Men walked around the booster, dwarfed by its white flanks; instruments and cameras, mounted on delicate-looking tripods, clustered about the rig, and there were probes inserted into the black mouth of the engine bell itself.

Udet tapped Dana’s shoulder and leaned toward him. “We still have a couple of minutes. Let us speak freely, you and I.”

Dana studied him suspiciously.

Udet said, “I want to talk about risk. I think this lies at the heart of the debate we are engaged in. We have accumulated, in this country, the best part of two decades’ experience in designing and operating manned spacecraft systems. And in that time, the concept of risk has—” Uncharacteristically Udet hesitated, evidently searching for the right word.

“ ‘Evolved’?” Dana suggested drily.

Udet arched an eyebrow. “Very well. ‘Evolved.’ We have found it necessary to develop principles more sophisticated than simple admonitions to ‘protect the crew at all costs,’ and so forth.”

“ ‘We’?”

“Yes,” Udet snapped. “We who are responsible, ultimately, for the safety of the young men we loft into orbit, as opposed to those — with all respect — who merely stand to one side. Such as yourself.

“The evaluation of ‘risk’ itself evolves during the progress of a mission. Consider this. The Apollo 12 booster was hit by lightning during launch. The spacecraft reached orbit safely, but Apollo’s electrical systems had been severely battered, and it was impossible to check if the parachutes in the Command Module would function correctly. On balance, it was decided to continue the mission; once we have survived a launch, however problematic, if we do not proceed we must subject another crew to the greater risks of a further launch to reach the same point. And as for the parachutes, if a return to Earth would kill Conrad and his crew, it may as well be after a lunar landing as before.”

“I know the story, Dr. Udet. What is your point?”

“Simply that this whole business” — Udet waved a hand — “is just the realization, the fabrication in metal and rubber and cryogenic liquids, of a dream. A dream which you and I share. But it is not a dream which can be achieved without risk. Our mission, therefore, is not to eliminate risk but to manage it. And it is this perspective which must inform your review of the project…”

Dana felt uncertain, once more, in the face of Udet’s calm competence and assurance. Could he really oppose this man’s powerful convictions?

Over a remote PA, a countdown began. Udet stood upright in the trench, his silver hair shining in the sunlight. It is for moments like this that Udet is alive, Dana thought.

“Later,” Udet murmured to Dana, “I would like to show you the manufacture of the propellant, here at Wasatch; the compound is mixed in great bowls and then poured straight into the casing segments. It has the look and feel of rubber…”