Having observed the asteroids in their magnificent chaotic glory as we slowly approached their focus of “dancing icebergs” choreography, it seemed prudent to anchor ourselves to a relatively stable rock out here.
Since the middle of the Thrust Ring is empty except for our mirrors, zero-gee entertainment swimming pool, and the low-gravity labs, placing a large three-quarter mile radius asteroid in that center seemed like a good way to achieve a stable orbit and have a convenient source of raw materials.
We could mine the rock without having to commute very far.(The above facilities can be simply extended farther along our axis of rotation. We won’t lose them!)
Other advantages are left as an exercise for the attentive observer.
However, your faithful scribe feels duty bound to mention at least one disadvantage: The increased gravitational attraction may cause a few more incoming pebbles to come calling.
Accordingly, we have been working on a way to boost our ability to magnetically deflect stones thrown our way by using a powerful magnetic field, and the inherent diamagnetism of most materials. The field is also expected to assist in helping to deflect ionized particles coming from the Sun, which are a problem even at this distance from that magnificent fusion furnace.
Also, the gravitational interaction of the asteroid, dubbed “Plymouth”, and the Flying Castle is inherently unstable, so we have been slowly precessing to match its rotation axis with our own. When we get into position, we will attach connections at the “poles” of Plymouth, tying our transportation system and hard-wired communications into the hollowing interior of the asteroid.
These connections will stabilize the relationship, even though our rotation rate and that of the asteroid will differ for many years. Yes, it will mean a bit of an angle to the ecliptic, but our mirrors can compensate for that. The value of the raw materials will be worth the transitions necessary. Remember, there are no filling stations out here.
Anyway, the proposed magnetic field blanket is a beauty of gossamer utility. We have draped the exterior of the linked habitats of the Flying Castle with silvered buckytube cables arranged in an array resembling a huge fishnet or toroidal hammock.
After the asteroid Plymouth is encompassed, the net will be closed and energized.
More reports later. Back to piloting.
Good Night!
Morning.
I sure miss a lot while I’m cleaning and unpacking.
Sounds good Bob... At least you aren’t trying to parallel park this thing... ;-)
You mean we aren’t there, yet?
*Whines* "But I wanted a Stuckey's Pecan Log Roll!"
Ouch!
Pebble storm nine o’clock low.
SHEEEESH!!