«Mission Alfonso» – Bachelor Thesis von Annik Ruch, BA Visuelle Kommunikation, Hochschule der Künste

2020-2021 MISSION ALFONSO REPORT

On the 22. of April in 2020 Alfonso was first spotted by the youngest hubble telescope engineer Imani Keita. The discovery led to a bigger research project in which Keita took on the leading role.

22. APRIL 2020 MISSION ALFONSO DISCOVERY

Imani Keita was born on the first of August 1993 in South Africa. As a renowned engineer she was highly involved in developing the new hubble telescope. After studying Aerospace and Aeronautical engineering she worked with different spacecraft agencies and also started training as an astronaut.

22. APRIL 2020 MISSION ALFONSO KEITA IMANI

Although the size of Alfonso is quite small, the fascination this planet has on our research program crew is astonishing. Alfonso is estimated to be at least 50 times smaller than our mother earth. This fact may be the reason for the late discovery of the 10th planet in our solar system. It could also be explained by Alfonsos location, which is in the middle of the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. So Mars may not be the only attainable chance of a life beyond earth.

03. MAY 2020 MISSION ALFONSO RESEARCH

12. JUNE 2020 MISSION ALFONSO DATA EVALUATION

During May the visibility of Alfonso from earth is extraordinary, on some days the planet is on our radar for over 4-5 hours. It’s almost impossible to imagine that the planet was just discovered a month ago. But now an eye has been set out for little Alfonso and the research crew will follow his location very accurately.

12. JUNE 2020 MISSION ALFONSO DATA EVALUATION

12. JUNE 2020 MISSION ALFONSO DATA EVALUATION

12. JUNE 2020 MISSION ALFONSO DATA EVALUATION

30. JULY 2020 MISSION ALFONSO CREW SELECTION

Preparations for the oncoming crewed mission to planet Alfonso are in full progress. A variety of two hundred or more young female astronauts were being tested for this journey and only three of them will join Keita on this once in a lifetime mission. After months of intense testing, these astronauts were chosen for the mission, which will start in the beginning of the new year on January the 8th.

The greek Rhoda Spyros convinced the jury with multiple outstanding degrees in astrobiology and astrophysics and she also has a green thumb, making her the botany commissioned for the mission.

Myra Blake from the United Kingdom adds the brains in mathematical, geological and mineral knowledge and will lead the search for stone and soil samples.

And last but not least Veda Ramirez from Spain studied medicine and is specialized on life in outer space, is instructed to overview the crew’s health on the mission.

The females only crew sets an example for gender equality in the international spaceflight industry.

30. JULY 2020 MISSION ALFONSO CREW SELECTION

AZALIA

HEIGHT 40M DIAMETER 8 M PROPELLANT CAPACITY 1200 T PAYLOADS CAPACITY > 100 T MASS 4’800 T ENGINES 28 RAPTOR THRUST 76’000 KN

07. AUGUST 2020 MISSION ALFONSO AZALIA

As an engineer, Keita together with other renowned scientists created and designed the new spaceship Azalia that would bring them safely to planet Alfonso and back to earth.

Spaceship AZALIA represents a fully reusable transportation system designed to carry both crew and cargo to Alfonso and beyond. AZALIA will be the world’s most powerful launch vehicle ever developed. It is made out of stainless steel which is a cheap and sustainable option with lots of advantages, one of them being high heat resistance during launch, leaving earth orbit and arrival on planet Alfonso.

07. AUGUST 2020 MISSION ALFONSO AZALIA

EZRA

MASS 1’800 KG PAYLOAD CAPACITY 209 KG LENGTH 2.5 M WIDTH 3.1 M HEIGHT 2.7 M SOLAR PANELS 8, EACH 2.2 X 0.8 M

03. SEPTEMBER 2020 MISSION ALFONSO EZRA

But before the spaceship launches, another spacecraft will bring the orbiter EZRA to Alfonsos orbit, where it will collect important data and send live images from the newly found planet. With Ezra’s help the best landing site for the oncoming mission will be calculated.

