The Icarus Program (Chapter 18 - Part 3)

[Drethon]

Chapter 17 Part 4

    As the rescue rockets maneuvered to rendezvous with the stranded Kerbals, Bob noticed one more rocket moving to the pad.
    “Gene,” asked Bob curiously. “What is the rocket arriving at the pad now?”
    “Oh, just a little something I wanted to launch,” grinned Gene. “Our Minmus science return probe has enough range to go out and visit Kebol’s SOI. Let us see what is out there.”
    Bob’s eyes widened with excitement as realization dawned. “You mean... you’re launching a mission beyond Kerbin’s SOI?”
    Gene nodded. “That’s right.”
    “Awesome!” Bob exclaimed, with atypical enthusiasm.

    “Jeb,” said Gene. “Please launch our Kerbol science rocket.”
    “On it,” Jebediah had barely had time to catch his breath after the final stranded Kerbal had reentered Kerbin, but he was never too tired to fly a rocket. Exhausted or not, Jebediah sent the commands with practiced precision and the rocket roared off the pad.
    “Such a tiny little probe, and a big TWR,” Bill grinned as the rocket accelerated upward. “That thing has TWR of 3 just sitting there on the pad, climbing to 5… 6, 7.5 at burnout. Faster than a holiday firework!”
    “Jeb,” said Gene as Jebediah focused on the controls. “You know how you normally complete the gravity turn to get the highest orbital velocity at an apoapsis just above the atmosphere.”
    “Yeah?” asked Jebediah as he prepared to start to circularize the orbit.
    “We don’t need to orbit this probe,” said Gene with a small grin. “Just point the rocket prograde and keep the throttle firewalled.”
    Jeb paused to glance at Gene. “Full throttle all the way up?”
    “Yep,” grinned Gene.
    “We have plenty of thrust on this rocket,” said Bob with a smile of his own. “We just need to build up enough velocity relative to Kerbin.”
    Jebeidah turned back with a broad smile as he held the rocket on its course, throttled to full. “No holding back, this is my kind of launch!”
    “That rockets going up like it's got something to prove!” whistled Bill. “No hesitation, nearly orbital velocity and still breathing atmosphere!”
    “The rocket is glowing like a rocket on reentry,” Bob squinted at the screen. “The probe core would melt down if the atmosphere was not thinning.”

    A minute later and the rocket’s apoapsis was outside of Kerbin orbit, aimed squarely for Kerbol’s SOI.
    “Two minutes and forty five seconds,” Gene noted from the mission control clock. “And just twelve days before the probe leaves Kerbin orbit. So little time for such a large distance.”
    “That is how you go somewhere in a hurry,” Jebediah leaned back in his seat, satisfied with a job well done.

Edited January 12 by Drethon

[Drethon]

Chapter 17 - Part 5
    This is Walter Kerman reporting. Today, the Icarus Program faced yet another busy and eventful day, yet again yet again working tirelessly to recover stranded Kerbalnauts scattered across Kerbin orbit. The day started with anticipation of the Rockomax Conglomerate and Goliath National Products latest large space expedition, following their previous success to orbit the Mun after their first attempt led to the Icarus Program’s first large rescue effort. The excitement quickly turned to major concern at the unexpected failure of a second Rockomax/GNP mission, again stranding multiple Kerbalnauts. Icarus program rescue rockets were launched in rapid succession, with meticulous coordination to rendezvous with each of the stranded Kerbalnauts.
    Unlike the previous, more complicated recovery effort, this latest incident did not result in any Kerbals being stranded beyond Kerbin's orbit, making today’s recovery operations relatively straightforward in comparison. Thanks to the tireless efforts of the Icarus Program, every stranded Kerbalnaut was brought home safely.
    As a result of the successful rescues, the Icarus Program has enjoyed the addition of another new group of recruits to its ranks. The added expertise of these Kerbals is expected to drastically expand the capabilities of the Icarus Program. Allow me to introduce the newest addition to the Icarus Program:

Melfal Kerman: A skilled lander pilot, Milfal led Rockomax’s efforts in development of moon landers. Her expertise will be instrumental in allowing the Icarus Program to further refine its lander designs, and spearhead the development of lander advancements.
Megdas Kerman: A renowned mineral scientist with a passion for exploration, Megdas brings a wealth of knowledge to the program. Her ongoing research into orbital mineral scanners is expected to unlock new possibilities for resource identification and extraction.

