Earthrise 2036 by Michael J Lee

Author:Michael J Lee [Lee, Michael J]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780994695277
Published: 2020-01-19T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seventeen

There’s a loud, high-pitched whistling sound as the fuel pumps ignite and thrust liquid fuel into the rocket’s combustion chambers. Vostok 1’s engines fire up and the ground rumbles and shudders. Flames rip into the trench from the rocket’s base, the blast scattering pebbles, stones, dust and smoke in all directions.

The cosmonaut glances at his watch before bracing himself for the increased g-forces. It’s seven minutes past nine in the morning, Moscow time.

One by one, hold-down clamps of the launch tower break off as the rocket pushes itself off the ground in an inferno of hot, bright energy roaring from its booster engines. Although he’s used to the velocity of fighter jets, this immense propulsion is unlike anything he’s ever experienced. It’s an overwhelming, futuristic experience.

Soon, he’s pinned back in his seat, his face tightening against the g-forces, his arms and legs unable to move, his breath shaken out of him, his very rib-cage trembling with the force hammering his body. Even the concrete bunker near the launch site reverberates as if an earthquake has been triggered.

Everything is shaking, rattling and roaring as Vostok 1 fires its way through the air with supreme velocity.

Gagarin believes this ride will be a leap forward for himself and for his nation, with science pushing progress to the limits.

Two minutes into the flight the four booster sections of the rocket have used up their propellant. They automatically shut down, before dropping away from the spaceship, falling back to Earth. At this point, the next rocket stage accelerates the spaceship, once again rocking Gagarin back in his seat.

“Zarya-1, g-forces are increasing, but everything’s still alright!” the pilot mutters, scarcely able to speak.

“How do you feel?”

“Alright.”

“Everything’s normal.”

Despite the explosive conditions outside the rocket, and the vibrations up and down his body, inside his helmet Gagarin can hear voices from ground radio stations with crystal clarity, as if they’re nearby.

During this ascension, the air is rapidly thinning out and this lessens the forces of resistance against the rocket. The cosmonaut spots through the porthole a wide river snaking across the expanses of Siberia, thawing out in the spring, glinting in sunlight. Earth looks fresh and new below.

“How magnificent!” he cries out. “Earth, I feel well. The flight is proceeding normally. The g-forces continue to increase. I see the Earth, forests, clouds…”

So far, Vostok 1 is working with the precision of a watch.

After five minutes of flight, the core rocket stage has used up its propellant. It, too, shuts down, falling away from the spacecraft.

Seven minutes after take-off, Gagarin is flying over central Russia, rapidly heading East.

Then another rocket stage, its fuel depleted, separates and drops off as the spaceship eats altitude. It’s outgunning Earth’s strongest natural force.

I really wonder what the people of the world will say when they hear about my flight, he thinks to himself, breaking out into his first smile since blast-off.

“Earth, the rocket-carrier has separated,” the cosmonaut radioes. “I feel well. The orientation systems are working normally.”

Ten minutes after lift-off, the final stage shuts down.

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