If he could put the
asteroid even closer to the sun, the boat problem would become worse,
until even a small velocity change in the wrong direction could leave
a boat in the terrible position of not having enough thrust for a long
enough time to keep from being drawn into the sun.
But to change the asteroid's orbit was dangerous! It meant losing just
enough velocity to be drawn closer to the sun, and then picking up a much
higher velocity to get free again!
Rip got his instruments and pulled out a special slide rule designed for
use in space. He had Koa stand by with stylus and computation board and
take down his figures.
He recalculated the safety factor he had used when deciding how close
to the sun to put the asteroid, then took quick star sights to determine
their exact position. They were within a few miles of perihelion, the
point at which they would be closest to Sol.
Rip tapped gloved fingers on his helmet absently. If they could blast out
of the orbit and drive into the sun.... He estimated the result. A few
miles per second of less speed would let them be pulled so far within the
sun's field of gravity that, within an hour or so, small boats would
venture into space only at their peril.
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