Thursday, April 22, 1965 University Daily Kansan
Page 7
N Ε Ο Π Ρ Σ Τ Υ Φ Χ Ψ Ω
static-
eland
This
if the
view,
As-
will
Wat-
inner
day in
Union.
Moon Gravity Stunt Gives Reporter Lift
By Eric Johnson
ers
Last Friday and Saturday, 15.000 people viewed the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) "Moon Simulator," the first place winner of KU's Engineering Exposition.
It isn't often we get the chance to experience gravitational conditions of the moon here on earth. It was too much of an opportunity to pass up, so I tried it.
711
WITH MY HEAD in a football helmet and my chest, posterior and left leg in padded slings suspended from the ceiling by 21 feet of aircraft control cable. I tried my hand at moon acrobatics.
Observe the construction of a tall building. A heavy steel girder would be hard to move in any direction if it were sitting on the ground.
WITH THE HELP of a crane, the girder is moved into position ready for installation. Since the crane is supporting all the weight of the girder, a construction worker can easily maneuver the steel beams into place to be made part of the building's skeleton.
The principles involved in the moon simulator are simple.
In the same way, the cables of the moon simulator support the weight of your body. The cables are attached to a movable track which allows the "astronaut" to move forward and backward.
The gravity on the moon is one-sixth that of earth. The person in the simulator "stands" on a floor which is tilted 9.5 degrees off the vertical. Instead of all your weight being supported by the cable, only five-sixths is. The other one-sixth is supported by the floor. (A bathroom scale placed beneath my feet read 30 pounds: I weigh 180.)
AT FIRST, THE main problem is keeping your balance. There is a
tendency to fall forwards or backwards. Due to the reduced weight, the falls are of little consequence. I jumped to a height of five feet and landed on my back with no more of a jolt than one would experience accidentally falling out of bed.
After about a five minute acclimatization period. I was surprised to find I could do gymnastic stunts I could not do before.
Keith E. Gilliland, Pamona senior and one of the prime movers of the moon simulator project, said a man on earth can only jump about two feet straight up from a standing position. This takes him about one sixteenth of a second to go up and land again.
TRUSSED UP AS I was, I jumped easily to six feet and landed in two seconds. The speed for everything was slowed down.
It took me four seconds to fall on my face and three seconds to do a forward flip.
Gillianl explained that since we do most of our walking in one plane, that is we don't wobble from side to side, the moon simulator does not impede the walking motion.
MY WALKING WAS not impeded, but it was difficult at first. Reduced gravity meant reduced traction as I soon found out.
The moon simulator is similar to one being used by NASA to train our astronauts the intricacies of moon maneuvering.
The idea for use of the simulator in the exposition came from the journal of the AIAA, the magazine each member receives.
UPON RE-ENTERING the world of normal weight and forces I felt the same sensation in walking as when a person gets off a trampoline. For perhaps ten minutes, you feel as if you are walking on sponges.
Parenthood Act on Books
it." Avery said about the controversial birth control bill passed by the Legislature.
TOPEKA—(UPI)—A bill authorizing planned parenthood centers throughout Kansas became law Wednesday without the signature of Gov. William H. Avery.
"I had some mixed emotions about
"It was not part of my legislative recommendations," the governor said.
Why not start... her china service now?
Girls her age do know their own minds. And it's never too early to start giving her the china she'll enjoy as a bride and for the rest of her lifetime.
When she does decide, it will more than likely be a Lenox pattern. For Lenox has been the favorite with brides for generations. Brookdale, shown here, is a particular favorite of brides. But there are many Lenox patterns to choose from in our collection.And they're all lovely!
BROOKDALE. Delicate sprigs of hand applied orange blossoms, highlighted by bands of rich platinum . . . a picture of enduring beauty. 5-piece place setting...$24.95
INTERVIEWS
for
KU-Y Cabinet Positions
Interviews will be held this Sunday, April 25, 2:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Applications available in KU-Y office, Kansas Union. Chairmanships are available for the following programs:
- Model U.N.
- Rock Chalk Revue Bus. Mgr.
- Rock Chalk Revue Producer
- Tutor Service - Youth Friendship
- Current Issues Forum
- Special Events - Children's Hour
- Y's Jayhawker - School Resource Volunteers
- Membership Campaign
- Freshman Model Senate
Just Because...
928 Mass.
VI 3-8500
FOR YOUR SAFETY
Let us SAFETY-CHECK
your car
It could save your life and the check is FREE
Come in today or phone ahead for an appointment VI 3-4321
FRITZ CO.