Re: USA urges scientists to block out sun

On Feb 4, 7:40 pm, "steve" <stephen.colbou...@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
No need to have an inflatable structure.
We can make a thin disc of the GBO plastic and then put some
strengthening fibres in (Probably carbon nano tubes).
By rotating the whole disc we will be able to make it hold its shape.
I would like to have some kind of control of orientation and position
if possible with rocket thrusters (probably solar powered ion drives).

That's a good idea - but if you're going to spin it, instead of
thrusters, use sunlight itself, have small vanes on the rim.

Nanofibers are at present costly. A thin *** of clear plastic
stretched tightly across the front, with an inflatable ring to keep it
tight, and a loose reflective layer in back that is then spun to form
a parabola - with the spin up achieved by reflecting sunlight
tangentially at the rim -might work.

This would let you use very thin sheets of materials nano-structured,
so I guess that would have to be cheaply made in the first place. So,
thin nanotubes spaced so that the collection is transparent would work
again. (Although I like the idea of static charges on the nanofibers
to act as a sort of pressure source - these can also deflect solar
wind, which can operate to guide and orient the mirror as well.

.