Portfolio: Intergalactic Aerospace Expo

This Galactic Guide originally appeared in Jump Point 4.11.
For spacecraft enthusiast Audrey Timmerman, Lo was the ideal place to grow up. Every day, a wide array of ships would make the trip into atmosphere from the bustling spacelanes above. Family members recalled Audrey spending her nights staring out the window of their flat in the Walden Towers housing development and identifying ships as they flew past solely on the configuration of their running lights. In an interview with the Terra Gazette, Timmerman couldn’t recall what first got her interested in aviation: “I don’t remember one specific ‘ah-ha’ moment. That love was just always there.”

Timmerman came from a family of modest means who couldn’t afford to own a ship, but her parents indulged her passion by taking her to New Junction’s bustling trade port to watch the ships take off and land. In 2656, Timmerman eagerly joined the Navy with dreams of becoming a pilot. Unfortunately, her piloting skill lagged behind those who already had years of flight experience.

Still, her vast knowledge of ships and eye for detail did not go unnoticed. She became a mechanic and rose through the ranks to became a pit chief aboard the frigate UEEN Solis. Assigned to patrol the Perry Line, the Solis spent its time as a mobile support ship for UEE strike fighters that monitored the Xi’an jump points. She described it as ‘long stretches of boredom punctuated by moments of terror,’ but that changed one day when a flight of fighters brought back something from their patrol: wreckage of a Xi’an ship. While Timmerman was intimately familiar with Banu ships from her childhood in Corel, seeing the Xi’an’s unique design approach was both fascinating and inspiring for her.

After ending her Naval service, Timmerman returned to New Junction and opened Intergalactic Aerospace Repairs in 2667. The shop quickly garnered a reputation for being able to fix just about anything. In her off hours, Timmerman devoted herself to her true passion, trying to reverse engineer the Xi’an tech she had seen in the Navy. Relations between the two species were antagonistic at the time, so it was impossible as a civilian to get her hands on Xi’an tech, leaving her nothing but memories and ingenuity to work with.

Humble Beginnings
In 2670, Timmerman finished installing Xi’an-inspired maneuverable thrusters on Poby, an old Aurora she named after her cat. Afraid to test fly the ship on a heavily populated planet, Timmerman and fellow aerospace enthusiasts loaded Poby and a number of other heavily modified ships onto a transporter and flew to the nearly desolate planet of Castor to test fly them. Though it was an informal gathering, historians now considered it to be the very first Intergalactic Aerospace Expo.

Poby’s first flight was a disappointment, as a power surge fried a number of her experimental thrusters. Timmerman wasn’t deterred by the failure — quite the opposite, she was energized by the process, and it wasn’t long before this group of experimental spacecraft enthusiasts were meeting regularly to discuss and examine various mods they were building. The annual test flights on Castor became a tradition and grew in popularity over the years.

One of the members of the group was Steffon Dillard, owner of Steffon’s Ship Emporium in New Junction. He recognized the popularity of the annual gathering and approached Timmerman about sponsoring the event. He would provide the latest ships for the enthusiasts to check out in person, and hopefully make some sales in the process. Timmerman agreed and, needing a name to put on the ads Dillard was creating, decided to borrow from her own company to get the name Intergalactic Aerospace Expo (IAE).

Over the next decade, the event became large enough that other retail outlets and parts manufacturers were eager to show off their own goods at the expo. Once that happened, it wasn’t long before the major ship manufacturers took notice. In 2683, RSI became an official sponsor of the IAE and has been one ever since. Each year, more and more sponsors and booths appeared at the event.

Purists decried its corporatization, but Timmerman vehemently justified the expansion. To her the Expo hadn’t sold out; it had adapted and improved. Her final act was to create a nonprofit to officially manage the event, and ensure a large percentage of the revenue went to a charity Timmerman created called Simpod Pals, whose mission was to give underprivileged children the opportunity to learn how to fly.

Spooling Up
In 2847, the board of directors made the decision to rotate the location of the IAE each year. The public explanation was that it would give more people the chance to experience the universe’s premier aerospace event.

