Could Bobbie Really Hold 2 Spaceships Together in ‘The Expanse’?
Let us just check out this alternative true swift.
- What about the models? On the still left, stress is in models of Newtons. On the correct facet of the equation, F-pull is in Newtons and the denominator is unitless (mass divided by mass). So that is superior.
- What about restrictions? What if mass B is tremendous very small? As the mass of block B goes to zero, the denominator goes to a pretty huge variety which tends to make the stress just about zero. That tends to make feeling.
Heading back to the scene from The Expanse, it is essentially the exact same issue, with Bobbie alternatively of the string. Also, we can see a way that the forces pulling her aside can be more acceptable. If the acceleration is smaller and the mass of the Razorback is not too great, she must be ready to maintain on (which she does).
Now for an analysis of the scene. Is it possible to estimate the mass of the two spacecraft? Possibly. While the Belter ship and the Razorback are reasonably shut in duration (likely involving 20-30 meters), they probable have pretty unique masses. The Belter ship is broader and bulkier and built for usual room travel. The Razorback was created as a racer.
I can in fact get a far better estimate of the sizing of the Razorback. Because they exhibit a doorway, I can suppose that it is about two meters tall (seems acceptable for a door). Employing this as a scale, the whole duration of the ship would be close to 20 meters. I can also measure the width at the rocket finish at about five.7 meters. Now let’s faux like it is a pyramid with a sq. foundation (it is not). The quantity of this would be the region of the foundation (five.7 situations five.7) multiplied by one third of the peak. This would set the complete quantity of the Razorback at 217 mthree.
Sure, I can use this quantity to estimate the mass. The trick is to use the density. Oh, you don’t know the density of a spaceship? Properly, neither do I. But I could use a Serious spaceship as an instance. What about the Space Shuttle Discovery? This has a mass of one hundred ten,000 kg. Then I can use the duration and width to calculate the quantity and density.
Last but not least, by applying the Space Shuttle density, I can ascertain the mass of the Razorback. Sure, it is a tough estimate—but it is nonetheless far better than nothing at all. Just in situation you want to obstacle my numbers, I set all the calculations in this python code.
There you have it—a Razorback mass of thirteen,000 kilograms. Now, alternatively of estimating the thrust drive on the Belter ship, I’m likely to alternatively estimate its acceleration. If you glance at the time involving when the gangplank detaches from the Razorback and the moment Bobbie grabs it, it is about four seconds, and the length traveled is shut to 1 meter. Assuming the ship begins from rest and has a continual acceleration, I can use the following kinematic equation: