#9 Samuel Peralta
Lift-Off
by Samuel Peralta
It isn’t all over; everything has not been invented;the human adventure is just beginning.
—Gene Rodenberry
I’D BEEN WAITING to fly the Antares all summer.
The first rocket I’d ever launched, it stood over a foot tall, an inch in diameter, red fins swept back at its base like red fletching on an arrow.
I’d selected, instead of an A8-3 first-flight engine, a C6-5 solid-propellant engine. The C6-5 was a single-stage engine, its propellant, delay charge and ejection charge held in a cylindrical tube by a clay retainer cap and shaped nozzle—much like the A8-3, but more powerful.
With luck, this baby would lift-off to over 1000 feet.
Next to Star Trek, Ray Bradbury and Isaac Asimov, Estes Rockets were my hero. They came to prominence by inventing a process for reliably manufacturing small, solid-propellant engines for model rockets.
Estes manufactured a huge variety of kits, ranging from small first-flight model rockets to ones which could house a small camera, designed to take photographs during flight and descent. The fuselages were usually of paperboard, with nose cones and fins of balsa.
It was not just simplicity in design, not just cost consciousness—the construction was calculated to lighten the load under launch, addressing the same issues faced by the main engines propelling NASA’s Space Shuttle orbiters.
The first of these Space Shuttle orbiters, the OV101, was intended to be named the Constitution; it was changed, after an intense letter-writing campaign by fans of the television series, like I was, to Enterprise.
The Enterprise was flight tested atop a modified Boeing 747 aircraft at the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center, and made its first free flight test at Dryden, beginning the cycle that would see humans begin to first use spacecraft that did not have to be discarded after a single flight.
The beginnings, as it were, of a star fleet.
That same year, I stood in a field, electrical line uncoiling from where I was across to the launch pad, where a guide-rod held the Antares vertically, facing the sky.
When I threw the switch, the current would race through the line, across the micro-igniter clips to the ignition wire, and the engine would fire with an impulse of 10 Newton-seconds, ramping to a maximum 15 Newtons of thrust in 0.2 seconds, over a total burn-time of 1.6 seconds.
Countdown.
I held my breath.
Now.
Manifest 9:
STORIES AND MEMORIES, PASSENGERS AND STOWAWAYS
Manifest 9 – this payload for Peregrine Mission One to the Moon – has been placed in association with Writers on the Moon, and is a collection of works written, edited, composed, curated, or produced by Samuel Peralta, currently residing in Toronto, Canada, Earth.
About Samuel
Physicist, entrepreneur, and storyteller, Samuel Peralta’s fiction has hit the major bestseller lists and his poetry has won awards worldwide. Acclaimed for curating popular short story anthologies and art exhibits, he is also a songwriter and producer of prize-winning independent films. And he cooks a wicked moules marinières.
About Manifest 9
The Manifest 9 collection includes novels, poetry and short story collections, anthology series, art exhibits, scientific documents, musical compositions, plays and independent film productions – from USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling books to Emmy Award-winning films.
Along with his own works, the collection reflects of one of Sam’s lifelong missions – to help encourage and support other creatives, whether in writing, music, art, or film. Thus, highlighted most in this small sampler of Sam’s work: a fellowship of over 400 writers, artists, and creatives as passengers on this journey.
Welcome to Manifest 9 of the Writers on the Moon.
MANIFEST 9
Many thanks to Astrobotic and its Peregrine Mission One, to DHL MoonBox, to the United Launch Alliance, and most of all to Susan Kaye Quinn and the Writers on the Moon partners, who made possible inclusion in the lunar time capsule.
