Re: starship-design: Timothy's beamed power paper

[KellySt@aol.com]

In a message dated 7/21/97 7:29:19 PM, TLG.van.der.Linden@tip.nl (Timothy van
der Linden) wrote:

>Regarding problem 12b:
>
>I'd wanted to mention the Euler instability (didn't know it had a name
>though), but assumed that if we could not control the sail, then using any
>sail-design would be a mistake.
>Writing this I realize that we may be able to control a sail-design if it
>has less inherent instability.
>
>My best guess is to use a parashute-model and shield the relative small
payload.
>
>
>Timothy

One alternative is to have fleets of little tugs sheparding the sail into
shape.  Not very eligant, but an option worth consideration.

Kelly