noon
Even through the heavy parka , the cold air had a bite to it . As the elevator descended , he glanced to the south , knowing as he did so that there would be nothing to see . The sun had set on November 17th , and was not due up for three more weeks . At noon , there would be a faint glow on the southern horizon , as the sun gave a reminder of its existence , but now , at four in the morning , there was nothing . As he stepped off the elevator , the ground crew prepared to roll the gantry crane away from the ship . He opened the door of the waiting personnel carrier and swung aboard . The inevitable cry of `` close that door '' greeted him as he entered .