“In mythology, Mnemosyne – whose name means Memory – was the mother to the Nine Muses. Calliope was the muse of epic poetry, Clio the muse of history, Erato the muse of love poetry, Euterpe the muse of music, Melpomene the muse of tragedy, Polyhymnia the muse of sacred poetry, Terpsichore the muse of dance, and Thalia the muse of comedy…
“These works are the children of my memory.” – S. Peralta
MEMORY’S CHILDREN
Windrift Books (2019)
A collection of short stories, essays, and poetry by Samuel Peralta
– Individual stories edited by John Joseph Adams, Ellen Campbell, Patrice Fitzgerald, David Gatewood, Jeff Seymour, Daniel Arthur Smith, Crystal Watanabe, and Jessica West
– Cover art and design by Luca Oleastri and Samuel Peralta
– Author photograph by Antosia Fiedur
THE ZOO AT THE END OF THE WORLD
Windrift Books (2017)
A short novel by Samuel Peralta
Note: This edition is only available on the Moon. A new terrestrial edition is forthcoming.
– With thanks to my editors Naomi Leadbeater and P.K. Tyler
– Cover design by Nathaniel Hebert and L. Catherine Winter
– Author photograph by Antosia Fiedur
– USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestseller in the Dominion Rising collection, which included
Gwynn White 
Erin St. Pierre P.K. Tyler S.M. Blooding Ella Summers Daniel Arthur Smith Cheri Lasota Dean F. Wilson Ann Christy Rebecca Rode Anthea Sharp S.M. Schmitz Lisa Blackwood Erin Hayes K.J. Colt Timothy C. Ward Becca Andre Tony Bertauski Logan Thomas Snyder Felix R. Savage Marilyn Peake J.C. Andrijeski Melanie Karsak Margo Bond Collins Samuel Peralta Tom Shutt
TANGO DESOLADO
Windrift Books (2012)
A collection of poetry by Samuel Peralta
– Cover art “February 2005” by Heather Horton
– Author photograph by Grace Mendoza Hughes
– This book is part of the five-volume Semaphore Collection, which includes Sonata Vampirica, How More Beautiful You Are, Sonnets from the Labrador, and War and Ablution.
RADAR
In Klarissa Dreams Redux: An Illuminated Anthology (2020)
Poem by Samuel Peralta
– Cover art “The Lonesome Pine” by Klarissa Kocsis
– Anthology of art, stories and poetry produced by Shebat Legion
– Cover design by Rebecca Poole
– Proceeds directed to the Peterborough Regional Health Centre Foundation and affiliated charities
– With contributions from
Klarissa Kocsis Dianne Tchir Alan Torok Marko Katic James McCuaig Shebat Legion Joel Eisenberg Nettie Eisenberg Jocelyn Williams Michael H. Hanson Daniel Arthur Smith Rivka Jacobs Andrew Robertson Randy Michaud Michael S. Walker Carmilla Voiez Deanne Charlton Lorinda Taylor ZZ Claybourne P.K. Tyler Phoebe Tsang Rebecca Poole Scott Carruba Ken Tizzard Milton Davies Marilynn Carter Peter Bergerson Dr. Kent David Tisher Jef Rouner Erika M Szabo Brent Meske Beverly Alexander Vye Skye Knizley Debbie Starrett Ann Stolinsky Nellie Smith Brian Finley Nely Cab Joe DeRouen Jessica West Beth Patterson Robert Allen Lupton Paul DeThroe Julie Dundas Gregg Chamberlain D.S. Foster Mike Casto Latika Karani Faith Marlow Baer Charlton Elizabeth S. Wolf Duncan Swallow Charles Barouch Joe Bonadonna Justin Sandler Rue Volley Andrew K. Tempest Margaret R. Blake Teresa Carawan Anita Reeder Hardister Theresa Nyenhuis Lissette E. Manning Janice Bell John H. Howard Mary McGillis Gwyndyn Alexander Samuel Peralta
THE FUTURE CHRONICLES (Volumes 1-21 as of January 2021)
Windrift Books (2015 – today)
A continuing short story anthology series by Samuel Peralta
– 21 volumes from the continuing anthology collection
– Individual volumes were #1 Amazon bestsellers in science fiction, fantasy, horror, and more
– Cover art and design for individual books by David Adams, Jason Gurley, Adam Hall, Jeff Heagy, Faustino Leonidas Gaitan, Ron Joseph, and Samuel Peralta
– Series editor Samuel Peralta, with guest editors for individual volumes, including Lucas Bale (Andrew Mazibrada), Ellen Campbell, Carol Davis, Therin Knite, Chris Pourteau, Alex Roddie, Jeff Seymour, Crystal Watanabe, Nolie Wilson, and Samuel Peralta
The Future Chronicles, Special Edition (Vol. 1)
Note: This edition is only available on the Moon. A regular terrestrial edition is available.
