Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP 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