Westwind #68 February 1983

NWSFS, Norwescon

The February 1983 issue of Westwind. Includes Norwescon 6 updates, science articles, book reviews, announcement of the Norwescon 5 program book winning an award, and the first of a four-part non-fiction piece by Art Bozlee looking at the possibility of a major disaster with the Space Shuttle program.

• Artist
• Calendar
• Announcements
• Soapboxing
• Et Cetra
• Norwescon 6 Stuff
  • A Call to Arms (and Bodies)
  • Pre-Con Deadlines
  • Your First Norwescon
• Serpent’s Tooth
• Define ‘Universe’ and give three examples
• Return to Venus
• Mondo Silico
• Norwescon 5 Program Book Wins Major Award
• X-PO Exposé
• NASA, We’ve Got A Problem!

Loretta Shores-Gallacci, Steven A. Gallacci

Northwest Science Fiction Society

February 1983

Julie Zetterburg-Sardo

Contents copyright (c) 1982 for the contributors by the Northwest Science Fiction Society.

English

Westwind: Clubzine of the Northwest Science Fiction Society

February 1983 No. 68

[Image: Art by William Warren of a Space Shuttle mid-launch with one booster catastrophically separating.]

artist

cover art: William Warren

Calendar 3
Announcements 3
Editors 4
Norwescon 6 Information 5
Guide to Con-going 6
Serpent’s Tooth 8
John G. Cramer 9
Harry J.N. Andruschak 11
Mondo Silico 11
Program Book Awards 12
X-PO Report 12
Art Bozlee 13

[Image: Art by Murata of a creature with a cat’s body and bird’s head, front legs, and wings, perched on a rock.]

WESTWIND - the newsletter of the Northwest Science Fiction Society. Issue #68 -February 1983 Published by the Northwest Science Fiction Society - Judy Lorent, Chairman ([REDACTED]); ElizabethWarren. ViceChair ([REDACTED]): Thom Walls, Sec’y-Treasurer ([REDACTED]). Opinions expressed herein are those of the authors, and not necessarily those of the publisher.

Co-editors: Loretta Shores-Gallacci, Steven A. Gallacci. Layout: William Warren, Steven A. Gallacci. Printing: Michael Brocha. Labels: Tony Pepin. Cover: William Warren. Back cover: Steven A. Gallacci. Interior art: Steven A. Gallacci, Cindy Murata, William Warren. Contributors: Harry J.N. Andruschak, Art Bozlee, John G. Cramer, Greg Gallacci, Jon Gustafson, Rebecca Reeves.

Contents copyright (c) 1982 for the contributors by the Northwest Science Fiction Society. WESTWIND is mailed monthly to members of NWSFS. Membership is $10 per year. (Non-subscription. $5 per year.) Please mail to NWSFS, POB [REDACTED]. Seattle WA 98124. Advertising accepted; must be received camera- ready by the 20th of the month prior to issue. Mail to NWSFS. Full page (7.5 x 10). $20: half page (7.5 x 5). $12: quarter page (3.5 x 5). $7: eighth page or business card. $5.

NWSFS Information Hotline: [REDACTED].

Calendar

Feb 18–21: CONSTELLATION CON. Victoria BC. CANCELLED

Feb 26–27: Rain Cinq. Vancouver’s relaxacon. See ad on page 7 for more information.

Mar 17–20: NORWESCON 6. SeaTac Hyatt Hotel, $49 ([REDACTED]). GoH Jack Williamson, AGoH Richard Powers, FGoH Art Widner, TM A J Budrys. All the fun and excitment of NORWESCON, again, plus an expanded Art Show, more closed-circuit TV, and panels and films and the Dragon Lady’s hospitality and the biggist Meet the Pros Party and the Masquerade (Spontaneous category back!) and all the rest. Memberships $20 to 3/1, $25 door. Info NWSFS POBox [REDACTED], Seattle WA 98124 [REDACTED].

Mar 18–20: FANTASY WORLDS FESTIVAL. Oakland Airport Hyatt. Guests Octavia Butler, Patricia Shaw Matthews, Marion Zimmer Bradley, Katherine Kurtz, Alicia Austin, others. Info Box [REDACTED], Berkley CA 94701.

Apr 15–17: VIKINGCON 4. Bellingham. Info SF&F Club, WWU Viking Union, Bellingham WA 98225.

Apr 29-May 1: TREASURECON. War Bonnet Inn, Billings, MT. Guests C.J. Cherryh, Robert Asprin, Steve Jackson. Emphasis on gaming. Memberships $20. Info c/o Barjon’s, [REDACTED] 1st Ave N., Billings MT 59101.

May 13–15: EUCON. Eugene Hilton. Guests Spider Robinson, Dean Ing. Memberships $13 to 4/30, $15 door. Info Box [REDACTED], Eugene OR 97440.

May 20–22: V-CON Eleven. Richmond Inn, Richmond BC. GoH Frank Herbert, AGoH William R Warren JR, FGoH Elizabeth “Dragon Lady” Warren, TM Georges Giguere. Back to a good-sized hotel again, back to the good times at V-Con. Memberships $15 to May 7, $18 door, Canadian. Info POB [REDACTED] Bentall Centre, Vancouver BC V7X 1A2 Canada.

