"Thanks for that, Houston."
"You're welcome, Fro-" He was cut off.
"Frodo 3 here, Commander, I'm in position."
"OK. Do you need me to get any closer?" Jason asked.
"No, Commander. I think we are in good shape." John said.
Jason responded, "Good. Let me know what I can do."
"Roger that, Commander."
John Dyer, Frodo 3, used his suit thruster to push him out to the waiting Module C. He could see the door was on the wrong side and that he would have to rotate the module before he could pull it in with the winch.
"Commander, I will need to rotate the module 180° to get it into position. This zero-G work is sure a lot different than the Earth training we did."
"Is that going to be a problem for you, John?
"I don't think so, Commander. It will just take a little longer."
"We planned on more time, so just take your time and do it right and be safe."
"Roger that, Commander."
While John was out on EVA both Jason and Cris had plenty to do. Module B still had cables and ventilation work to be done. The door for Module C had to be prepped. Plus, there were constant housekeeping and maintenance responsibilities for Jason. There wasn't gravity or air out there, except for the few molecules of Florida air still floating around, but there were a few molecules of oxygen, helium, and hydrogen bombarding the craft from the outside. You couldn't really measure them, but the results were that the ship was affected with its rather large mass, so its position had to be constantly adjusted. Plus, there is always some gravity. They were in a non-synchronous orbit that wasn't perfect, so Jason had to constantly adjust the capsule to maintain position as they slowly drifted. And, on top of that, any action John did on EVA pushed the ship slightly. A body in motion tends to stay in motion, and there is an equal and opposite reaction to any force applied to the craft. But this is standard space stuff that all astronauts are trained for.
"Commander. I am ready to attach the cable and reel her in, sir."
"Frodo 3, proceed."
This meant Jason would have to keep watch over their position as the large mass of Module C was pulled toward the ship. He had the same issues as Cris did when attaching Module B, but now the mass had basically doubled. The combined ship wouldn't be quite as affected by Module C, but it wouldn't be as agile as before either.
John radioed, "Applying the power winch now, Commander. Get ready for some noise."
As the winch reeled in the new attachment to the ship, the vibrations could be heard as the gears ground and the cable retracted. It was not a comforting sound.
"Take it slow and easy, John. We have all day."
"Yes, sir, Commander. But how do you define day up here?"
"Just focus on your work Colonel. Focus!"
"Aye, aye, boss man."
The winch labored as the distance and position continued toward the ship. Just as the module touched the cabin, there was a large thump.
"Colonel. What's your status?"
"It is in position, Captain. Now I just have to rotate it slightly, sir."
"How far off are you?"
"It isn't too bad, sir. But this thing turns like a truck without power steering pulling a 100 ton load on a muddy street."
"Thanks for that description. I think I got it," Jason said.
They could hear various noises as the module was fit into position.
Twenty minutes went by.
“Frodo 3 here. OK, Captain, I have one set of screws in. It looks good. Now I’m going to the other side to attach that section.”
Then they heard a funny sound.
"John. What's happening?"
Colonel Dyer yelled out, "Commander. My suit thruster pack has turned on full blast and I can't shut it off. I'm heading towards Earth and picking up speed!"
"Are you connected to the safety line?"
"No, sir. I was just changing position to reattach the cable to another spot on the cabin,” John said.
John was breathing rather hard now.
“I must have hit some critical spot on my jetpack with the wrench when I was trying to grab the rail, and it somehow messed up the thruster pack."
"Can you maneuver, so that you can fly back toward the ship? I can move things to catch you, I hope."
"Sorry, Commander. My jetpack just ran out of fuel. I'm drifting. And I'm picking up speed toward the Earth."
"Houston, are you getting this. We need some ideas here."
"Frodo 1, we copy. Our guys are working on it. Give us a few minutes."
"Houston, we may only have a few minutes."
"Roger that, Frodo 1. We'll hurry."
The minutes clicked by. The outside camera was having trouble locating Colonel Dyer, but it soon zeroed in on him. He was just a speck, now.
"John can you hear me?"
"Barely, Commander. What does Houston say?"
"Houston. What do you have for us?"
"Frodo 1. I'm afraid we didn't plan for this contingency. We don't have a solution."
Silence.
Then, "Captain. I almost have my helmet on. What can I do?" You could feel the tension in his voice. Kelly was already getting in the airlock looking frustrated. He was prepared to do whatever it took.
Jason sighed. "Cris, all you can do is to go outside and finish up what John did. Make sure the module is properly attached and everything connected. Then go ahead and set up the nuclear power sources on Modules B and C. That's what you can do while we wait for Houston. You will then be in position to help if Houston comes up with an idea."
