Moonbase Alpha Technical Notebook

Name: CARTER, ALAN Date of Birth: DECEMBER 19, 1966 Place of BIrth: NEW SOUTH WALES, AUSTRALIA Assigned Alpha: JUNE 14, 1999 (FOURTH TOUR OF DUTY) Job Assignment: CHIEF OF RECONNAISSANCE Alan is the only person on Alpha to have actually seen the nuclear ex- plosions which ripped the Moon from its orbit and hurled it into deep space. He had been assigned to head the construction of the Meta Probe in lunar orbit when the disaster occurred. After he witnessed the shatter- ing cataclysm, even though he could have returned to Earth, he decided his loyalty was to the people on Alpha. This decision and Alan's reaction show only a small part of his ability and integrity. Having grown up on a cattle ranch in Australia, his major talent was horsemanship but his fondest dream and greatest love was flying. As a teenager he flew his family's private plane. As a young man he joined the Australian Air Force. As an adult he became an Astronaut in the U.S./Australian Space Co-opera- tion Program (1994). Three years later he was the third man to go to Mars and a year after that crewed on a flight to Venus's largest moon. In January, 1999, Alan became a member of Moonbase Alpha, having successfully tested the Eagle Transport and Mark IX Hawk. All had not been easy however. His professional achievements are all the more impressive considering his personal tragedy. A Eurasian girl with whom he had fallen deeply in love while stationed in Bali was murdered by terrorists. This terrible reality Alan will never forget, but it will never stop him either. His talents as a pilot and athlete are always in demand. He is one of Alpha's most valued residents.