Rogere picked me up in his new skimcraft: Didem.We already had our personal gear aboard his wonderful ship "Halcon". We greeted each other with a handshake-not exactly sure how much friends we are-but we grinned at each other. It'll be all right.

Rogere set Didem down about a half mile from the launch area. He indulged my urge to walk to the port so I could let my body feel the solid ground before we took off; not to feel a natural surface for several weeks.

As we ...