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Path: utzoo!linus!genrad!decvax!harpo!seismo!hao!hplabs!sri-unix!Ciccarelli.PA@PARC-MAXC.ARPA
From: Ciccarelli.PA@PARC-MAXC.ARPA@sri-unix.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.space
Subject: Re: Dusty deceleration and other methods
Message-ID: <1735@sri-arpa.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 2-Jun-83 12:37:00 EDT
Article-I.D.: sri-arpa.1735
Posted: Thu Jun  2 12:37:00 1983
Date-Received: Mon, 6-Jun-83 23:40:25 EDT
Lines: 16

The "dusty deceleration" suggestion brings up an old topic which may be
relevant in a lunar context: the "Skyhook" idea.  As I recall, the
concept was to anchor one end of a strong cable (Kevlar?) to the planet
surface, and extend the other end out into orbit, then use the thing as
a support for an elevator-style operation between orbit and surface.

I've heard of the constraints on skyhook design as applied to Earth
(winds, air traffic, and required material strength), but wouldn't a
lunar skyhook be much easier to construct?  Can someone provide me with
a pointer to design equations or articles on same?

This doesn't achieve the same end as dust-deceleration, i.e. landing a
ship at perigee (peri-luna??), however a "lander" in the conventional
sense might not be needed at all.

/John