Numerous systems clamored to host the event and enjoy the economic windfall that came with it. The event hopscotched from planet to planet for the next few decades until the 2913 event in Ferron was almost canceled due to Asura’s inability to meet the minimum hangar and power standards outlined by the IAE’s contract. Shortly after this scare, the IAE board was contacted by Governor Joona Tzur of Severus about bringing the event to the Kiel System. IAE officials were impressed with his presentation, but more so with the facilities his planet could offer. Severus contained numerous hangars (initially built and used by the military), plenty of available landing pads, and more than sufficient accommodations for visitors. After impressing the IAE board with Kiel’s facilities, Tzur went in for the kill. He offered to make vast upgrades and improvements to the existing facilities if the IAE agreed to make Severus the event’s permanent home. Still reeling from the Ferron controversy, the board of directors took a vote and approved the proposal. The IAE has been based in Kiel ever since. UPDATE: In 2948, the IAE hosted their first ever satellite Expo from the Desmond Memorial Convention Center in Lorville, Hurston. The inaugural event was scheduled to run concurrently with the main Expo in Kiel and feature many of the same ships and vendors.

The Intergalactic Aerospace Expo has come a long way since its humble beginnings on Castor. Due to insurance and legal issues, it’s no longer about amateurs test flying experimental ships. Instead, renowned pilots like Chelsea Yan and members of the Navy’s famed ‘Wreckless’ Squadron 999 dazzle attendees with impressive flight maneuvers, while ship and component manufacturers unveil their latest wares. At its core though, the Intergalactic Aerospace Expo is made for those young dreamers who find themselves staring up at the sky to count running lights.

Dieser Galaktische Führer erschien ursprünglich in Jump Point 4.11.
Für die Raumschiffliebhaberin Audrey Timmerman war Lo der ideale Ort, um aufzuwachsen. Jeden Tag machten eine Vielzahl von Schiffen die Reise in die Atmosphäre von den geschäftigen Spacelanes darüber aus. Familienmitglieder erinnerten sich an Audrey, die ihre Nächte damit verbrachte, aus dem Fenster ihrer Wohnung in den Walden Towers zu starren und Schiffe zu identifizieren, während sie nur aufgrund der Konfiguration ihrer Lauflichter vorbeiflogen. In einem Interview mit der Terra Gazette konnte sich Timmerman nicht erinnern, was sie zuerst für die Luftfahrt interessiert hat: "Ich erinnere mich nicht an einen bestimmten Aha-Moment. Diese Liebe war einfach immer da."

Timmerman stammte aus einer Familie bescheidener Verhältnisse, die es sich nicht leisten konnte, ein Schiff zu besitzen, aber ihre Eltern gaben ihrer Leidenschaft nach, indem sie sie zum geschäftigen Handelshafen von New Junction brachten, um die Schiffe beim Starten und Landen zu beobachten. Im Jahr 2656 trat Timmerman eifrig der Marine bei und träumte davon, Pilot zu werden. Leider blieb ihre Pilotenfähigkeit hinter denen zurück, die bereits jahrelange Flugerfahrung hatten.

Dennoch blieb ihr großes Schiffswissen und ihr Blick fürs Detail nicht unbemerkt. Sie wurde Mechanikerin und stieg durch die Reihen auf, um Boxenchefin an Bord der Fregatte UEEN Solis zu werden. Die Solis, die mit der Patrouille an der Perry Line beauftragt war, verbrachte ihre Zeit als mobiles Unterstützungsschiff für UEE-Streikjäger, die die Sprungbretter von Xi'an überwachten. Sie beschrieb es als "lange Strecken der Langeweile, die von Momenten des Terrors unterbrochen wurden", aber das änderte sich eines Tages, als ein Flug von Kämpfern etwas von ihrer Patrouille zurückbrachte: das Wrack eines Xi'an-Schiffes. Während Timmerman mit Banu-Schiffen aus ihrer Kindheit in Corel bestens vertraut war, war der einzigartige Designansatz des Xi'an für sie faszinierend und inspirierend zugleich.

