Ed Island Astronaut Corps

Ed Island Astronaut Corps
EIAC
EIAF Balkenkreuz (Only used on aircraft)
Agency logo
Aeronautical Administration overview
Formed	1961, 2016
Superseding agency	Ed Island Air Force
Anthem	Vorwarts Sturmsoldat
Jurisdiction	Ed Island aerospace possessions
Headquarters	Luftwaffe Ministry,Bridgestadt.
Employees	Undisclosed number
Annual budget	Undisclosed amount
Parent Aeronautical Administration	Ed Island Air Force

The Ed Island Astronaut Corps was a subsidiary of the EIAF created for military and scientific operations in space. Known for its unique weaponry and uniforms, the EIAC was mostly disbanded in 2014 and merged with the Space Command. However, due to the staggering costs of operating the EISC and the low personnel count, the EIAC was reactivated in 2016 as an alternative to the Space Command until more cost-effective solutions become available.

Fleet

Spacecraft
Type	Role	Amount	Description
Stearwing D-45	Space shuttle	9	Vaguely resembling a flattened PASA Space Shuttle, the Stearwing D-45 is a spaceplane designed to launch personnel and cargo into space by utilizing a booster assembly. Unlike the PASA shuttles, however, EIAC shuttles' engines are not powerful enough to launch into orbit as with PASA's. Instead, a large Energy rocket is used along with two boosters to launch the shuttle into orbit. Block 2 shuttles feature a redesigned tail assembly and more powerful engines, along with a slightly larger payload bay.
C-Shuttle	Cargo spaceplane	3	A larger, unmanned variant of the shuttle used to transport greater payloads. Unlike the shuttle, it lacks wings and the cockpit is replaced with a conical nose.
Tu-211	Spaceplane	4	Adapted from Tu-144 transports purchased from Rusca, the Tu-211 a spaceplane designed to transport passengers to the Freedom station or ISS. The main new features is ceramic heat-shielding and the advanced propulsion system allowing for low earth orbit flight.
Arkbird	Experimental spaceplane	1	The Arkbird is a massive spaceplane designed as a proof-of-concept SSTO craft. Possessing several laboratories and facilities on-board, the Arkbird also mounts a specialized laser on its dorsal side, intended as an anti-satellite weapon.
Rockets and Capsules
Type	Role	Amount	Description
Andromeda	Personnel transport	As needed	A medium-size pod that holds five penguins, designed for high Earth orbit.
Vanity	Personnel transport	As needed	A large capsule designed by the Stearwing corporation rather than the EIAC, able to transport up to seven penguins to the ISS.
Utility Shuttle	Maintenance	2	Small shuttles holding two crew members designed for short-range utility use. Unlike other shuttles, they are launched on top of conventional rockets and land on runways.
Energy	Heavy-lift rocket	As needed	A large heavy-lift rocket designed to be the primary booster for the D-45 shuttles. The standard configuration with two or four strap-on booster assemblies allows for large payloads to 'piggy-back' the rocket into orbit.
Satellites
Type	Role	Year Launched	Description
Strategic Orbital Linear Gun	Orbital weapons platform	1999	A large satellite containing an orbital kinetic bombardment system capable of dropping large metal rods onto any location in Antarctica. The SOLG also possessed a network of chemical lasers to defend the satellite from enemy sabotage.
Space Stations
Name	Role	Year Launched	Description
Space Station Freedom	Research	1989	A large, modular space station initially designed for experiments regarding anti-gravity and its effects on science. It was active until 2006, when the station was de-orbited due to age. Several modules containing more advanced equipment were removed by Stearwing shuttles and will be reused for the Independence station.
International Space Station	Science	2001	Ed Island was one of the first countries to join the USA's international space cooperation program, and contributed the centrifuge and technology suite capsules to the ISS. Due to the larger docking adapters used on the ISS, Antarctica, Ed Island, and Rusca are currently the only nations able to launch personnel to the station.
Space Station 'Independence	Research	2018 (Planned)	Planned to be a replacement for the Freedom.

Current Space Shuttles

• Explorer (Prototype used for atmospheric tests, not space-worthy)
• Inspiration
• Expedition
• Intrepid
• Ares
• Moonraker
• Kronos (Block 2)
• Daedalus (Block 2)
• Icarus (Block 2)

Weaponry

Name	Role	Cartridge	Description
Pistols and Sidearms
M6G	Sidearm	12.7x40mm	The M6G is the standard-issue sidearm for the EIAC, firing 12.7x40mm rounds from an 8-round magazine. The M6G also possesses a holographic sight that is projected from the top of the handgun to aide in aiming. Many handguns are equipped with smart-link sights that display weapon and aiming information on a space suit's HUD.
Rifles
MA5C	Assault Rifle	7.62x51mm	A specialized bullpup assault rifle capable of firing in a pure vacuum. MA5Cs fire specialized depleted uranium slugs that have self-contained atmospheric contents to preserve the effects of an explosions in a vacuum. While standard MA5Cs possess ammunition counters, specialized units can replace the entire electronic suite with sights or other mission-specific equipment. Margate produced a variant of the MA5C, the M99, under license for the Margate Armed Forces. The M99 is based on a more conventional firing system, and lacks the more advanced electronic equipment.
M41A Pulse Rifle	Assault Rifle	10x28mm 30x71mm or 8 gauge	The M41A Pulse Rifle uses an electronic pulse action to fire 10mm caseless ammunition from a 99-round magazine. Along with the MA5C, it is hardened from radiation and can be fired in a vacuum. M41As possess an underslung unit, either a 30mm grenade launcher or an 8 gauge shotgun, which can be swapped out at user discretion.

Ranks

rank	Rank insignia			Designation
	Collar badge	Shoulder strap	Sleeve
Officer ranks
OF-5				Senior Astronaut
OF-4				Squad Leader
OF-3				Junior Squad Leader
OF-2				Astronaut Wings
OF-1				Astronaut

Gallery

• 

  Georg Seetaucher, the first Ed Islandian in space

See Also

• Ed Island Air Force
• Ed Island Space Command

Ed Island