[Psionics] The Spice Must Flow... from Skylab

[Prince Charon]

August 10: The second MOL-derived Skylab module, called Athena, is launched with Gemini 30, carrying Wally Funk and Millie Hughes-Fulford (derided in some quarters as a publicity stunt). Docking is complicated by several errors, but is accomplished after an eight-hour spacewalk.

August 23: The People's Republic of China releases artists conceptions of their manned space capsule design, called Shenlung (heavenly dragon); the vehicle is based closely on Soyuz, but with longer, mostly ovoid orbital modules. There are several variants of the OM, the standard model of which is designated as a 'Laboratory Module.' Most variants appear to be designed to have the option of staying in orbit when the CM returns to Earth, and several have two or more docking adaptors; one, listed as a 'Rescue Module,' is explicitly designed to dock with other OMs, deorbit safely (having a robust heat shield), and softland with the aid of parachutes. The artist also drew variants of the RM nose section with both Apollo and Soyuz docking systems. To the surprise and derision of many, the re-entry capsule and RM use white oak as the main heat shield material (yes, really).

August 26: Senator Proxmire retires from politics.

September 7: The Commonwealth's space capsule design is finalized: the BAC Merlin spaceplane, a vehicle seemingly based on the Boeing X-20 Dyna-Soar (a lifting-body glider in front with a disposable service module in the rear), though with a slightly different shape, due to advances in aerodynamics. The space behind the cockpit is modular, being able to serve as a cargo bay, a small laboratory (in which the pilot-scientist will float at 90 degrees to the cockpit's orientation), an airlock (with options for either an American-style, Russian-style, or new variety of docking system), or seating for more personnel (often paired with a docking system). As the main heat shield is below the vehicle, there is no need to cut a hole in it to use the tunnel into the Service Module, should the RASBC decide to include a habitat in that location (in the absence of a need to enter the SM, the tunnel can serve as extra cargo space).

September 12: Transtator experiments at Tokyo University show that the device will sometimes react to martial artists 'raising ki.' It also detects biokinesis and/or probability alteration in a few acupressurists and similar, who are noted for being unusually successful.

September 17: Salyut 6 is launched.

September 28: Soyuz 25 carries Vladimir Kovalyonok and Tatyana Kuznetsova to Salyut 6.

October 3: In the PRC, an accident during experiments with a neurotoxin codenamed 'Blue Fire' (translated to English) reveals that it can boost skill with psi abilities before killing the user. If the antidote (codenamed 'Neurovine' by the CIA agent who first stole a copy of the formula from China) is administered quickly enough, the user will most likely survive, though regular use is not recommended, as the user does take damage while using it, and that damage does not just disappear when the antitoxin is given.

October 4: All chemical weapon stockpiles of Blue Fire are redesignated as 'emergency nutritional supplements' for use by intelligence and special forces. Increased production of Neurovine is ordered.

October 12: Argo 5 brings four astronauts to Skylab.

October 16: A significant UFO incident occurs in Colares, Para, Brazil. One highly-sensitive transtator brought to the area before the end of the incident goes off repeatedly, mostly detecting psychokinetic and ergokinetic effects.

October 23: US spies in the PRC become suspicious about the ordered increase in the production of Neurovine.

November 7: Argo 4 returns to Earth safely.

November 10: The ESA officially announces the selection of their manned capsule design: They will be buying the BAC Merlin (to the annoyance of the French, who wanted the ESA to develop its own proprietary lifting-body design, rather than use an already built and in-testing - but British - design). The Daily Mail publishes a cartoon of an enraged and frustrated Marianne shaking her fist at Britannia.

December 9: NASDA releases a series of artist's conceptions of possible Japanese components of Skylab, as a first step toward an independent Japanese space station.

December 13: Gemini 30 leaves Skylab and splashes down safely.

December 16: A Star Trek telefilm with the USS Federation & crew introduces new 'military style' maroon uniforms, as well as showing Arex & M'Ress. The model of the USS Federation was built by ILM, and is noted in dialogue to be a refit; she has far fewer 'greebles' than one might expect of an ILM design, retaining the smooth lines that audiences expect of Star Trek.


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