Satellite Wars

By Jerry R Brenning

About the Book
The year is 2080 and man is to re-live yet another war. He continues to explore the outer limits to find answers to his many questions. Unfortunately, as he finds answers, they merely result in more questions. However, he cannot find the answer for avoiding war. The technology of war changes, but the causes remain the same. Who would guess the tools of science, now "space litter", would fuel a global conflict? The stage is set as two lovers forge their lives together and invent new technology to overcome forces set in motion by man's many years of neglect. A new hero arises from the ranks: G.I. Joe Rieu.

About the Author
Jerry R Brenning lives with his wife of 55 years in Indian Lake Estates, Florida. After a long engineering career, he is able to pursue his passion for painting and inventing. After years of seeing man inventing ways to explore our world, it is obvious that something is missing. I believe space litter is a hidden problem, destined for disaster.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dorrance Publishing Company
• Release date: Jul 24, 2023
• ISBN: 9798887298931

Book preview

Forward

For the good of mankind do something before it becomes a catastrophe. Kudos to the astronomers who sound the alarm that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. By the year 2074, the very industrious population of earth continues to manufacture stuff without concern for where it all ends up. With a growing population of thirty billion, people all over the world are clamoring for electronic devices that last only a few years. No one cares where they end up when they are discarded. Portions are recycled and portions are dumped in nature’s space (landfills). By-products of manufacturing the replacement devices also end up in nature’s space. This space is always landfill. However, nature’s space can also mean orbits around the planet that are littered with devices called satellites. These devices are designed to serve billions of people. Most cost millions of dollars and are short lived. They become non-operational after only a few years and are decommissioned, but remain in orbit for decades. Technology replaces them as they become obsolete.

No one spends money to recycle them.

Chapter 1 - Space Junk

By the year 2000, there appeared rings of litter around the earth in two basic orbit altitudes: LEO (lower earth orbit) and GEO (greater earth orbit). LEO is roughly 250-350 miles and GEO is about 22,000 miles up. By 2074, thousands of satellites, second stage rockets, and debris from collisions and explosions produced litter from dime size to bus size obstacles to orbital space flight. Half of the 100,000 plus satellites still in orbit were decommissioned or expired years ago. Space junk can be defined as a satellite in orbit that has expired with old technology and is free for the taking.

Space junk started with a communication satellite launched in 1962 called Telstar 1. One of the first of over a hundred thousand communication satellites, it is still in orbit. At a geocentric orbit circling at an altitude between 600 and 3,700 miles (Lower earth orbit – GEO) it remained active for only a few months, aka space junk.

Other space junk such as SMS-1 and Goes-R-series weather satellites launched beginning in 1974 have either failed or been replaced with new technology. No one spends the money to bring them down. Some crash into other satellites producing pieces of litter traveling twenty to forty thousand miles per hour.

Litter the size of a bullet can perforate and destroy a manned spacecraft. Some decommissioned satellites at an altitude of 22,000 miles are bus size. These satellites present hazards to manned space flight also. Other satellites at Lagrange points, such as Planck and WMAP, launched in the beginning of the twenty-first century, have historical significance but since they ran out of fuel after ten to fifteen years, their locations are not stable. They have been space junk for over fifty years.

This space junk when first launched, cost millions of dollars to design and manufacture. Most weighing between 500 and 3,000 pounds, they used expensive metals and ceramics. Huge solar panels for energy, fuel powered thrusters to steer, actuators, special batteries, sensitive sensors, radio transmission devices all used special metal alloys, aluminum, gold, copper, molybdenum, titanium and others. Ceramics utilizing sapphire in heat shields always added to the incredible cost. To continue updating satellites to new technology requires an endless supply of these raw materials.

Depleting sources of raw materials has become a critical problem for earth. Interplanetary mining is in its infancy and cannot fill the gaps. It is also much more expensive than earth sources. Still, the need for communication and weather satellites and other consumer electronics is increasing.

Space junk has become a solution to a growing problem. Recycling the vast quantities of space satellites have the potential to be profitable as well as improve space flight safety. By 2070, a world government has taken charge of earth and space.

