To:	William Hetherton (Head of Construction Planning, UNSC)
From:	Avril DeSoto (Project Manager, Jupiter-1 Station, UNDA/UNSC)
Subject:	Construction Schedule for Jupiter-1 Station
Date:	3 August 2025

Hi Bill

Well here are my intial thoughts and comments on the proposed schedule for the Jupitar-1 station (tentatively named Rossetta at his stage - a good omen I hope!)

The usual apologies for taking so long with this - the last few months have been insane, as you well know. However, I think you will agree that the time has been well spent when you get a chance to go through the finalised plans. Working with the station designers from both of our new friends has been a real eye-opener. Although quite frankly, I think our caution make them want to tear their hair out at times (do the kroder actually have hair, or is it all just fake?). Well, they may laugh at our caution, but what do they honestly expect? It will be our arses in the sling if things screw up, and the way things are being rushed, everyone is going to have to be absolutely on the ball as it is.

Anyway, to the point. After all the endless rounds of meetings, the powers that be settled on the plan we proposed from the start. Could have saved us a month if they'd just listened to us from the beginning. But I guess it's better that they get all this hashed out now rather then while we are actually constructing the damn thing (who am I kidding? :0).

It's the classic three phase plan:

1. We build the main core, docking ring, defense hangers and reacter pods. Earth section of the station to be constructed seperately and attached via universal docking girdle at the same time as the Croder and Cafferi attach theirs. Station to go live with these components September 1 2026 (yup, that's the date they're going with! ye gods....). However, we expect that the internals will be somewhat spartan for the first year or so.

   For all this is a big ask, I think we can do it. Despite all the bickering and uncertainty, there is a wonderful combination of pride in Earth and excitement about what this base will mean. Judging from the people I've talking to, everyone wants to show them just what we can do when we really put our minds and resources to it. I just hope we can sustain the momentum once we hit the inevital problems.

2. The secondary trading ring is added. This will contain areas for freight, commerce and meeting areas, hotels and general business. This will supercede the rudimentary facilities being built into the docking ring, and become the hub for interspecies contact. Secondary ring to become operational January 1 2028.

   I know why we insisted on no alien tech in the core and I support the reasons. But our lack of artifical grav technology is a real pain. Still, the VIPs don't really seem sure that the demand for this area will be that high until 5 to 10 years time. Well I guess time will tell. The interest shown in the tenders to construct facilities in this area should give us a good idea about how business view the whole enterprise.

3. The classic third phase during which we will build the things we eventually end up needing but can't predict at the beginning of the project. :)

And if I do manage to bring this mother in on time, you are going to owe me one VERY big case of vodka!

Yours insanely,
Avril.