I was born three years earlier than this project and that's the first time I ever hear about it.
The L5 Society [wikipedia.org] is well known among space colonization kooks (SCKs). As a SCK, I first learned about the L5 Society in the 1980s. They do good work, advocating practical projects. Putting O'Neill Cylinders [wikipedia.org] at the Lagrangian points is a much more sensible goal than trying to put a human colony on Mars.
L1 and L2 are not stable. A slight perturbation can push you out of orbit, and energy must be continuously expended to stay in position. L4 and L5 are stable. After a slight perturbation, a space station would settle back into the original orbit.
They both have a lower delta-v budget than L5.
Sure, but a bit extra delta-v is no big deal once you are "in space". The hard part is getting out of the atmosphere and into orbit. You need expensive chemical rockets for that. But once in orbit, you can take your time, and use cheap ion thrusters to move to your final position.
L5? (Score:2)
I was born three years earlier than this project and that's the first time I ever hear about it.
Re:L5? (Score:4, Informative)
I was born three years earlier than this project and that's the first time I ever hear about it.
The L5 Society [wikipedia.org] is well known among space colonization kooks (SCKs). As a SCK, I first learned about the L5 Society in the 1980s. They do good work, advocating practical projects. Putting O'Neill Cylinders [wikipedia.org] at the Lagrangian points is a much more sensible goal than trying to put a human colony on Mars.
Re: (Score:2)
Why not L1 or L2? They both have a lower delta-v budget than L5. Is there some particular advantage to L5 that makes it a better choice?
Re: L5? (Score:0)
L4 and L5 are stable orbits. L1-3 are unstable, and it's easy to disturb the orbit of something parked there.
Re:L5? (Score:4, Informative)
Why not L1 or L2?
L1 and L2 are not stable. A slight perturbation can push you out of orbit, and energy must be continuously expended to stay in position. L4 and L5 are stable. After a slight perturbation, a space station would settle back into the original orbit.
They both have a lower delta-v budget than L5.
Sure, but a bit extra delta-v is no big deal once you are "in space". The hard part is getting out of the atmosphere and into orbit. You need expensive chemical rockets for that. But once in orbit, you can take your time, and use cheap ion thrusters to move to your final position.