3 ms·
Spinning stuff in air takes more energy than spinning stuff in a vacuum.
by vintermann 2y ago
Spinning stuff in air takes more energy than spinning stuff in a vacuum.
- Nevermark 2y agoIf the track is enclosed in a smooth symmetric enclosure, either a circle or flat dome, the air within the enclosure will spin along with the train or other tracked constructions, instead of impeding them. I imagine some texturing on the inside of the enclosure could create small scale surface turbulence that even reduces the minimal friction there.
- eru 2y agoYou would likely put these in air on the moon as well. Depends a bit on your design.
- jillesvangurp 2y agoBut then we do operate trains in our atmosphere so this is a solvable problem. The advantage outside of our atmosphere is of course that aerodynamics don't matter, which indeed would make things more energy efficient. Also there would be no weather (or very little of it on Mars), no humidity.