Perhaps, however the billions saved by one space elevator are more
attractive than the few millions saved by all the kites that could be
put up without being a hazard. Besides, a space elevator stays in one
place. A lot of kites constantly moving up and down and changing
position would be a real problem for airplanes.
Ed
Terry Blanton wrote:
Certainly, no less practical than a space elevator.
Terry
On Tue, Aug 5, 2008 at 2:22 PM, Edmund Storms <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
How many airplanes need to hit a tether or kite to bring the method to an
end? How many up and down cycles will the tether survive? How many
lightening strikes on a wet tether must occur before the tether breaks?
In short, this method has no hope of being practical.
Ed
Jed Rothwell wrote:
Google is putting $5 million into this. If they have that kind of money
for kites they should invest in cold fusion.
I still think laddermill kites are impractical. What are they going to use
for the tether? What can stand up to 100 MW?!?
Using kites as auxiliary sails on large ships is a good idea.
- Jed
