to get it done.
Just think of it: your
spaceship, my science
experiments! It will be
a thing of beauty.
Look at the mission
status. There’s no way
that we can finish in
time for launch.
Our teams are
already working
around the clock.
You worry too
much, Über.
If we take out these systems,
we can shave 20 percent off
of our time until completion.
Then we’ll definitely
launch at the same time
as the CosmoCats!
Oh my… the
things I do for
science.
Hooray!
It certainly
is a beautiful
ship, Uma.
Final preparations
are complete. We are
recalibrating the software
to ensure that we didn’t
miss anything.
Excellent work.
Keep me informed
of the results.
Yogi, soon we’ll
be on our way to
making history.
I have to ask,
though—why are
we leaving now?
Our spacecraft has been
ready for months. We
could already be halfway
to Mars by now.
The orbits of Mars and
Earth are in optimal
positions right now. This
is the time to leave.
Are you concerned
about the CosmoCats?
Not at all.
Or any of the other
space programs, for
that matter.
I am merely
excited to start
this heroic
journey.
I wish we were
the only ones going.
There is nothing
wrong with a little
friendly competition.
And if we win, think
of all those award
dinners.
I want to beat those
CosmoCats so bad!
It’s not a
race, Major.
Why is winning
so important
to you?
A journey to Mars is
a scientific first.
The fact that there are
so many teams going means
that we’ll be able to
accomplish four times as
much research.
Trust me, Pom Pom. I’ve
flown with the CosmoCats
before. They’re only
after one thing. Glory.
It all started in the 60’s when
the CatStronauts were the first
to land on the moon. Ever since
then, the CosmoCats have felt
like they’ve been in second place.
For them, going to Mars
is only about reclaiming
their spot in history. It has
nothing to do with science.
Speaking of “nothing to
do with science,” who’s
hungry? I think dinner
is being served!
Dinner is a
good idea.
I think we could
all use a break.
CHAPTER 5
CosmoCats, you
are cleared for
takeoff.
At last, Bianca, the
day I have longed
for has come.
I can hardly
believe it.
Let’s make
some history.
CosmoCats, commence
Operation Zdorovo.
Main systems
online.
Secondary
systems online.
Main engine
start.
Gemelli?
This is it,
Über!
Is this a good
time to tell you
I’m afraid of
heights?
Relax, friend,
this part will be
over soon.
MEOW engines
are now online.
Angle of
thrust looks
optimal.
Rockets will fire
in 3, 2, 1.
We are cleared
for engine
initiation.
Shuttle CPU
online.
Main engine
start!
Good
luck, Yogi.
You too,
Uma.
Entering launch
code—Hotel, Alpha,
Hotel, Alpha.
Launch code accepted.
Enjoy your flight.
The race to Mars is on! Three
successful launches earlier today have
been reported from the CosmoCats,
MEOW, and COOKIE space programs.
How soon till we
leave, Blanket?
Cat-Stro-Bot is running a
final diagnostic in Mission
Control as we speak.
Great! I’ll have
time to finish packing
my experiments for
Mars.
I’m not sure you’ll need
those, Pom Pom. We want
to keep our rocket as
light as possible for a
faster liftoff.
I am not traveling
586,423,653 kilometers
without doing anything
scientific.
When we get back from Mars,
everyone will have questions about
our journey, the planet, everything.
Is there life on Mars? Is
there water on the surface?
Can cats live there?
My experiments will
help us answer those
questions.
So if the
experiments
don’t go, I’m not
going either.
CatStronauts, the
rocket preflight check
is complete. You are go!
You’re right. We’re a team
and we’re the strongest
when we’re together.
But I want you
to focus on the
journey there.
No experiments until
we land on Mars.
I can live with
that, Major.
CATSTRONAUTS,
PREPARE FOR
LAUNCH!
Oooh! Prepare
for lunch!
Main Power…
online. Main
Bus A…online.
Secondary
systems…
online.
Main engine
start.
Main engine
start.
Try jiggling the
switch.
Nothing.
Flight, looks like
we’ve got a problem.
Sit tight, CatStronauts. We’ll
send a team out to look at
your engine issue.
The longer we sit,
the farther the
CosmoCats get.
SOFTWARE ISSUE
DETECTED.
PROCESSING…
CORRECTED.
CatStronauts, all
systems are go!
CHAPTER 6
Conversion complete
for interplanetary
travel.
We have cleared
Earth’s orbit.
Setting course
for Mars.
The CosmoCats are leading
by approximately 6 millio
n
kilometers.
OK, D=RT. So if we’re
moving at 117,864
kilometers per hour, and
traveling 586 million
kilometers to Mars…
They are ahead
by 6 million k…
take into account the
planetary alignment
for Hohmann
Transfer Orbit…
We need to increase
the thrust by 3 percent.
