Rocket to the Mun

[Wolf Baginski]

"Was he really aiming for that lake," said Bob.

"I could tell him about the fish with teeth," said Valentina, "But it wouldn't be funny."

Bob nodded and poured himself another cup of tea. Valentina has brought something called a samovar to the Centre, and he thought it worked pretty well. "Well, he got back, but neither of you do all that well at controlling a spacecraft. Some of Jebs orbits were all over the place."

Valentina said nothing, but seemed to be looking for something in her teacup.

"Stratospheric wind," said Bill, for the third time that day.

"Easy on the beans," chorused Valentina and Bob.

"I'm no better." Valentina could be ruthlessly honest about her talents. "Bill, have they ever found out why my radio set blew up?"

"That wasn't your fault." Bill shrugged. "Carry signal flags?"

Bob tried not to cough. "We should have a pretty good idea of how to fly an ascent by now."

"And we don't," said Valentina. "Once we're in orbit, it seems to get easy." She finished her tea. "Our first stages have to be long and thin. Is there a better way?"

"More boosters," muttered Bill.