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Wouldn't a structure this large be inevitably hit by debris, whether from our own junk or stuff from elsewhere in space? They'd need a gundam squadron to prote
by resu 12y ago
Wouldn't a structure this large be inevitably hit by debris, whether from our own junk or stuff from elsewhere in space?
They'd need a gundam squadron to protect it too.
- Gravityloss 12y agoMost of the debris is in low orbits. So no direct problem. But if you build it in low earth orbit and fly it out on its own power in a slow spiral, then it's going to be a big problem. Flying with chemical rockets only up to LEO and electric propulsion from there on saves mass hugely. Best to assemble moderate pieces and fly them higher after completion.
- grecy 12y agoI was also wondering about the shadow it would cast...
- thret 12y agoI'm sure someone here will do the math, but short answer is that it wouldn't produce a noticeable shadow. Too small, too high.
- cvbncvbncgbc 12y agoThe apparent size of the structure in the sky, is on the order of three magnitudes smaller compared to the size of the moon.
- deleted 12y ago[deleted]
- commieneko 12y agoIt wouldn't cast an umbral shadow at all. It would cast a incredibly faint penumbral shadow. Look at it this way, at the sizes that are commonly talked about for these, at the orbital heights being talked about, the occlusion of the sun would be on the order of a very minor sun spot, and only for very brief periods of time.