Global Flyer

Rich S. wrote:
"Robert Bonomi" wrote in message
...

Moon-quake, Solar flare, "Deck is fouled", I can think of a bunch of
reasons
that 'divert to alternate' might be required.


Controllers on strike, Aliens on runway, Gotcha.


No, no. That's a *Mars* bar. This is Luna. And it should be *obvious*
that "Almond Joy" is the appropriate one -- "Sometimes you feel like a
nut"
*DEFINITELY* describes this 'food for thought'.

(Don't blame me if you don't like the answer. It was _your_ question,
after
all.


:O)


But, yeah, "glider" -- for lack of a better term. At the landing site,
a *BIG* ramp -- with the _upper_ part conforming to the ballistic
trajectory
you launched into. You have on-board 'maneuvering' thrusters, to tweak
you path to the _exact_ ramp trajectory -- a GCA "glide slope" with a
*vengeance*. You touch down on the ramp, and roll out, possible friction
brakes, possible aircraft-carrier type snubbing cable.


You been watching old Evel Knievel tapes I'll bet.


You can *try*, but I suggest that -first- you calculate the energy-density
of that system. then contemplate the mass requirements, _just_ to power
your "forty watt plasma rifle" -- let alone any on-board flight controls,
instrumentation, life-support system, etc.


Improvements in battery design have been ramping up so quickly in the past
few years that I fully expect to see a pink, drum-beating bunny on the Moon!

Rich S.


Hey, when that happens are ya gonna share what you are drinking?

Dan, U.S. Air Force, retired