Mars exploration

Ya know, that idea crept into my mind,
after I posted. Makes sense, but couldn't
we also continue to crash test the airbag
idea?

Seems like you'd still need a fuel-burning descent system to get down to
a velocity where the airbags could be deployed. Sounds doable though,
just as was done in the Apollo program. But wouldn't the gravity
difference between the moon and Mars be quite a factor?

oc

"Bill Sheppard" wrote in message
...
Ya know, that idea crept into my mind,
after I posted. Makes sense, but couldn't
we also continue to crash test the airbag
idea?

Seems like you'd still need a fuel-burning descent system to get down to
a velocity where the airbags could be deployed. Sounds doable though,
just as was done in the Apollo program. But wouldn't the gravity
difference between the moon and Mars be quite a factor?

Yes, I agree. The conditions, atmosphere, gravity, etc. would be very
different from each of the bodies. The value is in the launch from earth,
leave orbit, orbit other body, land, come back. I think it would be much
easier to practice 3 days away, then it would be 6 months away.

BV.

Hi oc Nature is the best engineer. A cockroach can be thrown off the
Empire State building,and can hit the side walk running. There is good
math. and science that makes this true. With the right enclosure you can
drop an egg off the same building and not crack the shell. It all comes
from ways the impact can be cushioned. Bert

On Mon, 14 Jul 2003 11:28:47 -0700 (PDT), (Bill
Sheppard) typed:

Seems like you'd still need a fuel-burning descent system to get down to
a velocity where the airbags could be deployed. Sounds doable though,
just as was done in the Apollo program. But wouldn't the gravity
difference between the moon and Mars be quite a factor?

Moon's about 1/6th of standard G, and Mars is about 1/2 of standard G.
(Earth is one G for reference) The difference between Mars and moon's
gravity may be enough that crash testing wouldn't work right.
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