The Pilgrimage to the Core - Final preparations and route planning
31 Aug 2015Jarsil
The Puddle Jumper One is repaired, refuelled, rearmed and well cleaned. The hull has been repainted with an Apollo 11 livery. It just seemed appropriate for the occasion.
No scratches from the previous trip remaining on the hull, all equipments have been thoroughly tested and verified.
After some debate, I chose to follow a path that will not be straight, and that probably will cost me several thousands light years more to reach the core, and its symbol: The Sagittarius "A" black hole.
My first destination will be far closer than that: the IC 4604 Nebula, slightly on the left if you draw a line between me and the core, and far over the galaxy plane.
The first leg of my trip will be made of around 22 jumps, and I don't plan to do them one after another, with the due exception of the ones in already populated areas, I don't want to meet people, I will try to pass them as quickly as possible.
I do not have a time window to complete my journey. I don't have any obligation to come back at all, by the way. Selling the data is not my goal, so, I'll not feel myself forced to strictly follow a route, maybe I'll see a star and just decide to go investigate because I like its colour.
Departure is scheduled in less than 5 hours. Less, if I manage to finish my study and preparation earlier.