![]() |
If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
![]()
Much ado has been made of the Mars Rovers and the use of a vehicle to
explore the moon in the 1970s. I was curious if there was enough atmosphere on a planet like Mars that Astronauts could utilize Ultralights in their exploration and if so, what would the make-up of the ultralight aircraft be, considering the lightweight materials utilized to construct the lunar rover in the late 1960s? Would there be enough atmosphere to support a parachute recovery system as well? Also, the Army experimented with inflatable aircraft in the 1950s/ 1960s...would the "inflate-a-plane" idea find use in space exploration if adequate atmosphere existed to support an ultralight operation? It would seem to me that if there were enough atmosphere on Mars to support Ultralights, an astronaut could cover greater ground in exploration, especially considering the STOL capability of such an aircraft. VTOL is nice, but an engine failure could cause a mission abort. A dual engine failure could maroon astronauts. In regards to the rovers, if the vehicle breaks down, it's a long way to walk back to base camp on very little oxygen. |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
![]() |
||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Australian Ultralights | Kevin Berlyn | Home Built | 0 | March 15th 05 12:09 PM |
Best engine for ultralights | Josip | General Aviation | 5 | August 27th 04 06:02 PM |
one medical away from Ultralights | Gilan | Owning | 7 | May 22nd 04 12:54 AM |
one medical away from Ultralights | Gilan | Piloting | 7 | May 22nd 04 12:54 AM |
Ultralights photo | Mirco Landini | Home Built | 4 | September 17th 03 06:08 AM |