Orbital Air welcomes you to NCX — Night City International and Translunar. Don't wait! Leave your earthly worries, ulcers and tumors behind and take off for the stars. Taste true freedom, be who you want to be, pursue your heart's desire at the destination of your dreams. Because the stars are just your springboard. Orbital Air wishes you flights of fancy.
— Orbital Air announcer, Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty loading screen
Night City International and Translunar Spaceport (NCX)[1] is a space-airport[2] located on the island of Morro Rock in Del Coronado Bay, to the west of Night City. In Cyberpunk RED, the project in construction is known as the Orbital Air Massdriver.[3]
Overview[]
Owned by Orbital Air, NCX is one of the largest spaceports on North America. With more than 100 million passengers a year,[1] it offers more than 80 destinations around the world, as well as flights to the Moon and the nearby space stations.[4] The spaceport is outside of the Night City jurisdiction and is considered a neutral zone, as such, only international laws apply.[5]
Ground transportation into Night City is only advised if you are accompanied by corporate or military personnel. Otherwise, visitors to the metropolis are strongly encouraged to travel by plane. Daily connections from major American cities and orbit are available here.[6][3]
The NCX inauguration plaque inside Terminal B includes the motto: "Astra Inclinant, Sed Non Obligant," which is Latin for "The Stars Incline, But They Do Not Oblige."[7]
History[]
2040s - 2060s[]
The chaos of the Fourth Corporate War disrupted most of the regular air transit to and from the Night City Metropolitan Airport. Plans were made to finally change this as part of the city's reclamation during the 2040s. In consultation with a group of investors, the Government of Night City agreed to sign a contract to establish an orbital spaceplane mass driver launch site on Morro Rock, an off-shore volcanic neck island and the most geologically stable area in the region. Orbital Air was contracted for this project, with Franklin M'bolu, a developer of many of OA's leading technologies, being in charge of building the company's forthcoming project. Planned to be built within the majestic Morro Rock itself, the mass driver would allow spaceplanes to be launched into LEO (low Earth orbit).[3][1]
The massive construction project started in 2045, though many decisions were soon scrapped. Orbital Air management was skeptical that rocket-free launches could take place without corporate backing ensuring its profitability, as such, OA proposed to build a civilian spaceport as well. It was decided to demolish Morro Rock itself in order to build the new infrastructure. This time, however, it was not Orbital Air who gave permission to demolish the Rock, but rather the Night City authorities. Over the following months, OA managed to take advantage of loopholes in order to cancel the mass driver's construction and its rusted, incomplete remains were eventually dismantled. This way the megacorp's monopoly on space colonization remained intact. The new infrastructure was built over the following years, and in 2047 the spaceport was finally inaugurated. The loss of the mass driver infuriated Night Corp (whom OA had frequently collaborated with in the past), as the city had lost its chance to become a "frontier to conquer space." This caused the local corporation to cut all ties with Orbital Air, starting a sort of cold war between them.[1]
Over the following decades, NCX would be considered one of the largest spaceports on North America, with facilities capable of transporting people and materials around the world, as well as to the Moon and nearby orbital space stations. Night City International and Translunar was OA's flagship in this part of the continent, and was completely owned by them, who maintained a large security presence throughout the infrastructure. Moreover, since the spaceport was outside of Night City's jurisdiction, it was considered a neutral zone, where only international laws applied.[4][5]
2070s[]
During the 2070s, despite being considered one the local technological wonders, NCX was still neglected by Orbital Air. Since the spaceport's construction, the megacorporation had not invested any significant amount of resources into it, and after more than twenty years, the infrastructure was starting to become outdated. While OA's spaceports in Africa were growing by incorporating mass drivers into their facilities, OA still refused to do the same for NCX. This caused many rumors about the true reasoning behind this decision, with local residents wondering if Night Corp would try to push OA out of Night City.[8]
In 2077, the high demand of spaceflights caused Orbital Air to begin developing a project to renovate Terminal B and its launchpads in order to accommodate the high influx of passengers, allowing for 1300 to depart and 1300 to arrive. This meant a better service and expansion of the number of flights, including the cargo shipments that supplied the lunar colony of Tycho. OA contracted Corp-Bud for this task.[4] Due to this renovation, Kojo Kariuki — OA's North American Developments Senior Manager — travelled from the corporation's headquarters in Nairobi to Night City to inspect the new infrastructure project.[9] Despite these renovations, some considered it was not nearly enough to update the spaceport to the modern times.[8]
The Killing Moon quest happens:
If- The armed conflict at NCX was considered a terrorist attack which took the lives of many innocent people. Orbital Air promised to continue the investigation and find the perpetrators. A condolence message board located near Terminal B was left to allow employees and travellers to express their grief for the event.[10][5][4]
Database Entry[]
NCX SPACEPORT
