The observation platform at Northrup Strip, alternate landing site for the Shuttle. The White Sands are very easy to see from orbit, that white speck shining down there, let's go there... lots of outerspace travelers take advantage of the opportunity. Meanwhile, as visitor traffic increases year to year, American's Space Shuttles keep trying to land. three out of four times the landing has to get scrubbed, because of our alien guests. Meals run low on the Shuttle, and the crew members eye each other. Experiments done, they watch cable tv on their dashboard tvs. And when finally they get down, who's there to greet them? This is the only structure for miles, it is all a bit grim. At least the government does haul out a couple Airstreams and porta-sans. So, paradoxically, the more aliens visit/land, the harder it becomes to recruit astronauts (word of mouth gets around), and finally, the American Rocket Society has too look closely at streamlining its admission procedures, so that people like Jacob, who actually are enthusiastic and don't really care about the working conditions, do have a bit easier time getting accredited.