– Edited by Samuel Peralta
– Foreword by Hugh Howey
– With stories from
Susan Kaye Quinn Jennifer Foehner Wells Nick Webb Peter Cawdron David Adams Sam Best Angela Cavanaugh Ann Christy Nina Croft Patrice Fitzgerald Deirdre Gould Moira Katson A.K. Meek Autumn Kalquist W.J. Davies Vincent Trigili Nicolas Wilson
The A.I. Chronicles (Vol. 2)
– Edited by Ellen Campbell
– Foreword by Samuel Peralta
– With stories from
David Simpson Julie Czerneda Chrystalla Thoma Pavarti K. Tyler Susan Kaye Quinn Peter Cawdron Angela Cavanaugh E. E. Giorgi Alex Albrinck Sam Best A.K. Meek Patrice Fitzgerald Logan Thomas Snyder
The Dragon Chronicles (Vol. 3)
– Edited by Ellen Campbell
– Foreword by Samuel Peralta
– With stories from
Daniel Arenson Elle Casey David Adams Vincent Trigili Monica Enderle Pierce K.J. Colt Kim Wells Terah Edun Alex Albrinck Ted Cross Nina Croft Chris Pourteau
The Z Chronicles (Vol. 4)
– Edited by Ellen Campbell
– Foreword by Samuel Peralta
– With stories from
Hugh Howey Jennifer Foehner Wells David Adams Christopher Boore Angela Cavanaugh Peter Cawdron Ann Christy Stacy Ericson Deirdre Gould Kris Holt Theresa Kay Geoffrey Wakeling Lesley Smith (Asha Bardon)
The Immortality Chronicles (Vol. 5)
– Edited by Carol Davis
– Cover art and design by Adam Hall and Jason Gurley.
– Foreword by Samuel Peralta
– With stories from
Will Swardstrom Thomas Robins D. Robert Pease Paul B. Kohler D.K. Cassidy John Gregory Hancock Harlow C. Fallon Patricia Gilliam E.E. Giorgi Drew Avera David Bruns Gareth Foy
Alt.History 101 (Vol. 6)
– Edited by Samuel Peralta and Nolie Wilson
– Foreword by Samuel Peralta
– With stories from
Ken Liu Samuel Peralta Peter Cawdron Thomas Robins Pavarti K. Tyler Ann Christy Michelle Browne Anthea Sharp Tony Bertauski Nicolas Wilson Sam Best Zig Zag Claybourne (Clarence Young) Stacy Ericson Logan Thomas Snyder
The Galaxy Chronicles (Vol. 7)
– Edited by Jeff Seymour
– Foreword by Samuel Peralta
– With stories from
Nick Webb Raymond L. Weil Jasper T. Scott Jennifer Foehner Wells David Adams G. S. Jennsen Pippa DaCosta Matthew Alan Thyer Chris Reher Felix R. Savage Nicolas Wilson
The Cyborg Chronicles (Vol. 8)
– Edited by Crystal Watanabe
– Foreword by Samuel Peralta
– With stories from
Susan Kaye Quinn Ken Liu Annie Bellet A.K. Meek P.K. Tyler Artie Cabrera Paul K. Swardstrom Eric Tozzi Michael Patrick Hicks Moira Katson
Alt.History 102 (Vol. 9)
– Edited by Samuel Peralta and Nolie Wilson
– Foreword by Samuel Peralta
– With stories from
Jennifer Ellis Will Swardstrom Alex Roddie Therin Knite Artie Cabrera Rysa Walker J.J. Brown Drew Avera Hank Garner Asha Bardon J.E. Mac (James McCormick) Adam Venezia
The Doomsday Chronicles (Vol. 10)
– Edited by Crystal Watanabe
– Foreword by Samuel Peralta
– With stories from
Ken Liu Seanan McGuire E.R. Arroyo Ann Christy K.J. Colt Monica Enderle Pierce James Knapp Holly Heisey (Nova Caelum) Saul Tanpepper S. Elliot Brandis Terry R. Hill Aaron Hubble Therin Knite Daniel Arthur Smith Matthew Alan Thyer
Chronicle Worlds: Feyland (Vol. 11)