Maberry Kerman: As a seasoned field geologist, Maberry’s sharp eye and experience with geological collection will be a major boost to the Icarus Program’s science gathering efforts. She is excited to pass on her knowledge to the Icarus Program’s team of Kerbalnauts.
Seanory Kerman: Actively pursuing the latest research in atmospheric physics and stellar observations. Seanory will help the Icarus Program with improvements in atmospheric flight and deep space navigation.
    Upon arrival at the KSC, the new recruits were swiftly debriefed and given time to recover from their harrowing experiences in space. Soon after, each was presented with their own, high-performance KT-38 trainer aircraft. These sleek, trainer aircraft will aid the new recruits in their duties, which include visiting various supplier sites to develop and integrate new hardware for the space program. The recruits wasted no time in taking to the skies for a series of test flights, demonstrating both their skills and eagerness to contribute to the Icarus Program’s mission.

    Meanwhile, sources within Rockomax Conglomerate have informed this reporter of a significant shift in the aerospace giant’s operational strategy. Following the recent costly failures, leading to the need for rescues by the Icarus Program, the Rockomax Conglomerate and Global National Produces partnership plans to scale back its ambitious multi-Kerbal missions. They aim to prioritize single-Kerbal missions in the near future, a calculated move to minimize risk and potential setbacks.
    This decision appears to be a direct response to the growing trend of rescued Kerbals joining the Icarus Program, often humorously referred to as “recruitment missions” by the KSC team. While the day’s rescue operations were another resounding success for the Icarus Program, questions linger about the growing frequency of these rescue missions and the long-term sustainability of the Rockmax Conglomerate and Goliath National Products space operations, even with their planned shift in strategy.
    Until next time, this was a Walter Kerman report.

 
    A little while after the day’s rescue operations had wrapped up, mission control had settled into an uncharacteristic calm. The room which had been bustling with activity only hours earlier was now a quiet haven. Most of the team had cleared out, eager to catch some much needed sleep after the grueling efforts. Since the rescue operation was flown with empty probe-operated capsules, CAPCOM’s role had been minimal during the operation, allowing Bobak Kerman to rest earlier. Now refreshed, Bobak was in charge of the skeleton crew monitoring systems in mission control.
    The dimly lit room was filled with the low hum of monitors and the occasional beeping of status alerts. With little activity on the ground, Bobak had spent much of the shift chatting with Julul, stationed aboard the KSS Ranger, currently in low Kerbin orbit. The conversation was a welcome relief from the previous intensity within mission control.
    “Are you keeping in shape,” asked Bobak as he scanned over the indicators on the console before him. The Ranger was the only active mission at the moment, so there was very little status to monitor. “I hear that floating around in space is fun, but does not help much with maintaining muscles.”
    “We have a treadmill and an exercise bike on board to keep us in shape,” Julul’s voice responded. “I’ve mostly been using the bike, but let me tell you, it’s not the same as biking in gravity.”
    “How’s that?” Bobak was curious.
“The bike comes with a harness to keep us from floating away while we pedal,” Julul’s tone had a slight grimace. “It does the job, but the thing gives me sore muscles in places I’ve never felt from biking on Kerbin.”
    “Sounds like a design by Bob, does the job but does not account for ease of use,” Bobak frowned. “Though what alternative do you have to use the bike?”
    “We’ve got cleats that lock into the pedals and the ceiling is close enough to balance with our hands, making the harness unnecessary,” Julul’s voice sounded amused. “Quite often I do the opposite, use my hands to pedal and push against the ceiling with my feet. It wasn’t in the user manual but whatever works. Looks ridiculous though.”*
    “So you really have to rethink how you do everything up there?” Bobak smiled at the mental image.

    “Yeah,” Julul’s voice shifted to slight annoyance. “Just putting on socks up here is a workout. Any motion of sitting or bending over while putting them on is worse than doing situps in full gravity.”**
    “Sounds like a lot to put up with.” Bobak wondered if being up in space was worth all the trouble. “Ever feel like it isn’t worth the hassle?”
    “No,” Julul responded quickly and firmly, but with an unmistakable warmth. “All just minor annoyances, really. Floating around up here in the microgravity, playing zero-g games, there is nothing like it.         And the view…” a note of awe crept into her voice. “The view up here is incredible. I wish you could be up here to share it with me. The stars are brighter and sharper than anything you’ve ever seen, and Kerbin is spread out, moving along below us. You really see how lucky we are with Kerbin as our home. I would not trade this experience for anything, even if I will be happy to walk on grass again.”
    Bobak smiled, her words painting a vivid picture in his mind. “Sounds like you’re having the time of your life up there.”
    “I am,” Julul said softly, and for a moment, the quiet hum of mission control seemed to fade away as Bobak shared in her wonder.