Nach Beendigung ihres Marinedienstes kehrte Timmerman nach New Junction zurück und eröffnete 2667 Intergalactic Aerospace Repairs. Der Laden erlangte schnell den Ruf, fast alles reparieren zu können. In ihren freien Tagen widmete sich Timmerman ihrer wahren Leidenschaft und versuchte, den Xi'an-Technologie, die sie in der Marine gesehen hatte, zurückzuentwickeln. Die Beziehungen zwischen den beiden Arten waren damals antagonistisch, so dass es als Zivilist unmöglich war, Xi'an-Technologie in die Finger zu bekommen, so dass sie nichts als Erinnerungen und Einfallsreichtum hatte, mit denen sie arbeiten konnte.

Bescheidene Anfänge
2670 beendete Timmerman die Installation von Xi'an-inspirierten manövrierfähigen Triebwerken an Poby, einer alten Aurora, die sie nach ihrer Katze benannte. Aus Angst, das Schiff auf einem dicht besiedelten Planeten zu testen, luden Timmerman und andere Luft- und Raumfahrt-Enthusiasten Poby und eine Reihe anderer stark modifizierter Schiffe auf einen Transporter und flogen zum fast desolaten Planeten Castor, um sie zu testen. Obwohl es sich um ein informelles Treffen handelte, betrachteten Historiker es heute als die allererste Intergalaktische Luft- und Raumfahrtausstellung.

Pobys erster Flug war eine Enttäuschung, als ein Stromstoß eine Reihe ihrer experimentellen Triebwerke brannte. Timmerman wurde durch das Scheitern nicht abgeschreckt - ganz im Gegenteil, sie war durch den Prozess energetisiert, und es dauerte nicht lange, bis sich diese Gruppe von experimentellen Raumschiff-Enthusiasten regelmäßig traf, um verschiedene Mods zu diskutieren und zu untersuchen, die sie bauten. Die jährlichen Testflüge auf Castor wurden zur Tradition und erfreuten sich über die Jahre wachsender Beliebtheit.

Eines der Mitglieder der Gruppe war Steffon Dillard, Eigentümer von Steffon's Ship Emporium in New Junction. Er erkannte die Popularität des jährlichen Treffens und wandte sich an Timmerman, um das Event zu sponsern. Er würde die neuesten Schiffe für die Enthusiasten zur Verfügung stellen, um persönlich zu überprüfen und hoffentlich einige Verkäufe im Prozess zu machen. Timmerman stimmte zu und als sie einen Namen brauchte, um die Anzeigen zu schalten, die Dillard kreierte, beschloss sie, von ihrer eigenen Firma zu leihen, um den Namen Intergalactic Aerospace Expo (IAE) zu erhalten.

Im Laufe des nächsten Jahrzehnts wurde die Veranstaltung so groß, dass andere Einzelhandelsgeschäfte und Teilehersteller bestrebt waren, ihre eigenen Waren auf der Messe zu präsentieren. Dann dauerte es nicht lange, bis die großen Schiffshersteller es bemerkten. Im Jahr 2683 wurde RSI offizieller Sponsor der IAE und ist es bis heute. Jedes Jahr kamen mehr und mehr Sponsoren und Stände hinzu.

Puristen kritisierten seine Corporatisierung, aber Timmerman rechtfertigte die Expansion vehement. Für sie war die Expo nicht ausverkauft, sie hatte sich angepasst und verbessert. Ihr letzter Schritt war es, einen gemeinnützigen Verein zu gründen, der die Veranstaltung offiziell leitet und sicherstellt, dass ein großer Teil der Einnahmen an eine Wohltätigkeitsorganisation geht, die Timmerman namens Simpod Pals gegründet hat, deren Mission es war, benachteiligten Kindern die Möglichkeit zu geben, das Fliegen zu lernen.

Aufspulen
Im Jahr 2847 beschloss der Verwaltungsrat, den Standort der IAE jedes Jahr zu wechseln. Die öffentliche Erklärung war, dass es mehr Menschen die Möglichkeit geben würde, die wichtigste Luft- und Raumfahrtveranstaltung des Universums zu erleben.