03. SEPTEMBER 2020 MISSION ALFONSO EZRA

18. SEPTEMBER 2020 MISSION ALFONSO LAUNCH EZRA

Today there will be a mini launch of our ter will as we already announced, get an launches in January. It will show us the also take measurements of the atmosphere kind of weather phenomenon happening.

18. SEPTEMBER 2020 MISSION ALFONSO LAUNCH EZRA

first rocket with EZRA on board. EZRA the orbioverview of Alfonso before our crewed mission different landscapes and surfaces. EZRA will around Alfonso and will show us if there is any

Due to the small cargo, the rocket arrived in Alfonsos Orbit only two weeks after the launch. The connection to Mission Control in Johannesburg is confirmed. First diagrams and graphics with data from planet Alfonso are reaching the public as EZRA is collecting more and more knowledge on our newly found planet.

04. NOVEMBER 2020 MISSION ALFONSO ARRIVAL EZRA

05. NOVEMBER 2020 MISSION ALFONSO FIRST PICTURES

46.76108 51.56597 22.23619 2.06087 67.20399 4.56271 142.34554 56.88626 95.86934 6.05738 8.14362 38.92537 103.76653 85.92427 12.34518 34.65723 102.37265 156.34926 38.40180 45.50067 78.94504 4.35618 54.64563 16.59354 45.35467 65.76930 90.78912 8.78950 6.08754 23.34566 35.45719 6.69870 44.56557 39.06004 2.34182 22.95700 58.37742 135.39843 50.47385 99.58493 124.58394 84.20938

42.49834 3.94758 9.29745 112.39746 7.30485 23.47384 47.58739 37.40598 5.48394 75.69583 107.48953 14.39042 33.87194 65.68930 20.38761 49.59372 3.49753 128.38492 46.76108 51.56597 22.23619 2.06087 67.20399 4.56271 142.34554 56.88626 95.86934 6.05738 8.14362 38.92537 103.76653 85.92427 12.34518 34.65723 102.37265 156.34926 38.40180 45.50067 78.94504 4.35618 54.64563 16.59354

75.35467 65.76930 90.78912 8.78950 6.08754 23.34566 35.45719 6.69870 44.56557 39.06004 2.34182 22.95700 58.37742 135.39843 50.47385 99.58493 124.58394 84.20938 42.49834 3.94758 9.29745 112.39746 7.30485 23.47384 47.58739 37.40598 5.48394 75.69583 107.48953 14.39042 33.87194 65.68930 20.38761 49.59372 3.49753 128.38492 50.47385 99.58493 124.58394 84.20938 42.49834 3.94758

05. NOVEMBER 2020 MISSION ALFONSO FIRST PICTURES

9.29745 112.39746 7.30485 23.47384 47.58739 37.40598 5.48394 75.69583 107.48953 14.39042 33.87194 65.68930 20.38761 49.59372 3.49753 128.38492 33.87194 65.68930 20.38761 49.59372 3.49753 128.38492 46.76108 51.56597 22.23619 2.06087 67.20399 4.56271 142.34554 56.88626 95.86934 6.05738 8.14362 38.92537 103.76653 85.92427 12.34518 34.65723 102.37265 156.34926 38.40180 45.50067

78.94504 4.35618 33.87194 65.68930 20.38761 49.59372 3.49753 128.38492 46.76108 51.56597 22.23619 2.06087 67.20399 4.56271 142.34554 56.88626 95.86934 6.05738 8.14362 38.92537 103.76653 85.92427 12.34518 34.65723 102.37265 156.34926 38.40180 45.50067 78.94504 4.35618 90.78912 8.78950 6.08754

50.47385 99.58493 124.58394 84.20938 42.49834 3.94758 9.29745 112.39746 7.30485 23.47384 47.58739 37.40598 5.48394 75.69583 107.48953 14.39042 33.87194 65.68930 20.38761 49.59372 3.49753 128.38492 50.47385 99.58493 124.58394 84.20938 42.49834 3.94758 9.29745 112.39746 7.30485 23.47384 47.58739