    * Pete Conrad liked pedaling on the bicycle ergometer on Skylab with his hands. https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/19840017669/downloads/19840017669.pdf pages 300, 301.
    ** Astronauts on skylab reported straining stomach muscles while on Skylab. https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/19840017669/downloads/19840017669.pdf 322.
 

OOC: So in spite of being pretty busy with everything, I seem to be getting inspired with writing ideas.  So you all will get a few parts that were planned to be posted separately compressed together.

[Drethon]

Chapter 17 - Part 6

    “Preflight complete, and the tower has cleared us for takeoff,” reported Lizfal, working through the now familiar cadence of preflight operations. “Is the test equipment ready?”
    “All systems go,” responded Tanbree, a clear hint of excitement in her tone. “Looking forward to seeing how well this thing works.”
 
    Lizfal advanced the throttles, then released the brakes, unleashing the full power of the test aircraft. The twin high bypass turbofans roared to life, their thrust propelling the prototype down the runway with rapid acceleration. These engines, optimized for efficiency and extended loiter times, were not as fast as the Panthers they had tested in the past, but their raw power at takeoff was an exhilarating tradeoff. The aircraft quickly accelerated through rotation speed, lifting off the runway smoothly and climbing to cruise altitude.
    “I appreciate you coming along to operate the experimental equipment,” said Lizfal once the initial climb was complete. “It’s not terribly complicated, but I prefer to keep my focus on flying when I’m in the pilot’s seat.”
    “Happy to help,” responded Tanbree warmly. “Your assistance with the Probodobodyne project was invaluable. I am sure whatever you are working on now is equally as important. This test is related to the radiation mapping by the recent Kerbol probe?”
    “Yep!” said Lizfal. “We plan to perform magnetometer scans alongside the radiation scans to better map the radiation environment in the Kerbin SOI. We will slowly spiral the new  probe from LKO to HKO to capture data over the full orbit at various altitudes.” Lizfal was quiet for a few minutes as the aircraft progressed through the flightplan. “Entering the test holding pattern. Deploy the equipment when ready.”
    “Deploying,” Tanbree confirmed, entering control panel commands to activate the test magnetometer.

 

    “I enjoy the night flights,” said Lizfal conversationally, banking the aircraft into the next racetrack curve. “But usually we fly during the day so a chase airplane can keep an eye on the experiment. Why did you suggest flying the magnetometer in the dark?”
    “This magnetometer is much more sensitive than standard aircraft mounted ones,” said Tanbree distractedly as she monitored the readings. “That is why the magnetometer is mounted on a plastic boom and calibrated for all of the aircraft’s metallic parts. We will adapt for solar radiation in orbit, but for testing the accuracy, it is better to avoid any solar interference.” Tanbree was quiet as she examined the data.
    After a few minutes, Tanbree spoke with some concern. “This is unfortunate, the measurements are coming up with some anomalies. I have to ask, there have been no deviations from the planned holding pattern?”
    “Nope, I’ve been right over the racetrack pattern” said Lizfal. “I even double checked the flight timing against my watch.”
    “No flight deviations to explain the anomalies,” mused Tanbree. “I wonder if… wait, you have a watch?”
    “Sure,” said Lizfal. “I like to have something to compare against the flight equipment to ensure accurate timing.”
    “That explains it,” sighed Tanbree. “Everything is calibrated for what metal we cannot shield in the aircraft, but the calibration did not include a watch not attached to a fixture.* We will have to return to base to drop off the watch or recalibrate.”
    Lizfal did not respond immediately, instead Tanbree was hit by a sudden blast of wind. Tanbree gasped and instinctively reached for the ejection handle, her heart pounding, before catching sight of a small object tumbling away outside the canopy. It gleamed briefly in the moonlight as it disappeared into the darkness. A moment later everything quieted back to normal cockpit noises.