"But, sir. What's the point? We are only going to have to take them off after this test and return to Earth. That seems silly now."
"No, Colonel. We have to finish our mission. That decision isn't ours to make, unless Houston calls it off," Jason said sternly.
"Frodo 1, Houston here. Commander, unfortunately you will have to finish the mission. I'm afraid Colonel Dyer is lost."
"John, can you still hear me?" Jason cried out.
Silence.
"Frodo 1 to Frodo 3. Can you hear me, John?"
Silence.
"Houston, we've lost contact with Frodo 3."
"We know, Frodo 1. We are so sorry for your loss."
Jason cried out desperately, “REALLY? HOUSTON? Isn't there anything we can do?"
"Sorry Jason. It's too late. We computed his speed based on worst case scenario with his thruster open full. He will be feeling the effects of the atmosphere in a few minutes. He will be dead soon."
Silence.
"Cris. You better get out there and finish this off. The sooner you do, the sooner we can get home."
"OK, Commander. I just..."
Jason cleared his throat. "I know, Cris. I know.”
The rest of the construction went as planned. John had put in two of the bolts, so the unit was in the proper position already. It just needed the rest of the bolts, and then he could hook up the nuclear power sources. There were 20 bolts on each side. It seemed ridiculous to Cris to do all this work just to turn around and disconnect it later, especially under the circumstances.
He worked quietly, but also he was more careful than he had ever been. The reality of space was evident. Space is a dangerous place. One can never let his guard down. All he could think about was John burning up in the atmosphere.
“Captain? Did you see something just then? I thought I saw something go past the other side of Module A just now.”
“I didn’t see anything, Cris. Let me look out the porthole.”
“I’m probably seeing things. It’s the pressure.” Cris went back to work.
"Frodo 1, Houston."
"Frodo 1 here."
"Our engineers have figured out the flaw in the thruster. We have used it on various other EVAs without a problem, but we can see the weakness that cost Colonel Dyer his life. We will be sending you a message with how to prevent this from happening again. Please have Frodo 2 come back
in from EVA until you both can be clear of the danger. I'm sorry this happened, Captain. There is so much that is still new to us."
"I understand, Houston. We knew the risks when we signed up."
"Captain Hotson. This is Gene Kranz."
"Good to hear your voice, Dr. Kranz."
"We are devastated here at NASA! I want you to know that we feel responsible for what happened to John, and we give you our word that we will do our best to make the rest of your mission as safe as we can. We are going over every drawing, every piece of equipment you have on board to make sure we have covered our bases."
"Thank you, Dr. Kranz. We appreciate what you have accomplished in such a short period of time. Don't blame yourselves. We all have a lot to learn. John was a good man.” There was an emotional pause. “He knew the risks,” Jason continued softly.
"Frodo 1, we appreciate your kind and understanding words, but it won't stop us from working night and day until this mission is finished to keep this promise to you."
"Roger that, Dr. Kranz. Thank you."
"Frodo 1, Houston here."
"Go ahead, Houston."
"Is Frodo 2 back aboard?"
"He just closed the outer airlock door. He should be here in a few minutes."
Just as he finished he could hear the air pressure adjusting. Cris Kelly came back inside the cabin.
"All the bolts are in and tight. As soon as Houston gives the go ahead I will go out and hook up the power generators."
"Thanks, Cris. Before you take off your helmet go into Module C and get things connected in there. Make sure the automatic pressure system did its job."
"Right, sir. Stay busy. Good call."
Silence.
Chapter 9–Recovering from Disaster
5 April, 1968
"Frodo 1, this is Houston."
It took a few minutes for it to register. For a brief moment Jason forgot where he was. Then the reality of yesterday's events came back clearly to him. They had both been asleep after a stressful day.
"Houston, uh, Frodo 1 here."
"We need to finish the mission. What is the status of the two modules, Commander?"
Jason responded groggily. "Wait a minute while I get my thoughts together. I’m a bit disoriented right now.”
Houston said, “That’s understandable. Take your time.”
Hotson paused to evaluate the situation, while he shook the cobwebs out of his head.
Clearing his throat, Jason said, “We need one more EVA to finish the RTG nuclear power modules. I think Cris can have it done in a few hours. I'll get him up and at it soon. Give us an hour to get ready."
"Roger, Frodo 1. Let me know when he is EVA. He needs to be finished and in his seat by ten hundred hours. It is 0700 now."
"Roger, Houston. But why?" Jason asked.