May 28–30: FUTUREFEST '83. Seattle Trade Center in downtown Seattle. Oberon Mediamagic Association’s ode to Star Wars: Revenge of the Jedi and Star Trek II, with guest stars from both, plus writers, artists, and scientists from all over. A tentative event list includes a first showing of Jedi, a 700-person costume ball with buffet dinner and laser shows, and media presentations and exhibitors. Info [REDACTED] Ave NE, Bellevue WA 98005, [REDACTED] (24 hours).

Jul 4th Weekend: WESTERCON 36. San Jose Red Lion Inn. GoH Phil Klass (William Tenn), AGoH Alicia Austin, FGoH Tom Whitmore, TM Damon Knight. Info [REDACTED] Center [REDACTED], Berkeley CA 94704.

Jul 15–17: SPOKON. Spokane Sheraton. GoH David Eddings, FGoH Jon Gustafson. TM F.M. Busby. Memb. $10 to 3/1, $12 to 6/1, $15 door. Info [REDACTED] E. Broadway, Spokane WA 99206.

Sep 1–5: WorldCon 41 Constellation. GoH John Brunner, FGoH Dave Kyle, TM Jack Chalker. Hugo Awards, Masquerade, and everything else. Memberships: supporting $15 to 7/15, attending $40 to 7/15, higher at door. Info Box [REDACTED], Baltimore MD 21203.

Announcements

FUOW FM95 will begin airing a ten-part radio adaption of Goerge Lucas' The Empire Strikes Back, starting Monday, Feb. 14, at 7:30 P.M. If it is anything like the radio Star Wars, it is bound to have a lot of background that could not fit into a two-hour movie. Fun!

For those who dare, the Eugene Workshop in Speculative Fiction could be one’s chance to sharpen one’s writing skills under the tutelage of Damon Knight, Kate Wilhelm, and Elizabeth Lynn. It will be an intense, three week course at the University of Oregon, June 21 through July 8. Applicants should submit a manuscript of no more than 30 pages, though not necessairly S.F. to
Eugene Workshop in Speculative Fiction
c/o Department of English
University of Oregon, Eugene OR 97403

Deadline is March 15. Cost for the course is $300. and Room & Board is an additional $100. a week.

Constellation Con Cancellation! That’s right. Though it looked like they might just make it after all. Less than a month before the con, with already more than 400 members (pretty good for an out of the way, first time con), internal strife and the Hotel’s waining confidence has terminated the schedualed festivities.

In talking with the CON-COMM, assurances were made that everyone’s money will eventually be returned, and a full accounting of events and such would become available.

Judy Lorent, chairbod of NWSFS and Robert Suryan, Prez of the Astronomical Society, went and got married. Really! On the 22nd. of January, honeymooned in Victoria, and will eventually move into the new house.

Soapboxing

Like a text book example from the Serious Dianetics Sirius Cybernetics' Marketing Division, L. Ron Hubbard’s Battlefield Earth is being hyped as a landmark example of Reelie Ghood Scie-Fie to the uninitiated masses. Remember the billboard, with special effect lighting (!), in Chicago during Worldcon? Then all the giant posters, the special ads, the album (album?!?), and all the miscellaneous hoodle-boodle that’s been plaguing the sensibilities ever since? (And that same lousy bit of cover art!)

A lot of people are going to think that Battlefield Earth is a Great and Good example of all that Sie-Fie stuff. Yargh! As if S.F. fandom doesn’t have enough image problems. With luck, some of the suckers may be saved by discovering S.F. literature, but those who get tied up with all the hype may well start a new Hubbard quasi-cult. And the marketing types that run the show will exploit that to the max. The zeal of the converts may well win them the HUGO, while the rest of fandom sits back and gets a royal screwing. Oh well, any group that could change the name of a space shuttle (actually a bad move), then lets the present administration in with hardly a peep deserves no less.

While I’ve been guilty of complacency so far, I’m getting my Worldcon membership and am going to vote this year. How many of you are going to do the same?

[Image: Steve A. Gallaci’s signature]

[Image: Drawing of three Hugo award trophys on a table under a ‘sale’ banner on a cloth that says ‘only 400 votes each’.]

[Image: Art by SAG of a small, large-eared furry creature writing on a parchment scroll with a feather quill next to an ink pot.]

Et Cetra

William Warren Jr., who has been wearing the WESTWIND “Slave Artist” T-shirt lo these many years, will be donning the Editor’s cap begining next month.

Tieing up loose ends..opologies for errors, especially the one in the December issue that confused Steve Berry, (who is the PorSFis secretary) with Steve Perry, (who had his story Augenblick published by OMNI).

A great big THANK YOU to all of you who contributed material to WESTWIND, what we haven’t been able to use will be passed on to Bill.

Another big THANK YOU to all of you who have written….

to DIANE FOX in Australia, who sends delightful letters of comment on every issue, wish space permitted printing them.

to BETH & MIKE FINKBINER in Mosco, Idaho, who wrote to congratulate the convention committee for going back to the Seattle Hyatt for Norwescon 6.

to GEORGE GUTHRIDGE in the Bering Sea, who wrote to commend us on our December issue, but pointed out our Berry/Perry mix- up. He also said, “…Steve (Perry that is) and I had a story, Johnny Beercans, in the October ASIMOV’s that we’re particularly proud of. I also had a story, Legacy, in the January F&SF … your readers might be interested to know that I am living with a Yupik Eskimo tribe, on the northwest tip of St, Lawerence Island, in the Bering Sea. I can see the Siberian Coast from my doorstep. Mail is appreciated…” (address: Box [REDACTED], Gambell AK, 99742)

to BRIAN McNETT in Bremerton, who claims to have invented the “Digital Electronic Thumb-Twiddling Apparatus” and would like to hear from any Bremertonian who plans on attending socials in Seattle and would like to share a ride. (phone [REDACTED])

Norwescon 6 Stuff

A Call To Arms (and Bodies)

Norwescon 6 is fast approaching, and with still so much to do, there are still too few to do it all. The bodily short-fall may even jeopardize some programming needing reliable commitments.

