- #1
nution
- 24
- 0
This is all theoretical of course. I would like to pt together a small presentation on what it would take to get an object to the moon. For the sake of argument, we will say the object weighs 10 pounds. The shape can be determined by the most efficient shape given the method of propulsion etc.
Escape velocity being something like 17,500 mph does that mean that no matter what an object MUST reach that speed to get to the moon?Or since the moon is still technically interacting within the Earth's gravitation field, this wouldn't be technically needed since you would not in reality be escaping? Are there options for a more slow and steady approach?
Lets say for example a balloon can get to the outer stratosphere before it gets so large it just explodes. Let's say we attach a rocket to a platform on the balloon and once it reaches it maximum altitude before exploding, we launch the rock and begin to push further out. Using some form of "slow launch" because a rapid blast off would be pretty unstable on the surface of a balloon in the outer reaches of the atmosphere. Eventually, with a scale of this size the rocket would loose fuel and fall back to earth. Since the rocket is not equipped to enter an orbit due to low speed, could you instead of trying to completely escape Earth's orbit, make a "stop" at the moon and allow the gravity of the moon to hold you there?
Lets also assume this "slow launch" uses some method to slowly begin to propel the rocket off the platform of the balloon. Over some period of a few minutes the force of propulsion would equal the speed of ascent, then slowly pass that speed at around the time the balloon would become ineffective, thus slowly lifting the small rocket from the platform and continuing its own journey upward and the balloon eventually falls back to earth.
Also, once into space, what different fuels or methods of propulsion could be employed to aid it on its continued path to the moon?
There are a lot of things to consider mathmatically, but what are we really looking at here in possibilities other than sheer blast off and trying to go thousands upon thousands of mph?
Escape velocity being something like 17,500 mph does that mean that no matter what an object MUST reach that speed to get to the moon?Or since the moon is still technically interacting within the Earth's gravitation field, this wouldn't be technically needed since you would not in reality be escaping? Are there options for a more slow and steady approach?
Lets say for example a balloon can get to the outer stratosphere before it gets so large it just explodes. Let's say we attach a rocket to a platform on the balloon and once it reaches it maximum altitude before exploding, we launch the rock and begin to push further out. Using some form of "slow launch" because a rapid blast off would be pretty unstable on the surface of a balloon in the outer reaches of the atmosphere. Eventually, with a scale of this size the rocket would loose fuel and fall back to earth. Since the rocket is not equipped to enter an orbit due to low speed, could you instead of trying to completely escape Earth's orbit, make a "stop" at the moon and allow the gravity of the moon to hold you there?
Lets also assume this "slow launch" uses some method to slowly begin to propel the rocket off the platform of the balloon. Over some period of a few minutes the force of propulsion would equal the speed of ascent, then slowly pass that speed at around the time the balloon would become ineffective, thus slowly lifting the small rocket from the platform and continuing its own journey upward and the balloon eventually falls back to earth.
Also, once into space, what different fuels or methods of propulsion could be employed to aid it on its continued path to the moon?
There are a lot of things to consider mathmatically, but what are we really looking at here in possibilities other than sheer blast off and trying to go thousands upon thousands of mph?