SF_Catalog - 20/123



		Comet Entering Mars Orbit [20/123] Title: 1941 Comet Entering Mars Orbit Catalog Number: SF-073 Caption: It's 1941 and the Comet piloted by Captain Future the Wizard of Science is the fastest ship in space. When this little spaceship moves through the ether of deep space it fills the void with a streak of pure energy. The teardrop-shaped hull is about 100 feet long and 20 feet wide and has triple-sealed walls made of a secret alloy. It is powered by a battery of nine cyclotrons that convert powdered mineral fuel into raw energy for the plasma drive. This flows through valves into the various rocket tubes that propel and steer the Comet. Steering is directed by a control called the "space stick," which is analogous to the control stick of a conventional airplane. Beneath the pilot's left foot is the "brake-blast pedal," which directs the atomic blast into the bow retrorockets, automatically cutting out all other tubes. Ahead of the pilot's seat is a broad window. Beneath is the instrument panel with its standard meteors, indicators, communications devices. In addition, the Comet possesses an atmosphere-tester, a comet-camouflage switch (which releases a cloud of luminous ions from the rocket tubes), and an electroscope for detecting the ion trails of other spacecraft. Two space-chairs flank the pilot's seat and allow their passengers to handle the ship's proton guns. The Comet is basically design for speed. It's small cabin will only carry three space rangers comfortably for a few weeks at a time. The main cabin has two folding bunks, an airlock, a sealed cold-storage facility (open to space) for perishables, the main televisor, atomic motor generators for auxiliary power, a tool locker, a compact astronomical observatory with electrotelescopes and electrospectroscopes mounted outside the hull, a chemical laboratory, and a microfilm reference library. The Captain Future novels are written by science fiction veteran Edmond Hamilton.