Among those who have reached the sympathetic ear of your editor, are the Impromptu Masquerade, which needs some one to oversee the preparatory madness. The various Film and Video programmings need pojectionists and VTR operators to keep their virtual ’round the clock activities going. The Computer Room will need more hackers and their pet programs,(secure storage will be available for personal hardware). Stage Services may also need some technophiles for audio-visual support and Ghod only knows what else.

The rest of the con needs bodies, as always. Room watchers, runners, strong backs and your ubiquitous, general purpose gophers are being sought, and the department heads need reassuring noises from the masses that they’ll get the help they need.

Richard Wright is the Con chair and should know everything about everything. His number is [REDACTED].

Judy Lorent is the Con Services Director and is more apt to have vile intentions on your person. She ought to be reached at [REDACTED].

Down in Olympia, Mike Citrak is the Stage Services guy, and if you can give him a hand, call him at [REDACTED].

If all else fails, the Offical NWSFS- Norwecon telephone answering and message machine, at [REDACTED], will dutifully do what it does.

The NWSFS-Norwescon post office box, that’s [REDACTED], Seattle WA 98124, will also eventually get what ever you want to who ever you want it to get to.

Pre-Con Deadlines

There are several convention activities, due to limited space and/or long lead time in processing, that require registration long before the Con.

The Art Show space reservation deadline is February 15. For those of you who have already reserved space, there is a good chance you’ll get it. For those of you who have not yet responded or otherwise let the Art Show chair know of your inten-tions…you may be out of luck. Confirmation of space will be in the mail just after the 15th. There is a chance for at-the-door space, but it will be limited and may have to wait until Saturday after the late entries.

For information: Steven A. Gallacci, [REDACTED], [REDACTED] 8th Ave. W. Seattle, WA 98119.

The Persona Games activities require that any interested individuals or groups contact Mike Citrak at least two weeks beforehand, (see above)

The Amateur Film Contest will accept entries at the door, but if you plan to mail your film, you’d be wise to send it to the PO Box before March 1. Non-members need a $5.00 entry fee.

The Short Fiction Workshop needs your serious beginners’ manuscripts, and they’d best be mailed before March 1st. They’ll want 3000 words of your deathless prose, regulation manuscript format (double-spaced, name and address on each page, and all that kind of thing). Space is limited - first come, first served, but if there’s room, you might have a chance at the door, if you get there before noon, Friday.

[Ad: “Why Don’t You Get A Real Job?” is the title of Steven Bryan Bieler’s first book. A collection of essays and satires, including “On the Nature of Rejection”, “The Last Star Trek Parody”, and “Duelling Fandoms”, it was self-published in a limited edition of 150 copies. Twenty-four pages, 5 1/2 x 8 1/2, offset on heavy paper, it is available from the author (the original Miss NizFiz) for $3.00 plus 50¢ postage and handling. Make check or money order payable to Steven Bryan Bieler. Address: P0 BOX [REDACTED], Seattle, WA 98111. This is a paid advertisement, and won’t be repeated unless somebody buys some of these books.]

Your First Norwescon: The Reeves’ Guide to Con-going #1

Rebecca Reeves

GETTING THERE…(or “That’s one giant step for fandom..”)

So, you’ve decided to attend your first Norwescon - perhaps even your first con. Good grief…now you’ve done it! You’ve sat yourself down and sent off your registration fee and hotel reservation and are all set. Right? WRONG!

Here are a few last minute reminders to make your trip all the more enjoyable…. in other words, things you’ve probably forgotten - or never knew (or cared to know) to begin with.

#1 THE CAR…or for the more devoted fen - airplane - must be carefully thought out. The overall cost of gas, oil and if need be (hey, Victoria) ferry must divided by the number of people attending - (Throw one or two extra in if need be, they can always shop or visit relatives while you con-go). Time your yearly car check-up just so and you’ll be sure there will be no delays. A late con-goer is worse by far than one left behind! Decide who will be doing the driving. I never trust anyone else…I pay the insurance…it’s my show. (Actually, I’m paranoid of other drivers and tend to get car sick if I don’t drive…plus I’m a rotten backseat driver). Still, splitting the cost by 4 or 5, driving is by far the cheapest and easiest way of getting to the con of your choice. It’s also the safest way of getting those prints and sculptures home. SPECIAL NOTE: Norwescon takes place in March. If you intend to buy anything and aren’t used to chancy weather - don’t hitchhike. It was fine for Ford Prefect but I wouldn’t try my luck!

#2 MUNCHIES…no sane con-goer would dream of getting into a car, faced with a possible 6 hour drive without the ever present munchies. These you can chose yourself but a variety is the safest bet (that way there MAY be something only you like and the others will leave alone). Suggestions: gumdrops, “Bugles”, mints…gooey items and such things as popcorn and potato chips are ill advised because of the car interior and the lingering smell…after 6 hours, even popcorn is hard to take. Also discouraged are such things as sandwiches and hot meals…con-going is supposed to be fun, therefore, avoid anything “good for you” unless you particularly consider it a “treat”. (PS…anyone bringing sardines, tuna fish or egg sandwiches should enjoy the walk to Seattle and arrive in time for Norwescon 7).

