A4_2 Plausibility of Planes on Other Planets

Authors

  • Josh Finn University of Leicester
  • Peter Millington-Hotze University of Leicester
  • Elsa Monget University of Leicester
  • Alex Blewitt University of Leicester
  • Joshua Ford University of Leicester

Abstract

In this paper we explore the possibility of a typical passenger aeroplane taking-off from the surface of each of the terrestrial planets using aerodynamic lift from its wings. This should be possible on Venus, with the minimum take-off speed found to be v ≈ 10 m s^-1, compared to v ≈ 81 m s^-1 on Earth. However, this would be unlikely on Mars, as this would require v ≈ 340 m s^-1, and impossible on Mercury, where the lack of atmosphere prevents the wings from generating  lift.

Author Biographies

Josh Finn, University of Leicester

Fourth year student at the University of Leicester.

Peter Millington-Hotze, University of Leicester

Fourth year student at the University of Leicester.

Elsa Monget, University of Leicester

Fourth year student at the University of Leicester.

Alex Blewitt, University of Leicester

Fourth year student at the University of Leicester.

Joshua Ford, University of Leicester

Fourth year student at the University of Leicester.

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Published

27-10-2019

How to Cite

Finn, J., Millington-Hotze, P., Monget, E., Blewitt, A., & Ford, J. (2019). A4_2 Plausibility of Planes on Other Planets. Physics Special Topics, 18(1). Retrieved from https://journals.le.ac.uk/index.php/pst/article/view/3296

Issue

Vol. 18 No. 1 (2019): Physics Special Topics

Section

Articles