Zahlreiche Systeme wollten die Veranstaltung veranstalten und den damit verbundenen wirtschaftlichen Windfall genießen. Das Ereignis, das in den nächsten Jahrzehnten bis zum 2913er Ereignis in Ferron von Planet zu Planet gehofft wurde, wurde fast abgesagt, da Asura nicht in der Lage war, die im Vertrag der IAE festgelegten Mindestanforderungen an Hangar und Leistung zu erfüllen. Kurz nach dieser Panik wurde der IAE-Vorstand von Gouverneurin Joona Tzur von Severus kontaktiert, um das Ereignis in das Kieler System zu bringen. Die IAE-Beamten waren beeindruckt von seiner Präsentation, aber vor allem von den Einrichtungen, die sein Planet bieten konnte. Severus enthielt zahlreiche Hangars (ursprünglich gebaut und vom Militär genutzt), viele verfügbare Landeplätze und mehr als genügend Unterkünfte für Besucher. Nachdem er das IAE-Board mit den Kieler Einrichtungen beeindruckt hatte, ging Tzur zu den Toten. Er bot an, umfangreiche Upgrades und Verbesserungen an den bestehenden Einrichtungen vorzunehmen, falls die IAE zustimmen sollte, Severus zum festen Wohnsitz der Veranstaltung zu machen. Der Verwaltungsrat, der immer noch von der Ferron-Kontroverse betroffen war, stimmte ab und genehmigte den Vorschlag. Seitdem hat das IAE seinen Sitz in Kiel. AKTUALISIERUNG: Im Jahr 2948 veranstaltete die IAE ihre erste Satellitenausstellung vom Desmond Memorial Convention Center in Lorville, Hurston. Die Auftaktveranstaltung sollte zeitgleich mit der Expo in Kiel stattfinden und viele der gleichen Schiffe und Anbieter präsentieren.

Die Intergalactic Aerospace Expo hat seit ihren bescheidenen Anfängen auf Castor einen langen Weg zurückgelegt. Aus versicherungstechnischen und rechtlichen Gründen geht es nicht mehr darum, dass Amateure experimentelle Schiffe testen. Stattdessen begeistern renommierte Piloten wie Chelsea Yan und Mitglieder der berühmten "Wreckless Squadron 999" der Marine die Besucher mit beeindruckenden Flugmanövern, während Schiffs- und Komponentenhersteller ihre neuesten Produkte vorstellen. Im Kern ist die Intergalactic Aerospace Expo jedoch für junge Träumer gedacht, die in den Himmel starren, um das Lauflicht zu zählen.

This Galactic Guide originally appeared in Jump Point 4.11.
For spacecraft enthusiast Audrey Timmerman, Lo was the ideal place to grow up. Every day, a wide array of ships would make the trip into atmosphere from the bustling spacelanes above. Family members recalled Audrey spending her nights staring out the window of their flat in the Walden Towers housing development and identifying ships as they flew past solely on the configuration of their running lights. In an interview with the Terra Gazette, Timmerman couldn’t recall what first got her interested in aviation: “I don’t remember one specific ‘ah-ha’ moment. That love was just always there.”

Timmerman came from a family of modest means who couldn’t afford to own a ship, but her parents indulged her passion by taking her to New Junction’s bustling trade port to watch the ships take off and land. In 2656, Timmerman eagerly joined the Navy with dreams of becoming a pilot. Unfortunately, her piloting skill lagged behind those who already had years of flight experience.

Still, her vast knowledge of ships and eye for detail did not go unnoticed. She became a mechanic and rose through the ranks to became a pit chief aboard the frigate UEEN Solis. Assigned to patrol the Perry Line, the Solis spent its time as a mobile support ship for UEE strike fighters that monitored the Xi’an jump points. She described it as ‘long stretches of boredom punctuated by moments of terror,’ but that changed one day when a flight of fighters brought back something from their patrol: wreckage of a Xi’an ship. While Timmerman was intimately familiar with Banu ships from her childhood in Corel, seeing the Xi’an’s unique design approach was both fascinating and inspiring for her.