As commercial passenger space flights surpassed millions per year, airports around the world added rocket launch sites. Hundreds of private launch sites appeared as even short distances utilized orbital lanes for passenger service. The government was forced to create an orbital police patrol to protect traffic from pirates and terrorists. They are designated Space Security Patrol (SSP). Using dozens of orbital space stations as precincts, they patrol all traffic lanes and remove threats and wandering space junk from harm’s way.

Space junk had always been a nuisance. The government finally offered a bonus to any company that would create for the marketplace, a spacecraft capable of collecting space junk. Lockheed had designed and built a small craft capable of traveling anywhere from the earth to the moon. It had a cargo bay large enough to collect two or three satellites at a time, depending on their weight and physical size. Their lead project design engineer, also the test pilot, was enthused with the potential of the craft. However, the company found the operating costs were high for the limited capacity. No one would buy the craft without some kind of income to finance its operation.

Derelict satellites were not worth much to the marketplace and government funding was not available. Lockheed was not even able to recover some of their five-year development costs without the government bonus. After shelving the project, a year later, things started to change. By the year 2074, the precious metals market was in turmoil as sources could not keep up with the demand and production costs skyrocketed. The space industry was pressuring the government to spend more money for planet exploration. Without additional sources, all technologies would slow to a renaissance pace. The government had to explore all the all options to solve this problem.

In 2080, Joe Rieu became a junkie but not on drugs. He was born in 2044 and raised in Florida. His father was an astrophysicist and he became an engineer for Lockheed. Joe, at thirty-six years old, decided that he hated office work. Joe had worked for five years as the lead project engineer and test pilot for a satellite collection spacecraft that everyone deemed uneconomical. The project was shut down and craft was stored in Tampa for the last year. The mundane work Lockheed had assigned to Joe for the last year finally got to him. For two years he constantly thought about the excitement he experienced while testing the space craft he had designed to collect satellites.

Finally, in order to pursue this dream, he decided to learn more about precious metals. He attended a symposium discussing precious metals at a hotel in Miami. Through a friend of his, an executive at Lockheed, he arranged to meet the lecturer, Sheila Korjus. His Lockheed executive friend, Wes Patterson, had worked with Sheila on several Lockheed technology projects for her spacecraft company called SHEILA. Joe was anxious to learn more about the precious metals market as well as to getting to know someone in the precious metals business.

He loved the shuttle that he had designed in spite of the fact it used a lot of fuel and might need a lot of repairs. He knew its capability and all he had to do was to figure a way to make it profitable. He made arrangements to buy the craft from Lockheed who was glad to unload it. It didn’t bother Joe that the price was low indicating no respect for his artwork.

Securing the spaceship, Joe resigned from Lockheed. Excited, he contacted his childhood buddy, pilot/mechanic Spacey. Steve Spacey Spark was an experienced space pilot and a brilliant mechanic, but he was a loose, fun-loving guy. He walked by the rest of the world as if it didn’t exist. He was happy living a meager, happy bachelor life. As a former friend, trained astronaut, and trained pilot, Spacey was a perfect teammate for Joe. Joe knew Spacey liked girls and Jameson whiskey, not necessarily in that order. Joe explained that his spacecraft is designed to collect derelict satellites containing precious metals.

Since leaving the astronaut business, Spacey had taken up bartending in Tampa. He really didn’t like bartending; he wanted to fly. Lacking mission assignments, he was discouraged and decided to search for other opportunities. He believed bartending was only temporary.

When Joe called him and asked if he was still interested in space travel, he knew his ship had come in. He told Joe, Nothing could be better than space travel with my best buddy. Joe told him there would be danger and peanuts. He told him they would be fifty-fifty partners but there might not be any money after expenses. Spacey was so excited he told Joe, I… uh… could fly for nothing.

Wesley, Joe ‘s friend, had set up a meeting for him with Sheila in Tampa. Joe explained to his new partner they had to meet with Sheila Korjus and he had to give up his bartending job. He explained that she was in the precious metals business, and they needed to learn how to sell their salvage.

Spacey asked, "What salvage and who is this Sheila?

Joe: We are going to collect decommissioned satellites and I learned she owns a company that buys precious metal. She is the most beautiful scrap dealer I have ever seen. I’m anxious to meet her and I am sure you will like her.

