That’s an interesting thought. But it doesn’t sound dangerous enough.patrix » November 3rd, 2017, 8:37 am wrote:Dear SacredCowSlayer,
Great post. Laughed out loud I also find the "Don't you believe in Newton!?" argument utterly absurd. Although I still need to stay humble since I not long ago was firmly convinced rocketry had no problems with vacuum. To my only defense I can say that I never actually tried to understand the physics, but now that I have, I find them impossible.
I would love to see some "Newton rocketeers" prove their point by performing common space docking maneuvers sitting in easy rolling shopping carts using whatever mass they like and throw it out of the carts...
I’ve seen the condescending and irrelevant points (to “prove” rocketry in the vacuum) by SpaceFanBoy clubs about sitting in chairs with wheels on a solid surface and throwing a bowling ball, thereby moving the chair in the opposite direction. There is no need for me to point out the numerous flaws with this flimsy “point”, as they have been addressed on this fine forum at length.
But I do think it’s high time they put their rockets where their mouths are. So, if my Orbital Suggestion (November 2, 2017, on this Topic) is just too much to ask, I’ll propose another “less risky” (and more cheap) experiment.
I will challenge any one of them to try the following:
1. Climb aboard a plane fit for skydiving with any and all solid objects (of your choice) that can most easily be thrown, fired (including a .50 caliber machine gun), or otherwise accelerated (including rocket boooster(s) affixed wherever you like);
2. Jump out at a mere 1,000 feet (or higher if you like) and use the items and/or devices to demonstrate how Newton’s law will save your ASS from suffering an Epic Flattening!;
3. No parachutes either. That would just be disingenuous.
4. Also, Absolutely No “landing” in an abandoned/hollowed out/ mineshaft filled with 200 feet of feathered pillows on top of 20 memory foam mattresses- or anything of the kind. In fact, just aim for a Walmart parking lot.
5. Let me know when and where so I can make certain that I send an independent photographer to capture the moment. We will extract the data (not the parts though) from there.
Poor Mr. Newton. I feel a little bad for the fella. Undoubtedly, he would have no way to know that his observations would be sullied by the government (NASA clowns) to sell space fantasies, and in turn flip (or attempt to) science on its head.