If you really wanted to ski the lunar surface, then you need some specially made skis. Schmitt says that moon dust is quite abrasive. It's more abrasive then sand. That's why he suggests Teflon-coated skis, though the belief is even those skis wouldn't last long on the lunar surface. New materials would be needed.
Sounds as if rather than hopping on the lunar surface when astronauts visit once again they may be skiing. Better yet, it looks as if the first private moon base may be a ski resort. Rather than avalanches, you'd just need to look out for incoming space debris and solar storms.
Read more from the NASA website.
USER COMMENTS 7 comment(s)
|But at 1/6 earth gravity .. (11:01am EST Tue Feb 20 2007)
Wouldn't friction be reduced substancially. Even with the abrasive dust, I think the teflon ski's would last longer than one would expect.
A 250 lb astronaut on teflon skis may go 10 miles on earth before the skis are trashed, but when he weighs only ~42 lb on th moon, the same astronaut should be able to go a bit further. - by Hodar
|But … (8:25pm EST Tue Feb 20 2007)
The space suit weighs about 280 lbs on earth, without the astronaut. So, in total, the weight on the moon would be about 70-80 lbs – astronaut included. - by mrkkbb
|re: Hodar (10:22pm EST Tue Feb 20 2007)
True friction should substancially be reduced, because if you remember physics the formula for the force of friction is equal to (coefficent of friction)*mass * (gravity)
In this case gravity is about 1/6 earths gravity. So forces due to friction is reduced, but this is really simplified.
Other important factors that probably contribute to the lack or durability though may be how the properties of teflon are in a vaccum, they may be dirastically different from earth, meaning Hodar that the comparision you stated may not be true.
At anyrate thats my 2 cents - by fazz33
|Hmmm (2:26am EST Wed Feb 21 2007)
Gods, i hope they don't recomment sunbathing on Mars next… geez.
As a mode of transport though, i am thinking like a bike, or an eletric powered offroad skateboard might be better, or even a Segway like machine?
- by Headley
|Better Surface (6:36pm EST Wed Feb 21 2007)
I bet they could come up with a great ceramic that would not abrade easily. I think they should try a lunar snowboard though. It would be a lot easier to do some cool tricks.
opie - by opie
|Diamond coating (2:37pm EST Thu Feb 22 2007)
Coat the skis with industrial diamonds,
better no stick than teflon and alot harder. - by Guimar
|Think simple (6:59pm EST Thu Feb 22 2007)
What they need are nordic walking poles.
Skiing sounds lovely, but no one is going to barrel around at any speed…. it's about making it easier, safer and more energy efficient. - by LeeFluff