Flight task checklist

[Victor]

This might be useful for thinking of tasks to keep characters occupied during those long space travels, as points of interest to narrate, or just points where something can go wrong (or dramatic, same thing :)). Additions are welcome.
<font SIZE=+1>
<u>Pre-Flight</u>
[ ] Medical Evaluation(s)
[ ] Navigation Programming
[ ] Cargo Check
[ ] Provisions Check
[ ] Systems Test
[ ] Fuel Check
[ ] Engine Test (except when docked)

<u>GTO (Ground to Orbit) Transit</u> (Launch)
[ ] Guidance Check
[ ] Ascent Corrections
[ ] MECO (Main Engine Cut-Off)

<u>Docking</u> (Performed by smaller/most-manueverable craft)
[ ] Approach and Maneuver to ZRM (Zero Relative Movement)
[ ] Attitude Maneuver to match rotation
[ ] Maneuver to Docking Port
[ ] Engage Docking Clamps
[ ] Engage and Pressurize docking collar

<u>Undocking</u> (Performed by smaller/most-manueverable craft)
[ ] Depressurize and retract docking collar
[ ] Disengage Docking Clamps
[ ] Maneuver Clear

<u>OTS (Orbit to System) Transit</u> (Departure)
[ ] Navigation Check
[ ] Attitude Maneuver
[ ] Primary Thrust
[ ] MECO

<u>Cruise (N-Space)</u>
[ ] Navigation Check
[ ] Acceleration Burn
[ ] Course Correction
[ ] MECO
[ ] Attitude Maneuver
[ ] Deceleration Burn
[ ] Course Correction
[ ] MECO

<u>Cruise (Hyper-space or Jump)</u>
[ ] Astrogation Check
[ ] Drive Power-up
[ ] Field Activation
[ ] Mid-course Field Adjustment (Hyperspace Only)
[ ] Field Deactivation
[ ] Drive Power-down
[ ] Astrogation Check

<u>STO (System to Orbit) Transit</u> (Arrival)
[ ] Navigation Check
[ ] Attitude Maneuver
[ ] Primary Thrust
[ ] MECO

<u>OTG (Orbit to Ground) Transit</u> (Landing)
[ ] Guidance Check
[ ] Descent Corrections
[ ] Deceleration burn
[ ] MECO
[ ] Maneuver to Surface Contact
[ ] Systems Check
[ ] Systems Shutdown
</font>

As an aside: On modern cruise ships, the ship has one or more navigators as part of the crew, who guide it from port to port. When they come into port, a "pilot" who works at the port facility (or for the coast guard equivilant, in some cases) will come on board to perform the actual docking.

I'm not sure it's practical in space, as it more than doubles the number of docking/undocking sequences required, but xenophobic, iron-fisted, and/or overly-cautious stations and ports may insist that only their people perform dockings or landings, and only after the ship has been given a cursory search/inspection by their forces. Whether there's an inspection or not, the passageways are generally required to be clear of all passengers during boarding, and often until the ship is docked.

Starship navigators should be prepared for the possibility, but may well chafe at having to hand over controls of their ship to a stranger.

[McCoy]

Originally posted by Victor
As an aside: On modern cruise ships, the ship has one or more navigators as part of the crew, who guide it from port to port. When they come into port, a "pilot" who works at the port facility (or for the coast guard equivilant, in some cases) will come on board to perform the actual docking.

I'm not sure it's practical in space, as it more than doubles the number of docking/undocking sequences required, but xenophobic, iron-fisted, and/or overly-cautious stations and ports may insist that only their people perform dockings or landings, and only after the ship has been given a cursory search/inspection by their forces. Whether there's an inspection or not, the passageways are generally required to be clear of all passengers during boarding, and often until the ship is docked.

Starship navigators should be prepared for the possibility, but may well chafe at having to hand over controls of their ship to a stranger.

I would imagine that would be done by remote control or telepresence. At some point, the Navagator is told to switch over to local control, and the ship is docked by someone not even on board. Like having someone in the control tower take the plane to the jetway after landing. Would also expect this to be more common on spacedocks and orbital stations rather than planet landings.

[Victor]

Agreed, with respect to the telepresence. The exception being, perhaps, when/if they perform an inspection of the ship prior to docking... in which case they're already on board, so they may as well bring it in themselves manually.

I guess both methods have the potential for interesting things to happen.
The telepresence control may force the ship to do something hazardous, or maybe start raiding/trashing the ship's computer files.
The boarding crew might be looking for bribes, "planting" contraband, or even be pirates in disguise.
Even if the boarding party IS on the level, there may be irate and unreasonable passengers who refuse to leave the lounge, or decide they need to get some piece of baggage off the ship in a hurry, or that the boarding crew get into some other hassle with.

[AnotherSkip]

Hmmm where are the entertainment system operators??

Dee jays, Stand up comics, 'professional opponents" etc