– Presented by Samuel Peralta and Anthea Sharp
– Edited by Ellen Campbell
– Foreword by Samuel Peralta
– Introduction by Anthea Sharp
– With stories from
Anthea Sharp Andrea Luhman Brigid Collins Deb Logan Eric Kent Edstrom Joseph Robert Lewis Lindsay Edmunds Roz Marshall David Adams James T. Wood Jon Frater K.J. Colt
The Shapeshifter Chronicles, special edition (Vol. 12)
– Edited by Crystal Watanabe
– Foreword by Samuel Peralta
– With stories from
Ken Liu Julie E. Czerneda K. J. Colt Wendy Hammer Charity Tahmaseb Anthea Sharp Alexia Purdy Thomas Robins Stefan Bolz Christopher Boore Kim Wells
Chronicle Worlds: Paradisi (Vol. 13)
– Edited by Ellen Campbell
– Foreword by Samuel Peralta
– Introduction by Louisa Locke
– With stories from
Cheri Lasota Louisa Locke Ashley Angelly Claire Davon Lindsay Edmunds S.J. Mayeski Andy McKell Bill Patterson Joseph Robert Lewis
The Jurassic Chronicles (Vol. 14)
– Edited by Crystal Watanabe
– Foreword by Samuel Peralta
– With stories from
Victor Milán Seanan McGuire Piers Beckley Ed Gosney Emily Mah M. J. Kelley Laxmi Hariharan Stant Litore Philip Harris Zen DiPietro Terry Maggert Harry Manners Anthony J. Melchiorri
The Time Travel Chronicles (Vol. 15)
– Edited by Crystal Watanabe
– Foreword by Samuel Peralta
– With stories from
Robert J. Sawyer Rysa Walker Lucas Bale Anthony Vicino Ernie Lindsey Carol Davis Stefan Bolz Ann Christy Tracy Banghart Michael Holden Samuel Peralta Daniel Arthur Smith Ernie Luis Erik Wecks
Chronicle Worlds: B-Movie (Vol. 16)
– Presented by Artie Cabrera and Samuel Peralta
– Edited by Ellen Campbell
– Foreword by Samuel Peralta
– With stories from
Artie Cabrera Daniel Arthur Smith Jessica West Matthew Stott Eamon Ambrose Stefan Bolz Christopher J. Valin S. Elliot Brandis Forbes West
Chronicle Worlds: Tails of Dystopia (Vol. 17)
– Presented by Samuel Peralta and Chris Pourteau
– Edited by Chris Pourteau
– Foreword by Chris Pourteau
– Introduction by Samuel Peralta
– With stories from
Rysa Walker Ann Christy Jennifer Ellis Harlow C. Fallon Daniel Arthur Smith Justin Sloan Cheri Lasota E.E. Giorgi
Chronicle Worlds: Crime and Punishment (Vol. 18)
– Edited by Alex Roddie and Lucas Bale
– Foreword by Samuel Peralta
– With stories from
S. Elliot Brandis J. S. Collyer S. W. Fairbrother Michael Patrick Hicks G. S. Jennsen Harry Manners Yudhanjaya Wijeratne Lucas Bale Alex Roddie
Chronicle Worlds: No Way Home (Vol. 19)
– Edited by Alex Roddie and Lucas Bale
– Foreword by Jennifer Foehner Wells
– With stories from
Samuel Peralta Lucas Bale S. Elliot Brandis J.S. Collyer S.W. Fairbrother Michael Patrick Hicks Harry Manners Nadine Matheson Alex Roddie
The Gamer Chronicles (Vol. 20)
– Edited by Crystal “Pikko” Watanabe
– Foreword by Samuel Peralta
– With stories from
Ken Liu Seanan McGuire Jake Kerr Crystal Watanabe Jennifer Ellis Anthea Sharp Sarena Ulibarri Saul Tanpepper Christopher Boore Tony Bertauski Ernest Egher Jon Frater
Chronicle Worlds: Legacy Fleet (Vol. 21)
– Presented by Samuel Peralta and Nick Webb
– Edited by Therin Knite
– Foreword by Samuel Peralta