    “Wha… what…” Tanbree stammered. “Did you just throw your watch out of the aircraft?”
    “I didn’t want to fly back,” said Lizfal matter-of-factly. “We would need to refuel and perform maintenance. The aircraft wouldn’t be available for a couple of nights. Besides, they just released the next generation of the kWatch. I’ve been wanting to upgrade. How are the readings?”
    Tanbree snapped her mouth shut against her intended response and went back to monitoring the test readings. “All readings within tolerance. From this data, the magnetometer is ready for deployment.”
    “Great!” exclaimed Lizfal. “Let me know when you have all the readings you need, and we will head back to base.”
    Shaking her head with a bemused smile, Tanbree returned to her work. In the quiet hum of the cockpit, the test flight carried on.

    * Sure in the real world this is an issue for much more sensitive devices than basic magnetometers, but things are stretched a little in KSP. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/08/210826090845.htm.

 
    Bob steered the rover carefully over the uneven highland terrain, the suspension was designed for lower gravity environments, so he proceeded somewhat slowly. Only a little further, he thought, just enough to put the rover out of direct line of sight from the tracking station.
    A few minutes driving down the hill to the grasslands and he felt he had travelled far enough. Bob shut down the rover and deployed the outriggers to stabilize the rover. He adjusted the mounted RA-2 antenna, aiming it back toward KSC, then scanned around the sky for a few minutes. He could pick up faint signals, but nothing strong enough to decode the signal from the noise.
    “Bob to mission control,” Bob called into the radio. “I am in position and ready to begin the test.”
    “Copy you are in position, Bob,” crackled Bobak’s voice from mission control. “We are realigning the tracking station antennas now. Expected the antennas to be on target in one minute.”
    Bob realigned the RA-2 antenna and watched the timer tick down on his watch. As the time ticked down the signal level increased, and at precisely one minute the signal level peaked. Bob reached for the radio when he noticed something unexpected in the signal.
    The signal was not the repeating test signal he was expecting, more like a hastily encoded data broadcast. Curious, Bob routed the signal through a simple PSK demodulator and characters started to scroll across the display.
    “Snacks…,” Bob read to himself, brow furrowing. The sequence appeared to be restarting. “If you are… receiving… this message.” The string of characters continued building, and as more characters appeared his eyes widened in disbelief. “We are stranded…” An SOS signal? Thought Bob as he continued to read. Possibly reflected off the ionosphere? “On Minmus.” On Minmus?! “Please send snacks!”
    Bob stopped and stared at the console in amazed silence. That could not be… then he looked at the whole message again.
    “If you are receiving this message. We are stranded on Minmus. Please send snacks.”
    Bob activated the radio and said in a dry tone. “I got your message loud and clear, Jeb.”
    “If you could read the whole message with the signal bounced off Minmus,” Bobak’s voice was laced with amusement and Jebediah’s laughter could be heard in the background. “Then two RA-2s can definitely handle communications between Kerbin and Minmus with enough signal to support Kerbal operational safety margins.”
 
    “Agreed,” said Bob. “The Icarus Program is ready for missions to Minmus.”

End of Chapter 17

[Drethon]

Chapter 18
 
    “Val,” said Gene. “You are up for the next mission.”
    “Great!” exclaimed Valentina, her eyes lighting up at the prospect of commanding a new mission. “Am I bringing a scientist to a new biome on the Mun?”
    “A little further out this time,” said Gene with a small smile, that hinted at something big. “You are heading out for a spacewalk in the orbit of Minmus.”
    “Minmus!” grinned Valentina, almost bouncing with excitement. Minmus had always held a fascination for all Kerbals. Valentina tried to hide her own fascination with Minmus by focusing on the exploration value of the mission. “This will be the first Kerballed mission to travel so far!”
    “Why Minmus now?” asked Jebediah, leaning back in his chair with a practiced casual air, but his naturally intense curiosity still peeked through. “You could have sent me and Bob there rather than landing on the Mun the last time.”
    “Bob just finished testing the new relay antenna,” Gene nodded at Bob who had his nose buried in a set of schematics and data readouts. “With the RA-2 relay antenna our communications network will reach Minmus, providing constant contact with mission control. Since it takes days to reach Minmus, stable communications is a critical upgrade.”
    “You aren’t plugging to head out to Minmus first,” asked Bill, raising an eyebrow in mock suspicion. “Are ya Jeb?”
    “Nope, was just curious,” responded Jebediah with an easy chuckle. “Val is next in the rotation and she deserves to go see the mint ice cream.”
    “Minmus is not ice cream,” muttered Bob without looking away from his schematics, exasperation leaking into his voice. “The green coloration is likely a thick layer of copper oxide, or a similar mineral deposit.”
    “Won’t know for sure until someone licks it,” quipped Jebediah, earning chuckles from the room, and an irritated scowl from Bob.
    “No one will be licking Minmus,” said Gene, glancing pointedly at Jebidiah. “This mission will simply provide our first close look at Minmus.
    “Before that, we need to rebuild our rescue fleet and launch the Minmus communications satellite. Then we will assemble the Minmus rocket for the main event.”

