In sf, we distinguish between interplanetary and interstellar space travel but another variation is interplanetary travel in another planetary system. The Merseians have only local interplanetary travel when they are contacted by the Polesotechnic League. Also, interplanetary travel can be travel between planets or travel in interplanetary space between other kinds of bodies like asteroids, space stations and orbiting spacecraft. Thus, in the Alpha Centaurian system, Kyra Davis observes another interstellar ship under construction, then visits Rinndalir in a Lunarian base on the asteroid, Perun. She and he will explore the planet, Phaeton.
Until now, Demetrians and Lunarians have developed separately at Alpha Centauri. Kyra learns that Rinndalir remains a Selenarch but has yet to learn whether he reigns over all his people or just one settlement.
Rinndalir, having quoted the Bible twice, now misquotes Shakespeare when contrasting his quarters in Perun with his former stronghold on Luna:
"'A poor thing, but mine own.'" (p. 454)
See here.
5 comments:
The basic distinction is distance. Interplanetary and interstellar distances are not really comparable.
Eg., Sol to Alpha Centauri is 25,689,592,866,900 miles
Earth to Mars averages around 247,670,000 miles.
Exactly. Hence the big distinction in sf. Very few go intergalactic although I read somewhere that intergalactic distances are not that much greater than interstellar.
Kaor, Paul and Mr. Stirling!
Both: Strictly, the first humans to visit Merseia were the explorers of the first Grand Survey. But I know that was before interplanetary travel had been achieved by Mereians. But the knowledge interstellar FTL travel was real must have been a huge spur for Merseians to do likewise as soon as possible.
The nearest major galaxy to our Milky Way galaxy is Andromeda, approximately 2.5 MILLION light years from us. I count that as a major distance!
I expect the first manned expeditions to Mars to be time for when the Red Planet is as close to Earth as it ever gets. Maybe a journey of eight months?
Ad astra! Sean
Tho' the effect of knowing FTL is possible on a science still at the Newtonian stage would be unpredictable.
Kaor, Mr. Stirling!
True, to say nothing of the social and political upheavals the visit of the Grand Survey triggered on Merseia.
Ad astra! Sean
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