilize the wormhole if necessary.
The vessel arrives at the target star system, and launches a beacon with FTL communications capability. The beacon reports successful transit.
The HUB receives the signal from the beacon, and commences wormhole collapse procedures.
The TORUS rotates in the opposite direction, sending out low-amplitude gravity waves, destabilising and collapsing the wormhole.
The HUB resets the targeting computers, ready for the next system survey.
When the HUB receives a signal from the scouting vessel that it wishes to return, the supergate powers up again, and repeats the process, opening the wormhole, allowing the vessel to return home. Return piloting procedures are similar to current jump-hole injection maneuvers.
Construction Process:
If you are accessing this document, you will be involved in the construction, supply or operation of PROJECT COLD LAKE.
Zero-G Construction and assembly of components will be undertaken exclusively by DSE personnel, under the guard of Liberty Naval expeditionary vessels.
Sector security and site secrecy will be handled by LSF in conjunction with DSE and the Navy.
Shipping of raw materials, components, goods, supplies and consumables will be contracted out to authorized corporate partners and Merchant Navy vessels.
Oversight will be conducted by DSE Management, with political and logistical support from the Liberty Government.
References:
PROJECT LOOKING GLASS - Advanced transpatial targeting arrays developed for Naval jump drives and hyperspatial "area-denial" weaponry. DSE/LN Joint Project, Virginia System.
PROJECT DEEP FIELD - Jump Drive operation in extreme environments and long range hyperspatial flight mechanics. DSE project with input from Ageira. Project installed on Liberty Dreadnaught, operated by DSE on test flights. Scouting flights into hostile territory classified TOP SECRET.
PROJECT DECUMANUS - Jumpgate Manufacture and Operation using higher-energy spatial manipulation technology and large-bank capacitors. Upgrade pathing for Colorado, California and Texan jumpgates before conflict with Rhineland guttered trade.
PROJECT TANGENT - DSE Breakthrough Propulsion Study Group #361, Current Project Director Aden Murdo.
// All media is the creation and property of Cris/Drake Forsythe, care of the Deep Space Engineering faction DSE)