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"To get anywhere, or even live a long time, a man has to guess, and guess right, over and over again, without enough data for a logical answer."
- Robert Heinlein
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| Gravity-Repulsion Generator | ||
| Counters the force of gravity with its own force. |
This is an interesting use of the use of a gravity "generator", because it is only used when leaving a planet or other body. The remaining parts of the journey are accomplished using Newton's Third Law - for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.
| The power principle by means of which the ship was able to leave the earth was based on the laws of electromagnetic attraction and repulsion, which was called into play on a most powerful scale. Under the tremendous excitation induced by the Lowell gravity-repulsion generator, the force was so great that it drove the space ship away from the earth — just the opposite to the action of gravitational attraction. In fact it seemed to do just that: to reverse the normal attraction of gravitation into a repulsion force. Responding to the enormously powerful electro-magnetic field thus created, the space-ship was able to leave the planet rapidly and at a fast accelerating rate yet did not require the enormous initial velocity of seven miles a second, the critical velocity of escape from a body the size of the earth. This rendered the first upward rush safe and comfortable, for the power of the initial rise could be kept under control to any desired degree. Propulsion in any direction was obtained by the reaction of a highly compressed explosive gas directed from cylinders placed on the various sides of the ship. Once the heavy layers of air were left behind, great velocity could be attained in a short time and in the vacuum of space it would be virtually self-sustaining. |
| Technovelgy from Moon People Of Jupiter,
by Isaac R. Nathanson. Published by Amazing Stories Quarterly in 1931 Additional resources -
|
At last all is in readiness - the great ship lifts off!
The throb and pulse of the mighty repulsion engines sounded louder and louder; the shouts of the multitude outside sounded distantly through the impervious walls of the space-ship. At the final signal, the great repulsion generators roaring deafeningly, the great space-ship began to shiver and palpitate, and began to lift gently upward; and with the roar of the engines turning into the crescendo of an ear-splitting shriek, the "Martian” rose up and up, drove ahead and rapidly disappeared from sight.
Once a great enough distance is achieved, it is no longer useful:
See the many different uses of gravity under "G".
Everything was in readiness; everyone at his post. The last box had been hoisted on board; the last final round of inspection under the critical eye of our commander, the last good-byes; the entrance sealed; the portholes screwed hermetically tight — everything was ready to the last possible dot, before Commander Lowell nodded the signal to start.
In twenty-four hours, as reckoned by our chronometers, the “Martian" was leaving the earth-moon system rapidly behind, our ace having attained a velocity of seven miles per second. The electro-magnetic repulsion engines were long since turned of! and silent, not needed at this great distance...
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| NASA Moonbase Update |
| The Solar Oberth Slingshot |
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'Space-sickness is one of the most unpleasant sensations that a human being can experience. Not all are subject to it...'
'...I saw a nice black heavy-looking cloud sailing by just now, and I can get the electrical machine out in five minutes to draw it down.'
'From a distance it could resolve the cosmic rays reflected from various substances.'
'The answer to the dumb student's prayer.'
'He had travelled the space-lanes of the solar system for the greater part of his life...'
'The dinner was excellent. It was completely vegetarian — grown in specially prepared gardens in this Moon base...'
'Telepaths had their sensitiveness enlarged to an immense range by the pin-sets, which were telepathic amplifiers adapted to the mammal mind.'
'It was a relief to enter one of the comfortable autos, whisper a direction down the tube, and just know that you would be taken to your destination in the quickest, safest, and cheapest manner.'
'But he didn't get very far with it before another noise in his ear radio scattered his thoughts. George winced...'
