Planet Calypso News: EBN Business: Asteroid Update

As the two asteroids rapidly approach one another, RDI scientists have been able to conduct a more detailed analysis of their trajectory. Based on calculations of the asteroids' velocities and the angle of the impending collision, mineral fragments will be dispersed over a much wider area than initially anticipated.

While the majority of debris is still expected to continue in the direction of Calypso, with most of the fragments scattering over Eudoria (and, to a lesser degree, other landmasses), some will also reach other planets. However, due to the smaller quantity of minerals reaching the different planets, there will likely not be enough in the soil to increase mining finds there, and any rock scattered across the surface is likely to be pilfered by robots and specific creatures.

The minerals are expected to be gathered by robot forces and certain more intelligent animals, including getting consumed by non-Calypsian aliens and certain crustaceans. For a complete list of animals known to exhibit these behaviors, courtesy of the Colonial Xenobiological Institute, please see below:

• Argonaut
• Aurli
• Cornoanterion
• Daspletor
• Kreltin
• Marcimex
• Molisk
• Neomex
• Scarabs

Despite these changes to RDI predictions, simulations still show that a significant amount of minerals will also remain in space; likely to be eaten by geophage space creatures drawn in by the energy released by the impact. Spacefaring colonists will therefore be able to hunt and kill these creatures as well, to recover the minerals.

During a press conference, Genesis Star promised that further information about the space mining system they are developing will be unveiled when the system is ready for release, which is expected to occur at the year's end. What we do know is that both the new Prospector ships and the majority of older spacefaring vessels will be able to use this mining system in the future.

The Genesis Star representative also told the assembled reporters that the ten Prospector units released in this event are planned to be the only ships in the class ever produced. According to the company, this special release will therefore be a one-time opportunity to acquire these ships first-hand.

Some further information was also given regarding the ships themselves. They will be warp-capable, having an open slot for a limited warp drive, but do not come pre-equipped with one. Like other ships in this weight class, it will also be unable to land on planets.

All blueprints related to the event, including the Spaceship Construction Package blueprint, will be available only on Calypso through crafting. Genesis Star has also clarified that these blueprints, tokens, and the Prospector ship itself will be fully tradable, providing flexibility for colonists to buy, sell, or exchange these valuable assets as they see fit.

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