Editing 2204: Ksp 2
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==Explanation== | ==Explanation== | ||
+ | {{incomplete|Created by a KERBAL. Please mention here why this explanation isn't complete. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}} | ||
+ | [[Cueball]], a programmer, is sitting at his computer while four other persons from {{w|NASA}}, [[Hairy]], [[Ponytail]], [[Hairbun]] and another Cueball-like guy try to convince him to delay the release of Ksp 2. | ||
− | + | ''{{w|Kerbal Space Program}}'' (Ksp for short) is a space flight simulation video game with a realistic orbital physics engine, allowing for real-life orbital maneuvers. Ksp is a [[:Category:Kerbal Space Program|recurring theme]] in xkcd. A sequel, abbreviated here as Ksp 2, is planned to be released in 2020. | |
− | + | Also planned for 2020 is a [[:Category:Mars rovers|Mars rover]] mission, {{w|Mars 2020}}. The joke in the comic comes as engineers are likely to want to extensively play with Ksp 2 to the exclusion of other things, and NASA is worried about the Mars 2020 mission being delayed, or failing, because the engineers are too focused on playing Ksp 2, including taking extensive vacation and "sick" days off. | |
− | + | Cueball, sitting at a desk in front of a computer, is represented here as being in charge of Ksp 2, and the other characters standing around him are pleading with him to delay the release of Ksp 2 until the Mars rover program is complete, even being willing to "give [him] a moon". | |
− | Cueball, | + | Literally giving a moon to Cueball is impossible, but it is possible to {{w|Naming of moons|name a moon}} after Cueball, so that may be what is implied instead. |
− | + | Perhaps this could also be a reference to Kerbal Space Program's mascots, the Kerbals, and their resemblance to the Minions from Despicable Me. The plot of the first film revolves around Gru and his Minions trying to literally steal the Moon. | |
− | The title text is a sentence said by someone from a committee in NASA that oversees the progress and budget of the Mars 2020 mission. They are satisfied that the launch in 2020 is still on track, but has a question regarding the 'human capital/personnel retention' budget, which has several unmarked cash payments, more than they would expect. As they begin to ask what they are, someone from the Mars 2020 project interrupts, having probably foreseen this question, stating that it is Public outreach. | + | The title text is a sentence said by someone from a committee in NASA that oversees the progress and budget of the Mars 2020 mission. They are satisfied that the launch in 2020 is still on track, but has a question regarding the 'human capital/personnel retention' budget, which has several unmarked cash payments, more than they would expect. As they begin to ask what they are, someone from the Mars 2020 project interrupts, having probably foreseen this question, stating that it is Public outreach... |
− | + | Thus the title text seems to claim that NASA is paying Squad, the developers of Kerbal Space Program, money to delay their release until after the Mars mission. NASA has dabbled in game physics engines for "public outreach," with the same mixed record of success as any promising R&D endeavor. Notable projects included a series of collaboration laboratories on various forms of social media including {{w|Second Life}} which hosted a "NASA CoLab" region active from 2007 to around 2013. While the unrealistic constraints imposed by real time physics engine simulation prevent much actual engineering, such shared 3D {{w|computer aided design}} (CAD) systems provided a measure of drafting training inside a play sandbox system outside of a formal work environment. | |
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− | NASA has dabbled in game physics engines for "public outreach," with the same mixed record of success as any promising R&D endeavor. | ||
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==Transcript== | ==Transcript== | ||
− | :[Cueball is sitting in an office chair at his desk in front of a computer. He is surrounded by four people, and is looking over his shoulder | + | :[Cueball is sitting in an office chair at his desk in front of a computer. He is surrounded by four people, and is looking over his shoulder on the ones standing behind him, Hairy - holding his palms up - and Ponytail stretching her arms out towards him. On the other side of the desk is another Cueball-like guy holding his arms out palms up and Hairbun who stretches her arms out to the side.] |
:Hairy: Please hold off until the end of summer. We can't afford the personnel hit right before the late July launch window. | :Hairy: Please hold off until the end of summer. We can't afford the personnel hit right before the late July launch window. | ||
:Ponytail: People have ''already'' started calling in sick! | :Ponytail: People have ''already'' started calling in sick! | ||
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[[Category:Comics featuring Hairbun]] | [[Category:Comics featuring Hairbun]] | ||
[[Category:Multiple Cueballs]] | [[Category:Multiple Cueballs]] | ||
+ | [[Category:Mars rovers]] | ||
[[Category:Kerbal Space Program]] | [[Category:Kerbal Space Program]] |