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(meteorobs) Excerpts from: CCNet DIGEST 23/09/98


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From: Benny J Peiser <b.j.peiser@livjm.acdot uk>
To: cambridge-conference@livjm.acdot uk
Subject: CCNet DIGEST 23/09/98
Date: Wed, 23 Sep 1998 15:28:22 -0400 (EDT)


CCNet DIGEST, 23 September 1998
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[...]

(10) ON SWIFT-TUTTLE
        Jens Kieffer-Olsen <dstdba@post4.tele.dk>

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[...]

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(10) ON SWIFT-TUTTLE

>From Jens Kieffer-Olsen <dstdba@post4.tele.dk>
=20
> Earth is still being accreted, albeit slowly.  It is estimated=20
> that every year some 30000 metric tons of cosmic dust are being=20
> added. The annually accreted volume of larger extraterrestrial=20
> bodies is more difficult to estimate. Astronomical observations of=20
> near-Earth asteroids (NEA) suggest that the chances of impact by a=20
> body about 1 km-large are about 1 in 200 000 to 300 000 years. =20
> The probability of a collision on the scale which ended the=20
> Mesozoic world is 1 in several tens of million years. An even=20
> bigger potential event is represented by the comet Swift Tuttle -=20
> a 24 km behemoth twice the size of the dinosaur-killer - which=20
> crossed the Earth orbit in A.D. 1737, 1862 and 1992 and is=20
> calculated to pass within about 14 days flight from the planet in=20
> A.D. 2126.

Dear Dr. Peiser,

The prospect of Swift Tuttle paying us earthlings a visit some time during the
next millennium highlights the fact that close asteroid encounters are bound
to be of great benefit to mankind ONCE THE NECESSARY TECHNOLOGY is in place.

If asteroids are properly tamed and brought into Earth orbits they are worth
fortunes, much more than their redirection could possibly cost.

If Swift-Tuttle were placed in synchronous orbit I gather it would form
the perfect anchor point for a space elevator. Mars, as you know, already has
the moonlet Deimos in almost the right orbit.

Has anybody suggested so far how to go about building an actual space elevator?
I presume it should be lowered down into the gravity well rather than lifted
out of it.  A sizeable base such as provided by Swift-Tuttle would of course
greatly facilitate this endeavour, especially when compared to a free-floating
space elevator anchored through the use of contra weights stretching far
beyond synchronous orbit.

Yours sincerely
Jens Kieffer-Olsen, M.Sc.(Elec.Eng.)

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