Talk:Bringing down Phobos
Lost information
Although I like the recent change, I do not fully agree with it, because the following information got lost:
- time until phobos becomes a real threat
- obstacle for building a space elevator
- several technological approaches to lift Phobos into a higher orbit (I doubt the rocket technology is the best, for it consumes vast amounts of chemical fuels)
-- Rfc 06:17, 18 June 2008 (UTC)
Sorry, but rocket technology is pretty much all we have right now, but in response to that, instead of a resource consuming chemical rocket, what about a nuclear rocket instead? If there are any volatile materials within Phobos, they could be utilized as fuel. I seriously doubt the feasibilty of space elevators. Beside that, phobos could act as a way station for spacecraft coming to and from Mars. T.Neo 09:30, 18 June 2008 (UTC)
- Why are you in doubt about the feasibility of space elevators? I find it extremely useful (and simple!) if used only for landing on the Martian surface. I look forward to read your concerns in the article space elevator ;-) -- Rfc 07:24, 20 June 2008 (UTC)
Why not simply re-oreintate Phobos to an aereostationry orbit, and use it as an anchor for the space elevator. T.Neo 12:32, 23 June 2008 (UTC)
- You would need vast amounts of energy (fuel) for changing the orbit of such a heavy body. Can you calculate the needed energy? I think, a much smaller counterweight will do, e.g. a heap of burnt out rocket stages, maybe filled with some rocks from the moons. -- Rfc 12:21, 24 June 2008 (UTC)
I cannot, unfortunatly, calculate the amount of fuel required. The problem I have with this article, is that it is too destructive. Small bodies, like Phobos and Deimos, will be the main source of goods in the solar system, due to the fact that it takes little energy to lift off of their surface. Phobos could be moved into a higher orbit with low thrust over a long time. Ion engines come to mind. By the time terraforming begins or a space elevator becomes plausible, we will have the technology to boost Phobos into a higher orbit. I propose moving to a neutral name i.e. "Manipulating the orbit of Phobos", and then having "deorbit" and "manipulation of orbit" sections. How does that sound? T.Neo 09:42, 27 June 2008 (UTC)
