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Path: utzoo!henry
From: henry@utzoo.UUCP (Henry Spencer)
Newsgroups: net.space
Subject: Re: Asynchronous orbital skyhooks (those two masses...)
Message-ID: <6273@utzoo.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 6-Jan-86 17:52:14 EST
Article-I.D.: utzoo.6273
Posted: Mon Jan  6 17:52:14 1986
Date-Received: Mon, 6-Jan-86 17:52:14 EST
References: <8512312026.AA15784@s1-b.arpa> <70@dg_rtp.UUCP>, <1893@utcsri.UUCP>
Organization: U of Toronto Zoology
Lines: 11

> if things go wrong, skyhooks fall DOWN.  Remember the Skylab hysteria?  If
> a skyhook breaks at almost any point in its rotation, one part goes up, and
> the other hits the atmosphere FAST.  Kevlar cable will burn up in short
> order...

As somebody (Clarke?) pointed out, a falling skyhook cable hitting
atmosphere would be incredibly spectacular:  a *sheet* of flame across
the sky!  Might be worth doing just so you could sell tickets... :-)
-- 
				Henry Spencer @ U of Toronto Zoology
				{allegra,ihnp4,linus,decvax}!utzoo!henry