A glimpse of the future

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A glimpse of the future

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Re: A glimpse of the future

What happens in a black hole stays in a black hole.

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Re: A glimpse of the future

Randy, it's like the difference between this:

and this

Amazing what 45 odd years can do. Smile

Meanwhile in Denmark, CV's Danish spirit animal:

http://bensens.dk/BLOG/nogen-erfaringer-rigere-foil/

At least our water is warmer.

In other pics it looks like he's using a Horue foil.

--- The Arrogant Jerk: Crabby and irritable since 1998.

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Re: A glimpse of the future

Sorry - but I think the comparison is more like this:

What happens in a black hole stays in a black hole.

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Re: A glimpse of the future

compared to this:

What happens in a black hole stays in a black hole.

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Re: A glimpse of the future
randy wrote:

compared to this:

I think you meant to upload this - Biggrin

--- The Arrogant Jerk: Crabby and irritable since 1998.

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Re: A glimpse of the future

I'm getting the vibe that Randy isn't as much into this foil thing as I am. Cray 2

(Either that or he really likes big trucks. Wait, he does live in the 'burbs. In Georgia... hmmmm.) Have fun in Hatteras, Randy. Leave some wind for the rest of us.

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Re: A glimpse of the future

Aw c'mon - who doesn't love Monster Trucks! I think that is the Electric Bigfoot (least that what it said) - its really quite high tech just like foils. So "keep on foilin." And if at first you don't succeed remember "Success is just failure that hasn't happened yet." (Lattrel Sprewell.)

What happens in a black hole stays in a black hole.

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Re: A glimpse of the future

Pryde's foil in testing

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Re: A glimpse of the future

Here is a much better look at the future. A unique board and sail combination.

What happens in a black hole stays in a black hole.

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Re: A glimpse of the future
randy wrote:

Here is a much better look at the future. A unique board and sail combination.

I am not a smart man. WTF did I just watch?

--- The Arrogant Jerk: Crabby and irritable since 1998.

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Re: A glimpse of the future

These will help explain. Uses wind shear (wind blowing from different directions at different altitude) and solar to provide the power needed.

"Description
The Dual-Aircraft Platform (DAP) is a patented concept for achieving a low-cost atmospheric satellite which utilizes wind shear as the primary energy source, and has the potential to stationkeep without a substantial energy storage system. DAP consists of two glider-like Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) connected via a thin, ultra-strong cable which literally sails without propulsion, using levels of wind shear commonly found in lower Stratosphere (e.g., near 60,000-ft). The two aircraft are positioned at different altitudes, as far as 3,000-ft apart, to encounter substantially different wind velocities. The device operates similar in principle to a kite-surfer in which the upper aircraft, referred to as the SAIL, provides lift for both aircraft and aerodynamic thrust, while the lower aircraft, known as the BOARD, provides an upwind force to keep the platform from drifting downwind. Each aircraft extracts additional energy via solar film and possibly a wind turbine to operate the avionics, flight controls, payload, and for intermittent use of propulsion."

http://www.nasa.gov/feature/virtual-flight-demonstration-of-stratospheric-dual-aircraft-platform

http://news.erau.edu/top-news/embry-riddle-researchers-receive-100000-award-to-study-kite-surfing-in-the-stratosphere-for-communications

What happens in a black hole stays in a black hole.

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Re: A glimpse of the future

The bad news is that most of us probably won't be able to afford a setup like this so we will have to continue to put up with the winds at ground level for windsurfing or slightly above in the case of kiters.

What happens in a black hole stays in a black hole.

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Re: A glimpse of the future

So... a kite with 3000 ft lines. Would possibly could go wrong with that? ROFL

Just a reminder of what our kite friends are really planning:

--- The Arrogant Jerk: Crabby and irritable since 1998.

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Re: A glimpse of the future

Much more ambitious than that AJ. Much longer than 3000 foot tethers too. What could possible go wrong.

What happens in a black hole stays in a black hole.

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