Short story told through communications to Mission Control?
May 7, 2010 8:59 AM Subscribe
I'm looking for a short sci-fi story that has eluded me for some time.
As far as I can remember, several scientists are sent on a long mission to a planet in another solar system. Their ship is either traveling at near-relativistic speeds at this point or does so later, once they've upgraded it, as there are significant time dilation effects. What they don't know is that their ship will never make it to that planet ... but Mission Control knows it (and the scientists soon figure it out).
The scientists discover this, fix their ship, evolve rapidly, and eventually their descendants return to Earth. The story is told at least partially through their communications with Mission Control, who soon cannot understand their words due to their increased intelligence.
Does this sound familiar to anyone?
As far as I can remember, several scientists are sent on a long mission to a planet in another solar system. Their ship is either traveling at near-relativistic speeds at this point or does so later, once they've upgraded it, as there are significant time dilation effects. What they don't know is that their ship will never make it to that planet ... but Mission Control knows it (and the scientists soon figure it out).
The scientists discover this, fix their ship, evolve rapidly, and eventually their descendants return to Earth. The story is told at least partially through their communications with Mission Control, who soon cannot understand their words due to their increased intelligence.
Does this sound familiar to anyone?
I think this is something I have read too, more recently than the Pohl novel, but I can't come up with it. You might try asking on the rec.arts.sf.written newsgroup if you have access to Usenet. There are people there who can name any sf short story within minutes.
posted by aught at 9:26 AM on May 7, 2010
posted by aught at 9:26 AM on May 7, 2010
Best answer: There was actually a short story version of Starburst called "The Gold at the Starbow's End." You can read most of it on Google Books, although the last few pages are blocked.
posted by Rhaomi at 10:35 AM on May 7, 2010
posted by Rhaomi at 10:35 AM on May 7, 2010
I concure with Rhaomi: The Gold at the Starbow's End sounds exactly like what you're describing.
posted by jazon at 10:42 AM on May 7, 2010
posted by jazon at 10:42 AM on May 7, 2010
Response by poster: Thank you all! It was the short story that I remembered reading, but I'll probably have to pick up the novel now too.
posted by divide_by_cucumber at 6:38 PM on May 7, 2010
posted by divide_by_cucumber at 6:38 PM on May 7, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by doozer_ex_machina at 9:07 AM on May 7, 2010 [1 favorite]