 
    This is Walter Kerman reporting live from the Kerbal Space Center. For millennia the green star captivated Kerbals. When Kalileo Kalilei’s first telescope revealed a green sphere floating in space, the first fuzzy images looking much like a scoop of minty ice cream, countless debates spanned the centuries as to the nature of this curious moon. Today, history is being made as we prepare to send two brave Kerbals further than any have travelled before, out beyond the Mun. Valentina and Megdas are moments away from lift off bound for Minmus. For the first time, Kerbal eyes will look down on the green moon from up close. Though this reporter can assure our viewers, who have sent many inquiries, that the rocket is not touching down on Minmus, and will not return with minty ice cream.
    Our viewers are well acquainted with the mission Commander Valentina and her already storied career. Valentino was the first Kerbal to orbit Kerbin and later the first to step foot on the Mun. This mission will provide Valentina with yet another first, a view of Minmus from orbit. Joining Valentina is Megdas in her first mission as a full fledged member of the Icarus Program. Megdas was recruited by the Icarus Program during the second rescue fleet mission. With a doctorate in Kerbin and Planetary Sciences, with a minor in Astronomy and Astrophysics, from the University of Cove*, Megdas was a rising star in the Rockomax Conglomerate, using her planetary science skills to find fuel deposits. Now Megdas is eager to apply her skills to analyzing the geology and formation of other bodies to predict where resources may be concentrated.

    Last week, a Halifax class F Minmus comm probe was launched into orbit high over Kerbin to establish a reliable communications link to Minmus for mission control. This week, the pair will embark on board the Endeavour, an Arethusa class B rocket, the class previously used to fly by the Mun. The rocket has been updated with its own RA-2 antenna to connect to the communications network from Minmus, solar panels to eliminate the need for large, heavy batteries, and sufficient snacks and oxygen to sustain our brave Kerbalnauts to Minmus and the return trip.

    After a smooth launch into Kerbin orbit, all operations seem to be going smoothly as we head to the transition burn. This will be the longest and most precise burn in history, and one of the most critical stages in the flight. Minmus lies over three times further from Kerbin than the Mun, and is a much smaller target to hit. Once the burn completes, the journey to Minmus will last approximately eight days, before our intrepid explorers enter Minmus’ sphere of influence, finally beginning to satisfy the shared Kerbal dream of learning what the minty moon is really made of.

    Engines ignite in a silent burn in space that we can see from our telescope network. After a short time, the engines on the Endeavour darken and shut down, signaling the completion of the transfer burn to Minmus. Mission control erupts into applause as our Kerbalnauts find themselves bound for the furthest distance any Kerbal has ever traveled, over fourty six thousand kilometers from Kerbin. Valentina’s voice sounds over the comms, her consummate professionalism tinged with excitement. “KSC, this is Endeavour. Transition burn to Minmus complete. Main engine shutdown is nominal at T plus forty one minutes, thirty six seconds.”
    In the days ahead, Valentina and Megdas will conduct scientific observations, mapping Minmus’ surface biomes and beginning initial analysis of its composition from orbit. Megdas, in particular, is eager to test theories about Minmus’ formation, which could yield insights into the early history of the Kerbol system, and identify potential resource concentrations on the surface of the minty moon. Providing a step toward future exploration and colonization.
    Mission Control will remain in constant contact, monitoring their progress and ensuring the safety of the most isolated Kerbals in history. We will closely monitor their journey, as well as provide updates on other missions launched during the Endeavour’s long travel.
    Until next time, this was a Walter Kerman report.

    * Background partially based on astronaut Anthony England. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_W._England.
 

