 Why is David Corbin on the ship in the first place?
CAPTAIN CHAOS By D. ALLEN MORRISSEY Science equipped David Corbin with borrowed time; sent him winging out in a state of suspension to future centuries ... to a dark blue world whose only defense was to seal tight the prying minds of foolish interlopers. [Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from Planet Stories November 1952. "Your name is David Corbin. "Your name is David Corbin. The mesh-covered hole and the two lights looked like a caricature of a face, set in a panel of dials. I reached down to the tightness that held my body, found the wide strap that held me and fumbled with the buckle. How do you describe being weightless when you are born into a world bound by gravity. There was no sensation of place, no feeling of up or down, no direction. "Your name is David Corbin." After the first shock of looking out, I accepted the fact that I was in a space ship, yet I couldn't read the maps that were fastened to a table, nor understand the function or design of the compact machinery. Now it must tell me why I didn't. "Your name is David Corbin. It was the only thing I saw that could help me, guard me against another shock like seeing outside of the clear portholes. "Do not begin operations until the others are removed from suspension." The first swung back to reveal a deep closet holding five bulky suits. He was as still as death, motionless without warmth or breath as I hovered over him.
 He has to direct his crew to an area with potentially habitable planets.
 He has to direct his crew to an area with potentially large amounts of natural resources.  He has to direct his crew to an area with potentially habitable planets.  He's a doctor who has to tend to the other crew members who were medically sedated.  He has to direct his crew home to Earth on the tail end of their intergalactic voyage.