THE FIRST MISSION
My colleagues at Independence Science are creating an accessible comic featuring three blind dogs; Isci a black lab, Stella a yellow lab and Gadget a chocolate lab. Isci, Stella and Gadget are
the smartest dogs on earth. They talk, read braille and their front paws are more like hands so they can type, fly a spacecraft, explore and do science. Let your imagination run as these three lovable labs blast off on their first adventure. Instead of pictures, captions are provided to describe the action.
Note: Picture captions start on a new paragraph and are preceded by PC:.
The mission: Build a space station from space junk. The collected junk is to be taken to an already existing orbiting fabricator. The fabricator uses 3d technologies to recycle materials.
PC: Isci, Stella and Gadget are Labrador dogs.
PC: The three dogs are wearing space suits and are standing at the bottom of a set of steps leading to the entrance to a very large plane.
PC: The launch director pats each dog on the head and says, “Good luck with your mission. The Sophia Space Station project is counting on you.”
All three dogs replied, “We will get it done sir.”
PC: The dogs are inside the plane strapped into their seats. Isci is in the left front seat and is the mission commander. Stella is in the right front seat and is the pilot. Gadget is in the left rear seat serving as the engineer.
The hatch slammed shut. All three dogs are checking their checklists. In front of each dog is a large braille display. The switches and other controls are labeled in braille.
Gadget said, “Everything go for engineering.”
Stella said, “Everything go for flight.”
Isci said, “Everything is go for the mission. We just need to wait for the last of the liquid oxygen (LOX) to be loaded.”
Capcomm called over the radio link, “Sophia one, we show you go for launch. All hoses and cables are disconnected.”
Stella replied, “We are go for launch. Initializing jets…” Stella flipped up a panel, checked that all twelve engines were set to on, closed the panel and pressed the red start button.
PC: Stella checking the switches and pressing the start button.
There was a lot of noise as all the jet engines started up and came up to speed.
Capcomm called, “Good luck Sophia One.”
Isci replied, “Thank you.”
Stella pushed the throttle to Max and the huge plane moved down the runway. The nose rose and the plane was airborne.
Gadget said, “All engineering systems go.”
PC: The huge plane is rapidly gaining altitude.
Stella flew to 50,000 feet or almost 17,000 meters.
Isci said, “Rocket motors initialized and ready.”
Stella replied, “We are go for separation.” Isci moved a safety lock and pulled a lever. There was a sudden jerk as the rocket slid out under the tail of the plane. The plane now on autopilot banked sharply and returned to the runway. The rocket became vertical.
PC: The rocket is a two stage rocket. The first stage has stubby wings and a tail fin. The wings allow the first stage to glide back to earth. The second stage has larger wings since it is heavier.
PC: The rocket is vertical and the lifter plane is headed back to the runway.
Stella said, “Launching in three seconds… three, two, one.” There was a sudden roar as the three rocket motors roared to life. All the dogs were pushed firmly back into their seats as the rocket headed for space. All the dogs reported on various systems.
PC: The dogs are checking their large braille displays and listening to computerized announcements.
As the rocket neared orbital velocity, Stella said, “First stage separation in ten seconds… ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one.” The second stage fired and the first stage glided back to earth.
PC: the rocket now minus the first stage is headed for orbit. The first stage is gliding back to earth.
Capcamm called, “Sophia One, you are go for orbit.”
Stella replied, “Copy that Capcom. I show orbital velocity.”
“Confirmed,” replied Capcom.
PC: the rocket is now in orbit and in a horizontal position.”
Isci said, “We will make one orbit and then start collecting junk.”
Gadget, eager to get started asked, “Permission to tag items as available?”
Isci said, “Go for tagging.”
Gadget armed the tag probe and replied, “Tag probe go.”
Stella said, “We have a large object on the right.”
Capcom Said, “That is an old booster.”
Gadget launched the probe which glued a small radio beacon onto the booster.
PC: A small probe flies from Sophia One and attaches a tag to the booster. The probe then returns to Sophia One.
As the orbit continued, a dozen objects were tagged.
In the third orbit, Isci said, “I think we have more than enough stuff tagged, lets collect all this junk.”
Gadget replied, “The grabbers are ready. How about some lunch, I’m hungry.”
Stella replied, “You’re always hungry. I do admit some steak sounds good though.”
PC: All three dogs are enjoying three large pieces of raw meat. They also have three bags of water each of which has a straw.
PC: All three dogs have washed their paws and muzzles.
Returning to their seats, all three dogs launch grabbers that latch onto the items that were previously tagged.
PC: The rocket is shown with a long cable trailing out behind it. Along the cable are an assortment of boosters, dead satellites and nose cones.
Isci said, “So far, so good, now we just need to get this jumk to the fabricator.”
Stella said, “Lets try a small burn and test how well we can tow the junk.”
Isci replied, “Copy that. Gadget, please monitor the strain on the cable. Hopefully, we don’t lose anything.”
Stella said, “Preparing to fire a small burn in five, five, four, three, two one.” The rocket fired and Sophia One reached a higher orbit.
PC: Flames are coming from the rocket.
Gadget called, “The strain on the cable is within limits. We still have all the junk.”
“Very well,” replied Isci, “Let’s make the delivery.”
Stella said, “Resuming fire…”
PC: More flames from the rocket.
PC: Sophia One is very close to the fabricator.
Isci said, “Wake up everyone, we are at the fabricator. Gadget, please get ready to hand off the cable.”
“Copy that,” replied Gadget.
PC: a long arm extends from the fabricator.
Gadget worked controls and the arm latched onto the cable.
Gadget said, “The fabricator is latched on.”
Isci replied, “Copy that, please jettison the cable.” Gadget moved a safety lock and pulled a lever.
“Done,” replied Gadget, “The fabricator arm is retracting.”
Isci said, “Now we can return. Stella, you may prepare for deorbit burn.”
Capcom said, “Sophia One, great job, the fabricator has the junk preliminary estimates indicate a week to sort it out. You are clear for deorbit burn.”
PC: Sophia One slowly moves away from the fabricator.
Stella said, “Starting deorbit burn in ten seconds. Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one.”
The rocket fired and Sophia rapidly lost speed. The adjustable tail allowed Sophia to reenter the atmosphere without needing to use heat shields.
PC: Sophia One is gliding toward the runway.
Stella lowered the wheels and Sophia glided to a stop on the runway.
PC: Sophia One is on the ground. Near by are the lifter plane and first stage.
The ground crew surrounded Sophia One as the three dogs exited the craft.
The flight director patted each dog on the head and said, “Great job! We will have another mission in a week.”
Isci, Stella and Gadget entered the flight room and removed their flight suits. Back in their house, they stretched out and relaxed each on a couch.
PC: Each dog has his or her own couch. All three have their heads resting on their front paws.
Next quarter, join Isci, Stella and Gadget and more characters to find out what happens next.