that would be great michel, if photon pressure was what was being discussed. I believe the discussion was gravity.
I agree with you David, even at twenty tons, i dont think there would be much force. of course, remember that the larger the object being pulled in that way, the more force transferred, so at a point that may in fact be more viable once the pulled source gets large enough. plus, remember, it works slowly over time, building up, and as the article states, it doesnt matter WHAT your pulling. or how compact it is, how dense, ect. On 6/18/07, Michel Jullian <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Using photon pressure from space mirrors focussed the Archimedes way would allow to act early while the asteroid is still very far away, and the earlier you push the less push is needed to deviate the orbit sufficiently, which would make up for the relative feebleness of the effect. Michel ----- Original Message ----- From: "David Jonsson" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <vortex-l@eskimo.com> Sent: Tuesday, June 19, 2007 12:02 AM Subject: [Vo]:Space tractors seem ineffective > http://arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0509595 > > The article says that a 20 metric tonnes heavy space vehicle should be used > as a gravity pull on asteroids to move them from dangerous orbits. > > Wouldn't it be better to ram the asteroid or use dielectric influence to > achieve forces on it? Gravity seems so weak in comparison. > > David >
-- That which yields isn't always weak.
