From: Avatar Polymorph (avatarpolymorph@hotmail.com)
Date: Wed Sep 11 2002 - 19:49:05 MDT
Eugen L. wrote:
"It's not a power source, it's conversion of kinetic energy into
power (or the other way round). It's very handy for orbit control,
allowing you to deorbit quickly without using reaction mass (thrusters), or
maintain your orbits (using pv-generated power)."
I might be confused. This website seems to refer to 3 separate issues (aside
from the normal space tower-tether/linear accelerator rollercoaster-space
pier), i.e.
a) a rotating space tether as a power source via its interaction with the
Earth's magnetosphere "If the tether is conducting and is moving through
electric or magnetic fields, then it can be used as a generator to provide
electrical power, or as a motor to provide propulsion." [I only meant to say
that if this is a power source then it could be also used to provide power
to an adjacent linear accelerator tether (see (c)) say by microwave
transmission of the power. In practise of course you could have
self-repairing solar panels (with nanotech levels) transmitting power to
such a system as well, etc etc.]
b) rotovators (to pick up from close to the surface) and momentum exchange
tethers (Earth/orbit, Earth/Moon, Moon/orbit, Orbit/Mars, Mars/orbit etc.)
c) a linear accelerator on a straight space tether/cable used as a launch
mechanism
http://www.tethers.com/MXTethers.html
PS shouldn't someone write to the writers of Star Trek and tell them about
solar-powered/magnetosphere-powered tethers/rotovators? Or even space
towers? How about digital paper? Sorry, getting carried away...
PPS perhaps the orbital rotovators and tethers could collect some of the
dust falling towards the Earth to replenish their material from damage???
Avster
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