Aucbvax.5504 fa.space utzoo!decvax!ucbvax!space Fri Dec 18 03:23:28 1981 SPACE Digest V2 #63 >From OTA@S1-A Fri Dec 18 03:17:35 1981 SPACE Digest Volume 2 : Issue 63 Today's Topics: skyhook disasters Re: Multiple-Laser Launching Systems Multiple-Laser Launching Systems ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: 17 Dec 1981 0951-CST From: Clyde Hoover Subject: skyhook disasters To: space at MIT-MC What makes you folks think that the surface-to-geosynch skyhook would only be ONE cable? All that needs be done is to build a triangle, say 100-200 meters on a side, with three cables (each able to support its own weight). If one snaps, you have cleanup work to do, but the replacement cable could be quickly strung up (or down) on ANY of the remaining. Placing them sufficently far apart would solve the collision problem. Oh yes, what makes you folks think the airspace around the skyhook would'nt be restricted from air/LEO traffic -- try flying over the Kennedy Space Center in your Piper Cub and see if the FAA doesn't get upset (especially when a launch is scheduled -- the Air Force will chase your ass away with T-38's). ------- ------------------------------ Date: 17 Dec 1981 at 2159-PST From: Andrew Knutsen To: CSD.MCGRATH at SU-SCORE Cc: space at MIT-MC Subject: Re: Multiple-Laser Launching Systems In-reply-to: Your message of 16 Dec 1981 1604-PST. Sender: knutsen at SRI-UNIX I dont think its obvious that one reaches a "point of diminishing returns" in the laser/mirror ratio. Its possible that a lot of little lasers are cheaper than a few big ones for reasons like mass production and using lower-spec materials. The question at least merits study... I sure hope this is tried at least. If air can be heated to incandescence before blooming gets bad, the effect might be like a cone of light with the ship at the top, lighting up the desert if its done at night. Wouldnt help NASA's "showbiz" reputation any though... ------------------------------ Date: 18 December 1981 03:25-EST From: Robert Elton Maas Subject: Multiple-Laser Launching Systems To: CSD.MCGRATH at SU-SCORE cc: SPACE at MIT-MC (relaxation time to return to normal) / (number of windows) isn't a number, it's a unit of time. Thus asking it to be a small number is totally meaningless. I think you mean instead: ((relaxation t)+(excitation t)) / ((number of windows)*(excitation t))
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