Spacey (broad grin): Let’s go.

Joe: First I need to teach you about the salvage ship I bought from Lockheed. We have to fly it to Houston. It’s in a storage hanger here at the Tampa spaceport.

Reaching the hanger, Joe and Spacey spend the day going over the spacecraft. The meeting with Sheila was to be at 7:00 at Shula’s Restaurant just south of Tampa interspace port.

By 2070, all cabs in the world had been converted to automatic transports called robocabs. Computer driven, driverless, with call buttons at the exit doors of buildings. A person only had to push a button to select a two, four, six, or eight passenger robocab. A voicecom asks for the passenger’s destination and payment ID number.

Exiting the hanger around 7:00, Joe pushes the No. 2 button. The two-passenger robocab swiftly takes them to Shula’s.

They are greeted at the door by a host who asks, Party of two?

Joe responds with, Sheila Korjus and Wes Patterson are expecting us.

Host: Yes, please follow me.

Approaching the table, Joe’s eyes immediately begin to stare at the heavenly creature sitting at the table. He does not notice Wesley sitting next to her. His mind is marveling at the beautiful blue eyes, the exquisite breasts seductively showing above the black bodice, the flowing dark hair silhouetting the perfect nose, and the loveliest face he had ever seen.

Stopping at the table, still staring, he is speechless. He can’t believe this is the businesswoman from the lecture he attended. His heart is pounding as he sees her eyes returning his stare. Her eyes are penetrating his heart and time is standing still; no one is speaking. Finally, Spacey, looking at Joe continuing to stare, breaks the ice.

Spacey, looking at the maître de and extending his hand to the table, says, "Thank you, bring me a Jameson on the rocks and whatever these people want. Oh, I see you guys have drinks already," looking at Sheila.

Wesley: You two are a little late.

Joe (not taking his eyes off a smiling Sheila): I’m sorry we are late. I’m Joe Rieu and this is Spacey. I’ll have iced tea, no sugar, with a twist of lemon.

Wesley (standing up smiling sees Sheila still staring at Joe): Sheila, this is my trusted friend Joe Rieu. Joe, this is my trusted friend Sheila Korjus, it’s pronounced ‘gorgeous’. Won’t you guys have a seat?

Joe (breaking his stare and settling on the chair the host is holding for him): I’m sorry it’s just…

Spacey (interrupting as he sits down): He doesn’t get out very often and the iced tea doesn’t help him.

Host (handing Joe and Spacey menus): I’ll get your drinks right away.

Joe (returning his gaze to Sheila): I’ve wanted to meet you since I attended your lecture in Miami two weeks ago. I hope Wesley has explained some of my ideas about collecting satellites. You must be interested or you wouldn’t be here.

Sheila (smiling and continuing to meet Joe’s gaze): I am very interested. I have been looking for someone who had the capability to collect satellite precious metal. You are the first. Wesley tells me you have a spacecraft that you designed to collect satellites.

Wesley (standing up to leave): I think you two are going to hit it off. I have another engagement, so if you will excuse me, I will be in touch.

Joe (standing up Joe extends his hand to shake Wesley’s hand): Wesley, thank you. I owe you.

Wesley leaves and Joe sits back down, returning his gaze to Sheila. A waiter arrives bringing Joe and Spacey’s drinks.

Sheila (seductively smiling at Joe): I saw you at the symposium and I hoped you would approach me. I asked around about you, but no one knew anything about you. Wesley was the first one to mention you when he told me about the spacecraft you developed. I was impressed, not with the spacecraft because I haven’t seen it, but what he told me about you.

Spacey: Did he say Joe is afraid of women?

Joe (standing up frowning, Spacey and Sheila smiling): Come on, I’ll take you to my ship right now. I know it will impress you.

Sheila (standing up): Ok, let’s go.

Joe: Spacey, you stay here and finish your drink. Have dinner and pick up the check.

Spacey: Aw, Joe.

Joe, looking at Sheila smiling and looking positively radiant, offers her his arm and they move to the exit.

Sheila (looking back at Spacey tipping his drink to them): Will he be alright by himself?

Joe: Sure, within a half hour he will have some babe crawling all over him. I’ll be lucky if he is capable to fly tomorrow.