05. NOVEMBER 2020 MISSION ALFONSO FIRST PICTURES

05. NOVEMBER 2020 MISSION ALFONSO FIRST PICTURES

07. NOVEMBER 2020 MISSION ALFONSO FIRST DATA

07. NOVEMBER 2020 MISSION ALFONSO FIRST DATA

SCARLET

LENGTH 3 M /10 FT WIDTH 2.6 M / 8.5 FT HEIGHT 2.2 M / 7 FT MASS 1 T / 2’200 LB SOLARPANELS 2 LARGE 2.4 X 1.2 M 2 SMALL 1.8 X 0.6 M

16. DECEMBER 2020 MISSION ALFONSO SCARLET

Another companion on board alongside Its main job is to carry and protect tems. Together with our mineralogist samples on Alfonsos surface and will

16. DECEMBER 2020 MISSION ALFONSO SCARLET

the crew will be the newly developed rover SCARLET. various computers, electronic and instrument sysMyra Blake SCARLET will be collecting stone and soil test oxygen production from Alfonsos atmosphere.

T+00:00:20

T+00:00:47

T+00:04:16

08. JANUARY 2021 MISSION ALFONSO LAUNCH AZALIA

08. JANUARY 2021 MISSION ALFONSO LAUNCH AZALIA

T+00:06:07 -01:12:34

This is Alfonso Mission Control. We are at T minus 1 hour 12 minutes and counting. Cabin purge has now been completed and the boost protective cover has been closed. The 65 percent nitrogen 35 percent oxygen mixture will now be enriched to a 60/40 mixture at liftoff. Just completed were some preflight command tests with the Crewed Spacecraft Center in Johannesburg. These tests are to insure that Johannesburg can send commands, and that they are being received by the launch vehicle AZALIA. Also just completed was a first motion signal. This is the first motion of the vehicle as it lifts off. A test signal is sent to the eastern test range and to the Crewed Spacecraft Center in Johannesburg to assure that they will get this signal at liftoff.

Keita:

«Okay We’ll be ready when you are.»

-00:01:00 MARK. T minus 1 Minute and counting. Now in the final minute of the count

down. At T minus 45 seconds Imani Keita will make the final guidance alignment.

-00:00:44

MARK. T minus 45 and Imani Keita made that final guidance alignment.

That’s the last action taken by the crew aboard the spacecraft AZALIA. Now approaching the half minute mark. T minus 33, T minus 30 seconds and continuing on now - at T minus 26 seconds.

Keita:

«Okay. We’re ready and we’re GO up here.»

-00:00:25

MARK. T minus 25. We’ll get a final guidance release at the T minus 17 second mark. We’ll expect engine ignition at 8.9 seconds 10… 9… 8… 7… ignition sequence started - all engines are started, we have ignition 2, 1, zero, we have a liftoff.

08. JANUARY 2021 MISSION ALFONSO LAUNCH AZALIA

12. MARCH 2021 MISSION ALFONSO LANDING ON ALFONSO

00:02:45

Landing of AZALIA has been confirmed by mission controll. Soon we will see our four crew members as they start their four day journey on Alfonso. The women have been trained very well for the following steps. AZALIA is about to finish it’s check ups after a safe landing and the crew is setting everything in place for their descent on the surface. These checkups and safety steps will take approximately 2-4 hours depending on the «weather» conditions that currently occur on Alfonso. Just as AZALIA is finishing the last checkups we hear the first words since the landing from our mission commander Keita:

Keita:

«Crew has landed safely on planet Alfonso. We are preparing to take our first steps on to the surface. We’ll keep you posted on our progress.»

02:56:12

Various safety steps have been made. The air (which on Alfonso is made out of 70% nitrogen, 20 % carbon monoxide, 5 % oxygen, 4 % xenon, 1 % helium) is clear to step out of the spacecraft. Mission control has an overview at the descent from above the entrance of the AZALIA, where in just a few moments Keita as the founder of Alfonso Mission is going to be the first human to step foot on planet Alfonso.

Keita:

«Ready for descent. Air’s clear. Everyone in position?»

Spyros:

«Yes commander.»

Blake:

«Yes.»

Ramirez:

«Ready commander.»

02:58:39

In this moment the front door of the spacecraft AZALIA is opening.

Everyone in Mission Controll in Johannesburg is holding their breath. Then we see Keita, followed by Spyros, Ramirez and Blake slowly but steadily walking out the door and down the extended stairs. People all over the world can watch this moment live, as the four young women set foot on the newly found planet Alfonso.

