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..A GIANT PING FOR MANKIND ; Giant Slingshots 'to Launch Pods to the Moon' OUT OF THIS WORLD 2

Posted on: Monday, 3 April 2006, 06:00 CDT

By LOUISE MALE

GIANT catapults could be used to ping supply capsules to the moon and back.

Scientists in Britain are already exploring the wacky idea - funded by a pounds 7,000 grant from the European Space Agency.

So far experts are dealing only with whether the plan is theoretically possible. In practice it could involve huge lengths of slingshot cable made from Kevlar, tungsten or graphite.

Catapult stations for goods, equipment, food and water, could also be set up on the moon and in space. And they could revolutionise space travel - doing away with costly gas-guzzling rockets, like the one that blasted US astronaut Buzz Aldrin into space.

The project is being led by Dr Gianmarco Radice at the University of Glasgow.

He says: "The cables would need to be kilometres long and have to be extremely resistant. But this could provide an efficient method of transporting goods between Earth and the moon."

He adds: "Finding cheap and reliable ways of bringing resources to the moon is crucial."

mirrornews@mgn.co.uk

Source: Daily Mirror

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