The ISDC is a multi-national organisation established by secret international treaty, dedicated to establishing and maintaining a human presence in deep space. The motivation for this initiative and source of the technology that makes it possible derives from recent contact with extra-terrestrial visitors.

Background

The ISDC’s formation resulted from the secret defection to Australia of group of scientists from a US military program. They brought with them technology – much of it recovered from captured alien vessels – that makes the launch of an interstellar vessel possible.

The creation of an alternative program was considered necessary to provide additional strategic options for engaging extra-terrestrial visitors. While the US program emphasises demonstration of force as the means to provide Earth’s security, the ISDC’s founders believe that communication will secure peaceful relations. In their view, aggression risks provoking unnecessary conflict with highly advanced civilisations.

Conflict could not be completely ruled out however, especially when it became apparent that extra-terrestrial visitors may represent more than one species. The increasingly hostile behaviour of their craft suggests at least one species has belligerent intent and may be turning their attention to Earth.

Australia was chosen as the base of operations for an alternative program as it offered appropriate infrastructure, remote but accessible locations and was unlikely to attract suspicion as a close ally of the US. Importantly, Australia's president was a close personal friend of one of the scientists and was instrumental in garnering the international support needed for the creation of the ISDC.

The Organisation

Although the ISDC is a multi-national organisation, the degree of knowledge and official sanction of the ISDC's operation varies by country, depending on local political sensitivities.  Any involvement is highly classified and knowledge of the ISDC is restricted to key ministers and officials.

Personnel are drawn from the military, industry and academia of member nations. The organisation's structure is designed to ensure that these groups are able to work together successfully during both the construction of the interstellar vessel and when it begins operating in deep space.

While not strictly a military organisation, The ISDC's operational activity is governed by a military-style chain of command structure, which provides clear guidance for all personnel on their responsibilities. This clarity is considered vital when operating in unpredictable and potentially dangerous environments expected in deep space.

The Need for Secrecy

Geo-strategic concerns make it necessary for the ISDC's work to remain highly classified. An elaborate network of secret finances and cover-stories has been created to allow the ISDC to pursue its mission and to 'hide in plain sight'.

The Milesham Organisation, an apparently well-endowed philanthropical organisation dedicated to climate change research, is one of the principal covers for the ISDC’s activities.

The need for secrecy is two-fold. Firstly, publicly acknowledging the existence of extra-terrestrial civilizations would incite an unpredictable and likely adverse reaction from the general population and in particular their governments.

Secondly, the US military continues to operate a similar program and the ISDC could therefore be misconstrued as a threat. It is thought likely steps would be taken to destroy the ISDC if its existence became known.

The Mission

The ISDC has a multi-faceted mission in deep (interstellar) space, involving exploration, diplomacy and defence.

The mission's emphasis is on exploration - mapping and documenting stellar and planetary phenomena in the vast reaches of deep space. The focus of efforts will be on areas thought most likely to harbour intelligent life, with a view to initiating first contact with new civilizations.

Once first contact has been made, every effort will be made to establish diplomatic relations, create alliances and gather defensive technology.  Where peaceful relations cannot be established, the ISDC is responsible for defending Earth from extra-terrestrial threats.

Building an Interstellar Vessel

Before the organisation can carry out its primary mission, it must complete development of an interstellar vessel, using scientific knowledge and technology available to the ISDC from a variety of sources.

Construction of the vessel will take place in space under the cover of the ACROSS orbital climate research station, with component modules ferried into space under the guise of extending and supplying the space station.