Re: Burt Rutans plans for a manned mission to Mars

On 13 May 2006 13:34:46 -0700, "Alex Terrell" <alexterrell@xxxxxxxxx>
wrote:

royls@xxxxxxxxx wrote:
On 12 May 2006 12:28:53 -0700, "Alex Terrell" <alexterrell@xxxxxxxxx>
wrote:

An interesting point about rotovators is that they're not good for
reaching their orbit. They're very good at reaching higher orbits.

Reaching their own orbit takes a little doing, but is possible.

Can you please describe how, or provide a reference?

Sorry, I don't have a reference, but ISTR it involved "rolling up" the
tether over a certain interval prior to release of the payload.

My own view is that with a rotovator, LEO would be pretty much
abandoned.

It's possible. LEO is not that great a place anyway. Too much junk
and air drag. There's a lot of useful space below the Van Allen
belts.

-- Roy L
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Burt Rutans plans for a manned mission to Mars
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  • Re: Burt Rutans plans for a manned mission to Mars
    ... They're very good at reaching higher orbits. ... Reaching their own orbit takes a little doing, ... Sorry, I don't have a reference, but ISTR it involved "rolling up" the ...
    (sci.space.policy)
  • Re: Burt Rutans plans for a manned mission to Mars
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