The 7W Moon Shot - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: alreadystarted
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 21, 2017, 08:51:12 pm
content: I have recently watched some youtube videos where a certain internet technology personality has repeatedly claimed that one can get to the moon on ~7W of power. Now I'm no cynic, but I think it's time we all banded together and demand that if such a 7W moon shot project exists that it finally be revealed!Reproducibility is foudational to science, so let me be the first to openly offer to confirm this important work!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xjlxj0HDcw4#t=02m08sPerhaps the community can help me reverse engineer this project.The moon is about 363,104km away at perigeeThe most acceleration I'm willing to sustain is 40m/s2I mass around 80kgHow much mass do I need to lose to make this happen?

author: MK14
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 21, 2017, 09:25:50 pm
content: In theory, you can get there at virtually 0 power, eventually.Thought experiment for the future:You and a very strong friend, take a space elevator, to just about beyond the Earths gravitational pull.You get space suited up and your very strong friend, throws you as hard as they can, directly at the moon.Let's say, he achieves 10 KPH, and his aim is perfect.Assuming, the future where almost everlasting oxygen (and water/food supplies) space suits have been invented, and you are really patient.You will eventually land (with a big 10 KPH BUMP!), on the Moon surface.Total power consumption (ignoring space elevator and friends energy throwing you), zero.

author: floobydust
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 21, 2017, 09:34:14 pm
content: What about the solar wind?NASA articleMars surface roughed updue to planet having no magnetosphere.

author: StillTrying
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 21, 2017, 09:41:04 pm
content: Whatever you do, make sure you go at night."You will eventually land (with a big 10 KPH BUMP!), on the Moon surface."I think your landing speed would be a bit higher than that.

author: MK14
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 21, 2017, 09:46:08 pm
content: Quote from: StillTrying on November 21, 2017, 09:41:04 pmAre yes, Moons gravity, oops.Ok, not so easy to solve (the landing speed), as there is no atmosphere on the moon to use parachutes, to keep the terminal speed low.So take a big firework or rocket pack with you, and activate it just before gaining significant speed when you hit the moons gravitational field. Aim it VERY carefully, otherwise, it will be a lot more than 10 KPH, when you hit the Moons surface!

author: StillTrying
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 21, 2017, 09:59:27 pm
content: http://blog.sciencegeekgirl.com/2009/11/09/myth-because-the-astronauts-had-heavy-boots/

author: AndyC_772
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 21, 2017, 10:26:12 pm
content: 7W is a rate of energy consumption, not a total amount.If power (not energy) is the limitation, you could charge a big capacitor at 7W for a long time, then dump all the energy into a rail gun.I wonder if it's possible to detect a reflection off the moon from a 7W laser?

author: Circlotron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 21, 2017, 10:55:23 pm
content: He likely meant that you could fly to the moon on 7 Watts if you followed a hyperbole(ic) trajectory. 🤪

author: gnif
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 21, 2017, 11:47:49 pm
content: I am sure it would consume more then 7W to simply produce a suitable vehicle/suit, that's your entire budget gone before launch.

author: MK14
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 21, 2017, 11:55:11 pm
content: Quote from: gnif on November 21, 2017, 11:47:49 pmIn theory, you could make one that uses thermopiles (which convert temperature differences into electricity), with the self heating human on the inside (not sure of exact amount, but it is probably around 50 Watts of heat energy produced) and the near absolute zero temperature of outer space (during most of the journey).Also, using very high efficiency techniques, the suits power consumption, should be reducible to a small amount.I.e. the very approx 50 watts, can be used to power the suit. Some of the energy the suit uses, can also be re-converted back into electricity, and make a closed cycle thing, which uses very little or no external power.In (hypothetical) theory, at least. (In practice the mobile satellite phone and entertainment system, will need 750 watts).EDIT:But the suit/craft does do a lot of important/vital life support functions. Such as air-conditioning, refreshing the oxygen and removing CO2 etc. Water control/extraction/recycling. So I just hope that all the necessary functions can be performed, with little or no, extra power, being needed.

author: rdl
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 22, 2017, 12:35:34 am
content: "Flying to the Moon" does not require a person. Maybe you want to send an unmanned probe.If you have a continuous 7 watt source of power are you even limited to the Moon?