After ending her Naval service, Timmerman returned to New Junction and opened Intergalactic Aerospace Repairs in 2667. The shop quickly garnered a reputation for being able to fix just about anything. In her off hours, Timmerman devoted herself to her true passion, trying to reverse engineer the Xi’an tech she had seen in the Navy. Relations between the two species were antagonistic at the time, so it was impossible as a civilian to get her hands on Xi’an tech, leaving her nothing but memories and ingenuity to work with.

Humble Beginnings
In 2670, Timmerman finished installing Xi’an-inspired maneuverable thrusters on Poby, an old Aurora she named after her cat. Afraid to test fly the ship on a heavily populated planet, Timmerman and fellow aerospace enthusiasts loaded Poby and a number of other heavily modified ships onto a transporter and flew to the nearly desolate planet of Castor to test fly them. Though it was an informal gathering, historians now considered it to be the very first Intergalactic Aerospace Expo.

Poby’s first flight was a disappointment, as a power surge fried a number of her experimental thrusters. Timmerman wasn’t deterred by the failure — quite the opposite, she was energized by the process, and it wasn’t long before this group of experimental spacecraft enthusiasts were meeting regularly to discuss and examine various mods they were building. The annual test flights on Castor became a tradition and grew in popularity over the years.

One of the members of the group was Steffon Dillard, owner of Steffon’s Ship Emporium in New Junction. He recognized the popularity of the annual gathering and approached Timmerman about sponsoring the event. He would provide the latest ships for the enthusiasts to check out in person, and hopefully make some sales in the process. Timmerman agreed and, needing a name to put on the ads Dillard was creating, decided to borrow from her own company to get the name Intergalactic Aerospace Expo (IAE).

Over the next decade, the event became large enough that other retail outlets and parts manufacturers were eager to show off their own goods at the expo. Once that happened, it wasn’t long before the major ship manufacturers took notice. In 2683, RSI became an official sponsor of the IAE and has been one ever since. Each year, more and more sponsors and booths appeared at the event.

Purists decried its corporatization, but Timmerman vehemently justified the expansion. To her the Expo hadn’t sold out; it had adapted and improved. Her final act was to create a nonprofit to officially manage the event, and ensure a large percentage of the revenue went to a charity Timmerman created called Simpod Pals, whose mission was to give underprivileged children the opportunity to learn how to fly.

Spooling Up
In 2847, the board of directors made the decision to rotate the location of the IAE each year. The public explanation was that it would give more people the chance to experience the universe’s premier aerospace event.

Numerous systems clamored to host the event and enjoy the economic windfall that came with it. The event hopscotched from planet to planet for the next few decades until the 2913 event in Ferron was almost canceled due to Asura’s inability to meet the minimum hangar and power standards outlined by the IAE’s contract. Shortly after this scare, the IAE board was contacted by Governor Joona Tzur of Severus about bringing the event to the Kiel System. IAE officials were impressed with his presentation, but more so with the facilities his planet could offer. Severus contained numerous hangars (initially built and used by the military), plenty of available landing pads, and more than sufficient accommodations for visitors. After impressing the IAE board with Kiel’s facilities, Tzur went in for the kill. He offered to make vast upgrades and improvements to the existing facilities if the IAE agreed to make Severus the event’s permanent home. Still reeling from the Ferron controversy, the board of directors took a vote and approved the proposal. The IAE has been based in Kiel ever since. UPDATE: In 2948, the IAE hosted their first ever satellite Expo from the Desmond Memorial Convention Center in Lorville, Hurston. The inaugural event was scheduled to run concurrently with the main Expo in Kiel and feature many of the same ships and vendors.

The Intergalactic Aerospace Expo has come a long way since its humble beginnings on Castor. Due to insurance and legal issues, it’s no longer about amateurs test flying experimental ships. Instead, renowned pilots like Chelsea Yan and members of the Navy’s famed ‘Wreckless’ Squadron 999 dazzle attendees with impressive flight maneuvers, while ship and component manufacturers unveil their latest wares. At its core though, the Intergalactic Aerospace Expo is made for those young dreamers who find themselves staring up at the sky to count running lights.