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[Fiction] The Europan Probe
“Touchdown,” said Verena.
A huge roar burst out among the scientists, engineers, administrators, managers, investors and consultants. Champagne was poured, highs were fived, and heavenly praises echoed around the large room that was mission control.
“We did it,” she shouted, “we beat those boastful Americans and the sly Chinese.” The room cheered again and the fidgeting reporters were ushered in.
“How much longer until deployment?” she asked. The technician spun in his chair and moved to a minimised window, reading off some values and doing a quick calculation in his head.
“Another half-hour.”
“Good, time for a drink or three then.”
Most of the people in the room had nothing left to do. The mission was going like clockwork and everything was fully automated. They kept themselves busy by partying and following the slow action on the myriad screens all around the room.
“Deployment,” someone said at last.
Everybody paused and looked up at the large wallscreen at the front of the room. Video streams from several onboard cameras relayed the scene with a forty-minute delay. Other smaller windows displayed readouts such as power levels, temperature, diagnostics and other important information.
