Think Like A Scientist

On May 4th, 2011 SpaceShip Two, the world’s first commercial spaceship designed by Burt Rutan, demonstrated its unique reentry “feathered” configuration for the first time. After a 45 minute climb to 51,500 feet, SpaceShip Two was released from Whiteknight Two, VMS Eve. After establishing a stable glide the test pilots deployed the “feathered ” configuration by rotating the tail section of the vehicle upwards to a 65 degree angle to the fuselage. SpaceShip Two remained in this configuration for 1 minute and 15 seconds. While descending almost vertically, at around 15,500 feet per minute. SpaceShip Two was slowed by the powerful shuttlecock-like drag created by the raised tail section. This design is based on the shuttlecock used in badminton. I’m curious as to what model from nature Man borrowed from in designing the badminton shuttlecock. I suspect Archaeopteryx may have been a likely model. For further details about the first “feathered” reentry of SpaceShip Two see Virgin Galactic site here.

The “Ark” envisioned by Russian architect, Alexander Remizov could be the perfect eco building of the future. The Ark can house up to 10,000 people at a time.The Ark would be built with a pre-fab frame made from timber, steel, and high strength ETFE plastic instead of glass. The Ark can be constructed quickly, and can withstand environmental disasters. The Arc can be built on land or in water. The eco-friendly dome is designed to withstand biblical flood levels. The top half of the ark can float above the surface, while the remainder is submerged. The roof material is designed to collect solar rays and rain water. The building is self-efficient, the basement can store wind, thermal, and solar energy for up to six months. The Ark is another example of man applying models from nature in modern innovations. Nature does not waste, it’s very efficient. For more information about the Ark see the following article .