January 9, 2006

Proto – G.P.S (Sep, 1956)

Filed under: Ahead of its time, Origins, Space — @ 4:54 pm
Source: Popular Science ( More articles from this issue )
Issue: Sep, 1956
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Skyful of Moons: To aid navigation by ships and planes, a Chrysler Corporation missile engineer, L. Lawrence Jr., has worked out a plan to launch three satellites – Astro 1, 2, 3 – to circle the earth at 600-mile altitude in 105 minutes, in polar orbits crossing the equator at spaced intervals around the world. The satellites would constantly emit radio signals, enabling a navigator to get his bearings from the nearest one, with the help of an almanac giving each satellite’s position at any time. To power a satellite’s radio, an atomic battery would convert heat from radiactive strontium into electricity, by means of a thermopile.

November 19, 2005

Lunar Suit for Space Explorer (Jan, 1961)

Filed under: Impractical, Space — @ 4:57 pm
Source: Popular Science ( More articles from this issue )
Issue: Jan, 1961
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This doesn’t look too practical.

A spaceman could use this suit while exploring the moon – and even rest in it if he’s on a long hike. It is equipped with retractable tripod legs that will hold it up off the ground and a built-in seat that he can curl up on while easing his tired feet.

The suit is made of aluminum, has a circular plastic window and nylon-coated neprene arms and legs. The tank strapped to the back supplies oxygen and contains a cabon-dioxide absorbent. The controls are inside the cylinder along with shelves of food for lengthy trips. Tools the wearer could use would be similar to those lying on the ground. The suit was built by Republic Aviation, weighs 120 pounds, which on the low-gravity moon would be equivealent to 20 on earth.

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