Trying to find a science fiction novel.

Lorizael · July 20, 2009, 13:20

I seem to recall there being a thread about finding books you can't remember the pertinents details of, but if it existed at some point, I can't find it now. Anyhow...

I've been studying orbital mechanics of late and have noticed that I've never read a SF book that took into account planetary angular momentum and the Sun's gravity when discussing interplanetary travel. Since those two factors seem to be the most important considerations in determining how we go about sending spacecraft out into the Solar System (once you're off the Earth), it seems kind of a shame that no SF addresses this.

So my friend mentioned a book he read several years ago that he can't remember of the author or title of. The premise, however, is that an AI that controls the moon (no, I'm not looking for The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress) is tasked with rescuing some frozen astronauts somewhere in the outer parts of the Solar System, and it's plan for getting there involves precisely firing self-assembling components toward the destination by way of a linear accelerator.

Does this sound familiar to anyone? Anybody know the book?

Alternatively, has anyone read any good hard science fiction that deals with orbital mechanics?

Kuciwalker · July 20, 2009, 14:24

Not familiar with the book.

If you're into the whole Space Opera BUT WITH REAL SCIENCE genre, I'd recommend Bova, KSR, or Vernor Vinge [A Deepness in the Sky particularly]. Neither of them focus overly on the details of orbital mechanics IIRC, but at least nod to them.

BlackCat · July 20, 2009, 14:29

If you can accept interstellar jump capacity, then you should try The mote in god's eye and The gripping hand by Larry Niven/Jerry Pournelle.

Kuciwalker · July 20, 2009, 14:30

Nah, that's just normal space opera, as full of magitech as everything else. It's just more serious than most.

Lorizael · July 20, 2009, 14:32

I should generalize here. I'm not necessarily looking for books that feature orbital mechanics, but grounded hard science fiction that takes place in the solar system (but past Earth) and doesn't forget the laws of physics.

BlackCat · July 20, 2009, 14:34

Sure, it's space opera, but deals with orbital mechanics reasonably serious.

Edit: well, ok, then don't read them

Though, they are pretty good entertainment.

Winston · July 20, 2009, 14:42

Rendezvous with Rama deals heartily with orbital mechanics and associated maneuvers in the inner Solar System, primarily within the orbit of Venus.

Kuciwalker · July 20, 2009, 15:28

Originally Posted by Lorizael

I should generalize here. I'm not necessarily looking for books that feature orbital mechanics, but grounded hard science fiction that takes place in the solar system (but past Earth) and doesn't forget the laws of physics.

You want Bova. You just described almost all of his books.

Vinge is the same, except with STL interstellar travel.

Kuciwalker · July 20, 2009, 15:30

Originally Posted by BlackCat

Sure, it's space opera, but deals with orbital mechanics reasonably serious.

Edit: well, ok, then don't read them

Though, they are pretty good entertainment.

I did read them, otherwise how would I know? And I did enjoy them, but they don't match OP.

Kuciwalker · July 20, 2009, 15:31

And if environmentalists don't bug you, read Kim Stanley Robinson's Red/Green/Blue Mars.

Krill · July 20, 2009, 15:58

Bovas' a crap author though. He writes for 8 year olds.

Jon Miller · July 20, 2009, 16:01

That is the general problem with Hard Sci Fi authors.

And others like KSR I just didn't like their books (I should try him again though).

JM

Proteus_MST · July 20, 2009, 16:29

The whole Battletech game system usually models space travel very good.
Even their model of FTL Travel is rather plausible for a future society (Large Jump Ships that spend vast amounts of energy to create Mini-Wormholes and use them to instantly travel to another location [up to 30 lys away])
The many novels that are based on the BT system don´t mention the model of space travel too much, however, as most important battles take place between Battlemechs on the surface of planets and Jump-/Dropships are used mainly for transport purposes (at least until the clans arrive) and thjerefore most 80% of the stories takes placve on the surface of a planet or moon

Kuciwalker · July 20, 2009, 16:40

Even their model of FTL Travel is rather plausible for a future society

OzzyKP · July 20, 2009, 18:19

One series I read years ago, as a kid, was Bio of a Space Tyrant by Piers Anthony. I don't remember a whole lot from it, but it was set just in the solar system and from what I recall it doesn't have FTL Travel, or maybe they get it by the end of the series, I forget.

As far as whether the science is plausible or not... I really don't remember.

loinburger · July 20, 2009, 18:41

Maybe some of Alastair Reynolds's works that restrict themselves within the solar system would work - the Revelation Space trilogy started out promising enough before introducing magical science.

Zkribbler · July 20, 2009, 20:20

has anyone read any good hard science fiction

Aye, there's the rub.

There's people who know science, and there's people who know how to write good fiction. There are very few people who know both.

ricketyclik · July 20, 2009, 21:03

Originally Posted by Lorizael

Alternatively, has anyone read any good hard science fiction that deals with orbital mechanics?

The Heart of the Comet by David Brin and Gregory Benford dealt with the manipulation of the orbit of Haley's Comet using convex mirrors to heat the steam on its surface, converting it in to a space-going vessel. There were diagrams describing orbits, as I recall.

The novel was actually primarily about the politics of genetic enhancement.

Ben Kenobi · July 20, 2009, 21:15

Does this sound familiar to anyone? Anybody know the book?

Sounds vaguely familiar to me.

BUILDING HARLEQUIN'S MOON, by Larry Niven is my guess.

http://www.sfreviews.net/building_harlequins_moon.html

Tuberski · July 20, 2009, 23:06

Dread Empire's Fall, takes planetary and sun gravity into account, but not seriously.

ACK!

KrazyHorse · July 21, 2009, 22:46

One of the HeeChee books has a good account of travel to the Oort

Ben Kenobi · July 21, 2009, 22:49

Hee Chee? What's that?

KrazyHorse · July 21, 2009, 22:50

...and camelot 30K was good if you're into chemistry

Blaupanzer · July 22, 2009, 12:20

In a long period of reading sci-fi, I recall a couple of books which used the sun as a kind of accelerator (called "slingshot") to reach the farther out portions of the solar system. One had drawings illustrating how to approach the sun without exploding or getting sucked in and tables showing fuel requirements needed to maintain momentum and then return to earth. Book came out same time as one of Heinlein's in the late 50's. (This is before Stranger in a Strange Land.) Maybe Simak, but probably not.

Almost no hard (real science) science fiction being written anymore. A couple of the good sceince writers for the rest of us are both scientists and sci-fi writers (e.g., Greg Bear). However, the science doesn't come thru in their fiction.