#3 MONEY… (or the possible answer to Life, the Universe and Everything). Remember Canadians, Seattle is in the good olde U.S. of A. and that green funny money is a must. Since you’ll probably spend gobs of it, it’s best to have the right kind. I believe the hotel cashes travelers cheques but you will want some cash for that first “hit” on the hucksters' room. Americans too should look into travelers cheques… “if they’re lost or stolen…” Credit cards are fine for the hotel (make sure they take your kind), but try convincing a huckster to take plastic money.

#4 DON’T LET THE CON GET YOU DOWN…(hey, how can you tell I’m Canadian?)…very important -if rather mundane - you’ve all heard about the weird happenings at cons - so…spend that couple of dollars and get some medical insurance for three days travel in the USA. Remember, a broken leg can cost an arm (?) down there. Believe me it’s worth it to be safe.. .Americans note: not a bad idea when visiting a con in Canada. (Strange things have been known to dwell in con hot tubs!)

#5 COSTS…the cost of transportation, gas, and hotel rooms (squeeze in as many as allowed) should be divided by the final number of con-goers. Start with a full tank of gas and divide up as filled. (EXCEPT on the return trip: money in advance). Be smart, pay the hotel in advance, it’s easier when heading home and let’s face it, there’s always somebody who just HAD to buy that last dragon print. Everything else at the con, moneywise, is up to you. If you don’t eat while you’re there remember to stock the car with munchies for the return trip.

#6 KEYS…some hotels will give you two keys to your room while others stick to one between all of you. If you’re lucky, two people should be assigned “key holders” and it’s up to the others to find them if they need the room. There’s usually someone flaked out there anyway so don’t fret. (NOTE: this con-going idea usually falls flat, but someday it’ll work so I’ve included it).

#7 SOUTHCENTER…at some point over the weekend someone will decide they want to visit Southcenter - or downtown Seattle - either for food or shopping. It’s a great shopping center but eats time like crazy. The success of the trip will depend on programming.. (ALL going should firmly agree on a return time. Friendships have been broken over less.) The big drawback in leaving the con for anything is finding a parking space when you get back. If you’re the driver be aware…it’s likely to be at least half an hour! Still, Southcenter does have a Baskin-Robbins!

#3 CUSTOMS…(Hi again, Canada!) Okay guys, at the BC/Washington border they think its strange that all these cars are going to the same SF convention. Therefore, behave very nicely and don’t bug the officials. Remember, the others in the car are looking forward to this con, you screw it up, the Ravenous Bug Blatter Beast of Thraal will look like a tame puppy compared to your fellow fen. On the return trip (leaving Seattle at a prearranged time) make a list of everything you’ve bought and keep the receipts. Lists seem to spoil Custom’s fun and they’ll pass you through. (Look into the exact Canadian dollar value - not US - you’re able to bring back). Nevertheless they may not believe the “tribbles” or giant “42” on the roof and search you anyway. DON’T PANIC and be prepared.

#9 DEPARTURE…choose exact departure times for your car to leave and stick to them. Catch up with your sleep before you leave. And remember…there’ll always be someone from your party hiding in the hucksters room when it’s time to go.

#10 FLYING…(the traditional way). If your arrival/departure is by plane, keep an eye open for other con-goers..they aren’t hard to spot…and share a cab to the hotel. Norwescon is right at the airport and flying is the perfect way of getting there…if you can afford it! It also leaves you more time to enjoy the con.

Nuff said…you’ll have a grand time and you’re in good hands once you arrive thanks to the Norwescon committee. The only final piece of advice I can take from the greatest travel guide of them all is…

DON’T PANIC…and have fun!

PS…May the Force Be With You (provided you have customs declaration)

[Ad: RAIN cinq
A SCIENCE FICTION WEEKEND

[Image: Cartoon of a frog wearing a beanie.]

February 25–27, 1983

SANDS MOTOR HOTEL, [REDACTED] Davie St., Vancouver B.C.
Room rates single $37; dbl. $45 [REDACTED]
Kitchenette $6 extra (about $29, $36, $4.70 in U.S. funds)

PARTY GUESTS: Avram Davidson Joyce Rubin Crawford Kilian

ACTIVITIES: FRIDAY - Kilian reading, Informal gathering
SATURDAY - panels, Davidson reading, body painting, workshop, SF tapes, masquerade, dance
SUNDAY - brunch banquet, speeches, art auction, SF tapes

COST: $10 in advance, $12 at the door

Rain cinq, Box [REDACTED], Vancouver B.C. V7X1K2]

SERPENT’S TOOTH

JON GUSTAFSON

[Image: Art by William Warren of a snake curled up and reading a book.]

