Replies

Journey Update:

As you may have noticed, the Earth and Moon are growing rather alarmingly as we observe them through the canopies.

It is almost time for another velocity change as we wend our toward Mars, in this case by way of a snap-the-whip maneuver around the Moon.

It might even appear that we are getting a little too close. Not to worry, it will all be over in a few minutes. Er, that is, we will be safely past in a few minutes.

We are scheduled to sail above even the highest peaks on the Lunar surface by more than a hundred miles, so it will only seem as though we are very close.

You will also note that the Moon is appearing in the same general direction that it did when we saw it disappearing last. That is because we are maintaining the same rotation direction, even though we are moving in a different planetary direction.

I’ve always wanted to go swinging widdershins around the Moon. Haven’t you?

Anyway, once past, we will see the Earth and Moon disappearing behind us once again for a very long time, as we trek onward toward Mars.

If we could keep up this speed, we would get to the Martian orbit very quickly. Unfortunately, as we climb out of the Sun’s gravity well, we will tend to lose momentum, reaching the peak of our travels about where Mars will soon be.

Then with a few adjustments to our orbital speed, we’ll settle into a nice orbit about Mars, and then we’ll send down our expedition.

Okay, that should be about the last sighting of the Moon on that side! Look around to the other side of the canopy quick and see it emerge over there! Look closely because it’s darker on this side.

You should also be able to see the lights of the cities of Earth in a moment. Don’t forget to wave! They may be watching.