Insights Blog
-- Browse All Articles --
Physics Articles
Physics Tutorials
Physics Guides
Physics FAQ
Math Articles
Math Tutorials
Math Guides
Math FAQ
Education Articles
Education Guides
Bio/Chem Articles
Technology Guides
Computer Science Tutorials
Forums
Classical Physics
Quantum Physics
Quantum Interpretations
Special and General Relativity
Atomic and Condensed Matter
Nuclear and Particle Physics
Beyond the Standard Model
Cosmology
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Other Physics Topics
Trending
Featured Threads
Log in
Register
What's new
Search
Search
Search titles only
By:
Classical Physics
Quantum Physics
Quantum Interpretations
Special and General Relativity
Atomic and Condensed Matter
Nuclear and Particle Physics
Beyond the Standard Model
Cosmology
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Other Physics Topics
Menu
Log in
Register
Navigation
More options
Contact us
Close Menu
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Forums
Physics
Other Physics Topics
Untraditional Space Travel
Reply to thread
Message
[QUOTE="jrmichler, post: 6532361, member: 638574"] It is not out of the box thinking until you do some basic calculations. Fortunately, the calculations are simple enough that only high school physics is needed. 1) Forget your assumption #1. That's science fiction. 2) Change [I]infinite energy[/I] to as [I]much power as needed[/I], as discussed above. 3) If you want to accelerate in a circle, then assume a diameter, and calculate the centrifugal acceleration and force at standard escape velocity. How strong does your object need to be? It needs to withstand centrifugal forces while spinning up. You may want to try different diameters. Assume an angular acceleration, and calculate the tangential acceleration and peak power. 4) Calculate the necessary initial velocity including the effects of aerodynamic drag. Use your Cd, assume a frontal area, assume a standard atmosphere, and calculate the aerodynamic drag. This will be a numerical simulation because the aerodynamic drag decreases with increasing altitude. Iterate the initial velocity until it reaches orbit. Now go back and repeat the calculations in Step 3 at the higher velocity. It needs to withstand centrifugal forces while spinning up, and aerodynamic forces after release. How strong does the object need to be? Bonus points if you search hypersonic drag coefficients, and add the effect of velocity on drag to the simulation. [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Post reply
Forums
Physics
Other Physics Topics
Untraditional Space Travel
Back
Top