Scientists at Glasgow
University have won funding from the
European Space
Agency to examine the feasibility of building a slingshot that could fire
supplies direct to the moon and retrieve cargo coming down the other way.
A rotating network of cables would be set up in low earth orbit into which
material would be fired via conventional rocket launches.
These cables, powered by electrical panels and the earth's spin, would
provide the extra impetus required to send the packages to the moon, where they
would be collected by another slingshot and sent down to the surface.
The study, developed by Dr Gianmarco Radice and Prof Matthew Cartmell, will
look at the mathematical possibilities of the idea, rather than building a
physical model.
"Tether systems are an extremely attractive possibility for space
transportation as they do not require any fuel," Dr Radice told the BBC.
"There are a number of practical issues that have to be addressed, as the
cables are kilometres long and have to be extremely resistant, but this could
provide an efficient method of transporting goods between the earth and the
moon."
The dynamic duo won the €10,000 funding over 50 other projects for space
exploration.
Do you agree?
Have your say on this article