From: Doug Evans <devans@n...>
Date: Fri, 19 Jan 2001 10:09:03 -0600
Subject: Wherein the Beast displays simplistic thinking Re: Spaaaaaace Patrol!
*** As it turns out, it requires much less energy to re-direct an asteroid in the outer solar system than it takes to re-direct one that is in the asteroid belt. Simple orbital mechanics: asteroids in the outer solar system move more slowly. So it requires less delta-V to alter the orbit from a circular one to an elliptical orbit. *** Er, how far out are you looking? By Uranus, you have an orbital period of 84 years, beyond Pluto, greater than 250. Even admitting that the redirected object only has to make a half or less orbit, and that it will be picking up 'speed' as it closes with the target, it would STILL be a generational project. Given that a low energy approach sounds like a slow spiral in, beginning with several near current orbits, we're talking eons. All the while, the target is blithely waiting, sitting on it's hands, unable to come up with a way to, not put it back in original orbit, but merely nudge it to miss. But I'm not a scientist, so I'll await the obvious-to-all-but-me flaws in my thinking. The_Beast -Douglas J. Evans, curmudgeon One World, one Web, one Program - Microsoft promotional ad