# Robert Arcot — The Black Star Passes character guide > Robert Arcot in The Black Star Passes by John W. Campbell. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Arcot junior, Arcot, Dr. Arcot, the senior Arcot, Arcot senior, Richard Arcot **First appearance:** 0001-the-black-star-passes ## Snapshot A brilliant physicist whose theoretical leaps become flying machines, he turns a routine airliner trip into a covert experiment that may change everything. ## Who they are Arcot moves easily between the drafting room and the rooftop lab, prized by aeronautical designers who translate his theories into commercial aircraft. Aboard a San Francisco-bound plane, he and Bob Morey rig a hidden camera and gas-sample bottles, chasing data no one else thought to gather. His restlessness with pure theory and hunger to test it in the field make him the engine of the story's early scientific gambles. ## Relationships ### [President Arthur Morey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_star_passes_se/characters/president_arthur_morey) _professional_ President Morey is a close colleague and supporter of Arcot's scientific work, often collaborating on high-stakes projects. ### [Wade](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_star_passes_se/characters/wade) _friendship_ Arcot and Wade are close friends and frequent co-adventurers, working together on scientific and exploratory missions. ### [John Fuller](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_star_passes_se/characters/john_fuller) _friendship_ John Fuller is a loyal friend and ally to Arcot, often joining him in scientific endeavors and space adventures. ### [Dick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_star_passes_se/characters/dick) _friendship_ Dick is a friend and companion to Arcot, often participating in his adventures and experiments. ### [Lieutenant Wright](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_star_passes_se/characters/lieutenant_wright) _professional_ Lieutenant Wright works with Arcot in a military or support role, assisting in space missions and operations. ### [Sonor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_star_passes_se/characters/sonor) _friendship_ Arcot befriends Sonor, an alien being, forming a bond of mutual respect and cooperation. ### [Tonlos](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_star_passes_se/characters/tonlos) _friendship_ Arcot develops a friendly alliance with Tonlos, an alien character, working together for common goals. ### [Forsyth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_star_passes_se/characters/forsyth) _professional_ Forsyth interacts with Arcot in a professional setting, possibly as a fellow scientist or engineer. ### [President Arthur Morey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_star_passes_se/characters/president_arthur_morey) _professional_ President Morey is a close colleague and supporter of Arcot's scientific work, often collaborating on high-stakes projects. ### [President Arthur Morey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_star_passes_se/characters/president_arthur_morey) _professional_ President Morey is a close colleague and supporter of Arcot's scientific work, often collaborating on high-stakes projects. ### [Wade](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_star_passes_se/characters/wade) _friendship_ Arcot and Wade are close friends and frequent co-adventurers, working together on scientific and exploratory missions. ### [Wade](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_star_passes_se/characters/wade) _friendship_ Arcot and Wade are close friends and frequent co-adventurers, working together on scientific and exploratory missions. ## In the story ### [The Black Star Passes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_star_passes_se/chapters/the-black-star-passes) Key figure in the aftermath and epilogue. ### [Book I: Piracy Preferred](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_star_passes_se/chapters/book-i-piracy-preferred) Investigates the airliner attack and works on designing the Solarite. ### [Prologue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_star_passes_se/chapters/prologue) Not present in this chapter. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_star_passes_se/chapters/i) A brilliant physicist who plans to catch the Pirate by stowing a camera and gas sample bottles on a flight. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_star_passes_se/chapters/ii) Demonstrates the invisibility device and explains its scientific basis; shows film of the pirate's theft. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_star_passes_se/chapters/iii) Leads the design of the new ship, proposes the vacuum insulation and molecular motion directors, pilots the maiden flight, and devises the bait plan to catch the Pirate. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_star_passes_se/chapters/iv) Discusses the economic and environmental implications of his invention, including weather control and interplanetary colonization, and pilots the ship during the pursuit. ### [Book II: Solarite](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_star_passes_se/chapters/book-ii-solarite) Key figure in designing the Solarite and leading the space expedition. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_star_passes_se/chapters/i) The brilliant physicist who invented the molecular motion drive and proposes the interplanetary expedition to Venus. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_star_passes_se/chapters/ii) Leads the design discussion, proposes ship dimensions and power systems, suggests the name Solarite, and shows a bottle of vacuum for christening. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_star_passes_se/chapters/iii) Injured during a meteor avoidance maneuver; later pilots the ship and leads the crew. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_star_passes_se/chapters/iv) Leads the descent, analyzes the atmosphere, and pilots the Solarite into the battle, deciding to aid the city's defenders. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_star_passes_se/chapters/v) Undergoes telepathic language instruction and experiences visions of destruction; becomes first Terrestrial to set foot on Venus. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_star_passes_se/chapters/vi) Leads the investigation of the Kaxorian plane, analyzes its technology, and becomes depressed by the overwhelming power of the enemy. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_star_passes_se/chapters/vii) Leads the scientific effort, devises the new molecular motion beam, and delivers a brief but urgent address to the Venerians. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_star_passes_se/chapters/viii) Directs the attack on the Kaxorian airfield and later suggests sleeping on the problem of what to do with the conquered nation. ### [Book III: The Black Star Passes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_star_passes_se/chapters/book-iii-the-black-star-passes) Central figure in the narrative, likely involved in scientific and strategic responses to the black star. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_star_passes_se/chapters/i) Leads the investigation of the crashed alien ship, using his ray pistol and ingenuity to navigate the wreck. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_star_passes_se/chapters/ii) Leads the investigation, demonstrates caution and tactical thinking during the skirmish with the aliens, and examines the ship's power systems. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_star_passes_se/chapters/iii) Leads the discussion, theorizes about the Nigran race and their origin, and proposes a new energy storage method. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_star_passes_se/chapters/iv) Leads the team, devises methods to work with light-matter, and calls the Tychos Observatory to investigate the black star. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_star_passes_se/chapters/v) Attends the Venus conference, presents his Black Star theory, and is rejected for active duty due to his scientific importance. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_star_passes_se/chapters/vi) Mentioned as the scientist whose theory of attack from another sun was initially disbelieved. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_star_passes_se/characters/robert_arcot - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_star_passes_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_star_passes_se/characters