Night City International and Translunar Spaceport (NCX) is Orbital Air's flagship investment in North America. It was built between 2045 and 2047 where the majestic Morro Rock volcanic neck, a geological feature sacred to the local Native American tribes, had stood for 23 million years. But it wasn't heartless corpos who gave permission to demolish the rock - Night City authorities did. In consultation with a group of investors, the Mayor of Night City[sic] agreed to sign a contract to construct a mass driver at the site. Orbital Air management was understandably skeptical that rocket-free launches could successfully take place without corporate backing to ensure its profitability. Therefore, the aerospace megacorp proposed to build a civilian spaceport in the process. Orbital Air only partially fulfilled the deal, however. By taking advantage of several loopholes, the corp cancelled a provision in the arrangement for completing the mass driver's construction. Its rusted, incomplete remains were then eventually dismantled, and OA's monopoly on space colonization remained intact. Night City International and Translunar Spaceport handles more than 100 million passengers a year and contains three terminals. Terminal A is home to OA TerraLines, a relatively low-cost airlines that provides low-orbit transportation servicies around the globe. Terminal B houses the slightly more expansive OA Tycho and Crystal Palace Direct lines, hauling travelers to the largest lunar city and the famous space station, respectively. Terminal C, on the other hand, is where OA Black and OA HighLines luxury shuttles operate. The purpose and destinations of these flights remain largely unknown, and the cost of that discretion is reflected in the exorbitant ticket prices.[1]
Layout[]
NCX is accessed via a bridge from the City Center of Night City. There are also bus, AV, taxi, and NCART connections.[2]
The bridge leads to a roundabout which is surrounded by the spaceport terminals and the access to the underground parking structure. The middle of the roundabout consists of a green area full of trees and rocks, and glass windows that allow view of the central area of the subterranean parking lot. The rooftops of the main buildings are dotted by many solar panels, and the infrastructure includes AV landing pads on the roofs as well. An internal maglev train tunnel allows for quick transport between the different areas of the spaceport.[5]
Terminals[]
NCX has three terminals and handles more than 100 million passengers a year.[1] Each terminal has daily connections to more than 80 destinations around Earth,[4] with major cities such as Anchorage, Beijing, Berlin, Caracas, Guangzhou, Hyderabad, Libreville, MetaKey, Nairobi, New Mumbai, New York, Paris, Seoul, Singapore, Sydney, Tokyo, Warsaw, among others; as well as to space stations such as the Crystal Palace; or to the biggest city on the Moon, Tycho.[5]
Terminal A[]
Terminal A is responsible for low-cost LEO international and national flights, which depart and arrive every day at different times. Airline access is granted to OA TerraLines.[1][4]
Terminal B[]
Also known as the Tycho Terminal,[4] its main hall has a variety of shops, including Avante, Ji-Head, Saeko's, Dynalar, Fuyutsuki Electronics, Giovanni Brizzi, Cybermatrix, and a pharmacy. There is also displayed the 2047 NCX inauguration plaque.[7]
Terminal B is responsible for orbital and translunar flights, which depart and arrive every day at different times. Airline access is granted to OA TychoLines and OA Crystal Palace Direct.[1][4]
This terminal gives access to three launch platforms, all located southwest of NCX. They are accessed via monorail.[5]
Terminal C[]
Terminal C grants access to two airlines. OA HighLines is responsible for luxury LEO international and national flights, which depart and arrive every day at different times. Additionally, passengers can opt for a more expensive option that allows them to chart a spaceplane for a private flight of their convenience.
OA Black is responsible for private orbital and translunar flights. The purpose and destination of these flights remain mostly unknown, consequently, this discretion is reflected on the exceedingly expensive tickets.[1][4]
Development[]
Early versions of Night City for Cyberpunk 2077 included an underwater tunnel that went from Watson to Pacifica, going right under the spaceport and connecting to it.[11] This was eventually scrapped, though the northern entrance of the tunnel still remains in the game. It can be found to the southeast of Konpeki Plaza, accessed by two closed roads that originate from the Night City Ringroad.
The spaceport was originally known as the "Orbital Air Space Center" in some sources outside the videogame, such as A Visitor's Guide to Night City. There was also a shard that mentioned the "Richard Night International (RNX)" that was eventually cut from the game in subsequent patches.
Prior to Patch 2.0 and Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty, the installations found on the island had two runways and just one pad-launcher for rocket-built spacecrafts. There were also game files of a structure resembling a mass driver that perfectly fit the northeastern runway.[12]
Although the spaceport could not be visited in the original Cyberpunk 2077, it was heavily overhauled and made accessible in Phantom Liberty, giving it a final name as well.
Notes[]
- In Cyberpunk 2077, rockets can be seen launching into space at around 9pm every night.
- In Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, it is possible to see the rocket launches from Lucy's apartment building rooftop in Japantown. The building can be found in the game, but due to the spaceport overhaul in Phantom Liberty, it is no longer possible to clearly see them from this part of the city as the launch pads were moved southwest and are hidden by the skyscrapers.
- A Visitor's Guide to Night City states that NCART's Line 2 starts at the spaceport station and goes east where it ends at Rancho Coronado.[2] Despite this, there is no visible metro line in the game.
- In 2077, Dexter DeShawn booked a premium seat in a shuttle some time prior to the heist at Konpeki Plaza. After it failed, that same night DeShawn called to depart, and was directed to go to the terminal four, but his plans changed and eventually stayed in NC.[13]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty (NCX Spaceport & Orbital Air Database Entries)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 CD Projekt RED. A Visitor's Guide to Night City. Poland, CD Projekt S.A., 2019. (pp.16–17)
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 PONDSMITH, M. Cyberpunk RED Core Rulebook. Kenmore, WA, R. Talsorian Games, 2020. (pp.303,305,313)
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 Cyberpunk 2077 (Orbital Air Netpage)
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 The Killing Moon
- ↑ Tourism advisory: Stay within city limits!
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty (NCX Spaceport Terminal B Plaque)
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 The mass-driver provocation. NCX today and tomorrow
- ↑ Guest from Nairobi
- ↑ NCX Memorial, Computer Messages
- ↑ 2077 Night City concept map
- ↑ Deconstructing The Game - Cyberpunk 2077: Mass Driver
- ↑ The Heist - By hearing Dex's call before entering the bathroom.
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|