 What is the crew’s mission?
[Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from Planet Stories November 1952. The mesh-covered hole and the two lights looked like a caricature of a face, set in a panel of dials. How do you describe being weightless when you are born into a world bound by gravity. 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. Everything lay in readiness, fastened down star charts, instruments, glittering equipment. It waited for human hands to make it operate. This room was filled with equipment that formed a room out of the bordered area I stood in. I sat in the deep chair facing the panel of dials and instruments, in easy reach. The ports on the side were shielded and I stared out at static energy, hung motionless in a world of searing light. What speeds and perhaps, what distance? They stood for anything I might guess, and something kept pricking my mind, telling me I had no time to guess. Four people in all, depending on a blind helpless fool who didn't know their names or the reason for that dependence. I went from the nose to the last bulkhead in a frenzy of floating motion, looking behind each door until I went as far as I could. It meant the engine or engines took up half the ship, cut off from the forward half by the instrument studded shield.
 To explore possible planets to support life
 To conduct tests about life in space  To experiment with suspension and memory  To return to Earth as quickly as possible  To explore possible planets to support life