Artistic rendering of the AUSS Periphas in Lunar Orbit.

USA has confirmed that the latest weather reports are ideal for the launch of Tyche IV, the Artemian Union’s manned lunar mission. A recent report from the Department of Artemian Science expects clear skies and favourable weather for the morning of January 25.

In today’s media update, Spokesman Giovanni Gentiloni said that USA has been keeping in close touch with the Parthenopian Space Agency and the Artemian Aerospace Administration, and that all three agencies believe that the moment is right to proceed with Tyche IV, despite earlier rumours that the mission could be delayed, either due to weather conditions or the need for further training and preparations.

Francesco Benedetto, Mission Commander and Commodore in the Aerospace Service, also delivered a brief statement at the end of the update, saying that his crew was in “good spirits and ready to help restore humanity’s place in the great cosmos”. Commodore Benedetto also thanked all those who had helped with the Tyche Project, including the building of Home Station One and the Periphas, which he lauded as “marvels of space architecture”.

Tyche IV is expected to launch from Launch Complex A, at the Parthenopian Space Centre, on January 25 at 09:55 SST.

[OOC] USA is the Sartorian Office for Aerospatial Development. Its name in Sartorian is Ufficio per lo Sviluppo Aerospaziale, hence USA.

What is the International Unity Expedition?
First held in the aftermath of the 1992 Avalanches in Setsushima, the Expedition is an international charity event jointly organised by the World Society and the International Mountaineering Association, in which trekkers and climbers come together to explore a particular mountain region and raise both awareness and funds for charitable causes.

What does the Expedition involve?
Initially the Expedition only involved a single mountain climb. Since the 2004 Expedition in Parthenopias, the event has expanded to include several subsidiary climbs and a trek that is open to the general public. This allows for non-professional climbers and the public to participate in the Expedition and contribute to its causes.
These days, the main events of the Expedition are the professional climb, which traditionally is set at the host region's highest mountain, and the public trek, which attracts thousands of participants.

Where and when will the Expedition take place?
In 2019, the International Unity Expedition will take place in Alpanio Natural Park, deep within the Eastern Realms of Sartoria. The Park is home to many world-renowned sites and trekking routes, and features Alpanio, which at 8,739m is the world's highest mountain.
While the dates for the Expedition may always change, due to weather conditions, the following are the projected dates for the Expedition:

• Alpanio Base Camp Trek: 13 March - 19 April 2019 (multiple treks will be held within these dates)
  
• Alpanio Unity Climb: 10 May 2019
  
• Subsidiary Unity Climbs: 1-31 May 2019
  

How does the Expedition contribute to charitable causes?
In addition to encouraging donations by participants and the general public to various charities, the World Society and the International Mountaineering Association have agreements with several companies and institutions, where certain amounts of money are donated to a selection of charities per kilometre trekker or climbed per each participant. A list of those charities, as well as information on how to donate and volunteer for them, can be found in the Expedition's website.

How does the Expedition preserve the environment?
The Expedition can have a serious effect on the environment, particularly due to the amount of litter that can be generated during the trek and climbs. To address this, participants are encouraged to do their part to keep the region clean, and both organising institutions have developed partnerships with local institutions to leave regions as pristine as they were before the Expedition took place.

Who can participate in the climbs?
In accordance with tradition, the main climb is limited to one climber per country. Participants will be professional climbers, selected by their national mountaineering associations. The deadline for national associations to select their participating climbers is August 31.
There will be a number of subsidiary climbs that will be open to professional and qualified climbers. Limits on the number of participants to be allowed will vary per each mountain, and can be found in the Expedition's website.

Who can participate in the Alpanio Base Camp Trek?
Registration for the Alpanio Base Camp Trek is open to the general public. Limits on the number of participants can be found in the Expedition's website, and are jointly agreed upon by the International Mountaineering Association and local authorities. The trek itself lasts for 15 days, and includes the journey from Ponticello to Alpanio Base Camp Trek, and back.
There is a registration fee of S/ 2,000, and it includes accommodation, meals and permits. It does not include transportation to and from the Eastern Realms, visas and other costs not directly related to the trek.

---

OOC Information:
You are allowed to have one climber accept the invitation to the Alpanio Unity Climb. You can have other climbers and trekkers participate in the subsidiary climbs and the Alpanio Base Camp Trek. Keep in mind that this thread is for accepting invitations for the Alpanio Unity Climb, and for characters to react to the announcement that the Expedition is open for registrations.
The idea for the Expedition is that it would be an apolitical charity event, so participants do not represent their governments or its policies. It is alright to roleplay tensions between climbers because of their governments, but the event itself is not political, nor it is officially endorsed by the Sartorian Government.

Maria Pestalozzi [@mpestalozzi] - 11/10/18 12:52

Carabinieri have secured the Palazzo Malzo, the Royal Palace and the Senate Building. FC Bergamaschi's condition is unkown. #PalazzoMalzoAttack