NASA Mission Planning
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Jonathan and Kelly lead the team on mission planning. They were experts on mission planning at the same time they are SETI officers. They knew that by this time, the other space programs had taken notice, so they have to work on a tight time schedule.
"Alright team," said Kelly, "our mission is to get to the planet, observe as much of it as possible, and pave the way for manned missions. What do you propose we could do?"
"Well, we can tell by the location that a window is ever-open," said the planning director. "That reduces the workload of the trackers to wait for launch windows."
"Since they are ahead as well, we can burn retrograde relative to the sun." said another planner.
"I think we need to get a large probe, with as many scientific instruments as possible," said Jonathan. "If we do so, we can do lots of experiments and gain a lot of data in a single mission."
"That could work. That way, we could reduce the complexity of multiple launches."
"However, how about when we put men on the planet?" called out an engineer. "If the planet is like ours, the ascent vehicle will be just like the ones we would be using here."
"You heard of the Skylon project?" asked Kelly.
"What about it?"
"It is a proposed SSTO spaceplane from Reaction Engines Limited that is said to be able to achieve low-earth-orbit. A British project."
"Well, how can a low-orbit spaceplane reach that planet?"
"We don't. All we have to do is dock Skylon to a mothership, where it will go to the planet's low-orbit. Then, Skylon will be de-orbited with expendable tugs. Skylon won't expend any fuel after docking, and will have an in-situ refuelling system to synthesize the cryogenic fuel required to return to orbit."
"Oh, nice. That may work. However, that requires full cooperation from ESA, something we have yet to get."
"Don't worry. I think I have a friend there who might be able to help. I'll be back in a bit."
Jonathan grabbed his smartphone and dialed his friend.
ESA Headquarters
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Daniel Leblanc, lead engineer received a phone call. He checked it, and it said "Jonathan Bell".
He picked it up and answered, "Allô, who's this?"
"Hi, Daniel, this is your friend Jonathan."
"Ah, Joe. What do you need, my friend?"
"I am just wondering, what do you think of a collaboration mission?"
"Mission? Mission to where?"
"I just discovered an Earth-like planet in the L4 point. I am planning missions to it."
"Interesting... well, I will think about it."
"Okay. Just, let me know when you have decided."
"Sure." He set down the phone and left the desk to meet with his superiors.
"Ugh, I have no idea why he needs our help, but it may be better than an individual project," he grumbled, heading to a room.
He went into the door, finding it empty except for Albert Wagner, head mission planner, near the monitors. When he went to see what is on the screen, he was shocked. A planet, mostly water with a few scattered continents, observed by a telescope. In fact, it is so much like Earth that the question of whether we are alone in the universe, could be answered now.
"My goodness! This is certainly a wonderful discovery."
"So you agree, Daniel," spoke Albert.
"Yeah. I got a phone call from NASA, saying they were planning a mission to that planet."
"No way!"
"Yes! They asked if they could do a collaboration for a manned mission."
"Hmm... let's see..."
Albert began thinking about the advantages and advancements that could bring. If the planet had rare materials that could help their technology, that would be enough to promote affordable, long-distance space travel that is safe and reliable. On the other hand, the fact that the American economy is stagnating would ruin the mission should it fail.
Finally, he decided to go with the risks. "We shall go forth with the collaboration, in which we have all access with each others' equipment and resources to guide us to our new frontier."
"Good. I will inform them about the news."
"I wish us good luck with the project."
"I wish us good luck too."
Quickly, he dialed Jonathan to tell him the good news.
Back at NASA
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"Well, I will be looking forward for a meeting."
"Okay, Jonathan. We will notify you when it is about to start."
"Sure."
Jonathan was excited to hear that the mission plan was going to work. That meant that the workload would also be evenly split in which their projects will be thought of and made with both their ideologies.
He began to go to some people to call them for a conference meeting. First, he entered a laboratory, with 5 people in immediate sight.
"Hey, the three of you, I need you at the conference room ASAP."
Three people, Luke and John Walker and Rhea Donna looked at each other for a while, and quickly followed him to the conference room.
Jonathan entered another room, this time an R&D facility.
"I need 2 people to follow me to the conference room, now."
Haddock Winston and another person followed him, confused as to why they are needed.
Just as he was about to enter a third room, the phone rang, signifying that the meeting is about to start in 5 minutes.
"Oh shit, come on..."
He entered the conference room just in time to see the monitor switch to ESA. "I made it," he thought as he picked a seat not too far away from the monitor. The others did pretty much the same, picking their seats.
"Hello, NASA. I am Jeann Dupont, head of ESA's development team. I heard that one of you had asked us for our help in this endeavor. We will consider helping you. Thus, we would appreciate if you could tell us what you know so our cooperation could benefit."
"So, Jeann," said Jonathan, "our proposition for a manned mission would require the Skylon spaceplane for a return vehicle, as any other ascent vehicle wouldn't really have the needed speed to get to orbit."
"Won't the spaceplane also use fuel on the ascent here?"
"We could pack an ISRU unit on the spaceplane to refuel the craft. Besides, there is a lot of fuel on the planet, making acquiring the fuel easier."
"Okay, that could work, but it will take at least 12 months for the craft to be fueled this way."
"Don't worry, the planet appears to house life, as it seems there is a lot of greenery from the telescopes. Unmanned missions are planned to scan the atmosphere to see if it can really support complex life."
"Okay. We will allow use of Skylon by NASA. However, it is expected that the mission will not be a flop and the planet an illusion."
"Sure."
