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==Explanation==
 
==Explanation==
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{{incomplete|Created by a cannonball - Please change this comment when editing this page. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}
  
 
[[Image:1669780A-D3EE-43E7-BD94-DD34B224BFF4.gif|thumb]]
 
[[Image:1669780A-D3EE-43E7-BD94-DD34B224BFF4.gif|thumb]]
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The comic shows the Earth, with three apparent rockets on separate trajectories. One is released with sufficient velocity to attain a stable orbit, while the other two fall towards the Earth. This is a slight modification of {{w|Newton's cannonball}}, a thought experiment demonstrating the planetary effects of gravity.
 
The comic shows the Earth, with three apparent rockets on separate trajectories. One is released with sufficient velocity to attain a stable orbit, while the other two fall towards the Earth. This is a slight modification of {{w|Newton's cannonball}}, a thought experiment demonstrating the planetary effects of gravity.
  
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The black rocket trajectory is typically that of a rocket delivering a payload to low earth orbit. While a satellite in orbit is still bound to earth, it represents an important step in the history of space exploration. Today, a lot of scientific research regarding the future of human spaceflight is done from low earth orbit, most notably on the {{w|International Space Station|ISS}}.
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Here, Newton's cannonball is used both to observe humanity’s technological future (interplanetary travel, availability of advanced technology to the masses, and constant scientific improvement; or nuclear desolation and the extinction of our species) and to underscore that argument by pointing out the inherent metaphor in the experiment: the cannonball can only escape the atmosphere by achieving high velocity (i.e. escape velocity). Similarly, Randall’s technological utopia will only deliver us from nuclear extinction if it happens quickly; otherwise, mankind will destroy itself. Of course, that threat only exists because of a triumph of technological progress, the {{w|Manhattan Project}}, but again, technology is a means to an end.
  
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The red rocket trajectories are suborbital, and more commonly associated with {{w|Intercontinental ballistic missile|ICBM}}s. These are missiles typically equipped with nuclear warheads. Using such a weapon is likely to trigger a global nuclear war, with disastrous effects for civilization. It is worth noting that ICBMs normally use a different trajectory that goes much higher before falling down at a steeper angle. These trajectories are also different from {{w|Fractional Orbital Bombardment System|FOBS}}, where missiles actually go into orbit (the black trajectory) before deorbiting and falling back on earth.
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Another shallower way to interpret this comic is that the red text is a result of the failed rocket being seen as a nuclear attack by some other worldly country, triggering a nuclear war that will end civilization as we know it.
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Here, Newton's cannonball is used both to observe humanity’s technological future (interplanetary travel, availability of advanced technology to the masses, and constant scientific improvement; or nuclear desolation and the extinction of our species) and to underscore that argument by pointing out the inherent metaphor in the experiment: the cannonball can only escape the atmosphere by achieving high velocity (i.e. escape velocity). Similarly, Randall’s technological utopia will only deliver us from nuclear extinction if it happens quickly; otherwise, mankind will destroy itself.  Of course, that threat only exists because of a triumph of technological progress, the {{w|Manhattan Project}}, but again, technology is a means to an end.
 
  
 
The phrase "slip the bonds of Earth" comes from the sonnet "[http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/highflig.htm High Flight]" written in 1941 by John Gillespie Magee Jr., an American pilot in the Second World War. Portions of this poem appear on the headstones of many interred in Arlington National Cemetery, particularly aviators and astronauts; it was also quoted in [https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2016/01/28/how-ronald-reagan-explained-the-challenger-disaster-to-the-world-its-all-part-of-taking-a-chance/?utm_term=.0553e0d1d468 President Reagan's speech] after the Challenger disaster.
 
The phrase "slip the bonds of Earth" comes from the sonnet "[http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/highflig.htm High Flight]" written in 1941 by John Gillespie Magee Jr., an American pilot in the Second World War. Portions of this poem appear on the headstones of many interred in Arlington National Cemetery, particularly aviators and astronauts; it was also quoted in [https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2016/01/28/how-ronald-reagan-explained-the-challenger-disaster-to-the-world-its-all-part-of-taking-a-chance/?utm_term=.0553e0d1d468 President Reagan's speech] after the Challenger disaster.
  
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The title text alludes to the unfortunate film ''{{w|The Core}}'', involving drilling to the center of the Earth to restart the stopped rotation of the magnetic core. The line is ostensibly aimed at the center of the Earth. Apparently, not even Newton could predict such a bold, daring and disastrous movie. Or movies.
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The title text alludes to the unfortunate film ''{{w|The Core}}'', involving drilling to the center of the Earth to restart the stopped rotation of the magnetic core. The line is ostensibly aimed at the center of the Earth. Apparently, not even Newton could predict such a disastrous movie. Or movies.
  
 
==Transcript==
 
==Transcript==
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:[The panel shows a shaded sphere with a rocket launched from its top to the right. Several trajectories are plotted around the sphere.]
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{{incomplete transcript|Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}
  
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:[Trajectory 1 (in black) shows a successful circular orbit.]
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:[Label 1:]
 
:Humans slip the bonds of Earth to travel the stars
 
:Humans slip the bonds of Earth to travel the stars
  
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:[Trajectory 2 (in red) shows a ballistic arc that crashes into the sphere near the bottom.]
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:[Label 2, in red:]
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:<span style="color:#b42e10">Civilization ends in fire</span>
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:Civilization ends in fire
  
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:[Trajectory 3 (in red) shows a much shorter ballistic arc. No label.]
 
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:[Caption below the panel:]
 
 
:In retrospect, Newton's little cannonball drawing does a surprisingly good job illustrating the range of possible futures of our species.
 
:In retrospect, Newton's little cannonball drawing does a surprisingly good job illustrating the range of possible futures of our species.
  
 
{{comic discussion}}
 
{{comic discussion}}
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[[Category:Comics with color]]
 
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[[Category:Comics featuring real people]]
 
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[[Category:Physics]]
 
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[[Category:Nuclear weapons]]
 
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[[Category:The Core]]
 

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