Thursday, February 7, 2008
Paper planes in space?
We have a new candidate for 'space program of the decade'.
It seems that Japanese scientists want to launch origami (paper) planes from the International Space Station and see whether they survive re-entry through the atmosphere.
They claim to have already tested models in wind-tunnels at seven times the speed of sound and in temperatures of 250° Celsius (482° Fahrenheit). They hope that the planes, being much lighter than spacecraft, won't be subject to the same heat and friction that conventional orbital vessels must endure during re-entry.
I have only one question.
What's the point?
Sure, your paper planes may survive re-entry: but so what? Even if they do, what practical purpose will be served by this experiment? You've no idea where any of the planes may land, or whether they'll be found, or whether those who find them will return them to you for analysis.
Of course, you may get lucky . . . which may lead to more experiments.
I can see it now. In 2009 interviews are conducted with volunteers for a new program for the Japanese Space Agency.
"Ah, so, Volunteer Kamikaze. Following our successful recovery of unmanned origami model aircraft last year, we're expanding the program. Your task will be to sit astride this paper model of a space shuttle while it re-enters the atmosphere and report back to us every five minutes on how you're doing."
"Er . . . Administrator Tojo . . . you did say 'sit astride a paper model' during re-entry?"
"That's right - hey! Wait! Come back here, Kamikaze! You volunteered for this!"
*gigglesnort!*
Peter
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5 comments:
Last part made me feel like saying "Here's your sign!"
:-)
Even a worse idea than the one testing a shark-bite suit: "Ok, Jimmy, I want *you* to jump into that pool of sharks, and tell us if it hurts when they bite ya!"
:-))))
My best guess is that by studying the characteristics of paper airplanes via re-entry, the Japanese are experimenting with different materials to see if they can be used for satellites or, as a longshot, for spacecraft.
Outside-the-box thinking (and accidental mistakes) in science have brought us some of the most life-changing discoveries in our history. Yes, it may look silly. Yes, it may not work. But, if it does and it leads to a break-through that changes how materials are made it's worth looking silly in the beginning, isn't it?
It makes sense to me. It's a quick way to find the limits on sectional density for a low temperature free fall reentry.
Once you have small scale answers you can work out how large a reentry vehicle needs to be to soft land a man or satellite in an emergency. Being able to create a big foam and film reentry vehicle in space from light weight, easily lofted components would be great.
Pokerwolf, Georgeh, I hear you: but if they don't have any certainty of recovering the aircraft, or knowing whether they've worked, how can this experiment possibly produce any valid results? That's what baffles me.
I can think of several possible ways to track the planes. Super sharp cameras like the ones used to inspect shuttle tiles, watching from the ISS and from the ground. Tiny transponder chips like RFID on steroids. tiny bits of aluminum embedded so radar will bounce.
Don't know which of these will work, if any? No prob, do 'em all... total weight of the payload is what, 6 ounces?
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