On 25 Feb 2018 at 19:47, Richard Aiken wrote:

>
> On Sat, Feb 24, 2018 at 10:50 AM, shadow at shadowgard.com (via tml
> list) <xxxxxx@simplelists.com > wrote:
>
> (big snip)
>
>     Usually set up so that the low end is stationary (only
>     momentarily) at some height above the ground.
>
> (little snip)
>  
>     Requires steady nerves or good automation to dock on either end.
>     :-)
>
>
> If the first is true, then I don't see why the second has to be true.
>
> A [relatively] slow moving low end could be rigged to snatch up a
> cargo - 
> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fulton_surface-to-air_recovery_system -
> either from a standing start (if it can stand the sudden jerk) or from
> a moving platform such as a bullet train.

At the low end, if things are set up properly, the end of the tether
will seem to come down vertically, pause for a moment and then zomm
back up.

In fact that's one of the *points* for the system. That you don't
have to "catch up" to it at the low end.

Mind you, it isn't actually coming straight down, but on a "human"
scale it is.

--
Leonard Erickson (aka shadow)
shadow at shadowgard dot com