Freefall 3361 - 3370 (D)
Freefall 3361
Life problems in low gravity
[!0.987]2019-11-22
Solar wind gives us some dose. What we have to watch out for is solar flares. They can throw a lot of high energy particles our way.
Solar storms can last for hours and are dangerous if all you have protecting you is a spacesuit or light shielding.
Though when you consider stars are unlicensed, unshielded nuclear reactors that run without any maintenance, their safety record is actually pretty good.
Color by George Peterson
Freefall 3362
Life problems in low gravity
[!0.987]2019-11-25
Okay, bottom line it for me.
As long as you stay in the ship, magnetic shielding and structural materials will reduce your radiation exposure by about 80 percent.
You'll get about .1 millisievert per day and trip dose of about 2.5 millisieverts, well below your threshold of 50 millisieverts.
I now know more about ionizing space radiation than any sqid who has ever lived, which isn't hard considering no other sqid even knows ionizing space radiation exists.
Color by George Peterson
Freefall 3363
Life problems in low gravity
[!0.987]2019-11-27
My brain is full. I'm going to bed. Thanks for all the radiation info.
You're welcome. Sleep well.
These guys have so much knowledge. If I went home with even a fraction of it, I'd be rich.
Maybe someday. Right now, I want to be here. The playground is bigger and there are more toys.
Color by George Peterson
Freefall 3364
Life problems in low gravity
[!0.987]2019-11-29
Okay, what did Florence teach me?
Any material blocks some radiation and light materials are better against cosmic rays.
It's nice when you can take something you've learned and immediately use it in a practical application.
Color by George Peterson
Freefall 3365
Sam takes the watch
[!0.987]2019-12-02
Mrggh. Can't Florence take the next watch?
Sam. Wake up. It's your turn to take the watch.
She's on watch now. She'll take the next watch if you ask her to.
She would, wouldn't she?
It's not fair when someone weaponizes niceness.
Color by George Peterson
Freefall 3366
Freefall 3367
Sam takes the watch
[!0.987]2019-12-06
I'm back. What do I do?
The ship takes care of almost everything. It will tell you if there's a condition that needs your attention.
We're still in a high traffic area. If traffic control calls, the ship will need your approval to change course. It affects where our drive plume goes and we don't want to spray anyone.
So, basically, keeping humans in the loop.
An annoying policy. If we could get humans out of the loop, it would remove our greatest point of failure.
Color by George Peterson
Freefall 3368
Sam takes the watch
[!0.987]2019-12-09
Tasks like this are best suited to non conscious intelligence. The Mackworth Clock Test shows organics lose attention vigilance after thirty minutes.
Since I am burdened with your presence, I suggest you play games or watch media. I will interrupt you occasionally with our status.
It is an unfortunate side effect of consciousness that you can only take reality for so long before you disconnect.
Less talk, more movies with real world commercial breaks.
Color by George Peterson
Freefall 3369
Sam takes the watch
[!0.987]2019-12-11
Hello, Winston. I wanted to check on you before I go to bed.
Today went well. All ship systems are functioning. You're looking good as well. You may require some maintenance before this trip is done. Hibernation only slows down your systems, it doesn't stop them.
No worries. I'm going to take good care of you. Though when we get to the station, you are going to owe me some serious ear scritchies.
Color by George Peterson
Freefall 3370
Sam takes the watch
[!0.987]2019-12-13
I'm looking forward to meeting your parents. They seemed nice when we talked, even with the time delay.
I hope I did well. I can't read facial expressions as well as a human. I miss a lot of the subtle clues.
To be honest, I'm a little envious of Sam. He's an alien cephalopod and there are times when he understands human nature better than I do.
Color by George Peterson