Low-Tech Dynamic Assembly of Airborne Structure
Why wait for 2025 to dynamically assemble AWECS in mid-air? There are
already many easy methods to "build in the sky".
Those who fly branched trains are familiar with the routine of launching a
single pilot kite & subsequently building out a towering train by clipping
on kites & lines as it rises. Cody used a method of stopper rings & cones
whereby kites were added at the bottom of the line & rose to take
specified places. KiteLab Ilwaco, in numerous experiments. showed that
docking & undocking kites aloft is easy with just simple tow-hooks.
Hotswapping kites & lines while maintaining flight was also shown easy.
One can use a pulley aloft to support a halyard to hotswap any element. A
halyard "loop" allows itself to be switched at will. Useful tricks include
stopper knots, pin-releases, & tension-switching. Those who sew kite
arches could even fly an arch from the sewing machine as it grows...
CoolIP
~Dave Santos March
13 ,
2010
M3204
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