– Introduction by Nick Webb
– With stories from
Nick Webb K.J. Fieler Will Swardstrom J.E. Mac (James McCormick) David Adams Ralph Kern Patrice Fitzgerald K.J. Heritage Jon Frater Matthew Alan Thyer Peter Cawdron Joseph Robert Lewis Christopher J. Valin Felix R Savage
TALES FROM THE STARSHIP DISCOVERY
Discover Sci-Fi (2019)
A short story anthology edited by Samuel Peralta and Chloe Cotter
– Cover art and design by Luca Oleastri and Samuel Peralta
– With contributions from
Matthew Mather Bobby Adair Daniel Arenson Jasper T. Scott Jay Allan Nicholas Sansbury Smith Steven Konkoly Samuel Peralta
RADIOISOTOPE-POWERED SEMICONDUCTOR BATTERY
United States Patent US-5859484 (1999)
Inventors – Lennart Mannik, Harry E. Ruda, Samuel B. Peralta, and Frank Y. Chu
– Description of a radioisotope-powered semiconductor battery comprising a substrate of a crystalline semiconductor material, and a radioactive power source.
REAL ARTISTS
Charming Stranger Films (2017)
Screenplay by Cameo Wood, based on a story by Ken Liu
Directed by Cameo Wood
40 film awards and 31 nominations, including an Emmy Award
– Produced by
Cameo Wood Ryon Lane Jeremy Bornstein Rhiannon Crothers Richard Crownover Chris Porovaara Fisher Alexa Fraser-Herron Ashley Peter Niblock Allen Wilson Samuel Peralta
– Cast
Tamlyn Tomita Tiffany Hines Connie Jo Sechrist Natalie Conneely Ryon Lane Sammy Wegent Lili Schafer
Crew and other production departments
Meredith Yayanos Kimberly Culotta Russell August Anderson Matt Evans Lisa Almquist Tara Marshell Laura Fries Megan Lush Omid Matthew Branden Paris Michael Phillis Jona Tochet Christopher Barnett Claudia Katayanagi James Lebrecht Erik Reimers Ryan Spenser Matt Evans Anna Rottke Jackie Bryan Baron Coenen Nicole Fraser-Herron Lance Gegner Asia Heredia Kelsey Juddo Ryon Lane Alyssa Moran Ryan Nelson Nicolas ‘Nico’ Ortiz y Pino John Threat Vanessa Woo Calum Grant Amie Sarazan Seth Shubin Robert Arnold Stephen Berke Ryan Coseboom Bianca Beyrouti Jackson Currie Leigh Alexander Silver Speakman
FRAGILE STORM
Palm Street Films (2015)
Screenplay by Carly Street and Dawn Fields, story by Carly Street
Directed by Dawn Fields
12 film awards and 17 nominations
– Produced by
Dawn Fields Debbie Rankin Kelly Raymer James Popiden Tina Carbone Samuel Peralta
– Cast
Lance Henriksen Mackenzie Mason Jody Jaress
– Crew and other production departments
Giuseppe Alfano Yaron Levy Dawn Fields Ashley Swanson Jessica Miller Lauren Fonville Brittany Larisa Avalon Devan Weitzman Ambra Chavira Sam Messe Jeffrey Kosh Liz Martin Geoff McClelland Jessica Miller Larry Soileau Adam Van Der Mark Jake Brichta Maui Holcomb Michael Malerba Joey Paul Rick Santizo Brian Berneker Tony Hudson Hiyam Abousaid Jimmy Black Kaleb Blakey Ray Chatman John Geronilla Candace Higgins Geoff McClelland Sandu Negrea Tony Rudenko Andy Steinman Ed Wu Gray Marshall Deborah Rankin James Heathcote Toby Holden Itamar Rashkovsky Hannah Slavin Edward Sokolowski Emelle Raymond Allaire Natalie Cueva Liliana Granados Zach Knadler Karlie Powell Meaghan Vernon Sarah Wong Ali Zahiri
