Chapter 34, Car Wash Summary

The tapping of Haley's comet water brings protests from Earth to keep the hands off the comet. The ineffective protests are taken in good humor aboard Universe. As the ship climbs away from the comet, colorful fireworks issue from its exhaust due to the mineral content of the comet water. A last maneuver before leaving the comet involves turning the craft over within the plume of Old Faithful, which cleans Universe for rapid and extended space travel. The ship then takes off for Europa.

Chapter 34, Car Wash Analysis

Cleverness has no bounds with Captain Smith and his crew. The use of Old Faithful as a car wash to remove the considerable residue from the comet landing is nearly as smart as the Floyd-Jolson Maneuver. However, the trick is believable and follows logically from earlier plot details. With the added...