Sheila: Should we go back and save him?

Joe (turns to look her in the eyes, his heart starts to pound and his speech is faltering): I’m the one in trouble here.

Sheila (smiling, returning his stare): I feel it too.

Approaching the exit, Joe reaches for the robocab button, but Sheila pulls his hand down showing him her cellphone.

She hits a button and says, My limo will be here in one minute.

Joe (amazed): I didn’t…

Sheila (smiling): "Where would you like to go?

Joe (love in his eyes): Where ever you are going.

The limo pulls up and the driver opens the door for them.

As they slip in, Sheila tells the driver, Hilton.

Arriving at the Hilton, Sheila leads him to the top floor and one of the several penthouses.

Entering the expanse of luxury, Sheila says, Make yourself comfortable, Joe. Would you like a drink?

Joe: Yes, do you have Jameson?

Sheila: "Yes, I am sorry I don’t have iced tea. Please help yourself, it’s over there (pointing to the table as she turns, walking toward the bedroom.) Excuse me while I slip into something more comfortable."

Joe (shaking his head, muttering to himself): Precious metal, precious metal, precious metal…

Joe fixes a Jameson on the rocks and asks her out loud if she wants something.

Sheila responds from the bedroom, Sure, vodka martini, shaken, not stirred.

Joe: You got it.

Sheila comes out wearing the thinnest lavender lingerie flowing to the floor, hiding nothing.

She is so beautiful Joe cannot utter anything to say except, I love you. As Sheila approaches Joe, he starts to be nervous and asks her, Who’s going to help me?

The next morning Joe and Sheila head to the warehouse so Sheila can see his spaceship. Joe realizes that she already knows everything about it. She tells him that she is building similar craft to collect and recycle precious metals from orbit.

Joe: I’ll collect for you if the price is right. What do I have to do with the stuff after I collect it?

Sheila: Simple, drop it at the moon base. My company will ship it to earth and pay you.

Joe: You have a deal. About last night I … Uh…?

Sheila (smiling): Joe, I fell in love with you the moment I first saw you. There is no one else in my life and I want you. We have the same interests and goals with the ability to make them happen. I am based in Houston and you can help both of my companies grow. We are a perfect match for each other.

Joe: We had better get started. I need to find Spacey and get relocated to Houston. You go back to the hotel and as soon as I’m in Houston, I’ll call you.

Sheila: What’s your hurry?

Joe: "They are going to charge me rent to store my ship if I don’t get it out of here. (smiling) Besides, there’s money to be made."

Sheila: Ok, call me before you launch for Houston?

Sheila grabs him and kisses him.

Holding him, she looks into his eyes and tells him, I love you, Joe. I have for two weeks.

Slowly releasing him, she turns and slips into her waiting limo and leaves. Joe, his heart pounding, searches around the warehouse and finally locates Spacey in a storage room holding a bucket of paint and a dripping paint brush.

Spacey: I checked our supplies. Are you surprised to see me? By the way, you looked like you were wearing handcuffs last night. You didn’t marry the girl, did you?

Joe: "Actually, yes. Instead of questions, if you are ready, we need to get out of here.

Spacey: They will be here to fuel us and inspect us for flight clearance in a half hour. In the meantime, we need to program the computer with our course. Did you notice I painted the name of our spacecraft on her nose ‘Scalliwag’?

Joe (shaking his head, turns to board the ship): Let’s go to Houston and start collecting space junk.

Chapter 2 - Arriving in Houston

Joe arranged for permanent launch access, hotel rooms, and maintenance services at the Houston spaceport. Arriving at the hotel it was getting late, and they agreed to meet at the bar. Half an hour later, after cleaning up and hustling to the hotel bar, Joe and Spacey order two Jamesons on the rocks.

Spacey (Turning to Joe): Have you called Sheila, our boss?

Joe: No, I’ll call her from the restaurant.

Moving from the bar to the hotel restaurant, Spacey is quick to spot an old girlfriend.

Spacey: Find us a table and order me a Jameson on the rocks. I’ll be back in a moment.

Meanwhile, Joe’s voice call to Sheila: "I’m sorry sir, but Mss. Korjus is not available. Whom