YESTERDAY’S MOON
Palm Street Films (2021) – summary, in pre-production
Written and directed by Dawn Fields
– Produced by
Dawn Fields James Popiden Samuel Peralta
ODE TO LETRAN
Windrift Media (2020)
Lyrics by Samuel Peralta
Music by Samuel Peralta and Francis Peralta
– Original song commissioned to commemorate the Quadricentennial (400th) Anniversary of the Colegio de San Juan de Letran in Intramuros, Manila, Philippines
WROTE YOU A LOVE SONG
Windrift Media (2011)
Music and lyrics by Samuel Peralta
Performed by Friedrick Ryan K. Po
Produced by Bobby B. Morales Hobart
CHRONICLES OF A FUTURE FORETOLD
Goss 183 Publishing House (2018)
Companion book to an exhibit curated by Samuel Peralta and Didi Menendez
– Selected artworks curated by Sergio Gomez were on exhibit from August 17 to September 15, 2018 at Art NXT Level / 33 Contemporary Gallery at the Zhou B Art Center in Chicago, Illinois, USA
– In celebration of being part of Peregrine Mission One, an online exhibit of selected works from the earlier exhibit is being staged via Artsy / 33 Contemporary Gallery from January 1 to December 31, 2021
– PoetsArtists companion book included art, short stories, and poetry
– Contributions from
Brianna Lee Hardie Pris Campbell Albert Leon Sultan Alex Dewars Astrid Ritmeester Boris Vallejo Cheney Lansard Conor Walton David Molesky David Versluis Debra Livingston Diana Adams Donna Bates Jan Nelson John Hyland Julie Bell Kelly Matthews Kerra Taylor Kevin Lauderdale Lauren Bergman Pauline Aubey Mariana Duarte Santos Matthew James Colins Michael Bergt Michael Jewula Shana Levenson Patricia Devlin-Hill Viktoria Savenkova Zack Zdrale
MOON LEAVES
Rubi Street Publishing House (1988)
Companion book to an exhibit by R. Bitanga, with poetry by Samuel Peralta
– Selected artwork by Rosario Bitanga-Peralta, painter, sculptor, and printmaker – known as the first female abstract artist in the Philippines – who signs her work R. Bitanga
– Companion book included art and poetry.
EXIT NO EXIT
First published in Palanca Award-Winning Plays (1978)
This edition Windrift Books (2021), edited by S.B. Peralta and A.K. Peralta
– Jesus T. Peralta is a painter, photographer, graphic artist, poet, anthropologist and archaeologist, essayist, and is also one of the foremost prizewinning playwrights in the Philippines. Exit No Exit won the First Prize in the Full-Length Play category of the Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards in 1978 and will be re-issued by Windrift Books as the first in a completely new edition of his award-winning stage plays.
FLOWER GARDEN
Windrift Books (2021)
Poems by L.J. Peralta
Edited by Samuel Peralta
CHILDHOOD MEMORIES
Windrift Books (2021)
Poems by L.E. Peralta
Edited by Samuel Peralta
“Lift-Off” was first published in The Galaxy Chronicles (Windrift Books 2015), edited by Samuel Peralta and Jeff Seymour.
All works copyright © 2021 by Samuel Peralta or their respective copyright-holders.
All rights reserved. All works reproduced by permission
Find Samuel Peralta’s stories here.