THE PATH TO THE STARS. COLLECTION OF SCIENCE-FICTION WORKS
Abstract
The article is a collection of science fiction works and a number of propositions by the Russian author, K. E. Tsiolkovsky. Many of his ideas and propositions have proven to be inaccurate, but nevertheless he did accurately describe some possibilities of the space environment as we know it today. He proposed that the absence of gravity facilitates work, and this relieves the pain of the aged and the ill. He proposed the use of a special green house for supplying food and the restoration of wastes into usable air and water. All necessary energy was to be obtained by mirrors from the sun's rays, which Tsiolkovsky thought were being wasted for the most part. He gives an adequately accurate description of the moon's landscape, but he is presupposing too much in the description of native life on the moon and other planets, especially without an atmosphere, and the ease with which gravity is defied. Tsiolkovsky also underestimated some suppositions about the acceleration force in the absence of gravity and the danger of meteorite collision. He overestimated the possibility of using a liquid medium for reducing 'g' forces on man during acceleration and the possibility of 'catching' meteorites with nets as one would catch butterflies. Some other improbable conceptions of his are the underestimation of using mirrors to create temperature increases at great distances from the sun, the assumption that all starts have planetary systems, migrations to other planets is a necessity, the estimation of the sun's 'cooling' and destroying the Earth, forcing humanity to find another home by migration to other planets. Despite his inaccurate assumptions, his articles are of value.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 21, 1966
- Accession Number
- AD0644808
Entities
People
- K. E. Tsiolkovski
Organizations
- National Air and Space Intelligence Center