2.1
EXPLAINING THE AEROBRAKE
The Leonov is speeding toward Jupiter, Following the dotted
red line on Map 8. The ship is moving 1 hex each hour. Start run- ning
this chapter when the Leonov enters hex "C." The Leonov is about
to try an aerobrake maneuver. Tanya calls the crew to the ward room for
briefing.
Vasili turns to the crew and say, "The Leonov is
going to make history in 6 hours. We are moving at 20 kilometers a second
right now; for the Americans, that's almost 50,000 miles and hour. We must
slow down a great deal before we can establish an orbit around Io, where
the Discovery and the monolith are. If we use our engines to slow us, we
may burn up too much fuel. We have another way to slow down: aerobraking.
"The Leonov is equiped with a heat shield that opens
to cover the rear of the ship. We will turn the ship around so it is traveling
backwards. Then we'll skim through the outer layers of Jupiter's atmosphere.
Friction of the air will slow the Leonov. After we leave Jupiter's atmosphere,
we will rendezvous with Io.
"Of course, no one has ever attempted aerobraking
before. There is much we don't know, and there is some danger. If our course
is not absolutely correct, we could fly too deep into Jupiter's atmosphere
and burn up!" |
Tanya explains that is the Leonov remains on its present
course, the ship will enter Jupiter's atmosphere between two of its colored
bands (orange and yellow). Mission control has been unable to provide any
solid information about the bands.
During the next 4 hours, the Leonov can alter its course
once, to enter either the yellow or orange band. Tanya orders the crew
to begin work immediately to find the safest course for the Leonov's entry
into Jupiter's atmosphere. After 4 hours, they cannot alter the ship's
course.
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2.2
CONDUCTING TESTS
Each American can conduct tests in his area of expertise
for information about Jupiter's atmosphere bands. The Russians can also
conduct tests, if you want them to.
All of the possible information the charac- ters can
gain about the bands is listed below. Characters use their skills to learn
this information. The skill needed for each test is written in parentheses
after the test. Each test requires ½ hour.
For example, if a PC tests to see if there is a problem
with radiation, he makes an astronomy calculation. If the check succeeds,
the PC learns what is given in the Radiation listing below. If he of another
character follows up on the initial test and makes a successful stress
analysis, the character learns what is given in the "Follow-up"
for that listing.
TURBULENCE (analyzing samples or calcu- late): The
yellow band has more storms and is rougher than the orange. The area between
the two bands is full of severe storms.
Follow-up (stress analysis): The rougher parts of
the atmosphere are more dangerous to the Leonov.
ACID (analyzing samples or calculate): The orange
band has a much higher concentra- tion of acid than the yellow. The acid
could eat away at the heat shield.
Follow-up (analyizing samples): The heat shield will be
red hot when the Leonov is in Jupiter's atmosphere. Any acid that touches
it will be burned off before it can cause any damage.
MAGNETIC DISTURBANCES (analyzing samples or
calculate): The orange band has a stronger magnetic field than the
yellow. Some of the ship's instruments won't work in a strong magnetic
field.
Follow-up (operating machinery): The instruments
that are affected by magnetic fields are not vital for running the ship.
Most vital equipment works properly in magnetic fields.
|
HEAT (analyzing
samples or calcualte): The yellow band is closer to the equator and is
not as cold. The orange band is extremly cold. The turbulent area between
the two bands is an intermediate temperature.
Follow-up (calculate or operating com- puters): Because
the Leonov will be hot from the friction of its passage through the atmosphere,
the cold is irrelevant.
RADIATION (analyzing samples or calculate): The
orange band has a higher level of radiation than the yellow. Some of the
radiation would penetrate the hull of the Leonov.
Follow-up (stress analysis or operating computers): The
heat shield provides extra protection from radiation. The radiation would
pose no danger.
EXPLOSIVE GASES (analyzing samples or calculate):
The orange band contains pockets of pure methane. The Leonov's heat could
make these pockets explode.
Follow-up (stress analysis or operating computers): The
Leonov will travel so fast through the atmoshpere that, by the time the
methane gas explodes, the ship would already be out of the area.
When the crews have decided exactly where they want to
enter Jupiter's atmosphere, Tanya makes the final course alteration. Then
she orders the crew into flight couches or their beds for the duration
of the aerobrake. However, she asks Curnow and Chandra to take positions
on the flight deck to help should an emergency arise during the aerobrake.
She and Uri will pilot the Leonov through Jupiter's atmosphere.
2.3
TAKING THE PLUNGE
The aerobrake maneuver takes place in hex "D"
on Map 8.
| The strain of decelerating has steadily increased over
the last few hours. It's almost impossible to move any part of |
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