Although Roland and its sun Charlemagne are seventy five light years from Sol, the crew of at least one spaceship explored the planet and then returned to Earth before any colonists set off. Sherrinford refers to the period:
"'...between the time the last survey party left and the first colonizing ships arrived.'" (p. 191)
Does he mean that explorers made more than one round trip from Earth before colonization began? In any case, even one such trip adds considerably to the length of time that must elapse during the projected future history. See here.
How could the explorers be sure of any political continuity on Earth during their absence? When Francis Drake circumnavigated the globe, he did not know whether he would be honored or condemned on his return to England.
7 comments:
Kaor, Paul!
Let's try to guestimate it out: First Survey to Roland, 40 years, say one year exploring and studying, then another forty back, the total would be 81. Assuming a
Second Survey was sent, with the same amount of time, the total becomes 162 years. A colonization fleet sets out soon after the Second Survey returns, the total becomes 202 years plus whatever time was needed for preparing the exodus.
If the star Charlemagne was at least double the distance from Earth as is Rustum, we have to think in terms of explorers and/or colonists needing at least forty years to go to and from Roland to Earth. The question of whether the World Federation would continue a space program needing so much time becomes real. Many factors and forces becomes necessary in that case: irritation with tiresome malcontents, leading the gov't to use emigration to be rid of them. Desperation, there might well have been who believed the huge effort needed to found colonies was necessary to save SOMETHING of mankind's heritage as the Federation staggered to a collapse, and so on.
So, maybe ONE survey party only would be sent before a decision to colonize or not was made? That would cut the time needed down to about 122 years.
Sean
Sean,
But Charlemagne is 75 light years away.
Paul.
Kaor, Paul!
Oops. I made a mistake, in that case, in my guestimates! Add another two for one way STL travel between Sol and Charlemagne?
And I forgot to add that Francis Drake had to worry not only about the political climate in England, but also about the Spanish! To THEM, Drake was no hero but a common pirate and bandit, to be hanged at once if he ever fell into their hands.
Sean
Paul and Sean:
It's also possible that a single survey ship sent multiple landing parties to various points on the surface, possibly landing them repeatedly and at intervals over the course of however long the ship was in orbit. The reference to the "last survey party" would then mean the last party to return to the ship, rather than that another ship came to take a second or third look.
Kaor, DAVID!
I like that suggestion and I only wish I had thought of it myself! Yes, a single survey ship landing multiple exploratory parties in various parts of Roland makes sense and would be an efficient use of resources. And rationalize the possible difficulty caused by Sherrinford's use of the plural indicated by "last survey party."
Sean
What Sean said.
Kaor, Paul!
Given the length of time required by STL means of interstellar travel, it would not be PRACTICAL to send more than one survey ship, once only, to most stars of interest.
Sean
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