Keita:

«Descent complete.»

Ramirez:

«We did it!»

Keita: «Mission Controll, all four of us have safely set foot on Alfonsos surface.»

Spyros:

«Now we’ll get to work, it’s not like we got a lot of time up here.»

Blake:

«Would like to spend my holiday’s here in these cozy shiny surroundings.»

Keita:

«We don’t have time for jokes women, let’s set SCARLET free so she can help us take our stone samples. Blake this is your task.»

Blake:

«On my way commander, but I need some helping hands to get her going.»

03:07:47

As Blake returns back to AZALIA she pushes a button near the front entrance and a second door on the back opens. A ramp is being extended for SCARLET to make its way out of the spacecraft on to Alfonso’s ground.

Blake orders Spyros and Ramirez to guide the rover out of the rocket as she gives her commands to SCARLET via tablets which are included and attached to each of the modern spacesuits.

12. MARCH 2021 MISSION ALFONSO LANDING ON ALFONSO

13. MARCH 2021 MISSION ALFONSO DAY 2

On the Second Day SCARLET is ready to collect various stone samples and dig holes to collect soil samples. Every command comes from our mineralogist Myra Blake as she walks near the rover to overview her work. The other three astronauts have their own task areas.

Imani Keita as the engineer of AZALIA is mainly occupied with watching over the spacecraft and working on getting it ready to set off again in 2 days to leave planet Alfonso and come back to earth. Any leaks or other damage that occurred during the 2 month travel have to be fixed within this time.

13. MARCH 2021 MISSION ALFONSO DAY 2

14. MARCH 2021 MISSION ALFONSO DAY 3

On day three Veda Ramirez is about to run through the crew’s physical checkups. Each of the astronauts have to go trough multiple physical tests such as breathing and endurance exercises, heart rate and body scans and many more. These tests are necessary to be able to fly back to earth safely, if one of the astronauts would not be in good condition, the stay on Alfonso would have to be extended. Fortunately the four women are in perfect condition for their journey back home.

14. MARCH 2021 MISSION ALFONSO DAY 3

15. MARCH 2021 MISSION ALFONSO DAY 4

On the last full day of the mission on the surface Rhoda Spyros is taking multiple tests to search for extraterrestrial life on Alfonso. They include infrared scans of the ground and ultrasonic measurements of the surroundings. As well as looking over the plants that they brought with them on AZALIA to see their development on planet Alfonso. The plants look happy and nourished, but the surface on Alfonso would not allow them to grow, because it’s stoney and bare and there is no fertile soil for the roots to grow in.

15. MARCH 2021 MISSION ALFONSO DAY 4

16. MARCH 2021 MISSION ALFONSO TAKEOFF ALFONSO

- 00:45:24

This is Alfonso Mission Control. We are now 45 minutes from Alfonso take off. Everything is continuing to go very smoothly. We have completed the reaction control systems checkout. It looks good through the signals that we are receiving here on the ground. Also, aboard the spacecraft, the primary guidance and backup guidance system clocks have been synchronized.

The next item on the crew’s preparation checklist will be to align the platform of their guidance system which is used as a stable attitude reference.

- 00:15:32

This is Alfonso Mission Control now 15 minutes from Alfonso Takeoff. The descent stage tanks have been depressurized. We’re about 1 minute now from beginning pressurization of the ascent stage tanks of AZALIA.

- 00:01:00

MARK. T minus 1 minute till engines ignition of AZALIA.

Keita:

«Mission Control and crew, are we ready for takeoff?»

Blake:

«We are ready, commander!»

Spyros:

«Ready to go home ladies.»

Keita:

«AZALIA, ready for engine ignition.

- 00:00:10

10… 9… 8… 7… ignition started - all engines are started, we have ignition 2, 1, zero - we have a takeoff.

Mission Control gets a good shot at the takeoff from orbiter EZRA. Everything is going well, speed limits are reached. Soon AZALIA is out of Alfonsos orbit and turns its way back to earth. Another two month journey is expected, maybe one or two days more, depending on the route AZALIA will be able to fly.

