Hacker News new | ask | show | jobs
by sysreq_ 41 days ago
Been working this for a few months now. It’s not a crazy hard problem - but it does break the mold of distance and speed taking priority over capacity. If you have any questions feel free to ask. I can get into the pros/cons of all the various options and tuning knobs.
3 comments
Catloafdev 41 days ago
> not a crazy hard problem

Saw the one video linked here comparing other existing transport ratios, and asking for double that is 'not crazy hard'? It certainly sounds like a challenge.

link
stevage 41 days ago
Yeah I'd be interested to hear more about what the options might be. Also curious why it is that DARPA thinks this is solvable, but no one has come close yet.
link
sysreq_ 41 days ago
The tunable influences on a rotor are primarily velocity (rotation speed) and surface area (radius). Conceptually it’s more similar to something like a human powered helicopter (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AeroVelo_Atlas) than you might expect.
link
AndrewKemendo 41 days ago
Why do you find it ethically ok to continue to support the Department of Defense/War?
link
mhb 41 days ago
How does the cognitive dissonance of having the luxury to express that opinion while being protected by the most powerful military in the world not rip you apart?
link
skulk 40 days ago
It feels like the US military is 90% racketeering and 10% physically protecting Americans, if that. Most of our protection comes from two gigantic oceans on both sides.

Though, I really do enjoy this racket so I guess I'm not allowed to ask any questions about the ethics of keeping it going.

link
AndrewKemendo 41 days ago
Do you just follow me around with the same tired argument?

Again…I spent 17 years as a military officer I’m not hearing anything from someone that hasn’t served anything.

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48478867

link
mhb 40 days ago
> Do you just follow me around with the same tired argument?

Indeed not. You're the one who made the comment on something I submitted.

link