Reviews ain’t nothing but shots misspelled.
Hardly Allison

1982 was a year of bonuses for sf readers, what with new books by Heinlein, Asimov, Clarke and Herbert. Frank Herbert’s newest novel, The White Plague (G.P. Putnam’s Sons, hardcover, $14.95) is a big (444-pages), moving, exciting, and depressing monument to his skills as a writer. The plot focuses around John Roe O’Neill, a molecular biologist, who loses his sanity after watching his wife and children get blown to bits in an IRA bomb attack in Dublin. He returns to the U.S., sells all his worldly possessions, and goes underground. While hidden, he creates a deadly plague, one that only kills women, and loses it in Ireland, England, and Libya (Libya because they helped train and supply the IRA). What he fails to see, however, is that the plague will spread beyond those borders, which it does, and threaten mankind with extinction. Herbert is a tremendously effective writer and this novel rolls along like a tank in high gear; it is however, also a tremendously depressing book and perhaps should not be read unless you have something very light or humorous to follow it. But I highly recommend it, because

I found a terrific book to read after The White Plague! It’s Myth Direction by Robert Asprin (Starblaze Editions, The Donning Company, $5.95), the third in his hilarious romps through the universes with Skeeve and Aahz (and, of course, Skeeve’s pet dragon, Gleep… I mean, you wouldn’t want to forget Gleep, would you? You would? Oh.). This time, the troubles start when Tananda takes Skeeve on a little shopping trip to try to find a birthday present for Aahz. It has to be, of course, unique. When they finally find such an object, it is unfortunately unobtainable….legally. So, they steal it. Well, they try to steal it, and the story moves off in high gear from there, I have been fond of the Starblaze editions since they first appeared and particularly fond of Asprin’s Myth series. The already delightful story is augmented by a great wraparound cover and seven interior illustrations by Phil Foglio; I very, very highly recommend this one.

And, very briefly (though it really deserves more), there is Alexis Gilliland’s latest in the Rosinante series, The Pirates of Rosinante (Ballantine/Del Rey Books, # #30659, $2.50). Gilliland writes a really rousing tale of political intrigue, computer conspiracy and tenhnological triumphs; he writes like a high-tech Doc. Smith. If you’ve read either of the two previous Rosinate books (The Revolution from Rosinante and Long Shot for Rosinante), be sure to get this one. If you haven’t, please do so…you won’t regret it. Highly recommended.

Define ‘Universe’and give three examples

John G. Cramer

This month we share with ANALOG the distinction of having an article by John G. Cramer. John, until his departure for West Berlin last August, wrote “Better than Fiction”, a regular column for WESTWIND. His article in the February issue of ANALOG is entitled “New Phenomena”.

Some years ago when I was a graduate student, the phrase given in the title was considered a “physics joke”, an example of an impossible test question that no one could be expected to answer. Which just goes to show how physics has changed. Phys- iscists have gone from one “example”, our own “normal” universe; to several examples: the deSitter, Friedmann, etc. universes; to more universes than anyone can count, as many as the bubbles in a glass of beer. That development has come from a joining of the ideas of Big Bang cosmology (the way the universe evolved from the initial Big Bang) with GUTS (Grand Unification Theory, which shows the connections between three of the four forces in the universe, the strong, weak and electromagnetic forces). The story goes like this….

After the initial flush of enthusiasm surrounding the development of the Standard Big Bang Model describing the creation and evolution of the universe, physicists begin to realize that there were some problems built into the description. These problems have come to be known as (1) the Problem of Matter (why there is more matter than antimatter in the universe?), (2) the Problem of Uniformity (why is the universe so homogeneous, when its parts went out of speed-of-light contact very early in the Big Bang and are only “recently” rejoined?), (3) the Problem of Density (why does the universe have just the right density of matter in its volume to be on the borderline between re-collapse and continuous expansion?), and (4) the Problem of Mono- poles (why aren’t there more magnetic monopoles around, when the Standard Model predicts that there should be an enormous number of them?).

These might be considered impossible questions, the answers to which are known only to God. But that hasn’t stopped cosmologists from taking them on and making remarkable progress in the direction of answering them.

A hint of the solution to the Problem of Matter (1) came from the discovery by Fitch and Cronin of the CP (Charge-conjugation plus Parity) violation in the decay of the K2 meson, an accomplishment which earned them the Nobel Prize in Physics last year. But that is another story… Now Problems (2) through (4) may have been answered by some new ideas arising from the Grand Unified theories mentioned above.

The new scenario goes something like this: immediately after the Big Bang the universe expands very rapidly, much faster than it is presently doing. At first the density of mass-energy in the universe is so high that the forces, strong, weak and electromagnetic are indistinguishable from one another. Finally the universe reaches a stage where the strong, weak and electromagnetic forces begin to “split” from one another and become different forces rather than the same force. This “splitting” is analogous to a change in matter from one state to another, like boiling water changing from a liquid to steam. So the universe itself “boils” and in the process “bubbles” form. Inside the bubbles the forces have split and become different; outside they are still indistinguishable. The energy derived from the splitting of the forces goes into the walls of the bubbles, causing them to expand at nearly the speed of light. And each of these bubbles becomes a universe, of which ours seems to be one example.

So somewhere out there, cut off completely from us by our inability to go faster than the speed of light, and perhaps immersed in a “sea” where all the forces of nature are indistinguishable, there should be other universes, brothers if not twins of ours, born in the same Big Bang which gave rise to ours, similar but perhaps different.

It is a fair question to ask how, or in what way, these sibling universes might be different from ours. For it should be true that the same laws of physics should apply to all of them. How then, without changing the laws of physics, might they be different. Let me count the ways…. First there is no particular reason why the CP violation mentioned above should always lead to an excess of matter over antimatter, so perhaps half of our universe-siblings will be antimatter universes. Second, the direction in which the Arrow of Time points in our universe is not well understood, so perhaps half of the siblings would have time running in the reverse direction. And third, when the bubbles formed, they would presumably be formed in a range of sizes, each containing a different amount of mass-energy. According to the GUTS guys, the volume of the bubble would adjust itself so the the density would remain on the hairy edge between recontraction and continuous expansion, but with different amounts of matter inside. What would that do?