16. MARCH 2021 MISSION ALFONSO TAKEOFF ALFONSO

19. MAY 2021 MISSION ALFONSO LANDING ON EARTH

A great deal of cheering is going on here in mission control as they watch the splashdown broadcasted from the Recovery Helicopter. The four women have landed safely back on our planet.

Ramirez:

«We made it, well this was a heavy ride.» ...laughs...

Keita:

«Mission Control we are safe, ready to get out of these seats.»

Blake:

«Maybe we can go swimming for a bit.» ...laughs...

Spyros, Ramirez and Keita join the laugher out of relief about their safe journey back home.

19. MAY 2021 MISSION ALFONSO LANDING ON EARTH

Various stones have been brought home from the Alfonso Mission. These are now being named and examined to find out more about Alfonsos origin and history. Astonishingly they are all have a shiny silver color, but they have structures and forms we have never seen before.

09. JUNE 2021 MISSION ALFONSO STONE SAMPLES

09. JUNE 2021 MISSION ALFONSO STONE SAMPLES

Focririne Sotuovite Cortuoline Enhite Rolite Sellombium Duncapene Chulite Crilide Mauferine Ephine Phliline Hoguoline Juxe Glariooze Frolphon Kibartzum Egon Piorine Estoiline Ettyline Ufon Acter Leline Knightinnonum Giolide Frarine Landruoline CyliteIsplautite Carrerauxite Needhafote Claytersote Aslot Eclaurine Movitchiolide Asplirine Wardsulite Ashoutoirine Yuline Styxite FroilideIochoisylite DixaulineIoldormanautine 09. JUNE 2021 MISSION ALFONSO STONE SAMPLES

Larrurine Uquypum Snaughnene Ruddinthosene Espinosite Chypium PlizeIodrerine Drisciofide Edrystryrine Gredyrine Broglyline Agiltonium Breryoiline Awotine Bruolide Spuozyrine Vetuolide Anoirine Shimoffium Gifide Kalide Gluos Rhepite SpawideIoclite Owipite Edine Knightazarote Upsoirine Gottsolide Antuline Sciltonar Ringstoniolite Zaunuline Shurine Yeciline ThotiteIlmuolide Struoltide Smobler Randiagoite Gonzowsine Smibryn Ruddilite

Opruongite Olbobsonote Delafuoquine Nilite Delaforine Shriolite Yeltauline Ferningfordium Withoirine Lirine Snilinide Uscoicine Gorroikine Pinsioxine StyliteIosplene Smaunine Karauline Odrazivide Trufite Clalfec VaulideIogler NovafiteIglon Arnuolide Apoirine Slike Torine Orgairum

09. JUNE 2021 MISSION ALFONSO STONE SAMPLES

09. JUNE 2021 MISSION ALFONSO STONE SAMPLES

This mission and the research behind it would not have been possible without the four brave young women flying to space, nor the support of a great team in Mission Control and everyone participating and working on this project. The discovery of planet Alfonso is not finished yet, there is a lot more knowledge to gain about this fascinating planet.

But for now this is the end of Mission Alfonso. A lot of gratitude goes to the following people of our mission:

Crew Members: Imani Keita

Rhoda Spyros

Myra Blake

Veda Ramirez Mission Controll:

Joan Cline

Maxwell Franco

Robert White

Raja Fuentes

Blair Davenport

Cecilia Jimenez

Kelsie Rios

Burton Ferrell

Annik Ruch

Oleg Thornton Engineers:

Imani Keita Miriam Guerra Carl Alford Aphrodite Graves Zenaida Morrison Malachi Woods

Medical Team: Megan Mcbride

Armando Clark

Paki Pena

Eden Stokes Management:

Annik Ruch Cecilia Jimenez Sallie Brady

Media Team:

Mason Shepard Ina Barton Annik Ruch Willow Sargent Lesley Evans Murphy Hancock Dillon Schroeder

Assistance:

Eric Bolton Caryn Holder Rama Beasley Sybil Rios

16. JUNE 2021 MISSION ALFONSO ACKNOWLEDGMENT

Report:

Annik Ruch

Support:

Madeleine Stahel

Font:

Tempos Roman Mono

by Samara Keller

Paper:

Maxi Offset 150g/m2