[Drethon]

Chapter 18 - Part 2
 
    This is Walter Kerman reporting. While Valentina and Megdas hurtle through space, faster than any Kerbal before them on a course for Minmus, the Icarus Program continues to progress with exciting events back home. Enough time has passed, due to the long distance orbit of Minmus, that a new rocket has been constructed for a mission to the Mun. Yesterday, the Kerbal Stormchaser departed for the Mun.
    This mission is the first to use the cutting edge class E model of the Arethusa, a complete redesign optimized for Mun and Minmus landings. As Bob describes, “The rocket was designed from the last stage to the first, to be a Mun and Minmus lander”. Bob’s upper stage lander design was meticulously refined by Melfal, who also oversaw the assembly of this first new lander design by Gus’ expert team of technicians.
    Melfal’s final lander design features a dual engine configuration, separate ascent and descent LV-909 rockets. This design provides redundancy during the critical descent and landing phases. To achieve optimal stability on the uneven Munar terrain, the descent fuel tanks have been arranged in a wider configuration, ensuring a lower center of gravity and reducing the risk of tipping over.
    The compact ascender design does come at a cost. In order to return as much science as possible to Kerbin, and include solar panels and communications equipment, ladders have been omitted from the design, requiring Kerbalnauts to utilize jetpacks to travel to and from the KV-2 module.
    At liftoff, the Stormchaser will be powered by an impressive array of twelve RT-10 "Hammer" solid rocket boosters, double the count of its predecessor, the Arethusa class D. This increased thrust is necessary to lift the heavier moon exploration vehicle into orbit.

    This mission will be commanded by Surick, previously introduced to us during her ground test missions alongside Lizfal. She is an exceptional test pilot with a particularly calm and precise demeanor during the most stressful situations. Surick’s precision will be tested when landing the new Arethusa class E lander on the Mun. Mayberry’s background has prepared her for her first mission with the Icarus Program. Her work will focus on identifying promising areas for resource extraction, as well as collecting samples that could unlock new insights into the Mun’s formation and history. As she works to find new insights into the Mun’s history, Mayberry will be working on developing procedures for Kerbalnauts who are less experienced in field geology to be able to perform equally well in sample identification and collection.
    Maberry’s career has been shaped by both triumph and adversity. Maberry studied geology at the Kerbal Institute of Technology and received her PhD in geology* while working as a geologic planner for Rockomax Conglomerate. Her expertise became invaluable to the Conglomerate until a mission failure left her stranded in orbit. It was the Icarus Program’s rescue effort that brought her back to Kerbin, and to a new calling. Now, as one of the foremost experts in field geology, Maberry is using her second chance to advance Kerbal exploration.

    This latest mission exemplifies the Icarus Program’s unwavering commitment to progress. While the Endeavour races toward Minmus to break new ground in Kerbal history, the Stormchaser serves as a reminder that the Mun remains an integral part of our journey to the stars. The combination of cutting-edge technology, bravery of our Kerbalnauts, and the unshakable determination of the Icarus Program to push the boundaries of space exploration and seek out the knowledge to expand our capabilities in space.
    <Report to be continued>

    * Maberry is roughly based on “Pete” Harrison Schmitt, the only non-pilot astronaut to land on the Mun. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harrison_Schmitt.
 

[Drethon]

Chapter 18 - Part 3
<On board the Kerbal Stormchaser>
 
    “KSC, this is the Stormchaser,” Surick said over the radio, her tone clipped with irritation. “We seem to have an issue with our food supply.”
    “Stormchaser, this is KSC,” asked Bobak, the calm voice of mission control’s CAPCOM filled the cabin. “Can you be more specific?”
    Surick glanced over her shoulder, where Mayberry was poking at storage lockers while snack flakes floated through the air. “When we reached freefall, some of our food stock started floating in the cockpit,” Surick was trying to stuff as much of the floating food into a bag as she could. “Maberry is trying to determine the cause now.”
    “KSC copies, update us when you know more.”
    “Well there is obviously a hole in the storage box,” Maberry told Surick as she stuck her ungloved finger in the hole. “It seems to be about five centi… ouch!”
    Maberry yanked her finger back and stuck it in her mouth with a wince. “There seems to be something sharp in the box. There isn’t supposed to be… oh!”
    Surick looked back and saw the head of a small creature poking its head through the hole, sniffing the air briefly, before ducking back into the box.

