8-317: Hopper – Foofor 2 Orbit, near the Shipwreck
So, for Lia to dock with the spinning wreck is not a trivial maneuver.
She’s going to have to approach fast enough to fully clear the edge of the Hangar’s deck and then convert the Hopper’s forward velocity vector to an upward velocity vector quickly enough that the floor of the Hangar gently catches the Hopper instead of smashing into it then activate it’s landing gear so it sticks to the deck.
See animation below – this is what she wants to achieve.
Karmen says, “Let’s maybe take another look. You confident with the maneuver?”
“No? I mean, it’s going to be difficult to judge the timing and I’d have to be super fast on the controls…”
She mentally computes everything above.
“It’d be risky. I’d say, only if absolutely necessary.”