Dorad & Sirius

Designed by Fiona and Dorad Neubaum, Paxford is both a human dolphin spaceship and family home. Incorporating the visual features of a cetacean tail fin, Paxford is moored at sea as a conventional hydrofoil vessel. The accommodation area consists of various rooms and open plan lounges on two levels, located behind a large pool within the ship’s mainly transparent front section. Externally, several retractable pontoons and diving platforms are provided, as well as direct access to the internal pool. All of the ship’s controls can be operated by either human touch or dolphin sonar.

If necessary, advanced hydrogen fuelled engines below each side of the rear passenger section, enable Paxford to leave Earth’s atmosphere independently. The overall shape of Paxford creates in effect, a single large wing, while the streamlined shapes of a fusion drive unit and hydrofoil sections beneath the hull, combined with two vertically facing wings on the opposite side of the ship, provide stability during atmospheric flight.

The most convenient method for Paxford to leave Earth however, is use of the sea-based space elevator located in the Pacific Ocean. In preparation for travelling as a hydrofoil to the facility, as well as the weightless conditions in space, Paxford’s pool water is transferred to a holding tank, where it can be made available to supplement the general utilities tank, via the ship’s water purification system. As the pool water level recedes, a row of restraining couches are revealed which Sirius and other dolphins slide onto, while at the same time enclosing themselves in protective nano-material dermal suits, providing an outer layer of required moisture. On arrival at the elevator, a cradle transfers Paxford to a magnetic levitation (maglev) track, allowing the craft to begin its ascent. Before leaving Earth’s atmosphere, the ship’s artificial magnetosphere is engaged, protecting the occupants from harmful radiation in space. Whenever required, the same magnetic energy system can also provide a re-entry shield.

Once in space and detached from the elevator, while continuing with its provided momentum, the ship’s fusion propulsion system is activated. As Paxford accelerates towards the light barrier, strengthened telepathic links enable the Neubaum family, Sirius and other dolphins on-board, to prepare for teleporting the craft to a specific area. An additional layer within the transparent concave hull displays images of stars and constellations, as an aid for the passengers to focus their minds on the intended destination point. An especially long journey would consist of perhaps several matter transference stages.

While being an inviting home generally, Paxford also serves as an elusive headquarters for Dorad and Sirius.