XPost: sci.space.tech   
   From: a@b.c   
      
   "Jim McCauley"  wrote in message   
   news:cGmVa.4601$Vt6.1861@rwcrnsc52.ops.asp.att.net...   
   > Living in deep space presents any number of problems, but one of the more   
   > serious ones is the lack of gravity on small bodies like asteroids and   
   comet   
   > cores.  One idea might be to nudge two bodies on mutual intercept courses   
   > with a very small net delta vee between them.  When they get close enough,   
   > throw a line from one to the other and secure it with shock-absorbing   
   > arrangements on both ends.  With carefully chosen parameters and a bit of   
   > fiddling, the two should go into an eventually circular orbit around a   
   > common center of mass.  If there is a marked difference in the relative   
   > masses, each will have a unique gravity gradient induced by centrifugal   
   > force.   
   >   
   > Of course, if the objects are rubble piles, it will be necessary to build   
   > net bags around them first, with anchor points on each bag.   
   >   
   > Many twiddly bits here, of course, starting with the parameters for   
   > rendezvous.  Not only will they have to be put into close proximity to one   
   > another, but their relative spins will have to be brought to a reasonably   
   > close match for the arresting gear to manage without becoming overstressed   
   > or hopelessly twisted.   
   >   
   > This can't be an original idea.  Has work been done on this already?   
   > References appreciated!   
   >   
   >   
   > Jim McCauley   
   >   
   Here on earth we already have big trouble lifting a submarine from   
   the bottom of the sea. Try imagine what it would take to lift a   
   50 flore building and then realize that the force such a weight is   
   creating is still nothing compared to two 100m asteroids spinning   
   around each other to create g-forces. It seams so much easier to   
   build  artificial structures with far less mass, than using asteroids.   
      
   And if you have the technology to move two asteroids to each   
   other, why not reduce their relative speed to zero first, then attach   
   the line and finaly let them spin? Gives a lot less stress.   
      
   Wim Dekker   
      
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