GAIA TWO HOW TO

The tensegrital monocoque spacecraft Gaia Two presents an alternative means of Human Space Exploration.

The test vehicle can be constructed, launched to the 'edge-of-near-space', and recovered using existing technologies.

Gaia Two will be raised to 150,000' by balloon and dropped.

She will accelerate to terminal velocity while falling into the much denser atmosphere of 80,000'.

At this point, using the long recognized, but never properly utilized 'skip-off the atmosphere' method, Gaia Two throbs with kinetic energy stored from the drop.

This force, combined with an afterburst of highly compressed air, will enable Gaia Two to escape Earth's gravity.

The compressed air propulsion will establish and maintain Gaia Two's thrust, as she soars outward, away from Earth's center, until the vehicle reaches the currently accepted 'edge-of-near-space' altitude of 100K.

Gaia Two will 'Fall into Space'.

NOTE...in early tests all maneuvers are accomplished via remote radio control...triggering onboard ballast, gyros, and bursts of air to control orientation.

Recovery is accomplished by simply turning the vehicle around and allowing her to drop as before.

During re-entry, as friction in the lower atmosphere starts to generate dangerous heat, the vehicle will begin a series of soar and drop maneuvers...skipping off lightly, stalling, and resuming the drop...each upward swoop will serve to cool and slow the re-entry until the vehicle is dropping under control like any aerodynamic vehicle preparing to land.

At this point, Gaia two begins a long glide to the surface of the ocean, where she will slice to a smooth stop, and float safely until the recovery vessel is on scene.

After accomplishing this feat, as our abilities to function in Space progress, Gaia Two will continue to adapt and evolve, providing Humanity with the only vehicle ever needed in our endless quest for expansion.