Re: MARS HYBRID DESIGN II (First Draft)

["L. Parker" <lparker@destin.gulfnet.com>]

At 08:12 PM 3/6/96 -0800, you wrote:
>I'd at least be interested in knowing the basics of
>such a maneuver if it was possible.
>
>I certainly have doubts about pulling 14G in a man-rated vehicle; as I
>understand it 9G is tolerable only for short periods, and even 2G
>probably wouldn't be tolerable for very long.

Matloff and Ubel worked out the mechanics of the Powered Perihelion
Manuever, as well as the various concerns with things like maximum
acclerations and such around ten years ago. I don't remember where they
originally presented their findings, but most of them are presented again in
The Starflight Handbook in a somewhat condensed form. 

It has been a while since I read it, but I think they only expected to
realize 14 G for about half an hour. Light pressure really does fall off
VERY quickly. It is easy to say inversely proportional to the square of the
distance...but getting a feel for it is a little more difficult. Which is
one of the reasons I am so skeptical about the feasibility of beamed power.
Some of the group members are just beginning to realize some of the problems
inherent with the concept.

Lee Parker
>
>
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+  Weave a circle 'round him thrice, and close your eyes with holy dread...   +
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