Yellow ribbon latest tool for space

Asteroids could provide information for future missions to Mars
Asteroids could provide information for future missions to Mars
 

Also In The News

Russians dominate in US Open quarter-finals

Svetlana Kuznetsova and Anna Chakvetadze both won their quarter-final encounters at Flushing Meadows to set up an all-Russian semi-final.

Kuznetsova will face Chakvetadze for a place in the final
 

Thursday, 06, Sep 2007 04:19

A cross between a belt and a baby bouncer has been developed to help astronauts remain on asteroids during future fact-findings missions.

The gravity on asteroids is not strong enough to keep astronauts on their surfaces; they would bounce off into space each time they touched its surface.

Scientists are attempting to solve this problem as missions are being planned for astronauts to land on an asteroid to provide information to shape future missions to the planet Mars.

Ian Garrick-Bethell and Christopher Carr at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology believe they have developed a way to keep the astronauts attached to the surface, the New Scientist reports.

A long spool of yellow polymer ribbon would be attached to an uncrewed space vehicle that would then wind it around the asteroid as it orbits it.

This would be repeated, resulting in a double band to attach a mechanism for the astronaut to sit in.

Mr Garrick-Bethell said a tough polymer called Vectran, which is already used for airbags on Mars probes, would be used for the ribbon.

"We want to see an asteroid mission in the near future, so we did not rely on technologies that don't exist," he told the New Scientist.


Grand National runners that meet the requirements in 2011

There are going to be forty Grand National Runners this Saturday all lining up at Aintree and picking the Grand National winner is always a difficult thing to do.

Gold Cup 2011 odds point to Imperial Commander as the winner

The latest Gold Cup Odds are not only important because they represent how much you can win on the race.

Cheltenham Gold Cup runners and best bets

Fourteen runners have been declared for the Cheltenham Gold Cup 2011 and the question on many people's lips will be.

Cheltenham Gold Cup 2011 runners and odds

The Cheltenham Gold Cup Runners have now been confirmed. As long as there are no late withdrawals there will be 14 Cheltenham Gold Cup runners.

Cheltenham Festival stats and tips should mean more winnings and winners

The Cheltenham Festival 2011 gets underway next week and one of the most popular methods of picking Cheltenham Festival winners is not only to follow tips, but also to take notice of important Cheltenham Festival Stats.

Cheltenham Races odds and tips suggest proven Cheltenham form is key

At long last The Cheltenham Festival 2011 is here and whether punters are going to the course or watching it on TV, everyone will be looking for winning tips for Cheltenham.

Cheltenham races odds and tips can help you find 50/1 winner at the festival

The Cheltenham Festival 2011 gets underway on Tuesday. The highlight of Cheltenham Races on the opening day will be the Champion Hurdle and three days of brilliant racing will follow Tuesday's action.



We're mobile!

Get news, sport and entertainment on your mobile. Text inthenews to 84010 or go to http://m.inthenews.co.uk. There is no charge for this service but the SMS will be charged at your standard operator rate.