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Pastimes : Shuttle Columbia STS-107
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To: James F. Hopkins who wrote (425)2/7/2003 11:49:47 AM
From: Clarksterh  Read Replies (1) of 627
 
James - My only comment was that a 400 lb astronaut travelling at several feet per second has the same momentum as a 2-1/2 lb piece of foam travelling at several hundred feet per second. You are right that they are not exactly the same thing. The foam, for instance, does have more energy. But my general thesis is that because the momentum is about the same the potential for damage is similar - albeit more for the foam due the faster flight, quicker decel and extra energy.

As for 5 lb worth of push etc - ask the astronauts how exhausting it is to work in an inflated spacesuit or ask how many bruises they have when they come back. If you watch shuttle space walks you'll notice that they almost never just drift - they go from handhold to handhold because it is so difficult to do otherwise. A problem for you - imagine that they were swinging on a tether to jump to the other side of the wing. Fine. Little likelihood of damage if they 'land' on their feet. But that kind of control is essentially impossible - perhaps they will hit it with their helmet or their toe or ... . And climbing the wing is out since there are no handholds. It isn't as easy at it looks. And torque - what does that have to do with anything?

PS - I am not going to teach remedial physics just to prove that this was my specialty. You can choose not to believe me if you want.

Clark
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