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Re: Mirrors (first draft)
- To: Brian Mansur <bmansur@oc.edu>, kgstar <kgstar@most.fw.hac.com>
- Subject: Re: Mirrors (first draft)
- From: Brian Mansur <bmansur@oc.edu>
- Date: Tue, 05 Mar 96 15:15:00 PST
- Cc: David <David@InterWorld.com>, hous0042 <hous0042@maroon.tc.umn.edu>, jim <jim@bogie2.bio.purdue.edu>, KellySt <KellySt@aol.com>, lparker <lparker@destin.gulfnet.com>, rddesign <rddesign@wolfenet.com>, Steve VanDevender <stevev@efn.org>, "T.L.G.vanderLinden" <T.L.G.vanderLinden@student.utwente.nl>, zkulpa <zkulpa@zmit1.ippt.gov.pl>
- Encoding: 33 TEXT
>From Brian 3:10 PM 3/5/96
>Kelly
>Frankly, I have a problem with a system that starts with selfreplication
>constructors, generating enough power to fry a planet, beaming it (with
>optical precision) over interstellar distences, to mesh structures the size
>of large planets. When you then have to go from there to the complicated
>stuff (like stoping, shielding, erosion, etc..) I get the feeling were
>doing something wrong somewhere.
<grumble grumble>
Brian
I used to have the same problem with such fantastic leaps of technology.
Remember how I so distrusted Kevin's proposal that he stretch this power
cord to TC? Now I'm not only a believer, I'm preaching it. Amazing what
we'll believe if only it will let us do something. Kind of like believing
in God so we'll get to go to heaven :)
But you are right about there being engineering problems here the size of
Jupiter (absolutely no hyperboli implied which is really scarry). Has
anyone given thought to how we plan on connecting the wire mesh sail to the
ship without tearing the delicate chicken wire strands?
I've thought up ideas like bundling the mesh into a tight rim that is
connected to stronger cables. Another idea is to rap the Asimov up in a
ball of mesh with a large radius so that the force of tension won't be so
concentrated. I really don't know how we'd accomplish either idea but at
least these are ideas to work with.
As for shielding. Where the mirror is concerned, it will just have to
endure the hazards of space and be repaired as necessary. Yuck.