Would it be possible to fly a helicopter to the moon, if it were solar powered or some shit?

A helicopter needs air to lift itself.

only if it were solar powered (or some shit)

SMJO wrote:

A helicopter needs air to lift itself.

What about space dust or dark matter or moonbeams? You could use some of that shit to create lift.

Go get yourself a helicopter license, take off straight up and just keep going. You'll get there!

If you could get a chopper to attain a speed of about 25,000 mph, that would be a good start.

SMJO wrote:

A helicopter needs air to lift itself.

Which moon? Some moons have an atmosphere, and theoretically have air molecules.

buzz lightyears wrote:

Which moon? Some moons have an atmosphere, and theoretically have air molecules.

How is it that some moon definitely has an atmosphere but only theoretically has air molecules?

luv2run wrote:

If you could get a chopper to attain a speed of about 25,000 mph, that would be a good start.

Escaping the earth's gravity is not about speed, it's about height. If you go high enough, you leave the earth, no matter what speed you go. Like a balloon...floating right the f*ck into outer space.

Ummm...ever heard of school? wrote:

luv2run wrote:

If you could get a chopper to attain a speed of about 25,000 mph, that would be a good start.

Escaping the earth's gravity is not about speed, it's about height. If you go high enough, you leave the earth, no matter what speed you go. Like a balloon...floating right the f*ck into outer space.

Correct. Escape velocity is in regards to projectiles.

Elevator to the moon has been discussed for years.

First google hit, but many more:

http://techland.time.com/2012/08/30/kickstart-this-a-space-elevator-on-the-moon/

jimmy fallow wrote:

Elevator to the moon has been discussed for years.

First google hit, but many more:

http://techland.time.com/2012/08/30/kickstart-this-a-space-elevator-on-the-moon/

Why take a god damned escalator to the moon when you could cruise there with class in a helicopter?

Logical Man wrote:

How is it that some moon definitely has an atmosphere but only theoretically has air molecules?

Because we have had difficulties landing on them and taking any samples. We have observed moons in the Voyager and Cassini–Huygens missions, and mainly theorize based on observation.

One of Neptune's largest moons, Triton might have liquid nitrogen seas and a nitrogen/methane atmosphere with a density as much as 30% that of the Earth.

However, the Huygens probe did land on Saturn's largest moon, Titan. The atmosphere of Titan is largely composed of nitrogen; minor components lead to the formation of methane and ethane clouds and nitrogen-rich organic smog.

buzz lightyears wrote:

Logical Man wrote:

How is it that some moon definitely has an atmosphere but only theoretically has air molecules?

Because we have had difficulties landing on them and taking any samples. We have observed moons in the Voyager and Cassini–Huygens missions, and mainly theorize based on observation.

One of Neptune's largest moons, Triton might have liquid nitrogen seas and a nitrogen/methane atmosphere with a density as much as 30% that of the Earth.

However, the Huygens probe did land on Saturn's largest moon, Titan. The atmosphere of Titan is largely composed of nitrogen; minor components lead to the formation of methane and ethane clouds and nitrogen-rich organic smog.

It sounds like you meant something along the lines of an earth like atmosphere rather than the more nebulous "air molecules".

No Way wrote:

Ummm...ever heard of school? wrote:

Escaping the earth's gravity is not about speed, it's about height. If you go high enough, you leave the earth, no matter what speed you go. Like a balloon...floating right the f*ck into outer space.

Correct. Escape velocity is in regards to projectiles.

Ummm...think again. Once you are out of earth's atmosphere the helicopter IS a projectile and will need the requisite escape velocity.

Put some Creatine into the gas tank. You'll be on Mars in no time brah.

Logical Man wrote:

No Way wrote:

Correct. Escape velocity is in regards to projectiles.

Ummm...think again. Once you are out of earth's atmosphere the helicopter IS a projectile and will need the requisite escape velocity.

It's called SOLAR POWER stupid.

This is why we have failed at educating our children. Science teachers all over this country should be hanging their heads right now.

You can't fly a helicopter above around 25,000 feet as the air is too thin.

That's why you don't see anyone being rescued by helicopter in the Himalayas.

The Famous Max Magooski wrote:

This is why we have failed at educating our children. Science teachers all over this country should be hanging their heads right now.

Because we have spent shit tons of money on rocket ships when we could have easily been flying helicopters to Mars since the 1920s?