RE: Gyroscopic Attitude Control Systems

Mr. Scott wrote:
:The Starship Operators manual says these things are used at speeds
:approaching 1 million RPM.  Ok, lets assume a gyro 1 meter in radius, and
:say 1000 kilograms.  (sound reasonable?)

Well, your analysis shows that such an assumption isn't reasonable.  Why
not assume that the gyro is smaller and less massive?  The high rate of
spin would presumably allow a small gyro, which would take up less space
and be less of a danger.  I haven't done the math, of course, but I think
that if your math shows a gyro with a 2-meter diameter is too dangerous,
then one can assume that the gyro would be smaller than 2 meters.

Dominic Duvall			 | [email removed]
The Quest, BBS for F&SF and RPGs | [email removed]
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