Conseption for Winged Luner Craft

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of using a winged lunar craft for transportation on the moon, exploring unconventional designs such as helicopters and jet engines, and the challenges posed by the lunar environment, including the lack of atmosphere and the properties of lunar dust.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant proposes using a conventional helicopter design on the moon, suggesting that directing exhaust downwards could stir up lunar dust to create lift.
  • Another participant counters that there is no atmosphere on the moon, questioning the feasibility of using rotors for lift and suggesting that chemical thrust from a rocket engine would be more appropriate.
  • A third participant notes that lunar dust is statically charged and could pose problems by accumulating on the craft's moving parts.
  • A later reply suggests an alternative idea involving a jet engine exhausting onto lunar regolith to kick up charged particles, combined with an electric coil to create a magnetic field for propulsion.
  • Another participant argues that rocket motors would be more effective than jet engines due to the need for external oxygen in jet propulsion, and mentions that electric propulsion systems produce very low thrust.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express disagreement regarding the viability of using helicopters or jet engines on the moon, with some supporting the idea of using rocket motors instead. There is no consensus on the best approach for lunar transportation.

Contextual Notes

Participants acknowledge the lack of atmosphere on the moon and the unique properties of lunar dust, but there are unresolved assumptions about the effectiveness of proposed propulsion methods.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in aerospace engineering, lunar exploration, and innovative transportation solutions in low-gravity environments may find this discussion relevant.

PlasmaBoy
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I was reading up on lunar transportation modules and thought of using a fairly conventional helicopter design. I don't think there is much air on the moon so the helicopter could not work in the usual way (creating a differential air pressure between the top and bottom surface of the rotors) but i thought that if you directed the exhause downwards it would stir up the moon dust which would work just like an atmosphere anyway and hence the craft could fly on the moon. I thought this would be especially efficient since there would be less friction than in air and since the gravity on the moon is only 1/10 of that on earth. Any thoughts?
 
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PlasmaBoy said:
I was reading up on lunar transportation modules and thought of using a fairly conventional helicopter design. I don't think there is much air on the moon so the helicopter could not work in the usual way
There is no atmosphere on the moon.
(creating a differential air pressure between the top and bottom surface of the rotors) but i thought that if you directed the exhause downwards it would stir up the moon dust which would work just like an atmosphere anyway and hence the craft could fly on the moon.
But there is NO atmosphere on the moom so there is nothing to stir up the Lunar dust. Unless of course you are speaking about the chemical thrust developed by a standard rocket engine. Why have rotors, then do nothing.
I thought this would be especially efficient since there would be less friction than in air and since the gravity on the moon is only 1/10 of that on earth. Any thoughts?
Lunar gravity is about 1/6 Earth gravity.
 
Plus the Lunar dust is really statically charged. It gets everywhere. If you threw up enough of it to get in the way, after a few minutes you'd have a nice layer of grit all over the ship's moving parts.
 
oh yes 1/6th gravity of course how silly of me and yes I did some research and there is no atmosphere, thankyou.
This idea of charged particles intrigues me. What about a jet engine exhausting onto the lunar regolith, kicking up charged particles of dust, and a second engine consisting of a electric coil setting up a magnetic field to propel the charged particles through the motor and downwards thus causing upthrust.
 
You'll be better off just using a rocket motor (jet engines need external oxygen).

Thrust levels from electric propulsion systems are really low: Less than the weight of a piece of paper. They only are workable solutions for long transits when a slow but continuous force can get you where you're going.
 

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