From: henry@spsystems.net   
      
   In article ,   
   Marc 182   wrote:   
   >> The lines used for resupplying ships at sea are taut.   
   >   
   >So? Tautness isn't required.   
      
   In space it is.  A slack line doesn't do anything simple and predictable   
   like hanging down in a nice clean curve.   
      
   >Plus I think they actually try really hard   
   >to keep them from getting taut, a taut line can snap.   
      
   There's taut and then there's taut.  Those lines *are* continuously under   
   tension from gravity; they need to hold their shape fairly well to make   
   the operation practical.   
   --   
   "Think outside the box -- the box isn't our friend."    |   Henry Spencer   
                                   -- George Herbert       | henry@spsystems.net   
      
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