Leonid Gorbovsky
Encyclopedia
Leonid Gorbovsky is a fictional character
in Boris and Arkady Strugatsky's series of science fiction
novels set in the Noon Universe
.
led by August-Iogann Bader. Back then Bader was the captain of the ship, while Gorbovsky was mere a scientist under his command, but by 2118 he was already famous enough for his space adventures to be a role model
for many boys back on Earth
(e.g. Gennady Komov
). His first spaceship
had the name "Tariel".
In 2119, Gorbovsky was one of the main scientists behind the development of the "Venus Project" and in 2121, he was working again with August Bader on the artificial satellites of Vladislava. Although their interests barely interesected (Bader was exploring the satellites, while Gorbovsky landed on the planet hoping to find a Wanderers
' city on the surface), both of them were able to understand each other and create a s.c. "Wanderers' Road" list - a list of star systems, where the traces of Wanderers' activities were most like to be found (e.g. Saula
was on that list, too).
Gorbovsky was the one who discovered Leonida (maybe, even named after him) in 2133, but soon after the discovery he had to leave the planet due to health problems of his crew members and leave Gennady Komov in charge. However, Komov only stayed there for a short time, too, and left immediately after the discovery of Leoniders
' civilization. Gorbovsky led the consequential negotiations with Leonida on behalf of Earth World Council and COMCON. By that time he was already a prominent and influential member of both this organizations.
In 2137, Leonid Gorbovsky briefly participated in the discussion of the "Stepchildren Case", but has shown little interest in it.
He was also on Rainbow
in 2156, when the infamous incident with the Wave took place. He was the captain of "Tariel II" spaceship ("Tariel I" was probably destroyed prior to that), that delivered special equipment to the scientists on the planet. During the catastrophe, Gorbovsky's ship was used to evacuate all children to space, but since she was the only one on Rainbow, all adults had to stay on the surface. It is unknown, how Gorbovsky survived the catatrophe, since he abandoned "Tariel II" (leaving Stanislav Pishta, his first mate, in charge of her) to make more room for the children.
Leonid Gorbovsky reappeared in space five years later, when the "Ark
Project" commenced in 2161. While showing no interest in the original goals of the operation, he changed his attitude after a contact with Ark Megaforms
was established. As a member of COMCON, Gorbovsky tried to join the Komov's party in the area of contact, but hasn't succeeded and had to stay away from it. He advised Komov many times not to force a contact on Megaforms, but he didn't listen, even though in the end Gorbovsky turned out to be right.
Leonid Gorbovsky's last famous activities in 22nd century were those connected to the "Great Revelation". In 2199 he and Gennady Komov represented the human race in their negotiations with Ludens (represented by Daniel Logovenko).
of the universe" on any other occasion. This habit has caused a lot of jokes about him.
, Far Rainbow
, Disquiet, Space Mowgli
and The Time Wanderers
. He is also briefly mentioned in Escape Attempt
and Beetle in the Anthill
.
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
in Boris and Arkady Strugatsky's series of science fiction
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
novels set in the Noon Universe
Noon Universe
The Noon Universe is a fictional future setting for a number of hard science fiction novels written by Arkady and Boris Strugatsky. The universe is named after Noon: 22nd Century, the chronologically first novel from the series...
.
Biography
Leonid Gorbovsky's birth year is unknown, but most probably he was born in the end of 21st century, because in 2104 he already participated in the mission to CepheusCepheus (constellation)
Cepheus is a constellation in the northern sky. It is named after Cepheus, King of Aethiopia in Greek mythology. It was one of the 48 constellations listed by the 2nd century astronomer Ptolemy, and remains one of the 88 modern constellations.-Stars:...
led by August-Iogann Bader. Back then Bader was the captain of the ship, while Gorbovsky was mere a scientist under his command, but by 2118 he was already famous enough for his space adventures to be a role model
Role model
The term role model generally means any "person who serves as an example, whose behaviour is emulated by others".The term first appeared in Robert K. Merton's socialization research of medical students...
for many boys back on Earth
Earth (Noon Universe)
In the Noon Universe created by Boris and Arkady Strugatsky Earth is one of the planets populated by humans as well as their assumed origin. It is identical to the modern Earth except for the fact that it is set in the 22nd century...
(e.g. Gennady Komov
Gennady Komov
Gennady Komov is a fictional character in Boris and Arkady Strugatsky's series of science fiction novels set in the Noon Universe.-Biography:...
). His first spaceship
Starship
A starship or interstellar spacecraft is a theoretical spacecraft designed for traveling between the stars, as opposed to a vehicle designed for orbital spaceflight or interplanetary travel....
had the name "Tariel".
In 2119, Gorbovsky was one of the main scientists behind the development of the "Venus Project" and in 2121, he was working again with August Bader on the artificial satellites of Vladislava. Although their interests barely interesected (Bader was exploring the satellites, while Gorbovsky landed on the planet hoping to find a Wanderers
Wanderers (Noon Universe)
Wanderers are a fictional alien race from the Noon Universe created by Strugatsky brothers. Their homeworld is unknown. No official contact between Earth and Wanderers has ever been registered, although they've contacted humans from other planets, e.g...
