It's one week till launch and the reality of things is setting in. I've cleared all the final physical and psychological tests. Barring any last minute issues the flight mission is a go. Leading up to this point it seemed like a whirlwind of activity and now almost nothing.
I've spent so much time prepping for what's to come that I guess it never set in exactly what it would mean. In a week's time I'll be setting off on an exploration few could have imagined. I can't help but think of the pioneers that paved the way before me, the shoulders I'll be standing on when I set out.
I think I'm getting a little too introspective now. It was recommended that those of us in the program record a journal of sorts. It's supposed to help us focus our minds and add some objectivity to our findings especially once we're faced with the unknown rigors of solo space exploration. I can't help but feel like I'm keeping my own Captain's Log like in Star Trek.
On a positive note the environmental suit is amazing! Knowing I would basically be living in this thing for an extended length of time I was a little skeptical at first. I'm on day 27 of wearing the thing and so far it's as fantastic a piece of tech as they claimed. All my biological needs are completely seen to, food and water handled via a complex mix of reclamation systems and environmental conversion tech. It even keeps me relatively clean with some kind of lab-grown bacterial second skin. That one was a bit disconcerting at first, it felt like dipping myself in a slick of oil the first time. But now I hardly notice and despite all the exertions of the training and tests I don't reek of sweat and foulness. Truly remarkable.
Well I guess that's it for now. I can't believe this time next week I'll be launching.
No comments:
Post a Comment