Chapter 21 21. Roulette

"Actually, I should have thought," said the Minister, "that one of the proposals which I have not had time to look at would have mentioned this question. But that is all right. You have seen all the proposals we have sent. material, and now I await your answer. To be honest, this question really worries me as hell." "The solution to the problem has to be very ingenious and simple," Morgan said. "I think we should be able to find such a solution." "I'll find out this way soon..." Morgan said to himself without any pretense of modesty.In his imagination, he once again saw the huge system simulated by the electronic computer, which seemed to be the strings installed on the violin of the universe, through which the low-frequency oscillations were reciprocating between the earth and the space orbit.On top of this image, the video about "Dancing Bridge" that has been circling thousands of times in memory is added.That's all the clues to solve the problem.

Morgan excitedly described to Minister of the People Mars the very ingenious and simple solution he envisioned: "Phobos flies past the space orbital tower of the space elevator every eleven hours and ten minutes, but fortunately, the plane of its trajectory does not completely coincide with the space orbital tower. Therefore, most of its spiral orbits are in space. The moment of collision can be easily predicted with an accuracy of up to one millisecond. Next, let us explore further. Like all structures, elevators are not an absolutely rigid system ...it is itself undergoing a natural oscillation, the frequency of which can be calculated with as much accuracy as the orbits of the planets. Your engineers suggest that the inherent natural oscillation of the elevator be "tuned" so that it does not As for the encounter with Phobos. Whenever there is a danger of a collision with a satellite, the Space Orbit Tower moves away from its original position—it can drift several kilometers away from the danger zone."

On the other end of the line, there was a long silence. "Maybe I'm exaggerating," the People's Martian Minister finally said, "I always feel a little creepy." Morgan laughed: "Of course, to put it bluntly, this brings to mind...—how should I put it more precisely?—by the way, roulette. But we're dealing with rhythms that can be accurately predicted. .We know where Phobos is at all times and can control the offset distance of the Space Orbit Tower by choosing the desired cargo motion specification." Morgan stopped talking.There was a contrast in his mind so definite and rare that he almost laughed out loud.

Morgan unknowingly came to the dancing bridge of Tacoma Canyon again, but this time in a fantasy world.At strictly stipulated moments, a ship should pass under the bridge.Unfortunately, the ship's mast was one meter higher than the prescribed size. Things weren't that great.Just before the ship appears, let several heavy-duty trucks drive across the bridge, and the spacing of the vehicles is selected to excite the resonant frequency of the bridge.In this way, gentle waves will be set off between the various piers of the entire bridge, and the crest of the wave will just catch up with the moment when the ship passes..."

"I have complete confidence in you," said the Minister. "However, we have a saying here that beliefs are to be tested. Therefore, before using the elevator, I must have someone verify the location of Phobos." "Is that so? But your capable companions - judging by their rough-and-tumble style of technical matters, they are indeed immature - want to use these thrilling scenes as bait to attract tourists from Earth. They Think tourists can be charged extra for being able to see Phobos zipping by at arm's length at the speed of a supersonic voyageur. That's not a bad stunt, don't you agree?"

"Probably. But anyway, I'm glad to hear that there's a solution to the problem. And, from the impression I get, you appreciate the talents of our engineers. So what do we When can I get your final answer?" "I can give you an answer now," Morgan said confidently, "When shall we do it?"