' city on the surface), both of them were able to understand each other and create a s.c. "Wanderers' Road" list - a list of star systems, where the traces of Wanderers' activities were most like to be found (e.g. Saula
Saula
Saula is the second planet of EN-7031 solar system, about one and a half times further from its sun than Earth is from ours. The day and night cycle on Saula lasts 28 hours, its mass is about 1.1 of Earth, which means that acceleration of gravity is roughly equal to 10.8 m/s². It has three moons...
was on that list, too).
Gorbovsky was the one who discovered Leonida (maybe, even named after him) in 2133, but soon after the discovery he had to leave the planet due to health problems of his crew members and leave Gennady Komov in charge. However, Komov only stayed there for a short time, too, and left immediately after the discovery of Leoniders
Leoniders
Leoniders are a fictional alien race from the Noon Universe created by the Strugatsky brothers. Their homeworld is Leonida , a planet discovered in 2133 AD by Leonid Gorbovsky....
' civilization. Gorbovsky led the consequential negotiations with Leonida on behalf of Earth World Council and COMCON. By that time he was already a prominent and influential member of both this organizations.
In 2137, Leonid Gorbovsky briefly participated in the discussion of the "Stepchildren Case", but has shown little interest in it.
He was also on Rainbow
Rainbow (Noon Universe)
Rainbow is a fictional planet described in Far Rainbow by Arkady and Boris Strugatsky. This planet is a part of the so called Noon Universe and presents a planetwide experimental laboratory used by null-physicists...
in 2156, when the infamous incident with the Wave took place. He was the captain of "Tariel II" spaceship ("Tariel I" was probably destroyed prior to that), that delivered special equipment to the scientists on the planet. During the catastrophe, Gorbovsky's ship was used to evacuate all children to space, but since she was the only one on Rainbow, all adults had to stay on the surface. It is unknown, how Gorbovsky survived the catatrophe, since he abandoned "Tariel II" (leaving Stanislav Pishta, his first mate, in charge of her) to make more room for the children.
Leonid Gorbovsky reappeared in space five years later, when the "Ark
Ark (Noon Universe)
Ark is a fictional planet described in Space Mowgli by Arkady and Boris Strugatsky. This planet is a part of the so called Noon Universe and presents a barren world very similar to Earth in all aspects except the biosphere...
Project" commenced in 2161. While showing no interest in the original goals of the operation, he changed his attitude after a contact with Ark Megaforms
Ark Megaforms
Ark Megaforms are a fictional alien race from the Noon Universe created by Boris and Arkady Strugatsky. Their homeworld is Ark , a planet officially discovered 2160 AD in the course of "Ark Project"....
was established. As a member of COMCON, Gorbovsky tried to join the Komov's party in the area of contact, but hasn't succeeded and had to stay away from it. He advised Komov many times not to force a contact on Megaforms, but he didn't listen, even though in the end Gorbovsky turned out to be right.
Leonid Gorbovsky's last famous activities in 22nd century were those connected to the "Great Revelation". In 2199 he and Gennady Komov represented the human race in their negotiations with Ludens (represented by Daniel Logovenko).
Trivia
Gorbovsky is famous for his habit of laying down to rest on any horizontal surface accessible. He motivates it by saying that in a space flight, he may not do so, therefore he tries to compensate it by "reducing the entropyEntropy
Entropy is a thermodynamic property that can be used to determine the energy available for useful work in a thermodynamic process, such as in energy conversion devices, engines, or machines. Such devices can only be driven by convertible energy, and have a theoretical maximum efficiency when...
of the universe" on any other occasion. This habit has caused a lot of jokes about him.
See also
Leonid Gorbovsky appears in Noon: 22nd CenturyNoon: 22nd Century
Noon: 22nd Century is a 1961 science fiction book by Arkady and Boris Strugatsky, expanded in 1962 and further in 1967, translated into English in 1978. It is sometimes considered an episodic novel, collection of linked short stories or a fix-up as some parts had been published previously as...
, Far Rainbow
Far Rainbow
Far Rainbow is a 1963 science fiction novel by Boris and Arkady Strugatsky set in the Noon Universe.- Plot summary :The novel tells the story of the Rainbow catastrophe of 2156. It starts very simple, as a Wave observer Robert Sklyarov notices an unusually persistent Wave and reports it to the...
, Disquiet, Space Mowgli
Space Mowgli
Space Mowgli also known as The Kid is a 1971 sci-fi novel by Boris and Arkady Strugatsky set in the Noon Universe.- Plot summary :...
and The Time Wanderers
The Time Wanderers
The Time Wanderers is a 1985 science fiction novel by Boris and Arkady Strugatsky, set in the Noon Universe...
. He is also briefly mentioned in Escape Attempt
Escape Attempt
Escape Attempt is a 1962 sci-fi novel by Boris and Arkady Strugatsky set in the Noon Universe...
and Beetle in the Anthill
Beetle in the Anthill
Beetle in the Anthill is a 1979 sci-fi novel by Boris and Arkady Strugatsky set in the Noon Universe.-Explanation of the novel's title:Beetle in the Anthill is the title of a theory explaining the Stepchildren phenomenon...
.