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Robert Zubrin's Mars Gashopper Airplane

Posted by michael on from the boing-boing dept.

Fraser Cain writes "Universe Today has a story about Robert Zubrin's (Mars Society President) Martian Gashopper Aircraft proposal to NASA. It uses solar power to liquefy carbon dioxide and then use it as a propellant to take off, fly hundreds of km above the surface of Mars like an airplane, and then land vertically again."

4 of 124 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Here and now? by stratjakt · · Score: 5, Funny

    The limiting feature of the gashopper is the electricity required to pressurize and heat the carbon dioxide propellant. This process consumes a lot of power, and the gashopper would need more than a month using its solar cells to refuel and recharge its batteries before it could take off again.

    I guess if you only travelled a few hundred yards a month, it might work.

    I'm pretty sure gravity is an issue, though. Gravity's a real bitch. Newton should never have invented it. Or he should have at least patented it so noone could use it.

    --
    I don't need no instructions to know how to rock!!!!
  2. Nose full of "science" by Jonboy+X · · Score: 5, Funny

    I love that diagram on the website. Future press conference transcript excerpt:

    Reporter: "Yes Mr. Zubrin, it's certainly an impressive design. What will be in the nose of the craft?"

    Mr. Zurbin: "As you can see from this diagram, the nose of the craft will contain "science". Next question."

    --

    "In a 32-bit world, you're a 2-bit user. You've got your own newsgroup, alt.total.loser." -Weird Al
  3. Look at the diagram in the article by stratjakt · · Score: 5, Funny

    This thing is equipped with a warhead of PURE SCIENCE!

    --
    I don't need no instructions to know how to rock!!!!
  4. About Time by mordors9 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Them martians have been scaring people on this planet for years with their UFOs. Now it's our turn.