[SpaceProgram] Lagrange Solar Sail Challenge

[Lee von Kraus]

an alternative to the helikite could possibly be using communication towers
which can be around 2,000 feet high, but it's doubtful that we could get
approval to use them:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_tallest_structures_in_the_United_States


Or maybe we could drop capsules into the grand canyon (up to 6,000 feet) or
some similar natural drop off



On Thu, Oct 4, 2012 at 11:11 AM, Lee von Kraus <leevonk at gmail.com> wrote:

> In the 2009 space elevator competition they had to climb to ~3000 feet (1
> km), and that's probably about the height that the heilikite can go to.
>
> Laser Motive (the company that won) had a climb speed of 4 m/sec. So it
> would be able to climb to 3000 feet in 12.5 minutes.
>
> So the helikite low-G system using a space elevator gondola would be able
> to drop a capsule every 25 minutes, assuming Laser Motive has not improved
> since 2009, and assuming we can get them to collaborate (by providing an
> elevator or providing help in building one like theirs).
>
> video:
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPX_DbzBn-0&feature=related
>
> article:
>
> http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33737313/ns/technology_and_science-space/t/space-elevator-team-wins-nasa/#.UG2lv66snyY
>
>
>
>
>
> On Thu, Oct 4, 2012 at 10:53 AM, Lee von Kraus <leevonk at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> the website says the helikites can go up "thousands" of feet, not sure
>> how many thousands though, but I guess at least more than 2000 if their
>> using the word correctly.
>>
>> You're right about all that cable weight weighing things down too much.
>> So it might be best to have a space-elevator-like gondola (as suggested
>> previously by Matt) thing that can climb up the single rope that's
>> anchoring the helikite to the ground. The gondola can be powered by a laser
>> from the ground (although I'm not sure how far a reasonably sized laser can
>> shoot power). That gondola would drive the capsule up to the helikite and
>> then 'throw' the capsule off and let it fall to the ground where we could
>> have some sort of cushion to catch it. The capsules could have fins on them
>> to better ensure that they fall straight down
>>
>> As the fallen capsule is being retrieved the gondola would already be on
>> its way back down to get the same, or another capsule. The system wouldn't
>> be too speedy but would still be a useful tool, I'd imagine the demand for
>> usage would be pretty high from schools and amateur scientists that can't
>> afford other micro-G options.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On Thu, Oct 4, 2012 at 7:29 AM, Jerry Isdale <jerry at mauimakers.com>wrote:
>>
>>> Depending on how high you go and the kg/m mass of the cable, it is
>>> possible that the weight of the 2x length of cable could be more than the
>>> weight of the winch.
>>> using this kevlar rope as a guide...
>>> http://www.pelicanrope.com/kevlar12strandrope.html
>>> say we pick the 7/16", 15,000lb tensile strength rope at 5lbs/100ft.
>>> ('cause thats an easy weight)
>>> a 1,000ft length will weigh... 50lbs?
>>>
>>> 1000 ft will not give much free fall time. Parabolic flights are on the
>>> order of 8000ft deltas ...400lbs
>>> Although rolling all that cable up into the helikite would require a lot
>>> of space/big spool.
>>>
>>>  Jerry Isdale
>>> http://MauiMakers.com
>>> http://www.mauimakers.com/blog/thursday-public-meeting/
>>>
>>> On Oct 3, 2012, at 5:04 AM, Lee von Kraus wrote:
>>>
>>> The best way to maximize the allowable experimental capsule weight would
>>> be to* have all the motor mechanisms on the ground *as shown in the
>>> attached figure. That way the only mechanism, other than the capsule, that
>>> needs to be carried by the helikite is a pulley (and the weight of the
>>> capsule line).
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On Wed, Oct 3, 2012 at 10:42 AM, Lee von Kraus <leevonk at gmail.com>wrote:
>>>
>>>> Here are some useful excerpts:
>>>> "
>>>> The 10 cubic metre Skyhook Helikite is able to fly to thousands of feet
>>>> in winds up to 50 mph lifting a payload of 5kg.
>>>>
>>>> Helikites are designed for foul weather deployment and foul weather
>>>> flight. Even the largest Skyhook Helikites can be launched and retrieved in
>>>> all the winds that they can fly in. So deployment and flight can occur
>>>> safely in winds up to 50 or 60 mph.
>>>>
>>>> The new Cased Helikite Aerostat Maintainable Platform (CHAMP) (see
>>>> products section) allows the deployment of a 10 cubic metre Skyhook
>>>> Helikite within 30 minutes. The unique part of the CHAMP is that it also
>>>> includes an excellent Helibase with top cover thus also creating a
>>>> permanent, safe base for the Helikite - not just a minimal launch platform.
>>>>
>>>> Helikites can even be launched and recovered remotely - with no people
>>>> present at all. They are simply winched off or onto the Helibase.
>>>> "
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On Wed, Oct 3, 2012 at 10:37 AM, Lee von Kraus <leevonk at gmail.com>wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> here is a link better describing the advantages of helikites:
>>>>>
>>>>> http://www.allsopp.co.uk/index.php?mod=page&id_pag=24
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> SpaceProgram mailing list
>>> SpaceProgram at lists.hackerspaces.org
>>> http://lists.hackerspaces.org/mailman/listinfo/spaceprogram
>>>
>>>
>>
>
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.hackerspaces.org/pipermail/spaceprogram/attachments/20121004/96cd5166/attachment.html>