That was an amazing article. I love Elon's spirit, makes me wish I could work for him for the rest of my life.....need to find a job with SpaceX or Tesla......thanks for sharing!
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If someone can get me a ticket, will give my left nut...
thanks! interesting stuff, as usual.You may watch a video of Elon's presentation here:
AeroAstro Centennial Webcast
Elon's interview begins at 7:00
Yes at his best in this format. I suspect he inspired a number of students there. Demonstrated he could connect to questioners on a personnel basis as well
electric powered aeroplanes are closer than we think. It would be possible if battery capacity reaches 400 Wh per KG. Current technology already achieves 300Wh per KG.
... his comment that with gimbaled electric fan motors for propulsion the tail assembly and rudder and ailerons were unnecessary was an eye opener...
Wouldn't you need them to retain flight control in a glide if you ever lost power?
While these are true, I don't see any reason that that couldn't be overcome with different wing placement/design.I don't know enough about aeronautics to answer your question with any confidence, but your point seems valid. In a normal plane, my understanding is that the tail fins actually keep the rear of the plane from rising up, not from "falling down". And without a rudder control surface the plane will yaw.
As for glide if you lose power... This is an interesting question, and perhaps it's worth looking at the odds of this situation in modern aircraft, vs the current abilities in that respect, (my understanding is that even in current aircraft the ability to control is very limited) and whether there is a different option to increase the reliability instead?But as you say, in the case of total less of power, there needs to be a system to control the plane.
Wouldn't you need them to retain flight control in a glide if you ever lost power?
While these are true, I don't see any reason that that couldn't be overcome with different wing placement/design.
As for glide if you lose power... This is an interesting question, and perhaps it's worth looking at the odds of this situation in modern aircraft, vs the current abilities in that respect, (my understanding is that even in current aircraft the ability to control is very limited) and whether there is a different option to increase the reliability instead?
On a separate note. I was unable to get the links in this thread to work for me. But I did find the presentation on Youtube (I found many 1-2 minute clips, but I finally found a whole one as well) One on One with Elon Musk MIT AeroAstro Centennial Symposium - YouTube total length 1hr23min