"I cannot explain it all right now, but we have a narrow window in which to adjust your orbit," Houston warned.
Captain Hotson called out to Colonel Kelly, "Hey, Cris, how long before you can get ready?"
"I heard. I think I'll be ready in about 30 minutes. I just need to gather a few things, like the power source supports, the special wrench, and then a bit to get my helmet on."
"Great. I guess I don't need to tell you to be careful. Now that we know there is a definite danger we have to make sure you make it back alive. I hate being by myself. You use extra caution. Don't rush it, but don't take all day, either."
"Commander, why do you think we are going through all this assembly, connections, and so forth, when we are just going to take it all apart before we head for home? It seems like a lot of waste." Cris asked.
"You know the government, Cris–ours is not to reason why, and so on."
"I guess so, but it still makes me wonder...Oh, well. The pay's the same, I guess. I think we deserve interstellar foreign duty pay."
Jason added, "You got that right."
"Jason, did you notice that all three of us are single? Most of the other astronauts were married–actually, all the ones that I know. Do you think there might be something to that? I hate to say it, but we are a bit, uh, expendable. I don't even have a cat."
Jason replied, "Interesting thought. I'll have to get you a cat when we get back."
Cris decided to keep a cheerful mood. The loss of John Dyer was still on their minds.
Cris continued, "Please don't. I'm allergic to mouse breath."
Jason offered, "How about a vegetarian cat?"
"How about I get ready?" With that, Cris floated over to the suit locker and got his helmet.
"Roger that, Cris. Get out there and put this thing together so we can hurry up and take it all apart."
"Captain, these two pieces will make a heck of a shooting star when they come down."
Jason interjected, "They aren't really stars, you know."
"No. Really?” Cris quipped innocently.
"Yes. They are actually meteors that hit the upper atmosphere and burn up.” Jason said sincerely.
Cris said, "Gee. Someday I would like to be a real astronaut."
"Good luck with that one, Cris. You aren't Russian."
"Frodo 1, this is Houston."
"Houston, this is Frodo 1."
"You boys do realize we can still hear every word you say, don't you?"
"Is there no privacy in the world any more, Houston?” Jason pleaded.
Houston here, "How is the EVA prep coming along?"
"Cris is about suited up. I think we are ready for action."
"Frodo 2, how are you doing?"
"Frodo 2 here, boss. Ready to go EVA."
Houston here, "Roger that. Keep us informed, and please be careful out there, but remember we are in a bit of a rush."
"Will do, Houston. The Commander has promised me a vegetarian cat when we get back, so I have a lot to live for."
"Oh...Kay…" Houston said slowly.
Jason and Cris grinned at each other. Jason said, "I wonder what the boys back in Houston think about us. Space sickness is my guess. And maybe they would be right. Let's get this together and go home, huh?"
"Right on, Commander. Frodo 2 going EVA, Houston."
"Copy Houston?" Jason radioed.
"Roger that, Commander. Keep us informed."
"Will do, Houston."
Cris Kelly opened the latch and carefully stepped inside the tiny airlock. A few minutes later Hotson felt the vibration and heard the lock open to the outside.
"Commander, everything is fine out here. I think we are missing a star or two from last night. I might have broken a couple. But if I did it was an accident. I’ll pay… the… damages."
Jason could tell Cris was struggling with the suit and the power modules. It wasn’t easy working in those outfits.
"Frodo 2,” said Jason, “Let's stick to business. Let me know when the first power generator is installed on Module B, and don’t forget to plug it in."
"It don't plug in, boss man. It just screws in and the connections are automatic."
"I know that, Frodo 2. I was just trying to make conversation."
It took about twenty five minutes for the first generator to be installed. Now Frodo 2 had to come around to Module C with the second supply.
"Commander. Why do you think they are having us install two of these things? Since this is just a test, and not the real thing, you'd think one generator would prove the point."
"Frodo 1, Houston."
"Come in Houston."
"We heard what Frodo 2 said, and we can explain it. There are three generators because we are going to put them under a full load to see how they perform. You have a full contingent of lithium-ion batteries, the newest of the new, on board as well. You also have a solar panel, but we won't be deploying that on this mission. But this is real life, boys. Real life!"
It was getting harder and harder for the men in Mission Control to continue to lie to these poor guys.
Houston, Frodo 1. "Roger that. It did seem odd; however, that explains a lot.
Those Moon boys are going to have some mighty fine equipment when we are done here. I'm glad we could do our part to test it out for them. Maybe they will bring us back some green cheese to thank us."
Enoch's Challenge Page 8
