Rama (spacecraft)
Rama is a space craft that features in the Rama novels.
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History
In the year 2131, Rama had entered into the Sol system at a speed and heading that would take it on a slingshot maneuver around the sun whereupon it would head back into deep space. Initially, Earth had detected the vessel but had mistaken it for a giant asteroid that was detected by Spaceguard which consisted of an automated radar net designed to warn the planet of potential impact threats. Once detected, it was assigned a data designation of 31/439 that included the year it was discovered and the order of discovery. Once it travelled closer to perihelion, its anomalous shape and heading led to mankind taking attention to the body. It was still believed to had been an asteroid but astronomers decide to give a designation to it. They would name 31/439 after the Hindu deity Rama after all the Greek and Roman mythological figures had been used up.
In the following months, observation by telescope and unmanned probes confirmed that Rama was actually an artificial construct leading to the first indirect contact with extraterrestrial life b Earth. It would be intercepted by an exploration mission where by humans from the nearby space vessel Solar Survey ship Endeavour that was commanded by Commander William Norton. After interception, Norton and the Endeavour crew who began exploring Rama with their intention being to depart after a three week mission. Rama itself was seemingly indifferent to the life forms it had encountered and instead sought to refuel using the matter and energy collected from the sun after which it would execute several minor course corrections as it sought to leave the solar system.
Overview
In appearance, it was described as being a dark featureless metallic cylinder that measured 54 kilometers long and 20 kilometers in diameter. Its internal structure would measure up to 50 kilometers long and wide if it were unfolded giving it a surface area of 2500 kilometers. The cylinder itself was said to had been mostly hollow and rotated to create the illusion of gravity on the inner surface of the shell. Such was its massive size that it was equated to being an artificial world with a viable landscape that was capable of supporting life.
Notes
- Rama was an extra-terrestrial spacecraft created by Arthur C. Clarke where it made its first appearance in Rendezvous with Rama.
Appearances
- Rendezvous with Rama:
