Lost in Space

A lifeboat at sea is hard to find, even when you know approximately where the ship has foundered. An eager novice, just out of navigation school, will pinpoint his estimation of ship's position, when called upon to locate it. A more experienced seaman will draw a circle and say, "We're somewhere around here," But the veteran salt will lay his palm on the map and declare that this indicates the general area. Even with the best of modern instruments, you can't be sure exactly where you are, on the high seas. And that is only a problem in two dimensions. Now imagine a search extended in three dimensions, where the only "landmarks" are a pattern of stars which do not change visible. A ship is between star-systems; trouble develops, and passengers and crew have to take to lifeships. the distress signal has been sent out; automatic devices aboard the main ship describe the general position. On the lifeships themselves are signaling devices which let the searchers know that the castaways are still alive....