BRUC%MIT-ML@sri-unix.UUCP (06/05/83)
From: Robert E. Bruccoleri <BRUC @ MIT-ML> What advantage would dusty deceleration have over using electromagnetic deceleration in bringing a ship in from orbit on the lunar surface? Both would require some long structure to provide for energy transfer over the time required for deceleration. The dusty deceleration would require a much simpler system on the moon, but the ship would have be a lot sturdier. On the other hand, using electromagnetic braking would be much cleaner, and very efficient as the energy of the ship could be converted into electricity.