Then we can overtake
the CosmoCats just before
they reach Mars.
Mission
Control, what
do you think?
The boosters
might overheat. If
that happens, they
could explode.
CALCULATING…
THERE IS A 57
PERCENT CHANCE
OF OVERHEATING.
It’s your call,
Major.
Do it.
UPLOADING NEW
SOFTWARE FOR
BOOSTERS…
Thanks,
buddy!
YOU ARE
WELCOME,
CREATOR.
EXTREME
engine burn
in 3, 2, 1 . . .
64 DAYS IN SPACE
Solar panels
operating at
100 percent, all
systems nominal.
Course adjusted to
2-1 mark 434.
The CatStronauts have
increased their speed
dramatically.
Do not fear, Petrov.
They are kittens, while
we are cats.
We will be placing
our flag on the
surface before they
can catch up.
As for the other
teams…
Time will tell.
120 DAYS IN SPACE
Long-range scan
is picking up the
MEOW ship.
We will
overtake them
shortly.
Slow and steady
wins the race.
Tails up, everyone!
We are closing in
on the others.
Let’s see if
I can sneak
through.…
The CatStronauts
just passed us, and
the CosmoCats are
getting farther
away!
What’s the
problem? Why are
we slowing down?!
Your science
experiments are
taking 26 percent of
our energy supply.
We have to
stop all science
experiments.
If we stop, how
will we ever find
out if fish can be
trained to dance
in space?
I thought Mars
was our first
priority?
OK. I’ll put the fish
in stasis until we
get to Mars.
Redirect all
available power
to the engine.
Let’s see
what this
kitty can do!
WHOAAA!
ÜBER, THE SHIP IS
OUT OF CONTROL!
This is much harder to
control than in training!
SLOW DOWN!
We’re going to—
There’s been a collision
between the other
teams. Should we
investigate?
No.
Mars remains our
main objective.
CHAPTER 7
Come in,
CatStronauts.
Please respond.
Any word from
the CatStronauts,
Glumdalum?
Sorry, Flight, nothing
yet. Their signal just
Where could
they be?
Flight, I’ve been
analyzing the
trajectory data.
Based on the last known coordinates
of all of the ships, MEOW, COOKIE, and
the CatStronauts were all heading
toward one another.
My gut is saying
that they collided.
They could be
stranded in space.
Then we’re going
to get them.
It will be risky,
Ozzie. We could lose
even more cats!
We’ve never lost a
cat in space, and we’re
sure as fish not going to
start now.
A-HEM.
I WOULD LIKE TO
VOLUNTEER FOR
THE MISSION.
I HAVE THE MOST
EXPERIENCE IN SPACE.
BESIDES, BLANKET
IS MY CREATOR.
He does know all
of our computer
systems.
And he doesn’t need
to eat or sleep, so we
can save any supplies
for the others.
I agree, Cat-Stro-Bot is
the best for the job.
Elvis, I need you to
prep another rocket
with your boosters.
You got it!
Is everyone
OK?
Damage report
coming in…
Power is at
63 percent
and falling.
Engines are off-line.
Long-range communication
is kaput. But navigation
still functions.
We can’t talk to
Mission Control?
Sorry, buddy,
only short-range
radios work.
We’re in a real
pickle here, team.
I thought we were
in a spaceship.
Hello, can anyone hear
me? This is UMA from
the COOKIE program.
Our ship is in trouble
and we need help.
Uma, this is the
CatStronauts.
We read you.
MEOW-Mates here.
We also have a
situation.
We do too. Our
engine is out, and
we’re losing power.
We’ve lost
navigation, but
our engines work.
Our batteries are
still charged, but
not really much
else.
Jeez, between all of
us, we have one ship
that works.
THAT’S IT!
If we dock all of our
ships together, and
we combine them…
Using the working
parts from each ship,
we’ll make one usable
ship for all of us.
Uma, are you using
the Mark 1 or
Mark 2 engines?
What’s the amp
limit on the
CatStronaut ship
again?
MEOW-Mates, our
starboard airlock
is ready.
MISSION CONTROL,
THIS IS CAT-STRO-BOT
REPORTING IN....
ALL SYSTEMS ARE GOOD.
SETTING AN INTERCEPT
COURSE WITH THE LAST
KNOWN COORDINATES OF
THE CATSTRONAUTS.
Copy that, Cat-Stro-Bot.
Keep us updated.
INCOMING OBJECT
DETECTED.
COLLISION IMMINENT.
Cat-Stro-Bot?!
CAT-STRO-BOT?!
Not again…
CHAPTER 8
205 DAYS IN SPACE