Re: superhero space navigation

Leonard Erickson wrote:
> On Sun, 13 Apr 2008 06:23:46 GMT, Bryan Derksen
> <bryan.derksen@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
> 
>> Oh, it just occurred to me that transmitter power might not be that big

>> an issue after all. I was starting to ponder things like solar panels 
>> and fuel cells when I realized that the radio set is being carried by 
>> Superman. Just put a hand crank on a nice hefty generator, maybe with a

>> flywheel or battery so he doesn't have to keep cranking continuously 
>> while talking, and you've got yourself a power source. Overheating may 
>> be an issue, though. :)
> 
> That's assuming that superstrong goes with the flight &
> invulnerability. :=)

If it doesn't, you can attach your generator to a wheel and fly along 
close to the ground holding the wheel against the ground to drive it. Or 
use a really long crank handle and fly in circles around the generator 
to turn it. Or instead of a crank use a spool of cable and fly away from 
the generator to spin it. There are lots of ways to convert linear 
motion into electricity.

> Unless the super can crank superfast, you'll need a really hefty gear
> ratio. And have to deal with the potential of it breaking.

Power-generating windmills don't generally turn very fast; 
http://www.energyadvocate.com/fw90.htm
says big commercial windmills in 
California do 20-50 RPMs, which should be well within the speed 
capabilities of someone who can routinely fly to the Moon. Automobile 
transmissions can deal with those sorts of RPM changes too. Rigging up a 
  superhero-powered generator would likely be an easy task for Junkyard 
Wars level gadgeteering.

I really worry about temperature control, though. Heat's not going to 
dissipate easily in a vacuum and the super's not necessarily going to be 
able to tell when bearings are getting too hot. Putting the mechanics 
inside a pressurized container might help but then you have to worry 
about keeping it sealed.