    “A gerbil!”* Maberry’ face lit up in delight. 
    “A what?” asked Surick, disbelief in her tone that a sterile rocket cabin had some kind of rodent in it.
    “A gerbil,” Mayberry repeated, grinning as she gently rubbed her finger next to the hole. “Didn’t you know someone who had a gerbil for a pet growing up?”
    Maberry glanced at Surick, then back at the hole when the head popped out to investigate her finger. Maberry put a piece of food in front of the gerbil’s nose. The gerbil grabbed the food and disappeared back into the hole.
    “I grew up in a science academy,” said Surick who was peering toward where the gerbil had disappeared suspiciously. “We only had animals for carefully controlled experiments. Rodents were kept carefully locked away in their cages, not free range stowaways in our food supplies.”
    Maberry giggled. “You poor, deprived child.” She held a stray food pellet near the hole, coaxing the tiny creature to emerge. A twitching nose appeared, followed by a pair of wide, black eyes. The gerbil hesitated for a moment before darting out and snatching the food from Maberry’s hand, vanishing back into the box.
    Surick watched the exchange with increasing disapproval. “That thing’s contaminating our food. It should not even be here. We need to…”
“...absolutely not harm a single hair on my little gerbil!” Maberry interrupted, cupping her hands protectively over the storage container.
    Surick raised an eyebrow, her tone flat. “Your gerbil? It doesn’t belong here, Maberry.”
    “Well, it does now,” Maberry replied cheerfully. “Oh! You need a name, little one.”
    As if on cue, the gerbil ventured out again, and Maberry held another food pellet just out of reach. The tiny creature stretched too far, tumbling weightlessly from the box with flailing limbs. Maberry deftly caught it mid-air, gently guiding it to her suit’s neck ring. The gerbil latched on, clinging for dear life as Maberry scratched it behind its tiny ears.

    “I know!” she announced proudly. “Your name is Newton. You just demonstrated freefall in its purest form!”
    “Newton? That rodent has more in common with Newton’s apple than with Newton himself” sighed Surick. “We need to report this to mission control.”
    As if summoned by Surick, Bobak’s voice crackled over the radio, “Stormchaser, this is KSC. Any updates?”
    “KSC, this is the Stormchaser,” Surick shook her head as she reported over the radio. “Maberry seems to have found herself a pet.”
    There was a long pause on the other end of the radio. “You will have to clarify that comment, Stormchaser,” radioed a perplexed Bobak. “But first, does this affect the mission?”
    “KSC, part of the food supply is compromised,” Surick reported, glancing over at Maberry, who was cuddling Newton. “However we have plenty left for the mission. In the future, I recommend the supply cabinets no longer be made of cardboard for weight savings. Cardboard is decidedly not rodent resistant.”
    “Stormchaser… rodent?” crackled an even more confused Bobak.
    “Maberry’s pet is a gerbil that seems to have found its way into our food supply,” responded Surick. “She seems to have adopted this rodent.”
    “KSC, this is Maberry,” Maberry cut in before Bobak could respond, beaming at her gerbil. “Our gerbil is going to be the good luck charm for this mission. Right, Newton?” Newton gave a tiny squeak of approval to more ear scratches.
    “Um, copy the good luck charm Stormchaser,” Bobak spoke hesitantly over the radio. “So long as this will not compromise your safety during this mission, proceed with caution.”
    “As long as Maberry keeps the rodent out of the rest of our food supply,” Surick glanced pointedly at Maberry who was hastily creating a gerbil “habitat” in the compromised storage container. “There is no risk to our safety.”
    “KSC copies Stormchaser,” crackled Bobak’s voice. “Good luck out there.”
    Surick turned back to her console, muttering something about professionalism. Despite herself, her scientific curiosity stirred. She pondered what experiments she could conduct with the gerbil, thinking fondly back to her experiences in the science academy practicing biology. Maybe Newton could be useful for some improvised experiments… if she should just convince Maberry.

    * Kerbalized variant on the name of Apollo 12’s Command Service Module, the Yankee Clipper. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_12
    ** So many possible references. The Russians like sending gerbils to space, https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2021cosp...43E2041G/abstract, though some did not fare so well. Mass effect had the space hamster, https://masseffect.fandom.com/wiki/Space_Hamster, oh come on, gerbils are just hamsters with tails. And Kerbal/gerbil, yeah!