From: vince@offshore.ai (Vincent Cate) Newsgroups: sci.space.policy Subject: Re: Cheapest fastest extraterrestrial resources References: <1085645273.270442@kyle.snap.net.nz> <1085663181.86393@kyle.snap.net.nz> <40B6235A.A1C2FA57@earthlink.net> <1085708514.549809@kyle.snap.net.nz> <40B69F00.1D61D6B5@earthlink.net> <1085720399.939082@kyle.snap.net.nz> <40B80E7E.2537A334@earthlink.net> NNTP-Posting-Host: 209.88.68.230 Message-ID: <9186edb5.0405290613.374a8ce7@posting.google.com> Richard Lamb wrote in message news:<40B80E7E.2537A334@earthlink.net>... > Pete Lynn wrote: > > > > "Richard Lamb" wrote in message > > news:40B69F00.1D61D6B5@earthlink.net... > > > I know that's what doubters have said since the beginning of time > > > but working models that work do gain a certain popularity... It can take time for people to understand the new idea and see that it really can work. But if it is good, it will spread. >[...] > All you have to do is demonstrate that this thing _can_ actually work. > >[...] > Next step up the ladder is a 'simulation'. > A 'scale model'. > Either physical - or computer code. I have a simulator that anyone can use at: http://spacetethers.com/spacetethers.html > It will take EVERYTHING into account. > > How the ractions occur when you release mass. > What happens (and how?) when you capture mass. The way the tether stretches or recoils is all simulated. It is finite element analysis. > (Including such minor problems as rotation of the mass you > intend to capture? That's energy too.) We just assume that it is working with you and not rotating. > How the C.G. of the whole thing changes during capture and release. Usually we have a big ballast and a small payload. For the moon this might be 2000 Kg in orbit and picking up 5 Kg. But whatever you do the simulator simulates all the parts and how they spin together given the different momentums and forces. It also outputs the current C.G. so you can see it change. > Or, while 'hauling' something 'up' the tether? > (that's where I have my own doubts.) I can simulate winches. > How the tether structure will react to all that... > > What the orbital reactions are when gaining and expending energy? Yes, yes. > Get a good SIMULATION up and running, you'll get R&D money and a > launch schedule. I think it is a good simulation. I am not looking for any money at this time. But if some were to come my way... :-) This is just a partime hobby, at least for now. :-) > All you have is an idea that can't be tested. > > Or a LOT of work to do... I think of it as an idea that needs better PR. Yes, there is work to do. I think you would find that the most knowledgeable sci.space posters, like Henry Spencer and Paul Dietz for example, do not question the basic theory of space tethers. They can question how hard it would be to go from theory to practice though. This is part of the "LOT of work to do". -- Vince