Safe landing field detector

[vegascat]

The Safe Landing Field Detector
This is a 10 Kg steel ball on a cable tether dropped from a height of 10 meters. After dropping, if there is still tension on the cable, an automatic circuit is triggered to apply full power to the landing thruster grav system halting the downward movement of the ship. The ball will be automatically reeled in before touchdown.
IF the ball falls more then the 10 meters allowed, that means the surface is not strong enough to support the ship or is a liquid surface. Both cases means that the pilot will want to investigate the landing surface before touchdown. Breaking through someone's roof, colored pond, or cave roof is bad for friendly relations.
A secondary bonus will be the discharge of any static charge gained from atmospheric passage. The power could be directed to the jump capacitors giving them a quick charge that can be used after landing to run ship systems. All jet aircraft today are touched by a discharge probe connected to a field ground before any other ground crew are allowed near the aircraft. The high speed movement through the air does build up a large electrical charge that can electrocute anyone touching the aircraft while in contact with the ground. The rubber tires act as an electrical insulator. Propeller aircraft generally don't move fast enough to build up a static charge.

 

[Proneutron]

We use a densitometer.

 

[Condottiere]

Difference between landing with a thud and drifting down on lifters.

 

[Enoki]

Why not just use a ground penetrating radar set that could double as a radio altimeter to accurately scan the ground below the ship--all of it?

The ball could hit one spot that's relatively solid while the rest of the ground around it is unable to take the weight. Second problem... How do you deal with variable gravity from world to world?

Oh, question: Would the operator call out "Mark! Mark Twain!" like they did on riverboats checking water depth...?

 

[Spinward Scout]

The Safe Landing Field Detector.

I think there's an ACME version of this.

 

[MThompson016]

And it features a 1 tonne steel ball, and a coyote shaped cutout.

 

[whartung]

The problem isn't so much whether the ground can support the ship, per se, (many ships float, in theory) the problem is whether the ship gets stuck make takeoff difficult after it does.

 

[Condottiere]

 

[Proneutron]

The problem isn't so much whether the ground can support the ship, per se, (many ships float, in theory) the problem is whether the ship gets stuck make takeoff difficult after it does.

Yes, that can be a problem on a planet with near equal grav to gravity drive rating. Wouldn't take much on a planet with a grav of 0.9 to trap a ship with a drive rating of 1G

 

[Proneutron]

Organic repair robot.

 

[Enoki]

I think there's an ACME version of this.

I think this is the version made in Anvilania where anvils rain from the sky...

 

[vegascat]

So much for the Steampunk version of landing safety.

 

[BRover]

I think there's an ACME version of this.

Only Wiley E. Coyote trusts their products . . .

 

[Condottiere]

Maybe he's subscribed to ACME Prime, with free same day delivery.

 

[Proneutron]

Maybe he's subscribed to ACME Prime, with free same day delivery.

ACME also has a an assistant named Amy. So you can just ask, "Amy, what is the best safe landing detector?"

 

[Condottiere]

"Make a right turn, at Albuquerque."

 

[Proneutron]

"Make a right turn, at Albuquerque."

:rofl:

 

[Enoki]

Now if it were a big enough anvil, it could double as an anchor...

 

[Grav_Moped]

Now if it were a big enough anvil, it could double as an anchor...

Don't you hate it when your starship drifts away?

 

[BRover]

Don't you hate it when your starship drifts away?

You just need a firm mooring clamp.