Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!harpo!seismo!hao!hplabs!sri-unix!KING@KESTREL From: KING%KESTREL@sri-unix.UUCP Newsgroups: net.space Subject: how to grab a satellite Message-ID: <12110@sri-arpa.UUCP> Date: Mon, 9-Apr-84 13:10:00 EST Article-I.D.: sri-arpa.12110 Posted: Mon Apr 9 13:10:00 1984 Date-Received: Sun, 15-Apr-84 00:50:22 EST Lines: 24 From: Richard M. King Anyone know why the following wouldn't work? (or whether it would) 1> set MMU to be inertially stabilized 2> grab a solar panel of slowly rotating satellite 3> hold on until satellite stops By my calculations (assuming a moment of 500 slug-feet) the satellite has angular momentum that would require 10 foot-pound-seconds to stop. Doesn't really seem to me to be beyond the reach of normal human strength, even in a space suit (and he's supposed to be an amateur weight lifter). It also doesn't seem likely to me that this kind of force would break off the panels. If someone had a bit more chutsbah they could plan to make contact with a part of the satellite that was coming towards them and kill the rotation that way! Dick -------