Filk Song About The Homecow Accident

Space Engineers NTSB Incident Report Incident Type: Catastrophic Hull Damage & Crew Fatalities Incident Report Number: SE-47-010 Date of Incident: Stardate 2584.07 Location: Asteroid Field Delta-47 Vessel: Homecow (Mining Vessel) Crew: Isaac (Pilot), Alice (System Operator) - Deceased Incident Outcome: Total loss of crew and vessel Incident Summary: On Stardate 2584.07, the large-scale mining vessel Homecow, piloted by Isaac and operated by Alice, suffered catastrophic hull damage after an impact with an asteroid in Delta-47 asteroid field. The vessel, weighing approximately 1.5 million kilograms at the time of impact due to a large payload of iron ore, failed to decelerate effectively. As a result, the ship collided with the surface of an asteroid, sustaining severe structural damage and total systems failure. Despite the crew’s best efforts to repair and stabilize the ship, Isaac and Alice succumbed to their injuries and environmental exposure. The vessel, missing from its last known flight path, was discovered several days later as a drifting hulk. The cause of death for the crew members is consistent with blunt trauma, depressurization, and prolonged exposure to the harsh conditions of deep space. The incident highlights the grave dangers of unregistered and unregulated mining operations in deep space, particularly when cargo weight exceeds the capabilities of the vessel. Details of the Incident: Vessel Specifications and Cargo Load Base Mass of Homecow: ~400,000 kilograms Mass at Time of Incident: ~1.5 million kilograms (due to substantial iron ore extraction) Cargo: Iron ore and trace minerals; no additional crew or passengers aboard Propulsion System: Standard hydrogen thrusters with forward and rear facing arrays Flight Plan: Unregistered, with no communication logs beyond last sighting in Asteroid Field Delta-47 Homecow was conducting a high-risk mining operation in a remote asteroid field, targeting valuable mineral deposits. Earlier in the mission, the crew struck an exceptionally rich vein of iron, significantly increasing the vessel’s mass by more than threefold. This increase in mass, combined with the ship's standard thruster configuration, created an unfavorable thrust-to-weight ratio. Chronology of Events: Initial Approach: Isaac, controlling the Homecow, engaged in a routine approach towards a nearby asteroid in search of additional resources. His focus was on ice deposits visible through the mineral scanners, indicating potential for resource extraction. Alice monitored the vessel’s systems, reporting no abnormalities. Critical Alert: As the vessel closed in on the asteroid, Alice detected an imminent collision threat. The ship was traveling at a velocity of 75 meters per second, much faster than safe operating parameters for a fully laden vessel of its size. Upon realizing the threat, Alice shouted a warning to Isaac, prompting him to engage the inertial dampeners. Inertial Dampener Failure: Isaac activated the inertial dampeners, but the ship’s massive payload and compromised maneuverability resulted in a slow response. The ship’s rear thrusters were engaged to slow the descent, but the rapid approach and extra mass prevented adequate deceleration. Despite Isaac’s attempts to alter the ship’s trajectory, the vessel remained on a collision course. Impact and Structural Damage: The Homecow collided with the asteroid at approximately 20 meters per second. The impact was not direct, but a severe glancing blow, causing the ventral side of the ship to crumple under the force. The collision triggered multiple system failures, including a loss of power, life support failure, plasma fires, and atmospheric venting. The ship was sent into an uncontrolled spin, further complicating the situation. Crew Response: Isaac: Thrown from his command chair by the impact, Isaac suffered moderate injuries but remained conscious. Due to the ship’s rapid rotation and structural damage, he was unable to reach the cockpit until he made rudimentary repairs using his hand welder. Alice: Severely injured during the collision, Alice sustained blunt trauma and internal injuries due to a partial collapse of the control room. She lost consciousness shortly after the impact and was unable to assist in recovery efforts. Post-mortem analysis suggests that she likely succumbed to her injuries within hours. Conclusion: The tragedy of the Homecow serves as a stark reminder of the hazards of space mining, particularly when operating under unregulated and overloaded conditions. The loss of Isaac and Alice is a testament to the dangers of ignoring safety protocols and pushing ships beyond their limits. While their courage and determination to survive are clear from the wreckage, this incident underlines the importance of proper planning, registration, and adherence to safety protocols for all future deep-space operations.