Well, there is a idea floating around in physics called Mach’s Principle. It was first proposed by Ernst Mach (known for the Mach Number in supersonic flight) and it asserts that the force of inertia which we experience when we try to accelerate an object by putting a force on it is the result of the gravitational pulls of all the other masses in the universe, nearby objects, other parts of the Solar System, distant galaxies, etc. If Mach’s Principle is true (and it has never really been tested because no one can think of a definitive experimental test) then the amount of inertia an object has (which we call its inertial mass) will depend directly on how much mass there is in our universe. The gravitational mass (how much pull due to gravity a massive object experiences) will not change. The net result is that the object on our sibling universe would, according to Mach’s principle, a different ratio of gravitational to inertial mass.

The effect of this would be to change the masses of protons, electrons, etc., in all the laws of physics in which the mass in the formula means the reaction of inertia (as it does in atomic and nuclear physics, usually). This would alter the sizes of atoms, the positions of electron shells in atoms, the chemistry which links one atom to another, the positions of levels in nuclei and thus the probability with which heavier nuclei are formed from lighter nuclei in supernova explosions.

So suppose that we could some how build a machine, a “Universe-swapper” by means of which we could send a Visitor from our Home Universe to one of its siblings. What would we find? Well, if the sibling universe he visited was one of the antimatter variety, he would find nothing but unpleasantness, because all of the matter sent across would be annihilated on contact with antimatter on the other side. Our Visitor would have to remain in the hardest of vacuum to avoid lethal doses of radiation from the random gas molecules of deep space annihilating on contact with his ship or space suit. Most unpleasant!

In the time-reverse universe it’s a bit hard to say what would happen, but if the Visitor retained his own time direction he would see some very strange things indeed. The “movie” of the sibling universe would be shown backwards and he would observe the second law of thermodynamics working in reverse: water running uphill, the dead rising, people un-eating food which combines itself into living plants and animals, etc. Or if our Visitor was swept along with the time direction of the sibling universe, then he would return to the Home Universe before he left, which might make for some interesting situations.

But in the universes (presumably almost all of them) in which the inertial masses of objects was different, things would be so different that the difference is hard to deal with. In a broad class of sibling universes no stars or galaxies would have formed; in another group there would be stars and galaxies, but no nucleosynthesis, so that no chemical elements heavier than helium would exist; in a smaller group there would be stars, galaxies, and the usual chemical elements, but no planets; and in a smaller group there would be planets but none which would support life. In an extremely small fraction of the “possible” universes would life be possible. And it is difficult for me to say how much variation in the laws of chemistry would be permitted, after the physics has worked out such as to produce life-supporting planets. Clearly the carbon chemical bond is a subtle prerequisite to life-as-we-know-it and would not support much tinkering.

So our Visitor, on entering a sibling universe, might find that his body chemistry suddenly has gone bonkers, perhaps fatally. And also we must remember that the operation of solid-state electronics depends on the accidental placement of a "gap” between the upper and lower atomic states of atoms like silicon and germanium. So our Universe-swapper device and its recording equipment had better be built with old-fashioned tubes rather than transistors, if we expect the device to be “universe-tolerent” and behave itself after reaching its destination.

All of this brings up an interesting question: If the average run-of-the-mill bubble-universe is so nasty, why is ours so nice? That is another one of those questions, the answer to which is perhaps known only to God. But there is a way to approach an answer. The answer is: “If our universe were not so nice and hospitable, there would be no human life here to worry about why it wasn’t.” It is an anthropomorphic, self-centered answer, but it is the only one I can offer.

Return to Venus

Harry J. N. Andruschak

1982’s most noteable scientific achievement was the landing on Venus of two USSR spacecraft, and the taking of colour pictures of the planet. This is the latest example of how the USSR is slowly building up expertise in deep space exploration.

The next visit by the USSR will be in 1984, when two VEGA spacecraft will fly by the planet and drop landers into acid clouds. Then the spacecraft will fly on to Halley’s comet, thanks to the French.

France will have several scientific instruments on the USSR spacecraft, and in fact were responsible for the ides of sending the Venus mission craft onwards to Halley’s Comet. Russia hesitated at first, for fear that JPL would also be sending a spacecraft, and who wants to play second fiddle? But with the destruction of the USA’s planetary program by the Reagan Administration they decided to go ahead.

Future plans call for another return to Venus in 1989, again with the French to contribute scientific instruments. This return will feature an even more advanced spacecraft then that to be used in VEGA. The French contribution will include balloons to probe the clouds. There is a possibility of “rovers” on the surface. (source: Aviation Week and Space Technology, 22, November)

Greg Gallacci’s MONDO SILICO

When first it began, she thought that it must be some problem Nick was having at work, but as the weeks of emotional neglect ran into months, Nora began to wonder how long this silent torment could go on. How long could her husband of eight blissful years go on missing meals, keeping to himself and staying up till all hours with that…thing!

When did it all begin, this change of her man from a healthy, vibrant and virile specimen of manliness, to the shrivelled, wan shell of corruption that now and again would wander the house, mumbling strange chants learned from the horrible demon-god he now worshipped above all else?

Nora tried to be understanding of his compulsion, and listened to him during his lucid spells as he spoke of the unspeakable pleasure that awaited her, if she too, were to learn the words of power. She was no fool, for she saw that this “servant” was in fact enslaving her husband, and ruining their once loving world.

Nora knew how to rescue her lover, and waiting for the night when he would attend a secret conclave of other victims of this terrible servant-slavemaster, she crept into Nick’s study. There it lay, beckoning to her to interact, its sinister intelligence waiting for the unsuspecting to awaken it. She approached the demon quietly. Did it know she was there? It did not stir when she raised the axe in her hand, and, with all her might, brought it down, splitting the keyboard in one stroke!

Again and again she struck this monster, shattering printed circuit boards, cutting cables, smashing power supply and disk-drive alike. Nothing escaped her righteous wrath as printer, modem and CRT all died, never to rob her of her husband again.

Nick and Nora are happy now, and very much in love once again. Let this story serve as a warning to the couples of the world, silicon and love do not mix.

Norwescon 5 Program Book Wins Major Award

The Norwescon 5 Program Book has won FIRST PRIZE in the “brochure” category of the annual “Pacific Northwest Technical Publication Competetion”. Editors Steve Bard, Michael Brocha and Jeffrey Levin received certificates for “Distinguished” effort at the society’s annual awards banquet held at the Seattle Design Center, January 12, 1983.

The Norwecon book defeated entries by such heavyweight institutions as Boeing, Honeywell, CH2M, the University of Washington and the Port of Seattle. It will now go on to the society’s international competition.

Remarkably, the program book was largely done over two week-ends down at Jeff’s home in Beaverton. The editors, with the help of Andrea Levin and Steve Gallacci, worked frantically 'round the clock to get it to print in time. Mike was responsible for getting it printed and Kipy Poyser, who edited the Norwescon 4 program book, aided in getting the wonderful full color cover shot.

The 102 page Norwescon 5 program book features an original, full-color fold-out cover by Michael Whelan, original fiction by Thomas Disch and Richard Lupoff and is replete with art by many of the major artists in the field (including our own William Warren, Steve Gallacci and Randy Hoar).

Copies of this award-winning program book are available for $6.00 postpaid at: NORWESCON, Box [REDACTED] Seattle, WA 98124.

X-PO Exposé Greg Gallacci

Orlon leisure jump-suits, U-235 pretzels drenched in the fluid of your choice, Harlan Ellison telling tales of crime fighting and communicable diseases, Judy Jetson and film clips. Sounds like this years SF X-PO!

Three days of skiffy pandemonium, albeit diluted by traces of commercialism, but noteworthy in the adventures of Rocky Jones of the Space Polka Patrol in an unusual play of sorts and the Bug-Eyed Monster Ball, in which Miss Bug-Eyed was selected from as diverse a range of hopefuls as one would be likely to see anywhere this side of Bespin.

After the selection of the winners, the group “Dynette Set” started in playing spirited renditions of old favorite dance tunes. Media coverage was good, with KING and KOMO video units purusing those attending.

This was just Friday night. The real fun began Saturday with Harlan Ellison speaking at the Eames theatre. Oh, the usual Harlan stories, a few revelations (he has herpes) and anecdotes.

Later in the day came what I was most wanting to see, trailers of upcoming films, although in the case of “Krull” it was a slide show, and “Superman III” showed the same 25 second teaser 6 times. Noteworthy was the short clip of the upcoming Disney film, “Something Wicked This Way Comes”.

Well, I could look at the program booklet and wax journalistic about things I have not seen first hand, but, well, I got this rilly neet Rocket Ranger Cadet Certification from Rocky Jones hisself, and I aint gonna fib about nuthin!

NASA, WE’VE GOT A PROBLEM!

[Image: Art by William Warren of the Space Shuttle flying with the boosters and main launch tank separate as they start to explode.]

NONFICTION BY ART BOZLEE

DEDICATION

Jack Swigert, APOLLO 13 pilot and congressman-elect from Colorado, died of cancer last December. This series is dedicated to his memory, and to the hope that the skill and courage he displayed on APOLLO 13 will never again be needed in space.

PART 1

The United States has never had a fatal accident while flying in space. This is a tribute to the training and care of U.S. pilots and ground crews. Up until the first flight of the Shuttle, COLUMBIA, America had flown 31 manned space missions. Fifty Shuttle missions are planned before 1985. This stepped-up flight schedule alone increases the probablity of accident, due to enhanced exposure to the hazards of space flight. But beyond increased exposure, the very nature of the missions being flown and the vast complexity of this monstrous vehicle make an accident almost a certainty.

America is going to lose a Space Shuttle and crew before that spacecraft reaches the end of its service life.

There, I said it, and hopefully the world didn’t come crashing down. In the following pages, I hope to demonstrate and justify my position, by exploring the possibilities of such an occurence, and the probable outcomes, both technical andpolitical, of an event very few folks like to think about, much less prepare for. It isn’t easy being a prophet. Sometimes it can be downright painful. This is one of those times.

In this series we will explore several ways in which a manned space flight could possibly end in tragedy. While literally thousands of failure modes exist, we will concentrate our exploration in three main areas: A) computer systems and the man-computer interface; B) mechanical systems (this includes the airframe and all rocket engines); and C) purely human error. Keep in mind that most of these failures are relatively unlikely, but any one of them could happen. And if history is any guideline, the actual failures will probably be even more bizarre and unforseen.

