space rocks

It is the morning of the 10th of April.  You had to leave your residence at 2 am to get ready for the flight.  It is already five, a stream of reporters are waiting outside for the trio to begin their preparation for your journey to the ISS.

 

“Charlie, glad you decided to show your face for a change.” A tall, strong and strict looking black haired woman grabs your hand and shakes it sternly.  You recognise her as Professor Jane Craig.  A group of people are waiting for Moorland to officially start the events.

 

“Doesn’t look like much of a caveman to me, Professor Scot’s the name, nice to meet ya.” Professor Matthew Henri Scot, a tall, strong and smart-looking man greets you next.  You realise that they also have ISS shirts on like the one that you received at the training center.

 

“Smile at the camera’s no one likes a grumpy astronaut.”  The team is lead to the mission control room and reporters take a thousand photos as Professor Jane waves to cameras. 

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You are taken to a glass room where a team of engineers are waiting to measure your Soyuz chair.  They custom made it at the training centre.  If they don’t fit perfectly, your return to earth would be a disaster.  The chairs are what keeps you safe when the Soyuz returns to earth.  The team has safety masks on and your astronaut suits are measured and tested.  Everyone was silent and very serious and you wondered if they would be this way for the rest of the journey.  But before long the measurements are done and the engineers say that you’re good to go.  Team ground control sits on the other side of the glass room and wishes you a safe journey.

 

“We’re looking forward to seeing you back,” says Moorland and waves you off as you leave the building. 

 

“I don’t know why he does that every time. When we get outside he will walk us to the rocket, then he waves too.  He loves publicity too much.”  Professor Jane frowns and walks through the back door leading to the two busses that will drive you to the rocket.  The sun is starting to rise and you can see the rocket in the distance standing on the edge of the NASA fields.

 

You don’t want to tell anyone that you’ve only seen one rocket launch before.  In the training, even the stimulations were exhilarating.  You’ve been in the rocket before, but this time it will be different, this time it will launch, and you will be in it.  You will be launched into space, leave the atmosphere within 9 minutes and orbit for two days before you dock at the ISS.   This is the first time that a Soyuz will be launched from America, and there are thousands of people standing outside to watch.  The bus stops and the two busses of ISS employees climb off.  South African reporters from SABC news and even Carte Blanche are pushing their way to the front.  The rocket towers 50 meters into the sky, the four booster rockets are all set and ready for take-off.  The two professional astronauts and you make their way towards the rocket and a team of men with khaki suits and white shirts follow you. 

 

“Charlie, get on the stairs, I want to take a few photos with the three of you before you launch.”  Moorland places his hand on the backpack of your space suit and pushes you forward.  The suit feels heavy and you move forward awkwardly.  “Say cheese.”

 

A thousand photos are taken.   

 

“C’ man kid, let's get inside its almost time for the launch.”  Professor Scots signals with his hand for you to climb into the shuttle. 

 

“I’ve almost forgotten how small it is.”  You squeeze towards your seat and duck for the massive survival kit and food storage bags strapped to the wall. 

 

“Remember to read the manual kid.  It’s in that compartment behind you.”  Professor Jane also squeezes her way into the shuttle and ties herself down.  “Going live in three, two, one.”