Soon the outpost in space loomed into view. Ted and the girls, who had never before visited the space station, gasped at the breath-taking spectacle.
The gigantic, silver-colored, wheel-shaped satellite, although seemingly motionless, spun in its orbit at 6,888 miles per hour. Antennas, polished reflectors, and a latticework telescope poked out from the twelve-spoked wheel.
“Each spoke is a separate unit,” Tom explained to Ted. “Some are designed for crew’s quarters or laboratories, one is an astronomical observatory, and others are assembly lines for charging solar batteries. Those polished reflectors are to focus the sunlight in on-”
Bud suddenly interrupted. “Skipper! The repelatron beamed at the earth won’t turn off!”
Tom checked the controls hastily. He flicked several levers and switches without result.
“Something wrong, son?” asked Mr. Swift, stepping forward quietly.
“I can’t decrease the earth force, Dad.”
By this time, the ship appeared to be rushing
SPACE OUTPOST 71
toward the space wheel at terrifying speed. In a matter of moments, they would crash!
“Gallopin’ hoot owls!” Chow gulped, turning pale. “Can’t you back up this here flyin’ buck-board nohow?”
“Not exactly, but you’ve got the right idea, Chow,” Tom gritted as his strong fingers moved rapidly over the control panel. “I’ll aim the other repelatrons at the space wheel and try to avoid a crash,” Tom said.
The passengers watched tensely as the ship gradually slowed into stable orbit close to the space station-its earth thrust neutralized by the forward repulsion rays.