COMPUTER FAILURE

The computers on board Shuttle are modified IBM AP-101 models with 106,496 word (36 bits per word) memories. By comparison, the computers on APOLLO spacecraft had a central memory of only 38,912 words (16 bits per word). Beyond any question the General Purpose Computers (GPC’s) on Shuttle are the most powerful computers ever used on a manned space flight.

To provide the safest possible operation during flight, five of these computers are used. They are arranged so that four of them comprise a voting set; that is, the computers compare instructions among themselves and decide on a majority rule basis what will occur next in the flight. The fifth computer is used for the backup flight control system, which could control the spacecraft should all four voting computers fail. During critical flight operations such as launch, each of the four voting computers synchronize themselves 440 times a second. This helps insure the safest possible operation. When working in these critical times, each computer is performing about 35,000 calculations per second.

Data is displayed to the crew in a number of ways via four Cathode Ray Tubes (CRT’s), and there are more than a thousand questions and operations available to them. Evidently someone in NASA has some sense of humor - the language used on Shuttle is called HAL/S*, and was developed especially for Shuttle.

* ROCKWELL INTERNATIONAL Document SPACE SHUTTLE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM PRESS KIT

Now that we understand the background of the GPC system, it will be instructive to explore the manner in which this system could malfunction. Recall that the four main computers are interlinked, and cross check one another 440 times a second. On the first attempt to launch COLUMBIA, this cross-checking routine went out of phase by about twenty milliseconds. As a result, the computers refused to operate as designed and the flight had to be delayed several days. The fifth computer could have taken over the operation of the spacecraft, but mission rules did not allow this option. Before this failure (called a timing error) occurred, no one had guessed such a situation was possible.

This points out one fundamental fact that has not been explored in the popular press. Due to the extremely complex nature of the Shuttle computers, it is not possible to determine all the possible failure modes inherent in these systems. This means that flaws (possibly fatal ones) can be neither found nor corrected until they occur in flight. It is a little like finding out that a gun is loaded by accidentally shooting yourself. Extreme confidence is not one of the feelings that this kind of situation inspires.

While the exact nature of each possible computer failure cannot be determined, some plausible failures can at least be hypothesized. Let us assume a timing error occurs in the four voting computers at the moment of lift-off. The voting computers will then be taken off-line by the fifth back-up computer that will then take control of the flight. Let us further assume that the fifth computer contains within it a previously undetected fault that commands the External Tank (ET) to prematurely separate from the spacecraft. If the ET should separate while the spacecraft is very close to the ground (let’s say about a thousand feet), the pilots will have very little chance to attempt a landing. The spacecraft will not have sufficient time or altitude to maneuver, and all that is likely to remain is a pile of wreckage. If, however, the ET does not separate until the spacecraft is at an altitude of approximately twenty miles (a little less than two minutes into the flight), at least two options exist to save the crew.

The first option is for the pilots to attempt a landing back at the launch site. This option is referred to as an Abort RTLS, or “return to launch site”. This maneuver would call for the pilots to fly a ballistic trajectory (rather like a cannonball fired from a gun) and then attempt to judge the trade-offs in altitude, airspeed, and range before trying to land. Very few pilots would even attempt such an operation, and fewer could make it work.

The second option is even more hazardous and has received, to the best of my knowledge, no public exposure. Assume that the spacecraft cannot glide back to the launch site, and the crew is left with no alternative but to land in the ocean and hope for the best. As an aside, NASA has not tried to cover up the hazards of a water landing; both NASA and its contractors are remarkably free from that failing! They simply feel that due to its relatively poor chance of success they simply choose not to widely advertise this fact. The reasons a water landing is so hazardous is due to the high landing speed of about 215 mph coupled with the relatively fragile nature of the vehicle. Shuttle is not nearly as strong as a commercial aircraft. When the spacecraft lands, it flies in a nose-high attitude. This means that in a water landing, the rear of the vehicle will impact first. The spacecraft will then probably bounce, while simultaneously assuming a more nose-down attitude. On the second strike, the nose of the vehicle will most likely dig in, causing the spacecraft to break up. The pieces will sink almost immediately. Little chance exists for the crew to escape to begin with, and this is further complicated by the fact that the escape hatches are small and hard to reach. **

** NASA Document SPACE SHUTTLE NEWS REFERENCE Sections 1 through 10

The on-board computers can be rendered inoperative by external factors as well. A lightning strike will almost certainly cause a total electrical failure on board the spacecraft. This can lead to one of the most chilling destruct options ever envisioned in manned spaceflight. Explosive charges have been placed on both the SRB’s and the ET. If all electrical power is lost, the spacecraft is left with no guidance capability and will probably begin to deviate from its programmed flight path. If the ascent trajectory wanders too far from normal, the Range Safety Officer at the launch site will detonate explosive charges, instantly destroying the entire vehicle. It wouldn’t be difficult to imagine the emotional conflict inherent in such a decision. Ask yourself: Could I deliberately destroy five or six lives and a billion dollar spacecraft as a result of an equipment malfunction? That is the potential choice facing a Range Safety Officer. Few would want his job.

We have admittedly envisioned some worst case situations in this section. However, it must be remembered that these are not the only or most probable ways a flight can be lost. The real world is always more subtle and bizarre in its workings. We have only examined the tip of the iceberg.

(to be continued in the March issue)

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[Image: Art by Steve Gallacci of an anthropomorphic cat in a flight suit waving as they’re about to step into a jet, signed with the text, ‘G’bye fer now’.]

A Westwind Subscription is included in NWSFS membership, at $10.00 per year. Westwind is mailed during the first week of each month.

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