Project Icarus

[Entry 007]

“Well, Pax did technically wake me up to Vivaldi… but it was an electric guitar cover.”

“Apologies, I had not realized the same tune would be played in such an unexpected manner.”

“It’s alright Pax, that’s not the real issue.”

“Affirmative, we have larger problems.”

“Yes, well, today is destined to be awful. We have run out of coffee.”

“From my research, human adults have a borderline addiction to the substance. Are you feeling unwell?”

“Just a headache Pax, but that headache is made worse by the rest of our news. If we don’t resupply soon, I will run out of food in 3 months. The good news is that we run out of fuel for keeping our halo orbit at L1 in two months, so I won’t die of starvation.”

“That does not sound like good news.”

“Right, sorry Pax, I forgot sarcasm is a harder concept.”

“Fuel and food could be found on Greznar, but the Goliath would need to stay in low planetary orbit”.

“Are you suggesting using the ship in the hangar, my little survey ship Icarus, so that I can get planet side and possibly find food? Would I even make it back into orbit?”

“It might work.
Odds of reaching planet surface: 98%
Odds of breaking apart upon atmosphere reentry: 2%
Odds of finding food: 87%
Odds of collecting usable water with minimal refinement: 100%
Odds of successfully returning to LPO with Icarus in current configuration: 57%”

“Okay, getting down there doesn’t sound too bad. What is bringing down our chances of a return trip?”

“Added weight of food and liquid water, alongside insufficient thrust fuel density.”

“Re-run those odds but we reduce onboard water for Icarus to 20% of its current storage. We can mine asteroids or nearby moons and use ice to replenish the water supplies on both Icarus and Goliath.”

“Odds of reaching planet surface: 99%
Odds of breaking apart upon atmosphere reentry: 1%
Odds of finding food: 87%
Odds of successfully returning to LPO with Icarus in lightweight configuration: 92%“

“Okay, run that last one again but cut the water on Icarus to 15%, and pack a freeze drier into Icarus’ lab.”

“Odds of reaching planet surface: 100%
Odds of finding food: 87%
Odds of successfully returning to LPO with Icarus in current configuration: 98%“

“How many hours until you begin the deceleration burn?”

“7 hours, 30 minutes, 29 seconds”

“Alright, I can get this done well before then. Play me some rock once I’m in the hangar.”

“It would be my pleasure.”