2 weeks later
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An interesting discovery had appeared while observing the planet with the Kepler Space Telescope. It is found that a shattered moon, a seemingly impossible phenomenon to happen, was orbiting the planet. Jonathan and Kelly decided to add a fly-by of the satellite for a planetary capture if it has a strong enough gravity, and possibly more discoveries.
"Well, the moon would be an interesting spot for a space station, a small one at least." said Kelly.
"You may be right, sister," said Jonathan. "You know, maybe a station around the planet first would do, since ascent modules or SSTO craft launched from there will have no way of refueling."
"Yep. Would be great."
"Hey, Kelly, Jonathan, Mission Planner needs you," someone said.
"Alright. Let's go."
They entered a transport to take them to Mission Planner quickly. They did not have any "Lates" on their record, and they do not wish to have one.
1 week later
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"Okay, Mission Planner had code-named the mission 'Columbia'. Now, we need a probe for that," said Luke.
"Don't worry, Boeing has made a probe for the mission, calling it 'Conquistador I'," replied John.
"Conquistador, hmm... Sounds about right."
"So, want to take a bite in the cafeteria, talk more about it?"
"The cafeteria is behind you."
"Oh." Looking back, he saw Kelly Bell. Kelly waved at him; he waved back. "Hi!"
"How're you doing, Luke? John?"
"We are doing fine."
"Wanna take a seat?"
"Sure." They headed towards her table and sat in front of her.
"Well, you guys talking about the mission?" Kelly spoke.
"Yeah, heard they code-named it 'Columbia'," said Luke.
"Cool! So there should be a probe ready, right?"
"Yep. Boeing finished making one, which they called 'Conquistador I'," added John.
"Well, that is awesome. We have our probe."
"Yeah, all we need now is the rocket. However, the guys can't decide on the type of rocket to use."
"Hmm... You know, I think I might just discuss that matter elsewhere. Bye."
"Bye!" they said in unison.
The Walkers head to the VAB to ask the people inside what their opinion would be for the mission. They got mixed answers. One group said the Atlas V could be used, another said only the SLS rocket could do. However, pretty much everyone agreed on Skylon's use in extra-terrestrial return trips. They also liked the mission name, though there were still some who actually weren't comfortable about it.
"Well, I think we have a conclusion," said John.
"Yep. It is that no one can agree on everything," replied Luke.
"Haha, you make me laugh."
They continued to talk as they walked together from the VAB
Summer Rose's Situation
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When she came to, the first thing she noticed was that she was no longer in Forever Fall. She found herself in a city unlike any other she has ever seen. The structures were taller, the streets more crowded, and the area didn't look right. After walking around a bit, she heard a whining sound. She looked up, only to find a strange looking tube shaped aircraft, which didn't appear to have lift systems. Seeing that it is not the world she knew, she had to explore with caution, as she had no other choice than that.
Upon seeing what looked like a restaurant, she remembered she had skipped breakfast and was now feeling a bit hungry. She went in through the doors, found herself a seat, and called for a menu. After a few minutes, she received one and opened it. Other than the fact that the dishes' names were odd-sounding, the currency symbol were off. Rather than the familiar Ⱡ, it was $. Clearly, she couldn't pay it with her money she had in her pocket, but decided to try her luck.
Just then, a girl, 4'11" with auburn hair came to her. "Um, miss," she said, "could I sit by you? They seemed to have run out of seats."
"Sure," Summer said. "We could share this menu."
"Wow, thanks," she replied, before sitting. "So nice of you to have me here."
"Mhmm." Passing the menu, Summer began to ask, "Uh, what is your name? Mine is Summer, Summer Rose."
"Summer, huh. Well, my name is Jennie Gordon."
"Well, nice to meet you, Jennie."
"Uh, we can skip the formalities. So, what do you like to have?"
"Hmm, I think I'd like the, um, 'Wonton Noodle Soup'?"
"It's a good dish, actually. I've been here a couple of times already."
"Really?"
"Yup. Waiter?"
"Yes, ma'am?" the waiter said.
"We'll have 2 Wonton Noodle Soup and some tea."
"Okay, anything else?
"Nothing else."
"Okay, 2 Wonton Noodle Soup, pot of tea, got it." The waiter walked away to the kitchen.
"So, Jennie," Summer said, "what do you like to talk about?"
"Well, I work at Lockheed Martin, and—"
"What's Lockheed Martin?"
"Um, that would be one of the largest defense contractors in America."
"What is 'America'?"
"You aren't from here?"
"It is a long story..."
For ten minutes, Summer explained how she was from a place called Remnant, how she happened to find herself here with nothing, her experience so far, and more. They both ate as soon as the food arrived, and Jennie explained that she is in a planet called Earth, where there are three major powers, America being one of them. She then talked about Lockheed Martin, what their vision and mission is, what they have accomplished, etc. When they finished, Jennie called for a bill.
"Oh dear," Summer gasped in shock, "I only have these."
"Sorry, we do not accept that," said the waiter. "Only cash or credit."
"It's on me," Jennie said before Summer cold utter a syllable.
"Uh, thanks."
"I owe you one. You can come live with me, considering you have no place to be."
"My goodness, thanks a bunch!"
"You're welcome. Now come with me, I'll show you to my apartment."
|Authors' Note|
Well, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. This took a while to procure, and without the assist of /u/Mister fudge, I would never had made a polished chapter. Now for those confusing acronyms.
SETI - Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence
SSTO - Single Stage To Orbit
ESA - European Space Agency
ASAP - As Soon As Possible
R&D - Reasearch & Development
VAB - Vehicle Assembly Building
SLS - Space Launch System
See you next chapter.