The Spacecraft - Part D

Keywords: UFO, unidentified flying objects, Bible, flying saucers, prophecy, Paleo-SETI, ancient astronauts, Erich von Däniken, Josef F. Blumrich, Zecharia Sitchin, Ezekiel, biblical prophecy, spacecraft, spaceship, NASA, Roswell, aircraft, propellant, extraterrestrial hypothesis, Jacques Vallee, interdimensional hypothesis, Project Blue Book, Condon Report, ancient history, Jesus, Judaism, Christianity, Middle East, end times, engines, rockets, helicopters, space travel, aliens, abductions, alien abductions, crop circles, extraterrestrials, astronomy, economics, biology, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Space Shuttle, Apollo, stars, planets, solar system, scriptures, design, fuel tank, aerodynamics, fuels, hydrogen, oxygen, wheels

Chapter 4

    The most remarkable characteristic of these systems that are so important for the mission of the spaceship is the total lack of any unusual features: There is nothing in their entire layout that would be outside of our present knowledge and capabilities.  [p.31] 

    The arrangement of the rotor plane relative to the main body requires a columnlike structure between the connecting point on the outer rim of the main body and the helicopter as such (Figs. 1 and 4). The four helicopter units also turn out to be the natural elements for supporting the spacecraft on the ground. However, the landing legs and wheels needed for this purpose are at a considerable distance from the rotor plane. Accordingly, another supporting structure must exist below that plane, and the landing gear will be attached to its lower end. This supporting structure can be used advantageously for the attachment of the control rockets and to house their propellant containers. Since the shape of the latter is either cylindrical or spherical, the form appearing on Figs. 1, 2, and 4 emerges as a natural consequence. Moreover, there is room in the lower area of that cylindrical structure for the retractable wheel. For reasons explained later, the control rockets were placed on the side of the cylinder that faces the main body. Finally, the mechanical arms operated by remote control are also installed on the outer side of the cylinder. With their aid, one can carry out manipulations that may be required either on the spacecraft itself or with objects on the ground.

    The rotor consists of four blades, which can be folded upward and downward in pairs when they are at rest. This blade arrangement is not complicated in principle but seems nonetheless peculiar; it raises therefore the question of its technical reasons.

    The answer is partly supplied by the position of the helicopters during the braking phase, which will be discussed later: The rotor blades and especially those that are extended outward would be exposed to excessive aerodynamic loads (Fig. 11). There is therefore a definite reason for folding the blades, but it does not yet provide an explanation for the folding pattern in two opposite directions. The solution becomes understandable if one considers the rotors after the landing. As long as they are in their operating position, but not actually turning, one or two blades of each rotor are very close to the radiator. The latter, however, is still at its full operating temperature and the blades are necessarily exposed to its considerable heat radiation. Even with the use of appropriate materials, deformation of the blades could not be avoided and the rotor would become unusable at least temporarily. To avoid such problems, the blades must be removed from the proximity of the radiator; this is possible only by swinging them away or by folding them respectively. However, if all four blades were to hang downward, one blade would still be exposed to the heat of the radiator over its full length and width (blade no. 1 of Fig. 6). The two neighboring blades offer the smallest possible surface to the heat radiation (nos. 2 and 3 of Fig. 6); they are in the most favorable position attainable in this area. The unfavorable position of rotor blade no. 1 (Fig. 6) can be avoided, however, if it is folded upward instead of downward. Such a position moves the blade to the greatest possible distance from the radiator. An additional reduction of the heat input results from the fact that this blade is no longer positioned directly opposite the radiator. The folding of rotor blades in pairs therefore reduces to the barest unavoidable minimum the heat input and the related problems of blade distortion and material selection. This great advantage is no doubt the reason for the adopted arrangement.

Figure 6  Heat input on rotor blades

    When the rotor is in operation, however, all four blades do come close to the glowing surface with every revolution, but they are exposed to the heat for only a short time and are continuously cooled by the flow of air. From this results after a short time a stationary condition of only slightly increased temperature. This condition may be taken into account—if at all necessary—in the blade analysis, the design, and the materials selection. The cylindrical body of the helicopter is eventually fully exposed to the heat input over part of its surface; but it can be adequately protected by using appropriate materials and a suitable design.     

    As in all such structures, the great difference in the number of revolutions between the rotor and the drive motor requires the use of a reduction gear. In our contemporary designs, engine and gears are located below the rotor. In the vehicle we are discussing, however, the rotors are driven from above and consequently the gear is located above the rotor plane.

    For aerodynamic reasons and also for protection against heat and dirt, the gear is surrounded by a fairing. The latter necessarily has a somewhat irregular shape since it must follow the outline of the gear; moreover, it requires small cutouts for the rods and levers of the blade controls. In addition, the fairing must have two deep cutouts for each of the two blades that fold upward. Such details have no technical significance by themselves. But we shall see in the next section of the book what significance they can assume for someone who—like Ezekiel—has no technical knowledge of what he sees.     

    So far only one rotor plane has been mentioned. It is possible, however, that the blades were in fact rotating in pairs at two levels, one above the other. This variation depends on the manner and method of equalization of the driving torque of the rotors. This has no influence on configuration and fundamental feasibility of the vehicle and will therefore not be further discussed.

    The control rockets are used to perform small attitude corrections or course corrections in flight. The principle of their arrangement is shown in Fig. 7.

Figure 7 Mechanical arm and control rockets  [p.34]