In a launch surrounded by secrecy, a crew of six, including a family of
five - complete with young children - is to be launched into space on a
mission using highly speculative and untested technologies. Supposedly, the
target of the mission is the Alpha Centauri system.
As the reason for the secrecy surrounding the mission is fears that it may
be sabotaged by foreign agents, that in addition to the highly unproven
nature of the mission makes the involvement of minor children in the
mission an example of insanity of the highest order. This is the second
mission - the first having been a failure, and conducted in complete
secrecy - of what is known as the Jupiter program.
The craft includes an experimental hyperdrive, which is fuelled by a
substance called "neutronium". As it is handled in bottles of approximately
one liter capacity, this must be a code name for some conventional
fissionable material, as collapsed matter in such quantities would cause
gravitational anomalies easily detectable without special equipment. Of
course, radioactive material in liquid form poses far greater hazards of
dispersal than the solid plutonium used in Cassini.
Despite the use of a so-called "hyperdrive", the astronauts will be placed
in suspended animation during the flight. Perhaps this is intended as
protection against some ill effects of the propulsion system. While my
information is not detailed enough to permit a definitive judgement, this
sounds like bad science - as if the people at NASA had watched "Forbidden
Planet" too many times. Suspended animation doesn't protect people against
the ill effects of ionizing radiation; rather, it suppresses the body's
natural repair systems, allowing radiation damage to accumulate.
It is hoped that the individuals and organizations involved in the
lamentably unsuccessful attempt to halt the Cassini launch will, despite
the late date, speak out against this latest NASA insanity. Hopefully, such
an effort will finally give them the credibility they deserve in the eyes
of the American public.
John Savard